Politics Weekly UK Wes Streeting: ‘I don’t want to see Keir challenged in May’
Mar 25, 2026
Wes Streeting, the UK health and social care secretary known for NHS reform and waiting-time targets, reflects on 20 months leading the service. He discusses targets for waits, A&E and ambulances. He addresses GP access, the Palantir data deal, structural NHS changes, political optics around Mandelson and international diplomacy, and the need for leadership stability before May.
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NHS Performance Has Improved Since Labour Took Office
- Wes Streeting argues NHS performance is measurably better since Labour took office, citing waiting lists, ambulance and A&E metrics improving.
- He frames progress as evidence-based optimism: lowest waiting lists in three years and fastest ambulance response in half a decade.
Fixing Waiting Times Requires System Wide Action
- Streeting says waiting times, GP access and A&E are interconnected so improving one requires system-wide fixes.
- He highlights GP access rising from ~60% to just over 75% as part of reducing pressure on hospitals and waiting lists.
Palantir Contract Defended With Data Safeguards
- Streeting defends using Palantir while acknowledging ethical concerns about founders' politics and data security.
- He insists patient data stays in the UK, is owned by the NHS, and Palantir 'don't see our patient data' as key safeguards.