There are now 5.6 million people on NHS waiting lists.

The last Labour government had a plan that brought waiting times down from 18 months to 18 weeks.

We know speed is key when treating illnesses, chronic pain and fighting cancer.

Yet a decade later, the number of patients waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment continues to grow.

The Tories’ solution to this is a National Insurance Tax hike that will hit the incomes of workers and families who are already struggling with higher living costs, with no actual plan as to how this will fund social care.

More money but no plan is never the answer.

These shocking waiting list figures are down to the Tories’ neglect of our NHS. And it is patients who are paying the price.