welcome to newsnight on the road for the last of four special programmes taking pulse of the nations ahead of the general election. welcome to newsnight from the airspace at the imperial war museum, duxford, the european centre for aviation history. applause. we are in the constituency of south cambridgeshire, an area earmarked for international business growth which the government says it wants to make europe's science capital. we're in what is called the blue wall, in a conservative held seat that's a top target for the liberal democrats. we're here with an invited audience and a political panel, getting to grips with what matters most to people ahead of the election — their priorities, what they believe are the big problems, and who they think can deliverfor them. on our panel, conservative mp and former minister of state vicky ford, labour's daniel zeichner, who is a shadow environment minister, daisy cooper, deputy leader of the liberal democrats, and adrian ramsay, co—leader of the green party in england and wales. so before we get into keep into the circuities i want to get a sense of what really matters to people in here. let us have some thoughts of. yes. �* ., ~ ~ ., yes. arun from welling. with global warmin: yes. arun from welling. with global warming we — yes. arun from welling. with global warming we will _ yes. arun from welling. with global warming we will see _ yes. arun from welling. with global warming we will see an _ yes. arun from welling. with global warming we will see an increase of. warming we will see an increase of people coming into the uk from the southern hemisphere, what will this mean for social cohesion and housin: ? . ~ mean for social cohesion and housing?— mean for social cohesion and housinu? . ~ , ., ., housing? thank you. yes, you want to say something- _ housing? thank you. yes, you want to say something- my — housing? thank you. yes, you want to say something. my name _ housing? thank you. yes, you want to say something. my name is veronica, | say something. my name is veronica, from cambridge _ say something. my name is veronica, from cambridge what _ say something. my name is veronica, from cambridge what matters - say something. my name is veronica, from cambridge what matters is - from cambridge what matters is trusting — from cambridge what matters is trusting politician, because at the moment— trusting politician, because at the moment they are not coming across as authentic. _ moment they are not coming across as authentic, they are not coming as croy as_ authentic, they are not coming as croy as honest, how can they ask anyone _ croy as honest, how can they ask anyone to — croy as honest, how can they ask anyone to listen to them let alone vote for— anyone to listen to them let alone vote for them. anyone to listen to them let alone vote forthem. ? anyone to listen to them let alone vote for them. ? find anyone to listen to them let alone vote for them. ?_ vote for them. ? and the gentleman behind? adrian _ vote for them. ? and the gentleman behind? adrian miller. _ vote for them. ? and the gentleman behind? adrian miller. local- behind? adrian miller. local teacher, behind? adrian miller. local teacher. i— behind? adrian miller. local teacher, i am _ behind? adrian miller. local teacher, i am very _ behind? adrian miller. local| teacher, i am very concerned behind? adrian miller. local- teacher, i am very concerned for the education of young people because there isn't enough teacher, not only recruiting but retaining, largely down to things like workload, ofsted and government policies in relation to funding. fin and government policies in relation to fundinu. ., ., and government policies in relation to funding-— i - to funding. on the front row? i am beatrice i live _ to funding. on the front row? i am beatrice i live in _ to funding. on the front row? i am beatrice i live in newmarket, - to funding. on the front row? i am beatrice i live in newmarket, i- to funding. on the front row? i am beatrice i live in newmarket, i am| beatrice i live in newmarket, i am a learning disability nurse and i work as an operations director in social care, i am as an operations director in social care, iam passionate as an operations director in social care, i am passionate about caring for people in the community and very concerned about what is happening with the nhs, we continue to have long lists for elect tiff surgery, long lists for elect tiff surgery, long dentists lists and also the ongoing challenges for recruitment, social care at the moment has over 100 -- 152,000 social care at the moment has over 100 —— 152,000 vacancy social care at the moment has over 100 “152,000 vacancy what is happening with that 1234 100 “152,000 vacancy what is happening with that 123a find 100 -- 152,000 vacancy what is happening with that 1234 and another cuick happening with that 1234 and another quick comment _ happening with that 1234 and another quick comment here? _ happening with that 1234 and another quick comment here? i _ happening with that 1234 and another quick comment here? i am _ happening with that 1234 and another quick comment here? i am sabina. i happening with that 1234 and another i quick comment here? i am sabina. the than ever before, i am really proud we have a new medical school in my constituency training more doctors... constituency training more doctors- - -_ constituency training more doctors... ~ _, ., constituency training more doctors... ~ ., , doctors... we will come in a bit more detail. _ doctors... we will come in a bit more detail. it _ doctors... we will come in a bit more detail. it is _ doctors... we will come in a bit more detail. it is more - doctors... we will come in a bit more detail. it is more the - more detail. it is more the overriding concerns. i more detail. it is more the overriding concerns. i think those big issues. _ overriding concerns. i think those big issues, like, _ overriding concerns. i think those big issues, like, are _ overriding concerns. i think those big issues, like, are you - overriding concerns. i think those big issues, like, are you safe? i big issues, like, are you safe? crime is down, 50%. the nhs making sure there is more money going in but making sure people get their treatments. housing we will come to. and the environment.— and the environment. daniel zeichner, — and the environment. daniel zeichner, what _ and the environment. daniel zeichner, what do _ and the environment. daniel zeichner, what do you - and the environment. daniel zeichner, what do you thinkl and the environment. daniel. zeichner, what do you think of and the environment. daniel - zeichner, what do you think of the big overriding concerns people have? we have heard a range of things there. _ we have heard a range of things there, what you need to address all of them _ there, what you need to address all of them is _ there, what you need to address all of them is a — there, what you need to address all of them is a stable economy, i think thing _ of them is a stable economy, i think thing that— of them is a stable economy, i think thing that would make the biggest difference is to end the churn and change _ difference is to end the churn and change we — difference is to end the churn and change we have seen in the last few years _ change we have seen in the last few ears. _ , change we have seen in the last few years-_ what - change we have seen in the last few years-_ what i - change we have seen in the last few years._ what i hear - change we have seen in the last few years._ what i hear is l years. daisy cooper. what i hear is there are big _ years. daisy cooper. what i hear is there are big challenges _ years. daisy cooper. what i hear is there are big challenges facing - years. daisy cooper. what i hear is there are big challenges facing the| there are big challenges facing the country, whether it is the climate crisis, the nhs, sorting is out social care, what people want to see is a political party with