Emily, Jeremy Corbyn and Catherine West today delivered a 1600 signature petition to the Department of Health calling on the Tory-led Government to “Drop the Health Bill” – as the House of Lords votes on the controversial proposals.

Emily said:

“David Cameron says this Bill is not about privatisation -; so why will it allow 49% of beds at UCLH and the Whittington to go to private patients?

“The government is pushing ahead with a risky and reckless plan which will break up our NHS and put profits before patient care.

“The Lib Dems could have stopped this Bill by voting with us. But they have refused to do so and by their failure to stand up to the Tories, they are putting the future of our NHS at risk.”

David Cameron’s Health & Social Care Bill will break up the NHS – turning our health service into a commercial market, pitting hospital against hospital and putting profits before patient care.

Islington Labour has been campaigning against the Government’s risky and reckless Health and Social Care Bill from day one.

And 163,000 people from across the country have signed an online petition calling for the Health and Social Care Bill to be dropped -; but the Government has refused to grant a debate on the issue.

The House of Lords is voting on the Health and Social Care Bill today. The Tory-led Government is refusing to listen to the chorus of opposition, including 65% of NHS staff, who believe the Bill should be dropped, and pushing ahead with the legislation.