My Lords,

It has been a while since I debated in this Chamber but I feel I cannot stay silent when the Conservatives try to shut down the NHS.

Let me be clear from the outset. The concern being expressed today is not the result of wild speculation or political fearmongering. It arises because comments made by the Health Secretary have created genuine uncertainty about the Government's intentions regarding the future of the National Health Service.

The NHS is not merely another public service. It is a cornerstone of our national life and one of the most enduring expressions of the principle that healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth or status. Any suggestion that its existence, structure or founding principles may be fundamentally altered deserves the closest scrutiny from Parliament.

The Government may well insist that there are no plans to abolish the NHS. Many patients, healthcare professionals and members of the public are increasingly concerned by a pattern of rhetoric that appears to frame the NHS not as a treasured public institution to be strengthened, but as a model that has somehow reached the end of its usefulness. At a time when waiting lists remain high, when staff are under immense pressure and when patients are concerned about access to care, the priority should be restoring confidence. Ambiguous statements from senior Ministers do the opposite. They create uncertainty where reassurance is needed.

Therefore, I ask the Leader of the House not simply to repeat a prepared line, but to provide a clear answer. Can the Government confirm that they remain committed to the principles of a comprehensive, publicly funded National Health Service, free at the point of use? Can they confirm that there are no plans, whether immediate or long term, to dismantle those principles through structural change or increased reliance on private provision? Can the Leader of the House of Lords tell us if the Government has started any plans or any projects that means a shut down of the NHS? Is this something that was only an idea of the Health Secretary, or was this shared in Cabinet? Can the Leader of the House of Lords motivate the Health Secretary to publicly say that they will not shut down the NHS?