High Peak MP Robert Largan has welcomed the Spending Review which provides billions of pounds in the fight against coronavirus and invests in the UK’s recovery.
On Wednesday (25 November), the Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, set out an ambitious plan that focuses on levelling up across the country by investing in vital infrastructure that will ensure the UK builds back better from coronavirus.
In response to the Chancellor’s statement, Robert asked:
“I wholeheartedly welcome the announcement that doctors, nurses and NHS workers will be getting a pay increase. This crisis has shown that we desperately need to invest in our urgent care capacity. That is why I have been campaigning for new urgent care centres for both Tameside Hospital and Stepping Hill Hospital. Will the Chancellor confirm that the Government remain 100% committed to the NHS hospital upgrade programme?”
The Chancellor answered:
“My hon. Friend is absolutely right. On top of the existing in-year funding we have provided to deal with winter pressures for A&E, the spending review confirms £3.7 billion of funding over the next few years to deliver both the 40 new hospitals we have talked about and 70 hospital upgrades. Rest assured; we remain completely committed to this programme.”
As part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to funding the nation’s priorities, the Spending Review announced a further £55 million to help with the response to the coronavirus pandemic, including £18 billion for mass testing, Test and Trace, PPE, vaccines, and £3 billion to support NHS recovery.
Next year, the health budget will grow by £6.6 billion, allowing us to deliver 50,000 more nurses and 50 million more GP appointments. The Government is investing in new technologies, building 40 new hospitals, upgrading 70 existing hospitals, and replacing the vast majority of ageing diagnostic equipment.
There will be more money for schools too, meaning every pupil in the country will see a year-on-year funding increase of at least 2 per cent. The Government is funding its commitment to rebuild 500 schools over the next decade, and are providing £375 million to deliver the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
The Chancellor also announced £400 million to recruit 6,000 new police officers, meaning the Government is on track to meet its pledge to recruit 20,000 more police officers by 2023. More than £24 billion of investment in defence will deliver the biggest sustained increase in 30 years, allowing the UK to provide security not just for our own country, but around the world.
In addition to an increase in core spending power for local authorities by an estimated 4.5 per cent, there will be over £3 billion of additional coronavirus support, and an extra £254 million of funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
The Chancellor also announced plans for a new £4 billion Levelling Up Fund. The new fund will build the infrastructure of everyday life, such as new bypasses, upgraded railway stations, less traffic, more libraries, museums and galleries, and better high streets and town centres.
Robert Largan MP commented:
“While the health emergency facing our country is not yet over, the economic emergency has only just begun. The Spending Review tackles this unprecedented situation head-on, ensuring lives and livelihoods in the High Peak are protected and supported in the weeks and months ahead.
“A spending review like this is very difficult, especially given the huge impact the pandemic has had on our public finances. The Government has to make tough choices, and not all of them will be popular. But on the whole, the Government is trying its best to get the balance right and protect the most vulnerable first in these very challenging times.”
