Jeremy Corbyn urges Theresa May to save NHS 'from death by a thousand cuts' in PMQs clash
In an exchange dominated by the health service, the Prime Minister also attacked Labour's performance in Wales
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over the NHS, with the Prime Minister urged to save the health service “from death by a thousand cuts”.
In an exchange dominated by the NHS, the Labour leader also alluded to reports that Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, had demanded an extra £5bn for the NHS at a meeting of the Cabinet earlier this week.
Mr Corbyn said the Prime Minister should “face up to the reality” of the problems in the health service, but Ms May shot back: “There is only one part of the NHS that has seen a cut in its funding – it’s the NHS in Wales under a Labour government.
“This is a Government that is backing the NHS plan, that is putting more money into the NHS, that is recruiting more doctors and nurses, that is seeing new treatments come on board which ensure people are getting the best treatment,” she added.
The Labour leader also used the weekly session to cite concerning reports in the NHS in recent weeks. “It’s been reported that a man froze to death waiting 16 hours for an ambulance,” he told MPs gathered in the Commons.
He added: “Last week a young gentleman called Chris wrote to me saying ‘my friend’s 93-year-old father waiting four hours for an ambulance after a fall’.”
Mr Corbyn said the NHS is being “starved of resources” and people are “dying unnecessarily in the back of ambulances and in hospital corridors”.
“GP numbers are down, nurses are leaving, the NHS is in crisis,” he said. ”Tory MPs might not like it, but I ask this question of the Prime Minister – when is she going to face up to the reality and take action to save the NHS from death by a thousand cuts?”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments