Reeves addresses tears in Commons as Starmer sets out NHS plan – what’s the latest?published at 13:23 British Summer Time
Adam Goldsmith
Live reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesWe’ve now had some time to digest what’s been happening this morning, so let’s briefly run through what we’ve heard.
Today’s agenda has been dominated by two main topics: the government’s announcement of a ten-year plan for the NHS, and Rachel Reeves’s tearful appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday.
Keir Starmer, speaking from a London hospital, suggested he had been “the last to appreciate” Reeves’s tears in the Commons while he took questions at PMQs.
For her part, Rachel Reeves said that she was having a “tough day”, but stressed that she and the prime minister would continue to work “lockstep together”.
New plans for the NHS announced today are comprised of three key changes – we’ve outlined them here.
Starmer says the overall idea is to deliver a so-called “Neighbourhood Health Service” – open 12 hours a day, six days a week.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the importance of the reform, arguing it is “change or bust” for the NHS – before suggesting only a Labour government can keep it running.
The Conservatives have largely welcomed the plans, though shadow health secretary Edward Argar warned that the plans are “sketchy on some of the details of delivery”.
As our correspondents work through the full 167-page plan, external, we’ll bring you plenty of analysis and updates throughout the afternoon. Stay with us.
