Norfolk MP Rupert Lowe criticised for NHS 'opt out' comments
He's described the system as a “fraud” in comments that have spurred criticism from his political rivals
A Norfolk MP has called for people to be able to “opt out” of paying for the NHS through taxes and described the system as a “fraud” in comments that have spurred criticism from his political rivals.
Rupert Lowe, Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, made the statements during an interview with Jeremy Kyle for Talk TV, in which he also claimed the health service should be “dismantled and reassembled.”
He argued pressures on the NHS caused by migration have meant people who can afford to are seeking private healthcare and end up “paying twice” through both their taxes and private insurance costs.
The former Southampton FC chair and multi-millionaire also described the NHS as “an animal on the back of productive Britain and it’s killing us”.
His comments have been criticised by Conservatives and Labour members in Yarmouth.
They argue that allowing wealthier people to ‘opt out’ would affect many people in the town who cannot afford to pay for private healthcare.
“We fully agree with low taxes, but not to the point where core services become just a pick and mix"
A spokesman for the Great Yarmouth Conservatives said in a Facebook post: “Many people in Great Yarmouth can’t afford to just ‘opt-out’ of the NHS.
“Sadly, what our MP really means is, why should the rich be expected to pay into the NHS if they don’t use it?
“We fully agree with low taxes, but not to the point where core services become just a pick and mix, and good treatment is only available for those who pay for it, while leaving the scraps for the rest.”
Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour group, added: “Our multimillionaire Reform MP now calls for a break-up of the NHS and for residents to buy their own healthcare.
“Does he not understand you can already do this if you wish? It is called private medical insurance.
“We can now see that our Reform MP wants a system of healthcare like in the United States where profit takes precedence over people’s lives.”
"The NHS is broken"
Following the criticism, Mr Lowe – who is a non-executive director and has shares in pharmaceutical company Biopharma Process Systems – reiterated his stance.
“The NHS is broken. I make no apologies for saying that. British people are being let down by a system that is more concerned about diversity than patient care,” he said.
“Ultimately, it is uncontrolled mass immigration that is to blame. Qualified doctors and nurses from overseas are absolutely welcome, but millions of low-skilled migrants are pushing the system to the brink.
“I want a restructure. Strip back the middle managers, diversity officers, translation costs and pump that money into frontline care.”
The NHS and migration
The relationship between the pressures faced by the NHS and rising migration is complex and contested.
While more people means more demand for services, it also argued that they will generate more tax revenue for the government.
Recent studies have also suggested migrants tend to use the NHS less than UK-born residents.
People applying for visas to live and work in the UK have to pay an NHS surcharge as part of the process, which can cost about £1,500 for a two-year visa, as well as making National Insurance contributions.
Other factors have also been suggested as reasons for the NHS’ pressures, including an ageing population, higher wages and a lack of investment.
The UK currently spends around 11pc of GDP on health, just above the average for comparable countries.
Mr Wainwright, a Gorleston councillor, also criticised Mr Lowe for blaming the NHS’ problems on immigration, noting that one in five NHS employers are migrants.
“They keep hospitals like the James Paget running,” he said.