big, bold visionary ideas about how to do that, we think the conservatives have run out of steam, labour have being nervous, the liberal democrats have a plan to fix social care and tackle the climate emergency. for the green. _ tackle the climate emergency. for the green, a quick question about trust, does it concern you that people feel jaded about trust, does it concern you that people feeljaded about politics? it does and we need them to be honest about— does and we need them to be honest about the _ does and we need them to be honest about the solutions to the challenges we face, whether it is on climate _ challenges we face, whether it is on climate or— challenges we face, whether it is on climate or whether as beatrice said on the _ climate or whether as beatrice said on the nhs and care systems, breaking — on the nhs and care systems, breaking at the seams, the hospitals i breaking at the seams, the hospitals i visited _ breaking at the seams, the hospitals i visited recently have had corridors _ i visited recently have had corridors full of patients so we have _ corridors full of patients so we have to — corridors full of patients so we have to be honest we will have to put more — have to be honest we will have to put more funding into the systems if we are _ put more funding into the systems if we are going to address the problems and get _ we are going to address the problems and get people the care they need. than you — and get people the care they need. than you. we have been canvassing opinions on what matter, the key thing in this constituency, this area, are issues about housing, particularly, planning the environment, and i want to pick up with you, can ijust have a comment from you, and i think bob ensch, can i have the microphone to you. bob ensch, down here. i i have the microphone to you. bob ensch, down here.— ensch, down here. i am bob, a retired construction _ ensch, down here. i am bob, a retired construction director, i | retired construction director, i would like to raise the recent government report, the case for cambridge which sets is up a development corporation to supervise the rapid growth of this region, they will build 150,000 houses, and just to make it, put it in context thatis just to make it, put it in context that is nearly as many as there are, currently in south cambridgeshire and cambridge. it is undemocratic, local development withes should be decided by local people, using local government. we already have a water crisis in this region, without further development, the local infrastructure is crumbling and what is it all for? the government say itself is about economic growth. what is economic growth given us? it has given up the climate crisis and the wealthy get richer why the rest of us continue to suffer through the cost of living crisis. more on choicing and the environment. hands up for people who want to speak. could you say who you are? . hi want to speak. could you say who you are? . �* , ., ., ., ., are? . hi i'm kerry portman, i am a care give- _ are? . hi i'm kerry portman, i am a care give- i— are? . hi i'm kerry portman, i am a care give. i would _ are? . hi i'm kerry portman, i am a care give. i would be _ are? . hi i'm kerry portman, i am a care give. i would be interesting - are? . hi i'm kerry portman, i am a care give. i would be interesting in| care give. i would be interesting in hearing what your plans are round care lever homelessness. a third of care lever homelessness. a third of care levers become homeless in the first two—yea rs of care levers become homeless in the first two—years of leaving care. let first two-years of leaving care. let me hear a — first two—years of leaving care. let me hear a bit more about housing and the environment. yes, yes man over here. ,, ., ., ., ., , here. steven thornton from cambridge ci food here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank. — here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank. i _ here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank, i am _ here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank, i am in _ here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank, i am in favour - here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank, i am in favour of - here. steven thornton from cambridge city food bank, i am in favour of us - city food bank, i am in favour of us building more houses locally, but many of those houses need to be social housing, they need to be council housing, because there are very many people in our community here, who simply can't afford the very high rents there are at the moment, and it is one of the reasons why so many more people are having to use our food bank. 50 to use our food bank. so social housin: to use our food bank. so social housing is _ to use our food bank. so social housing is is — to use our food bank. so social housing is is a _ to use our food bank. so social housing is is a big _ to use our food bank. so social housing is is a big issue - to use our food bank. so social housing is is a big issue so - to use our food bank. so social housing is is a big issue so we| to use our food bank. so social - housing is is a big issue so we have a situation where the government is trying to grow cambridge and grow it into this great centre of excellence internationally but we don't have enough social housing. the front here, can i hear there you, you have something you would like to say about this. let us get a microphone here. thank you very much. you are father and daughter.— here. thank you very much. you are father and daughter. yes, thank you kirs , so father and daughter. yes, thank you kirsty. so i — father and daughter. yes, thank you kirsty. so i am _ father and daughter. yes, thank you kirsty, so i am katie, _ father and daughter. yes, thank you kirsty, so i am katie, bob's - kirsty, so i am katie, bob's daughter. i graduated from university so i learned a lot about the climate scribing and moved home to find my own home is in a water crisis right now, you know i have a lot of friends that are looking to get on the property ladder ho hn and settle down and plan for the future yet the environment agency has declared this as a water stressed region, cambridge water themselves have even predicted that we could run out of water by 2029, that is in five years' time. and yet their plan to address this is not even been approved yet, i don't know if it has funding, it is not started yet and we don't know if it is going to meet that deadline, so i want to hear what the panellists are going to do put pressure on the water companies. you say that are causing some of the problems but also is the nature of how much development cambridge needs at the same time. yes how much development cambridge needs at the same time.