McDonnell Urges Government To Settle NHS Logistics Dispute

Labour leadership candidate John McDonnell MP today urged the Government to call off plans to privatise the NHS Logistics service and to halt all further privatisation of health care services.

John McDonnell said:

"The Government has not produced a single scrap of evidence to justify their plans to privatise NHS Logistics. It defies belief that a Labour Government is planning to hand this highly successful public service over on a plate as a money-making exercise for the benefit of the shareholders of a multi-national like DHL.

"I know that many Labour MPs are angry about the planned privatisation of NHS Logistics and we are sending a clear message of support to the staff who run the service along with a demand to the Government to call off the privatisation plans".

Responding to Patricia Hewitt's comments to the IPPR think-tank, John added:

"People want a National Health Service that is publicly funded, publicly owned and not run for private profit. "In the midst of a major privatisation, it is astounding that the Secretary of State has said there is no limit to the privatisation of the NHS. This statement will mobilise public sector workers to support those striking in NHS Logistics and bring greater conflict with New Labour's privatisers."