New analysis from Northumberland Labour reveals there are now 400 off work in Northumberland with long-term sickness – up 3.67% this parliament.

The figures come as a staggering 7.6million continue to wait for care on NHS waiting lists.

Publishing the figures, Labour’s deputy leader Liz Simpson said,

“This government has given up – given up on NHS waiting lists, given up on getting people off benefits and into work, and given up on places like Northumberland.

“Under the Conservatives, Britain is broken and it is holding us back. Too many people are locked out of work while waiting for NHS care. That’s putting lives on hold and putting a break on the growth we need to get this country back on track.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Labour’s Mission driven government will get our economy growing again, and our public services, like our NHS, back on their feet. A general election cannot come soon enough.”