— at the same time. yes the came for cambridae at the same time. yes the came for cambridge set _ at the same time. yes the came for cambridge set out _ at the same time. yes the came for cambridge set out more _ at the same time. yes the came for cambridge set out more growth - at the same time. yes the came forj cambridge set out more growth and thatis cambridge set out more growth and that is what we hear, more growth, more development. but what about the infrastructure that is already crumbling as my dad said, the water companies are really struggling, there is a lot of leakage they need to address which isn't being done yet. to address which isn't being done et. , ., , ., ., yet. let me put that straight to daisy cooper- _ yet. let me put that straight to daisy cooper. liberal— yet. let me put that straight to | daisy cooper. liberal democrat, yet. let me put that straight to - daisy cooper. liberal democrat, how would the liberal democrats address and hold the water companies to account for what has happened? let me say our planning system is completely broken, it is a top down planning subpoena, that rewards the developers and allows them toed by executive homes that often price young people and families out of the area. what liberal democrats want to see is a community led planning system where you start from the bottom up, you start building the social homes that will help people to stay in the area, make it affordable and have planning rules that are sensitive to those kind of restriction, so on the water issue in particular, it is a huge issue here, locally, the water scarcity issue we know that the environment agency are blocking development because they think that there isn't enough water supply for the homes that are planned. so what needs to happen, i mean the government has been sitting on its hand for years on this issue, with the water company, they need to absolutely increase the environmental standards of existing homes, and the homes that are planning to be build and they need to roll out smarter ins pronto. they need to roll out smarter ins ronto. , ., , pronto. let us deal with this question _ pronto. let us deal with this question of— pronto. let us deal with this question of social _ pronto. let us deal with this question of social housing. | pronto. let us deal with this i question of social housing. and vicky ford, on this idea that at the moment, at the moment, if you are building new housing, part has to be affordable house, if you are moving commercial properties into domestic, that doesn't exist, yet you want to keep the cities vibrant but there is is a problem with who stays there. i am working on a private members bill to make sure when you put commercial property into residential, that would also have to have affordable housing. would also have to have affordable housina. ., , ., would also have to have affordable housin. . , ., ., would also have to have affordable housinu. . , . . ~ , , housing. that is a private members bill, should — housing. that is a private members bill, should that _ housing. that is a private members bill, should that is _ housing. that is a private members bill, should that is have _ housing. that is a private members bill, should that is have been - housing. that is a private members bill, should that is have been part. bill, should that is have been part of the government's plan earlier? what i will say, i love cambridge, i wasn't to university here, my son went to university here, he had a brilliant time. the difference when i left university, years ago, is nearly all those brilliant brains i was at university with here, they left the area, they went to london, they went overseas and they left. whereas so many of the young people now want to stay in this amazing place and work in the biotech, amazing sign. it is very unaffordable, so we need homes but i absolutely get, that they need to be environmentally sustainable, they need to have local people's support, food security matters, fields matter etc, over the past 14 years, in this country, we have built two.5 million more homes, i think care levers have gotjust as much a right to be able to get a foot on the property ladder in an affordable home for first—time buyers as anybody else. and nearly a million households have been helped to get a foot on the property ladder, through government policies, shared ownership etc. we need social housing as welt but they have you to have local people's support. is particularly in this area, particularly but also thinking about, do you think the whole housing system is broken, yes or not? you do think it is broken. more comments on that please. can i have the lady in the id —— middle here, your comment please. mr; the lady in the id -- middle here, your comment please.— the lady in the id -- middle here, your comment please. my name is elizabeth. your comment please. my name is elizabeth- i— your comment please. my name is elizabeth. i live _ your comment please. my name is elizabeth. i live locally. _ your comment please. my name is elizabeth. i live locally. i - your comment please. my name is elizabeth. i live locally. ialso - elizabeth. i live locally. i also volunteer with greenpeace, we are hearing a lot concern about climate change, we have extensive flooding in the villages round cambridgeshire. these flood plains are essential to capture the water from the cam and the tributary, if we build on the flood plains, the water will probably go back into cambridge, the other issue, is the chalk stream, we have very precious chalk stream, we have very precious chalk streams, and the water companies are draining the water from the aquifer, and there is a risk of pollution from sewage. thank ou. we risk of pollution from sewage. thank you- we will — risk of pollution from sewage. thank you- we will go _ risk of pollution from sewage. thank you. we will go back— risk of pollution from sewage. thank you. we will go back to _ risk of pollution from sewage. thank you. we will go back to our - you. we will go back to our politicians in a second. one last comment from the gentleman in the back fbl comment from the gentleman in the back bei comment from the gentleman in the back fb ., ., comment from the gentleman in the back fb . ., ., , ., . back fbl i am a long distance swimmer — back fbl i am a long distance swimmer both _ back fbl i am a long distance swimmer both in _ back fbl i am a long distance swimmer both in rivers - back fbl i am a long distance swimmer both in rivers are l back fbl i am a long distance i swimmer both in rivers are and back fbl i am a long distance - swimmer both in rivers are and in the sea, and one of the big problems as is highlighted in the times, only this morning is that most of the overflowed fromming which only happen in extreme weather condition, is actually happening every morning between 8 and 10 when people get up, having showers and make a cup of tea and go to the loo. it is just broke, the whole infrastructure system. you know this area _ the whole infrastructure system. you know this area very well, daniel. it is just broke. know this area very well, daniel. it isjust broke-— isjust broke. well, there are lots of challenges but _ isjust broke. well, there are lots of challenges but it _ isjust broke. well, there are lots of challenges but it is _ isjust broke. well, there are lots of challenges but it is also - isjust broke. well, there are lots of challenges but it is also a - of challenges but it is also a fantastic place which is why so many people want the live here, the question is how do we expand cambridge in the future, but keep it precious, the liveable city that we all know and love? that is the huge challenge. 50 all know and love? that is the huge challenue. ., , ., all know and love? that is the huge challenue. . , ., ., challenge. so what is labour going do about the water _ challenge. so what is labour going do about the water companies? i we have a fragmented system that goes back to privatisation... scottish water is publicly owned in scotland, would you do that in england? we scotland, would you do that in encland? ~ , ., ., ~' england? we will try to work with the system _ england? we will try to work with the system that _ england? we will try to work with the system that we _ england? we will try to work with the system that we have - england? we will try to work with the system that we have got. - england? we will try to work with the system that we have got. butj england? we will try to work with l the system that we have got. but it doesn't work- _ the system that we have got. but it doesn't work. you _ the system that we have got. but it doesn't work. you can _ the system that we have got. but it doesn't work. you can make - the system that we have got. but it doesn't work. you can make it - doesn't work. you can make it work much better — doesn't work. you can make it work much better than _ doesn't work. you can make it work much better than it _ doesn't work. you can make it work much better than it does now. - doesn't work. you can make it work| much better than it does now. what we are trying to do, at the moment there is quite a lot