Budget: Lib Dems demand emergency funds for NHS and social care

Ahead of tomorrow's budget, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has called for an extra £40million of emergency funding for health and social care in Cumbria. This funding would be part of plans for a £4bn boost which the Lib Dems are calling for nationally to deal with the growing crisis in health and social care.

Under the Lib Dem plans, the NHS in Cumbria would receive a much-needed £20million boost, while social care in the county would receive an additional £20.4million.

The Lib Dems are pushing for long-term solution to the need for additional health and social care funding, and have set up an independent expert panel to make evidence-based recommendations about how to raise these funds in the fairest way.

Tim said: "Here in Cumbria, local people know just how much pressure our NHS and social care system is under. Patients are left queuing in ambulances for hours, while operations are cancelled and the social care system struggles to cope with demand. The situation is at crisis-point - the government cannot ignore it any longer.

"This budget is an opportunity for the Chancellor to give our NHS and social care system a desperately-needed funding boost. The Lib Dems are calling for an emergency cash injection which would include more than £40million for health and social care in Cumbria. Only the Lib Dems are being upfront with the public about the tough decisions that need to be taken, which will include fair tax rises.

"Chronic underfunding means our NHS and social care system is badly unwell. These plans won't solve all the problems, but they might be enough to get it out of intensive care."