Facts
Speaking at PMQs on 19 July, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that A&E waiting times in England are “the best in two years”.
Full Fact pointed out that the most recent NHS England data does not support Mr Sunak’s statement.
NHS data shows that 73.3% of patients attending A&E across England were seen within four hours in June. Whilst this figure is up from 72.1% in the same month the previous year, it is lower than in April or May 2023. Performance on this measure was also higher throughout 2021.
Verdict
Whilst there have been improvements to A&E waiting times in England in recent months, June 2023 was not the best month in the last 24.
According to the Ministerial Code, “It is of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest opportunity. Ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament will be expected to offer their resignation to the Prime Minister.” The Prime Minister was misleading parliament in defiance of the Ministerial Code.
We emailed Rishi Sunak’s office and Downing Street offering them the chance to respond. The email was received, but no reply.