of work going on, i will pay tribute to the sense that the water proposals they released in the budget if you weeks ago are much better than the housing problems because they do address some of the issues. it would be better if we could all use less water. if we had not weakened, or the current government had not we can be current regulations for so much of the housing that is being built around cambridge in the last decade, but we are where we are. as we go forward, it is really important that any new housing is built to the highest standards. are built to the highest standards. are ou built to the highest standards. are you prepared to take power away from the water companies who fail? brute the water companies who fail? we will be the water companies who fail? - will be regulate the water companies. on housing, cambridge city council has built more council houses in the last few years per head than any other counsel in the country. it shows it can be done. i'd back anyone will be talking about this, it will be the greens. what will you do in cambridge? we have heard the huge problems we have with water year in east anglia, whether that is too much flooding, too much water at some point in the year, too little water at other times, most exacerbated by climate disruption. you're right that the water system we have at the moment is broken. the water companies are profiting from failure, whether that is the sewage in our rivers, whether thatis is the sewage in our rivers, whether that is failing to address proper water systems to take sewage from new developments, they are pocketing £58 million, the senior executives, just in the last few years. we do need to bring the water companies back into public ownership, absolutely. and we need to address theissues absolutely. and we need to address the issues on housing that audience members have raised. peoplejust can't access an affordable home, people are being priced out of being able to live in their own local area, and we need a planning system that requires far more of a focus on affordable homes. forcing developers to invest in local services that people need. to invest in local services that people need-— to invest in local services that people need. to invest in local services that --eole need. ., ., ,, , people need. one of the other issues that was raised _ people need. one of the other issues that was raised at _ people need. one of the other issues that was raised at the _ people need. one of the other issues that was raised at the beginning - people need. one of the other issues that was raised at the beginning of i that was raised at the beginning of the programme is certainly the nhs. waiting lists in this area last year had a new record. in november 2023, 62,000 waiting to start treatment at cambridge university hospitals foundation trust. we also heard in the beginning that there are issues with recruitment and so forth. let's talk about the nhs, let's have some questions on the nhs. someone we haven't heard from. the women in the middle there with the brown hair. mr; middle there with the brown hair. ij�*i name middle there with the brown hair. ij�*i1: name is middle there with the brown hair. ii1 name is mary middle there with the brown hair. m1 name is mary sykes. middle there with the brown hair. ij�*i1: name is mary sykes. my middle there with the brown hair. ii1: name is mary sykes. my son middle there with the brown hair. ii1 name is mary sykes. my son sat his final exams for medicine on friday, so he is about to enter the nhs as a junior doctor. and my concern is how are we going to retain him into that system? there is a poor sense of camaraderie, there is not feeling valued because of the comments that have been made on picket lines about junior doctors, and also the affordability of staying. i am really concerned that he might go abroad. ., ~ really concerned that he might go abroad. ., ,, , ., ., really concerned that he might go abroad. . ~' , ., ., . really concerned that he might go abroad. ., «i ., ., abroad. thank you for that comment. the gentleman _ abroad. thank you for that comment. the gentleman at _ abroad. thank you for that comment. the gentleman at the _ abroad. thank you for that comment. the gentleman at the back _ abroad. thank you for that comment. the gentleman at the back with - abroad. thank you for that comment. the gentleman at the back with the i the gentleman at the back with the blue shirt. mr; the gentleman at the back with the blue shirt. i , ., the gentleman at the back with the blue shirt. i , . , ., ., blue shirt. my name is liam from buckinghamshire. _ blue shirt. my name is liam from buckinghamshire. i'm _ blue shirt. my name is liam from buckinghamshire. i'm a - blue shirt. my name is liam from buckinghamshire. i'm a father. blue shirt. my name is liam from buckinghamshire. i'm a father to | blue shirt. my name is liam from. buckinghamshire. i'm a father to a young _ buckinghamshire. i'm a father to a young boy— buckinghamshire. i'm a father to a young boy with asd and adhd, sol have navigated the special needs system _ have navigated the special needs system since 2017. it is populated by toads _ system since 2017. it is populated by loads of really hard—working, well—meaning people who try to help you. well—meaning people who try to help you if_ well—meaning people who try to help you. if anybody tells you this is because — you. if anybody tells you this is because of covid, it isn't. all of those _ because of covid, it isn't. all of those services have been chronically underfunded. getting funding... it isjust— underfunded. getting funding... it isjust despicable what has happened to our— isjust despicable what has happened to our public services. you isjust despicable what has happened to our public services.— to our public services. you talk about the _ to our public services. you talk about the impact _ to our public services. you talk about the impact on _ to our public services. you talk about the impact on your - to our public services. you talk i about the impact on your family. going forward, will there be more need for you to access care? we are fortunate because _ need for you to access care? we are fortunate because we _ need for you to access care? we are fortunate because we have - need for you to access care? we are fortunate because we have come i need for you to access care? we are| fortunate because we have come out the other— fortunate because we have come out the other side. we have a good plan with our— the other side. we have a good plan with our son — the other side. we have a good plan with our son now. watching other people _ with our son now. watching other people go— with our son now. watching other people go through what we went through. — people go through what we went through, it isjust heartbreaking. there _ through, it isjust heartbreaking. there is— through, it isjust heartbreaking. there is nowhere near enough support — there is nowhere near enough su ort. ., ., ., ., support. the gentleman along from ou. i am support. the gentleman along from you. i am richard _ support. the gentleman along from you. i am richard from _ you. i am richard from east hertfordshire, _ you. i am richard from east hertfordshire, just - you. i am richard from east hertfordshire, just across i you. i am richard from east i hertfordshire, just across the border. we have talked about infrastructure and housing, we are building so many houses, but we're not putting the infrastructure and for the nhs. not putting the infrastructure and forthe nhs. if not putting the infrastructure and for the nhs. if i followed where i am, instead of going have narrowed down the road ready hospital used to be, it is over and over to to the hospital now. it is just not working. hospital now. it is 'ust not workingfi hospital now. it is 'ust not workin. ., , ., working. one thing i was reading about is there _ working. one thing i was reading about is there is _ working. one thing i