Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves faced sharp criticism on November 26, 2023, during an appearance on GB News. The backlash, led by Liberal Democrats MP Helen Morgan, centered on the taxation policies introduced in Reeves’ latest budget, which many believe will leave households financially strained.
Morgan, discussing the pressing issues within the National Health Service (NHS), characterized the new tax measures as “problematic.” She stated, “We welcome investment in the NHS, but taxing people during a cost-of-living crisis is really, really problematic.” The MP emphasized the need for alternative funding sources, suggesting that the government should consider taxing the windfall profits of large banks instead of burdening ordinary citizens.
In her statement, Morgan expressed concern over the economic strategy of the current government, advocating for a more ambitious approach to stimulate growth. “We need to look at all the red tape in our trade dealing with Europe to avoid continuous tax increases. We can grow tax revenue without picking people’s pockets,” she remarked.
Criticism of Pharmaceutical Deal and NHS Funding
Morgan also criticized a recent pharmaceutical deal that the UK government negotiated with the United States. This agreement allows for zero tariffs on exported British drugs to America for the next three years. Morgan described the deal as “very concerning” for NHS patients, noting that it could impose an additional financial burden of up to £6 billion on the NHS budget. She argued that this money should be invested in frontline services rather than being diverted to large pharmaceutical companies.
“The nuclear trusts are quite clear that the best way to save lives is to invest that money into frontline services,” Morgan stated. She highlighted the urgent need for resources to be allocated to enhance patient care rather than supporting corporate interests.
Addressing the current state of the NHS, Morgan pointed to alarming statistics, revealing that nearly 450,000 patients had waited on trolleys for over 12 hours as of October 2023. “These numbers are horrendous,” she said, underlining the dangers of prolonged waiting times in emergency care.
Call for Emergency Measures in the NHS
In light of these issues, Morgan called for the government to implement an emergency package aimed at alleviating the pressures on the NHS this winter. She proposed the introduction of 1,000 extra staff beds in hospitals, alongside a comprehensive emergency care strategy to ensure patients could be safely monitored during long waits.
Morgan’s plea included a demand for a qualified clinician to be present in every waiting room, ensuring adequate supervision for patients facing extended delays. She also urged the government to take decisive action to address the shortage of General Practitioners (GPs), which has contributed to the rising number of patients turning to emergency services.
As the debate around taxation and healthcare continues, the government’s response to these concerns will be closely watched by citizens and political commentators alike. The impact of Reeves’ budget decisions on public health and economic stability remains a critical issue for many in the UK.
