Theresa May gives go-ahead to cross-party health talks to tackle worsening social care crisis
Conservative, Lib Dem and Labour politicians will have regular meetings with the PM's health adviser, as the issue is 'bigger than party politics'
THERESA May has sanctioned cross-party talks between her health adviser and MPs to tackle the spiralling social care crisis following a No10 summit.
The PM’s newly appointed adviser James Kent will sit down for regular meetings with Tory, Labour and Lib Dem MPs after Mr May gave talks the green light.
Councils have already been given the power to hike council tax to help plug the funding gap.
But critics claim it’s not enough to fix overstretched services for the elderly and disabled.
Mrs May met yesterday with Tory MPs Sarah Wollaston and Dan Poulter, Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb and Labour MPs Meg Hillier and Frank Field for talks.
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Mr Lamb described the meeting as “constructive”.
He said: “Mrs May seemed willing to engage in a serious dialogue about how best to secure the future of our NHS and social care services.
“This is a big issue for the nation.
“The public want politicians to stop shouting at each other, and work together to make difficult decisions to ensure that patients get the right care and treatment when they need it.
“This issue is bigger than party politics.”