was reading about is there is a _ working. one thing i was reading about is there is a real— working. one thing i was reading about is there is a real massive i about is there is a real massive problem in this area with dental services. i know in the audience we have a dentist. can you tell us who you are and take the microphone? thank you. i you are and take the microphone? thank yon-— you are and take the microphone? thank ou. . ., , ., thank you. i am a local dentist from cambridge- — thank you. i am a local dentist from cambridge- i — thank you. i am a local dentist from cambridge. i have _ thank you. i am a local dentist from cambridge. i have a _ thank you. i am a local dentist from cambridge. i have a mixed - thank you. i am a local dentist from cambridge. i have a mixed practice. j cambridge. i have a mixed practice. in dentistry, there is a big problem with recruitment, getting dentists to work within the nhs, as well as what the nhs is trying to achieve. i mean, the prices and the fees for nhs patients have gone up so much that there a lot of people who are now struggling to afford nhs patient charges. but now struggling to afford nhs patient chares. �* , ., ., ,, charges. but there is also an issue, isn't there. — charges. but there is also an issue, isn't there, with _ charges. but there is also an issue, isn't there, with the _ charges. but there is also an issue, isn't there, with the people - charges. but there is also an issue, isn't there, with the people that. isn't there, with the people that help the dentist? there is the dental nurses, the hygienists. do they work within the nhs or privately?— privately? essentially the government _ privately? essentially the | government contracts with privately? essentially the _ government contracts with individual businesses. the businesses then employ and take on the staff. what the british dental association have found is that in 2010, the total government investment was just under £3 billion. in 2023, that figure was virtually the same. so there really hasn't been very much substantial investment in nhs dentistry. so you do have a mixed _ investment in nhs dentistry. so you do have a mixed practice _ investment in nhs dentistry. so you do have a mixed practice but - investment in nhs dentistry. so you do have a mixed practice but you i do have a mixed practice but you cannot take any more patients. ila cannot take any more patients. iii? dentist can take on an nhs patient unless they have a contract. there isn't enough money for people to tenderfor isn't enough money for people to tender for these contracts. it sounds good and it sounds like we just need more dentist to work in the nhs, but there is a system, it is very complicated. lets the nhs, but there is a system, it is very complicated.— is very complicated. lets have a uick is very complicated. lets have a quick show _ is very complicated. lets have a quick show of — is very complicated. lets have a quick show of hands. _ is very complicated. lets have a quick show of hands. who - is very complicated. lets have a quick show of hands. who has i is very complicated. lets have a| quick show of hands. who has to is very complicated. lets have a - quick show of hands. who has to pay for their dental treatment? there is very few people who get nhs dental treatment at all. iiiiis very few people who get nhs dental treatment at all.— treatment at all. nhs dental treatment — treatment at all. nhs dental treatment isn't _ treatment at all. nhs dental treatment isn't always - treatment at all. nhs dental treatment isn't always free. | treatment at all. nhs dental- treatment isn't always free. lets look at the _ treatment isn't always free. lets look at the whole _ treatment isn't always free. lets look at the whole nhs problems. daniel, coming back to you, we have nhs a shortage of staff, the shortage of money in the nhs, and problems with dental care. yet you are going to stick to budgets as you come in, if you win the election without putting any more money into the nhs than the conservatives at the nhs than the conservatives at the moment. well done where will the money come from? the the moment. well done where will the money come from?— the moment. well done where will the money come from? the only way we can resolve this is — money come from? the only way we can resolve this is through _ money come from? the only way we can resolve this is through stability, - resolve this is through stability, growing the economy to create the resources needed. let me link back to the housing issue. i was struck at the weekend, talking to a very can do mook senior consultant at the hospital nearby, they told me very large numbers of operations are being cancelled at the moment because they can't find the nursing staff. why they can't find the nursing staff is because they haven't got anyone to live nearby. there is a whole series of entangled problems here which have been allowed to build up. that is part of why people come to the conclusion that nothing works any more. you also work in _ that nothing works any more. you also work in the _ that nothing works any more. you also work in the health service. i know that you have got issues to talk about when it comes to talking about why we don't have enough staff, but what is the impact on your role, the shortage of doctors? my your role, the shortage of doctors? my name is eugene, i have worked in health and social care for a long time, i live in newmarket. the impact is quite enormous in terms of patient care. big companies are having to rely on international recruitment because obviously they are having to use international recruitment to cover the gaps within the health and social care. if they don't, the news agency, agency is quite costly, then the companies are not viable. —— they use agencies. we need to take into consideration the recruitment policies the government has implemented recently in terms of the shortage occupation list where people are not being allowed to bring their dependence. obviously thatis bring their dependence. obviously that is quite a huge impact on people who are coming into the country with legal migration, rather than illegal migration. i think the government has to look at that very carefully and consider their position in terms of that policy. i think it will have a huge impact. taste think it will have a huge impact. we will come specifically to talk about migration any moment. obviously the shortage of staff is interesting across the whole range of the nhs. comments on the nhs and problems in the nhs. the gentleman at the end at the nhs. the gentleman at the end at the back. ii the nhs. the gentleman at the end at the back. ., , ., , the back. if the humanity of society is determined _ the back. if the humanity of society is determined by _ the back. if the humanity of society is determined by its _ the back. if the humanity of society is determined by its ability - the back. if the humanity of society is determined by its ability to - the back. if the humanity of society is determined by its ability to lookl is determined by its ability to look after the less fortunate in society, then i think we are failing. this week there was a report published by the child poverty action group saying that the number of people, particularly children, suffering in poverty is increasing, yet we have a society where we have more billionaires than we have ever had before, and their wealth continues to grow. surely it is time for a greater equality in society. fine greater equality in society. one other comment. _ greater equality in society. one other comment. somebody else with their hand up on the nhs. your comment and question. i am their hand up on the nhs. your comment and question. i am one of a coule comment and question. i am one of a coople hundred _ comment and question. i am one of a couple hundred volunteers _ comment and question. i am one of a couple hundred volunteers at - comment and question. i