PMQs: PM refuses to commit to 40 new hospitals

Rishi Sunak today refused to commit to building the 40 new hospitals promised in the Conservative manifesto, in response to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper at PMQs.

The Prime Minister instead said the "Chancellor will set out plans in the Autumn Statement.” It comes despite his pledge yesterday to deliver on the promises made in the 2019 Conservative manifesto in his first speech outside Downing Street.

Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said: 

"Rishi Sunak is on track to break a key manifesto promise by refusing to commit to building 40 new hospitals. 

"These days the Conservative manifesto isn't worth the paper it's written on. Anything less than a cast iron guarantee and cash in the bank will pave the way for another broken promise on our NHS. 

"As hospital roofs are at risk of collapsing and waiting lists spiral out of control, we desperately need these new hospitals. There can be no backtracking on promises made.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The 2019 Conservative manifesto stated: “We will build and fund 40 new hospitals over the next 10 years.”

Link to the PMQ can be found here.