This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65106745

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Liberal Democrats call for 8,000 extra GPs at local elections launch Lib Dems: Tories making cost-of-living crisis worse
(about 3 hours later)
The Lib Dems have called for 8,000 GPs to be recruited to save "on-the-brink" local health services, as the party launches its local elections campaign. Sir Ed Davey launched the Lib Dem local election campaign in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called on the government to create a legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days. The Lib Dems have accused the Conservatives of making the cost-of-living crisis worse, as the party launched its local elections campaign.
May's council elections are the "final chance" to send a message to the government before a general election, Mr Davey will add. Leader Sir Ed Davey said the Tory government had "crashed the economy" and added hundreds of pounds to people's monthly mortgage payments.
On 4 May, 230 councils across England will hold an election. He said May's polls were the last chance to send a message to the government before a general election.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Mr Davey said: "People are having to wait hours for an ambulance, weeks for a GP appointment or months for urgent cancer treatment as the NHS crisis spirals out of control. On 4 May, 230 councils across England will hold elections.
"The local elections in May will be the final chance before the next general election to send a message that enough is enough. Sir Ed launched his party's campaign by driving a yellow tractor through a "blue wall" of hay bales in the former Conservative heartland of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, before giving a speech to councillors and party members.
"People are turning to the Liberal Democrats because they know we work hard for our communities, we hear your concerns, and we never take you for granted." "We're going to need some heavy machinery to clear up the mess of the Conservatives," he joked, after arriving in the tractor.
He told the crowd that with energy, food and housing costs "going through the roof", millions of families and pensioners were "struggling like never before".
"But the Conservative government is letting people down badly. They're taking people for granted," he said.
He added that the Conservatives had "made the cost-of-living crisis so much worse with their total chaos", with "unfair tax rises and cuts to essential public services, paying for the damage that they caused in the first place".
All you need to know about the local elections
Is there an election in my area?Is there an election in my area?
Why do you now need photo ID to vote?Why do you now need photo ID to vote?
Analysis by the Lib Dems has found there are now 500 fewer open and active GP surgeries than in 2019. Sir Ed also accused the government of "letting the NHS crisis spiral out of control", by failing to deliver promised new hospitals and recruit enough doctors, as well as cutting GP numbers.
Earlier, the Lib Dems called for 8,000 new GPs to be recruited over four years to save "on-the-brink" local health services.
Analysis by the party has found there are now 500 fewer open and active GP surgeries than in 2019.
Recruiting extra GPs would reduce pressure on A&E and ambulance services from patients struggling to be seen by a doctor, the Lib Dems said.Recruiting extra GPs would reduce pressure on A&E and ambulance services from patients struggling to be seen by a doctor, the Lib Dems said.
With an extra 8,000 GPs the government could create a legal right for patients to see a GP within seven days - or 24 hours in an emergency - the Lib Dems added. The Lib Dems are also calling for energy bills to be cut by an average of £400 this year and a ban on water companies dumping raw sewage.
Sir Ed said recruiting more GPs would take time but it would be possible to achieve the target over four years.
He told BBC Breakfast there also needed to be efforts to retain more GPs and persuade those who have retired or left the health service to return.
The Lib Dem leader added that allowing community pharmacists to take on tasks like repeat prescriptions would free up GP time and reduce their workload.
At last May's local elections, the Lib Dems won 224 news council seats - more than any other party.At last May's local elections, the Lib Dems won 224 news council seats - more than any other party.
The Lib Dems will be targeting both Labour and Conservative-held seats at this year's election, Mr Davey said.The Lib Dems will be targeting both Labour and Conservative-held seats at this year's election, Mr Davey said.
Related Topics
England local elections 2023
Liberal Democrats