am one of a couple hundred volunteers at the - couple hundred volunteers at the hospital in stevenage. i get the impression that it is going to be a fundamental aspect of how the nhs works in future, relying on more volunteers, because the money is not there to have enough staff in hospitals otherwise. you think we will have to _ hospitals otherwise. you think we will have to have _ hospitals otherwise. you think we will have to have volunteers - hospitals otherwise. you think we will have to have volunteers in i will have to have volunteers in hospital? that would be very, very hard. let's take this opportunity, because it was raised in terms of how you get people to help and social care, people coming to the country, let's move on to look at the question of migration, legal migration and also refugee status or not for people coming in. we have got questions and comments. i want to go first to catherine wallston. you have got a comment you would like to make on immigration. i volunteer with two local refugee charities, and i live in south cambridgeshire. my experience is that it cambridgeshire. my experience is thatitis cambridgeshire. my experience is that it is an open and welcoming place. the local asylum hotel has been fantastically well supported by the community, as well as the district council. we are one of the areas of the country with the highest uptake of the homes for ukraine scheme. i see absolutely no evidence of support for the hostile environment and for punitive measures such as the rwanda scheme. i can barely express how ashamed i am of the rwanda scheme. it flouts international law, it tramples all over the geneva convention, it is wildly expensive, and i can tell you from experience that it will not deter people. applause people point out that the rwanda scheme is very expensive, as we understand from the ons, but it is also only part of the story. actually, legal migration, both at work, study and family as a major part of migration, up over 700,000. that is another part of migration which is adding to the story. let's hear your views on illegal and legal migration. the gentleman at the back. i migration. the gentleman at the back. ., , migration. the gentleman at the back. . , _ , migration. the gentleman at the back. . , ., back. i have every sympathy for the ille u al back. i have every sympathy for the illegal migrants _ back. i have every sympathy for the illegal migrants coming _ back. i have every sympathy for the illegal migrants coming across - back. i have every sympathy for the illegal migrants coming across on i illegal migrants coming across on boats because if i was in their position, i would do exactly the same. that doesn't make it right. we have a housing shortage. but that is just a small part of it. the legal migration is where the government have let us down. why should someone who comes here from china to study in our university, just because he pays a higherfee, be in our university, just because he pays a higher fee, be entitled to bring in his parents and family? that goes notjust for chinese but many other countries.— that goes notjust for chinese but many other countries. thank you very much. veronica, _ many other countries. thank you very much. veronica, you _ many other countries. thank you very much. veronica, you would _ many other countries. thank you very much. veronica, you would like - many other countries. thank you very much. veronica, you would like to i much. veronica, you would like to speak again. i much. veronica, you would like to speak again-— speak again. i work for a migrants rihts speak again. i work for a migrants rights organisation _ speak again. i work for a migrants rights organisation in _ speak again. i work for a migrants rights organisation in cambridge. | speak again. i work for a migrants| rights organisation in cambridge. i wanted _ rights organisation in cambridge. i wanted to— rights organisation in cambridge. i wanted to echo some of the points we have her— wanted to echo some of the points we have her tonight about the hostile immigration environment in the uk. the system — immigration environment in the uk. the system is so difficult to navigate _ the system is so difficult to navigate and it creates so many barriers — navigate and it creates so many barriers and hurdles for migrants coming _ barriers and hurdles for migrants coming to— barriers and hurdles for migrants coming to the uk legally that it puts them off. at the end of the day, _ puts them off. at the end of the day, housing is an issue for young migrants — day, housing is an issue for young migrants in — day, housing is an issue for young migrants in cambridge health and social care will be the number— health and social care will be the number one _ health and social care will be the number one priority— health and social care will be the number one priority for the - health and social care will be the l number one priority for the liberal democrats — number one priority for the liberal democrats in the _ number one priority for the liberal democrats in the next _ number one priority for the liberal democrats in the next election. i democrats in the next election. the most _ democrats in the next election. the most ambitious _ democrats in the next election. the most ambitious part _ democrats in the next election. the most ambitious part of our- most ambitious part of our manifesto and it witi— most ambitious part of our manifesto and it will likely _ most ambitious part of our manifesto and it will likely attract _ most ambitious part of our manifesto and it will likely attract some - and it will likely attract some of the biggest _ and it will likely attract some of- the biggest spending commitments. the problem — the biggest spending commitments. the problem have _ the biggest spending commitments. the problem have for the nhs- the problem have for the nhs and care system — the problem have for the nhs and care system is— the problem have for the nhs and care system is people _ the problem have for the nhs and care system is people cannot- the problem have for the nhs and care system is people cannot seel care system is people cannot see gps and dentists — care system is people cannot see gps and dentists and _ care system is people cannot see gps and dentists and pharmacists - and dentists and pharmacists and mental— and dentists and pharmacists and mental health specialist - and dentists and pharmacists and mental health specialist when - and dentists and pharmacists and. mental health specialist when they need to— mental health specialist when they need to end the back— mental health specialist when they need to end the back door is - need to end the back door is broken so they— need to end the back door is broken so they cannot get _ need to end the back door is broken so they cannot get into _ need to end the back door is broken so they cannot get into social - need to end the back door is broken so they cannot get into social care i so they cannot get into social care because _ so they cannot get into social care because the — so they cannot get into social care because the support _ so they cannot get into social care because the support stuff - so they cannot get into social care because the support stuff or not i because the support stuff or not there _ because the support stuff or not there that— because the support stuff or not there that is— because the support stuff or not there. that is where _ because the support stuff or not there. that is where we - because the support stuff or not there. that is where we see - because the support stuff or not. there. that is where we see scenes in the _ there. that is where we see scenes in the back— there. that is where we see scenes in the back of ambulance is - there. that is where we see scenes in the back of ambulance is dying i in the back of ambulance is dying outside _ in the back of ambulance is dying outside hospitals. _ in the back of ambulance is dying outside