The NHS Crisis
The NHS is in crisis. Years of underfunding, staff shortages, and ever-growing patient demand have left it struggling to deliver the care that people need. Waiting lists are at record highs, emergency services are overwhelmed, and many NHS staff are burnt out. If Labour wants to win the next general election, it must convince voters that it has a serious plan to fix the NHS and that means relentlessly focusing on growing the economy.
The NHS cannot function without adequate funding. While efficiency savings and abolishing quangos such as NHS England and better management are important, the reality is that a strong, growing economy is the only sustainable way to provide the resources the NHS needs. A larger economy means higher tax revenues, which can be invested in hiring more doctors and nurses, improving hospital infrastructure, and expanding services.
Breaking the Cycle of Economic Stagnation
Under the Conservative, the UK’s economy stagnated. Productivity remained low, wages struggled to keep up with inflation, and public services suffered as a result. The economy Is still flatlining and business confidence is falling. Labour must break this cycle by committing to an economic strategy that creates high-wage jobs, boosts investment, and ensures Britain is competitive in key sectors. We must become the number one country in the world for business investment.
Labour must prioritise investment in skills and training, ensuring that the workforce is equipped for high-productivity jobs in sectors such as green energy, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing and the effective use of AI. A better-trained workforce means higher wages, which in turn increases tax revenue which is money that can be used to fund the NHS.
Supporting Businesses to Drive Growth
A pro-growth Labour government must support British businesses by reducing barriers to investment, reforming business rates, and improving infrastructure. By encouraging innovation and productivity through targeted tax incentives such as deductions, Labour can create a stronger economy that generates the wealth needed to sustain public services. We also need to ensure that we have a plan for reducing business taxes so they can grow. While economic growth is the best long-term solution, Labour must also ensure that tax revenues are used fairly and efficiently. Closing tax loopholes, tackling tax avoidance, and ensuring that the wealthiest contribute their fair share will provide additional funds for NHS investment without placing undue pressure on working families.
Fixing NHS Staff Shortages with Economic Growth
Economic growth also means attracting and retaining NHS staff. The current staffing crisis is worsening because of poor pay, working conditions, and excessive workloads. By growing the economy, Labour can afford to offer better wages and working conditions, making the NHS a more attractive employer and ensuring patients receive the care they need. Labour needs to ensure that as far as possible the workforce is supported to avoid the long industrial disputes in the NHS that we experienced under the last Tory government.
Labour cannot rely on nostalgia for the NHS to win votes. It must offer a credible plan to fix it. That means growing the economy, increasing investment, and ensuring the NHS gets the funding it needs. If Labour can convince the electorate that it has a plan to achieve this and can deliver it then Labour will not only win the next general election but also lay the foundations for a healthier, fairer Britain.
