Health Secretary: Tories 'lied' about hospital cash

Health Secretary Wes Streeting's claims the previous government's hospital building programme was a "work of fiction" are disputed by the Conservatives

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has claimed the previous government "lied" when it made assurances funding was in place for a new cancer hospital.

Plans for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital have been placed under review, alongside 25 other hospital building schemes.

Speaking on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Mr Streeting accused the Conservatives of being dishonest when health officials told Anthony Browne - the former Tory MP for South Cambridgeshire - that the funds were in place.

In a statement, Steve Barclay - Mr Streeting's predecessor as health secretary - said Labour was using the money for new hospitals elsewhere.

Former Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire, Anthony Browne, said the previous government had assured him funds were in place

Mr Browne told the BBC: "The government did a review last year of the entire new hospital programme, to make sure it was all deliverable and all the money was there.

"And absolutely the last government was 100% committed to it. I had a meeting where Steve Barclay and his officials 100% backed it."

Plans for the hospital, based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, were approved in April.

Responding to Mr Browne's comments, Mr Streeting said: "I think they lied to him.

"I struggle to think Anthony would come on and just lie to people across Cambridgeshire.

"I can tell you unequivocally I came into government to find the timetable for the hospital programme a work of fiction, and the money for the programme running out in March - and I don't think that's an acceptable situation.

"I don't think it's acceptable that the Conservatives went into the last general election hiding from the country a £22bn black hole in public finances."

The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital is one of the new hospital projects now under review

Mr Barclay, the MP for North East Cambridgeshire - who was health secretary between October 2022 and November 2023 - said a review in May 2023 included the feasibility of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital.

He said: "This commitment was agreed across government, including being signed off by the accounting officer for the Department of Health and Social Care, the chief secretary and senior officials in HMT Treasury, and senior officials in NHS England.

"The Labour government can choose to prioritise funding to other areas of the health budget, such as higher pay awards, but these are choices they are making."

The Labour government has committed to make replacing hospitals affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete a priority.

The BBC has also contacted the Conservative Party for comment.