Commenting on the Budget, Michael Fabricant says: "The Chancellor of the
Exchequer is gambling that the Government will finally be able to reverse
the downward trend in NHS services by increasing funding. I hope he
succeeds. It’s a good budget for the NHS – if only it works. But even
by 2007, the Government will still be paying less than Germany or other
countries pay for their health services which operate more efficiently.

"In Scotland they have already achieved these spending levels and waiting
lists are still getting longer and hospital wards are closing. And the
Government’s own Wanless Report – just out – says that a further 25,000
doctors are required over and above those provided for in the budget to make
any real difference. My fear is that the extra money just won’t deliver the
goods. Germany has NO waiting lists; and Danish patients have a legal
right to receive treatment within 4 weeks of seeing their doctor. We need a
similar system, but it will need a wholesale reform of our health service to
deliver it – just like in Europe. Sadly, I don’t think even this extra
money promised by Gordon Brown will do anything to improve health services.
I hope I am wrong, but I fear it will do nothing to save cash strapped
hospital services in Lichfield and in Burntwood where our hospital is
already doomed for closure.

"Meanwhile the 1% extra on employer’s national insurance is a new tax on
jobs and will threaten already hard-pressed manufacturers in the West
Midlands. I really fear for workers in the automotive industry and
elsewhere.

"To my mind the only really good news is the simplification of VAT for
smaller businesses and the change of duty for micro-breweries. And I
applaud this."