Local MP Robbie Moore has criticised the Chancellor's decision to launch a full review in the nationwide hospital building programme, which includes major work at Airedale Hospital.
Airedale was included in the previous government's New Hospital Programme back in May 2023, following years of campaigning for a re-build. Airedale has been seen as a top priority because of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in much of the existing building in Steeton.
The Conservative government had promised a new hospital for the Airedale site by 2030.
Since the announcement, the NHS Trust has been working with the New Hospital Programme team, with enabling and preparatory works underway and a business case due to be submitted in the Autumn.
But in a statement to the House of Commons today, the Chancellor said all new hospitals on the programme that had previously been promised will now be reviewed, casting doubts over the 2030 deadline.
Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore said the review was “needless". given commitments made by the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting to a new Airedale Hospital. Mr Moore is set to meet Mr Streeting in the coming weeks to challenge the review.
Robbie Moore MP said: “Just days before the general election, the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting assured voters in our community that he was “committed” to rebuilding our new Airedale Hospital. Yet now, the Chancellor has shamefully chosen to put our new hospital on hold, threatening the real risk that it may not happen at all. As I warned during the general election campaign, Labour clearly weren’t being honest with voters about their plans for Airedale Hospital - and I am furious that Labour are using our hospital as part of the Chancellor’s political spectacle.
"If the new Health Secretary is genuinely committed to our New Airedale Hospital, then this review risks needless delay and risks putting the timescale of our new hospital back beyond the critical 2030 deadline set out by structural engineers and agreed to by the Conservative government. This decision jeopardises the future of health services in our area.
"Our Airedale NHS Foundation Trust has been working tirelessly with the New Hospital Programme team over the past year to progress plans for a state-of-the-art hospital by 2030 and they deserve clarity from the government about the timings of this review. I have therefore written directly to the Health Secretary to request an urgent meeting with myself and our Hospital Trust to challenge this review and ensure the on-time and on-budget delivery of our new Airedale Hospital."
In a statement, local Labour officials said they were 'confident' that the rebuilding of Airedale Hospital would be honoured by the new government.
Pam Johnson, Chair of Keighley and Ilkley Constituency Labour Party, said: "In June, Keighley and Ilkley Labour warned that the recent General Election was going ahead without the approval of funding for the Airedale Hospital rebuild from the then Conservative government. Today, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachael Reeves, confirmed this to the House of Commons, as she announced a review of the hospital building programme to deliver it on a more realistic timetable.
"Of the 40 hospitals featured in the new hospital programme, only one has opened to patients and only six have begun their main construction activity. Some time ago, it was acknowledged by leaders at Airedale Hospital, the BBC and former Conservative Party Chairman, Richard Holden, that no funding was committed to the project by the then Tory government.
"Despite our MP’s claims of securing funds for a rebuild, the Chancellor was clear today: 'He did not secure the funds. The money was not there.'
"This all speaks to the wider dereliction of duty overseen by 14 years of Conservative government, with public services in dire straits across the board - including a £22 bn hole in public finances owing to unfunded spending commitments by the outgoing Conservative government.
"During the recent campaign the then Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, following strong representations from Keighley and Ilkley Labour, committed that a new Government would deliver a rebuild of Airedale General Hospital. This week he has said that the seven hospitals affected by RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) are top of his list of priorities
"The rebuilding of Airedale Hospital is a promise that we are confident will be honoured by the Labour government."
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