‘THE funding was never there’ - Basingstoke’s new Labour MP has confirmed that money to build a new hospital for the town was never guaranteed.

Speaking to the Gazette in an exclusive interview after becoming the town’s first Labour MP, Luke Murphy said the Conservatives and his predecessor Maria Miller ‘misled’ the public over funding to build a new hospital for Basingstoke.

Mrs Miller, and the previous Conservative government, repeatedly assured the public and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) that between £700m and £900m was secured for a new hospital.

However, Mr Murphy has said this is not the case.

READ MORE: Basingstoke's new MP meeting with health secretary to discuss new hospital timeline

Basingstoke's new Labour MP outside the hospital (Image: Luke Murphy) “The funding was never there. There was no money allocated by the treasury at any point. There are a whole series of projects that were promised and the money was not there,” he said.

He accused the local Conservatives in Basingstoke of being “complicit in the cover up”, saying they also misled the public.

The town’s MP is now planning to meet with the secretary of state for health, Wes Streeting, following a review of the New Hospital Programme to find out a “realistic” timetable and finances for the project.

“I’m committed to delivering a hospital,” Mr Murphy promised, adding: “I met with hospital staff and Alex Whitfield (chief executive of HHFT) last week and I really want to see it go ahead. We have a sensible review to see the state of the finances and my job is to make sure it’s delivered as quickly as possible.

“The public were told the funding was there and it wasn’t. There is a black hole in finances which was not revealed to the public before the election.”

SEE MORE: Chancellor promises 'realistic and costed timetable' for new hospitals

Mr Murphy said he will work with the hospital but said he will not make “false promises”, adding: “I want a clear timeline and for people to hold us to account to that.”

MP for North West Hampshire, Kit Malthouse, whose constituency now includes the hospital, said: "During the election campaign, I warned that Labour would play fast and loose with our hospital. I could see it coming a mile off.

"Amazingly though, Sir Kier Starmer actually visited Basingstoke in June and made a specific, unconditional, firm promise to build our much needed new hospital by 2030. Now no one is falling for their violin and hankies routine on the public finances because it turns out they planned this all along.

"I only hope that the new Labour MP for Basingstoke pulls his finger out and demands that Starmer honour his promise. If he fails, surely he should resign and call a by election.”

Responding to comments made by Mr Malthouse, Mr Murphy said: “Kit was in a government that promised a hospital and committed to delivering the new hospital programme by 2030 and it was already clear that their own programme wouldn’t be delivered by 2030. So Kit should take a bit of time to reflect on his false commitments to the public.

“I want to deliver the hospital as quickly as possible.”

He added: “People want to be able to trust what politicians say. We have been really transparent about the state of the finances and we will be transparent about what is a realistic timetable for that delivery.”

Former Basingstoke MP Maria Miller said: “Basingstoke desperately needs a new hospital - axing it isn’t an option the new Government can take.'

''In a public meeting with residents and a Basingstoke Gazette reporter on the 27th of March. The NHS and the hospital trust confirmed, without doubt, that funding for Basingstoke’s new hospital will be there, and that the proof is that under NHS rules the recent public consultation that Basingstoke residents took part in would never have been allowed by the NHS unless Government funding for it was available. 

''Hampshire Hospitals trust workers know that this is the case because they have already drawn up detailed plans and a site for the new hospital is in the process of being purchased. 

''The whole community, but particularly NHS staff, need everyone to pull together to get our new hospital built - that is the argument that needs to be made to Government in parliament - and not allow a new incoming Government to axe it.”

READ ALSO: 'We'll get that hospital built,' says Keir Starmer on visit to Basingstoke

Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital (Image: Newsquest) She continued: "As a local resident, I hope that the newly elected MP for Basingstoke will be making the strongest case possible to his ministerial colleagues for a new hospital for our community. Significant funding has already been given to develop our case for new hospital, and our hospital has worked very hard along with local NHS, ambulance service, county and borough councils, community organisations and 98,000 residents who took part in the consultation to make sure this once in a lifetime opportunity becomes a reality. As a member of the governing party, the new MP is in a good position to fight for what Basingstoke needs.”

Information from Hampshire hospitals showed that more than 98,000 people 'interacted' with the 14-week consultation, with 3,685 people submitting questionnaire responses. The trust was allocated money from the government to carry out the consultation. 

Conservative group leader in Basingstoke, Cllr Simon Minas-Bound said: "It is disappointing to hear these claims from MP Luke Murphy. The information provided to the public about funding for the new hospital has always been based on the latest updates and assurances from the secretary of state, new hospital minister and importantly the Hampshire and IoW NHS Integrated Care Board supported by NHS England. With confirmation of an allocation up to £900 million coming directly from respected people like the chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals trust sadly she did also identify many months before the election that a new government could “unallocate”.

"As for Mr Murphy's allegations, it might be more constructive for him to focus on ensuring that the promises made by the new prime minister, Keir Starmer, are fulfilled, particularly the commitment to deliver a new hospital in Basingstoke by 2030. It would also be prudent for him to address the concerns of our community regarding the significant increase in the housing target, which disproportionately affects our town while other areas like Southampton see reductions. Surely this increases the need for a new hospital.

"Our priority as local councillors remains serving the people of Basingstoke and the borough and ensuring that their needs are met. We welcome open and honest dialogue on these issues and are committed to transparency and accountability something Luke make struggle with when he is so conflicted between supporting the Labour government and his election pledges."

A spokesperson for HHFT said: “We continue to work with our Hampshire Together partners to the timescales set by the national New Hospital Programme and in line with guidance, provided in recent weeks, to progress with our plans. 

"We have received confirmation a number of times, over recent years, from the Department of Health, that we should work to an expected allocation of £700m-£900m for a new hospital for Hampshire and significant investment in the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. 

“We are grateful for the support we have received from local people as we work to develop the best possible plans to meet healthcare needs for decades to come.”