Cameron agrees to NHS protection in TTIP, but Corbyn warns the battle is not won

20 May 2016

David Cameron has agreed to an amendment on TTIP to protect the NHS, but leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn has warned that there are still many risks to the trade deal.

The amendment was jointly tabled by Labour backbencher Paula Sherriff, and Conservative former cabinet minister Peter Lilley and was backed by MPs from across Labour, Tory, SNP and Green parties.

Although the government has consistently stated that the NHS is under no threat, it has not managed to convince the Commons, with many disappointed that a Bill specifically protecting the health service was not introduced as part of the Queen’s Speech.

Tory MP Steve Baker said that in its acceptance of the amendment, “the government has today admitted that the EU is a threat to our NHS.”

Jeremy Corbyn supported the amendment but warned that it does not go far enough.

“I would personally go much further because my concerns about TTIP are not just about the effect on public services but also the principle of investor protection that goes within TTIP – planned rules which would in effect almost enfranchise global corporations at the expense of national governments. This protection of the NHS is an important step but it’s not the whole step.”