hospitals. so— in the back of ambulance is dying outside hospitals. so our plan - in the back of ambulance is dying outside hospitals. so our plan isl in the back of ambulance is dying i outside hospitals. so our plan is to fix the _ outside hospitals. so our plan is to fix the front — outside hospitals. so our plan is to fix the front door _ outside hospitals. so our plan is to fix the front door by recruiting - fix the front door by recruiting were — fix the front door by recruiting were gpsi _ fix the front door by recruiting were gpsi by— fix the front door by recruiting were gps, by fixing the - fix the front door by recruiting l were gps, by fixing the dental. fix the front door by recruiting - were gps, by fixing the dental. you will need were gps, by fixing the dental. will need to spend more money were gps, by fixing the dental.m will need to spend more money with mike yes, we have to be honest about that. ., ., ., i «i that. higher taxation quiz mike tipped dems — that. higher taxation quiz mike lipped dems will _ that. higher taxation quiz mike lipped dems will never - that. higher taxation quiz mike lipped dems will never tax - that. higher taxation quiz mike| lipped dems will never tax hard working — lipped dems will never tax hard working families. _ lipped dems will never tax hard working families. other- lipped dems will never tax hard working families. other big - working families. other big companies _ working families. other big companies like _ working families. other big companies like big - working families. other big. companies like big gambling companies, _ companies like big gambling companies, big _ companies like big gambling companies, big oil— companies like big gambling companies, big oil and - companies like big gambling companies, big oil and gas. companies, big oil and gas companies, _ companies, big oil and gas companies, big _ companies, big oil and gas companies, big water- companies, big oil and gas- companies, big water companies that are making _ companies, big water companies that are making millions— companies, big water companies that are making millions of— companies, big water companies that are making millions of pounds- companies, big water companies that are making millions of pounds in- are making millions of pounds in profits — are making millions of pounds in profits we — are making millions of pounds in profits. we will— are making millions of pounds in profits. we will be _ are making millions of pounds in profits. we will be looking - are making millions of pounds in profits. we will be looking to - are making millions of pounds in. profits. we will be looking to those kind of— profits. we will be looking to those kind of companies _ profits. we will be looking to those kind of companies to _ profits. we will be looking to those kind of companies to help - profits. we will be looking to those kind of companies to help pay- profits. we will be looking to those kind of companies to help pay a - kind of companies to help pay a little _ kind of companies to help pay a little bit more because - kind of companies to help pay a little bit more because they. kind of companies to help pay a little bit more because they can afford _ little bit more because they can afford to — little bit more because they can afford to do— little bit more because they can afford to do pay— little bit more because they can afford to do pay for— little bit more because they can afford to do pay for our- afford to do pay for our public services — afford to do pay for our public services and keep _ afford to do pay for our public services and keep them on i afford to do pay for our public- services and keep them on an even keet _ services and keep them on an even keet so— services and keep them on an even keel. ., _ , ., keel. so the government says that cambrid u e keel. so the government says that cambridge will _ keel. so the government says that cambridge will be the _ keel. so the government says that cambridge will be the next - keel. so the government says that cambridge will be the next silicon | cambridge will be the next silicon valley and will be an international science center so on that basis, we are talking about some of the best brains in the world and of course they will want to bring their families with them. ii course they will want to bring their families with them.— families with them. if they don't come here _ families with them. if they don't come here they _ families with them. if they don't come here they will _ families with them. if they don't come here they will go to - families with them. if they don'tj come here they will go to one of families with them. if they don't - come here they will go to one of our competitors. it's all in in —— for all the dependence will be welcome quiz mike you are oversimplifying. it dependent who you're talking about. cambridge is successful because we attract the best talent from around the world. �* , ., attract the best talent from around the world. �*, . ., . «i ., the world. let's have a quick word. one of the — the world. let's have a quick word. one of the key _ the world. let's have a quick word. one of the key pieces _ the world. let's have a quick word. one of the key pieces of _ the world. let's have a quick word. one of the key pieces of feedback. the world. let's have a quick word. i one of the key pieces of feedback we have for tonight is how our public services — have for tonight is how our public services have been eroded over a period _ services have been eroded over a period of time. if we take dentistry, what some people in the audience _ dentistry, what some people in the audience have talked about, it's a huge _ audience have talked about, it's a huge problem, we have a dental desert _ huge problem, we have a dental desert in east anglia. one man from suffotk— desert in east anglia. one man from suffolk that he had to travel for mites _ suffolk that he had to travel for miles round trip to get an nhs dentist — miles round trip to get an nhs dentist. some people are resorting to putting _ dentist. some people are resorting to pulling out their own teeth, we are seeing diy dentistry in 2024. to -et are seeing diy dentistry in 2024. to get back— are seeing diy dentistry in 2024. to get back to — are seeing diy dentistry in 2024. to get back to the question about honesty, — get back to the question about honesty, yes, we will need to ask the very— honesty, yes, we will need to ask the very wealthiest in society multimillionaires and billionaires to pay— multimillionaires and billionaires to pay more, even enormously more in taxes _ to pay more, even enormously more in taxes so _ to pay more, even enormously more in taxes so we _ to pay more, even enormously more in taxes so we can raise the tens of billions _ taxes so we can raise the tens of billions we — taxes so we can raise the tens of billions we need every going to restore — billions we need every going to restore our nhs and restore dental services _ restore our nhs and restore dental services because people are being left behind and it's not acceptable in 2024 _ left behind and it's not acceptable in 2024. ., «i left behind and it's not acceptable in 2024. ., ,, _, 1 . left behind and it's not acceptable in2024. ., ,, 1 . ~, in 2024. thank you very much. as we come to the — in 2024. thank you very much. as we come to the end _ in 2024. thank you very much. as we come to the end of the _ in 2024. thank you very much. as we come to the end of the programme, i come to the end of the programme, you all know, i'm sure, that the un security council vote passed today on an immediate cease—fire in gaza and of course the americans abstained and as a result, benjamin netanyahu has canceled a visit to the white house due this week. this will inevitably be something that either the conservatives or labor market will have to deal with but let's just hear a couple of views from the audience. andy, can we hear from you quiz mike —— mike? there