Luke Taylor criticises Government failure to support motions to fix health and care crises

The Government has rejected two parliamentary motions to tackle the health and care crises.

Tabled as part of the Liberal Democrats’ first Opposition Day since 2009, the first proposal focused on the Carer’s Allowance repayments scandal, calling on the Government to write off existing overpayments and conduct a full review of support for unpaid carers. 

The second motion urged Ministers to boost access to community healthcare, lambasting the current wait times for GP, NHS dentist and local pharmacy appointments. Shocking recent data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats revealed that in the last year, 45% of Brits have tried and were unable to get an NHS appointment. The statistics further indicated that 1 in 4 people have been unable to work because of this lack of access to appointments. 

The Liberal Democrats’ proposal called for new healthcare mandates which would give everyone the right to see a GP within 7 days (or within 24 hours if in urgent need) and guarantee emergency access to an NHS dentist.

Despite the huge strain on the NHS as we head into the winter months, Labour MPs voted against the motions. Luke Taylor MP criticised their decision as “deeply disappointing.”

Commenting on the vote, Luke Taylor MP said :  

“Local healthcare in Sutton and Cheam and across London is in dire need of support and the carers’ overpayment scandal is a national disgrace. Families and pensioners are in desperate need of a fair deal. 

“That’s why Liberal Democrat MPs tabled these measures - to rescue our GPs, NHS dentists, community pharmacists and of course our carers.

“It is deeply disappointing that the Government failed to back our motions, which was tabled in the spirit of constructive opposition and would have made sure we get health and social care services the support they need.

“In the debate I spoke out about the crisis facing GPs in Sutton and Cheam and called on the Government to finally provide the funding they are asking for to continue to do their vital work.

“I’ll keep putting pressure on the Government to do the right thing. Health and social care must be their top priority - especially in the budget at the end of October."