from you quiz mike -- mike? there has been a resolution _ from you quiz mike —— mike? ii—il” has been a resolution which i failed to understand because it truly depends upon getting the people that they have taken to hiding amongst they have taken to hiding amongst the gazans when there is no reason that they shouldn't be released. if they release the hostages, then they should be talking about a cease—fire and helping the gazans as much as they can. and helping the gazans as much as the can. ., «i i. and helping the gazans as much as the can. ., ~i ,, , . they can. thank you very much. i ather they can. thank you very much. i gather that room, _ they can. thank you very much. i gather that room, you have - they can. thank you very much. i gather that room, you have got i gather that room, you have got something to say on that as well? the thing is, israel, netanyahu is not going — the thing is, israel, netanyahu is not going to pay any attention at all to— not going to pay any attention at all to the un. while it is something that biden has done reluctantly, i'm sure _ that biden has done reluctantly, i'm sure. israet— that biden has done reluctantly, i'm sure, israelwill carry that biden has done reluctantly, i'm sure, israel will carry on doing what _ sure, israel will carry on doing what it's doing. in sure, israel will carry on doing what it's doing.— what it's doing. in the name of self-defense. _ what it's doing. in the name of self-defense. a _ what it's doing. in the name of self-defense. a younger- what it's doing. in the name of - self-defense. a younger member of self—defense. a younger member of the audience, you have something to say? the audience, you have something to sa ? �* ., , the audience, you have something to sa ? �* . , ., , . say? i'm a student in cambridge. we are seeing a — say? i'm a student in cambridge. we are seeing a terrible _ say? i'm a student in cambridge. we are seeing a terrible humanitarian i are seeing a terrible humanitarian crisis in gaza and i think it is something we need to fight to resolve. as quickly as possible. i think the way that we do this is by sitting down and hashing out all the details. i think netanyahu sort of abstaining from coming to the us in the us abstaining from the vote is a terrible miscarriage. the gentleman in the second row, you _ terrible miscarriage. the gentleman in the second row, you want - terrible miscarriage. the gentleman| in the second row, you want to make a comment?— a comment? israel is between a rock and a hard place. _ a comment? israel is between a rock and a hard place. all the _ a comment? israel is between a rock and a hard place. all the people - a comment? israel is between a rock and a hard place. all the people of. and a hard place. all the people of israet— and a hard place. all the people of israet want — and a hard place. all the people of israel want his bringing them home. there are _ israel want his bringing them home. there are 134 alive or dead hostages still held _ there are 134 alive or dead hostages still held by hamas, and all the jewish— still held by hamas, and all the jewish people want is bringing them home _ jewish people want is bringing them home. i , ., , jewish people want is bringing them home. �* , ., , ~i jewish people want is bringing them home. i , «i ., ., «i jewish people want is bringing them home. , «i ., ., home. anyone else like to make a comment? — home. anyone else like to make a comment? if _ home. anyone else like to make a comment? if you _ home. anyone else like to make a comment? if you can _ home. anyone else like to make a comment? if you can post - comment? if you can post a microphone to _ comment? if you can post a microphone to the front - comment? if you can postal microphone to the front row. comment? if you can post a i microphone to the front row. it comment? if you can post a - microphone to the front row. it is a disgrace _ microphone to the front row. it is a disgrace that — microphone to the front row. it is a disgrace that our— microphone to the front row. it is a disgrace that our government - microphone to the front row. it is a disgrace that our government is. microphone to the front row. it is a | disgrace that our government is set funding _ disgrace that our government is set funding arms — disgrace that our government is set funding arms for— disgrace that our government is set funding arms for israel _ disgrace that our government is set funding arms for israel for - disgrace that our government is set funding arms for israel for this - funding arms for israel for this genocide _ funding arms for israel for this genocide it— funding arms for israel for this genocide. it is _ funding arms for israel for this genocide. it is horrific. - funding arms for israel for this genocide. it is horrific. what i| genocide. it is horrific. what i found — genocide. it is horrific. what i found realty— genocide. it is horrific. what i found really upsetting - genocide. it is horrific. what i found really upsetting on a i found really upsetting on a bbc programme _ found really upsetting on a bbc programme the _ found really upsetting on a bbc programme the other— found really upsetting on a bbc programme the other night- found really upsetting on a bbcj programme the other night was found really upsetting on a bbc i programme the other night was to learn _ programme the other night was to learn that— programme the other night was to learn that a — programme the other night was to learn that a lot _ programme the other night was to learn that a lot of israelis - programme the other night was to learn that a lot of israelis are - programme the other night was to learn that a lot of israelis are now| learn that a lot of israelis are now planning — learn that a lot of israelis are now planning on — learn that a lot of israelis are now planning on settling _ learn that a lot of israelis are now planning on settling gaza. - learn that a lot of israelis are now planning on settling gaza.- learn that a lot of israelis are now planning on settling gaza. thank you ve much. planning on settling gaza. thank you very much- the _ planning on settling gaza. thank you very much. the way _ planning on settling gaza. thank you very much. the way the _ planning on settling gaza. thank you very much. the way the polls are - very much. the way the polls are just now at least, this issue will fall to either an incoming conservative government or labor government to deal with. so, can i hear the response from the labour party? hear the response from the labour pa ? ,, ,, . ., , hear the response from the labour pa ,, party? shutter secretary of state made it absolutely _ party? shutter secretary of state made it absolutely clear - party? shutter secretary of state made it absolutely clear today i party? shutter secretary of state i made it absolutely clear today that this resolution must be respected and must be an immediate cease—fire in the hostages must be released. it must lead to a proper discussion about establishing a long—term two state solution. bhd about establishing a long-term two state solution.— state solution. and from the conservative _ state solution. and from the conservative party _ state solution. and from the conservative party quiz mike state solution. and from the i conservative party quiz mike -- conservative party quiz mike —— mike? conservative party quiz mike -- mike? , ., ., conservative party quiz mike -- mike? ., . ,, mike? there is a hostage crisis under humanitarian _ mike? there is a hostage crisis under humanitarian crisis, - mike? there is a hostage crisis i under humanitarian crisis, you're both— under humanitarian crisis, you're both right — under humanitarian crisis, you're both right. the resolution calls for this cease—fire, the temporary pause — this cease—fire, the temporary pause, immediate cease—fire, to get you to a _ pause, immediate cease—fire, to get you to a time — pause, immediate cease—fire, to get you to a time to