Yvette Cooper

On this day in 1946, King George VI gave Royal Assent to the National Health Services Act. The birth of our NHS. A bold and historic new principle - healthcare for all, free when you need it. Eight decades later, that principle is as powerful as ever. To everyone who has worked in our NHS and care services since then: thank you. For being there and caring for all of us when we need you. You are the reason that principle still stands.

As Breast Cancer awareness month draws to a close, thank you to all those campaigning to raise awareness, supporting patients and survivors, and improving treatment and care across the country. 🩷 At the Royal Marsden this week, I talked to clinicians, researchers and patients about their radiotherapy trial, which is radically reducing breast cancer treatment times. Our world leading scientists and our NHS coming together to transform cancer care and save lives. This kind of innovation is central to our National Cancer Plan. That's why I'm so pleased that @AshleyDalton_MP, who helped shape the Plan as a minister, is now our ministerial adviser, helping to keep patients at the heart of our work and drive forward progress.

What an incredible moment. For 35 years, Asif Hasan has given children the chance to grow up, and families the chance to make memories they might otherwise never have had. Seeing him surrounded by those whose lives he has changed says it all. Thank you, Asif, for everything you've done. You represent the very best of our NHS.

No one should have to risk their health or, in the worst cases, their lives at the hands of cosmetic cowboys. People deserve proper care not to be exploited as a way to make quick money. Our new rules will ensure high-risk procedures are only carried out by properly trained professionals, protect under-18s and hold rogue providers to account.

Why I’ve made maternity care a priority for our NHS. And why I won’t stop until every family gets the care they deserve. Because women and babies must never be treated as second class patients. See my speech in Liverpool this week 👇🌹

This Labour government is restoring vital Sure Start health services to every family hub across the country. Because every child deserves the Best Start in Life.

Here’s everything I announced at Labour conference yesterday 🛡️ A public health approach to the violence against women and girls epidemic 🏥 £50m for new specialist referral services from GPs for victims of abuse 🩺 A National Clinical Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls 👶 The return of Sure Start health services into every family hub in England 🤱 The return of national maternity standards 🏥 An independent Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner 💙 A new champion for unpaid carers 🤝 The first ever legally binding Fair Pay Agreement for care workers 💼 Thousands of job opportunities in the care sector for young people 💷 The first ever national collective pension scheme for care workers

Today I announced 950 projects across England worth £1.5bn to make hospitals safer for patients and staff. To make our NHS more resilient, including to extreme weather. To tackle the backlog in NHS capital investment since 2009 step by step. teapaw.org/dhscgovuk/status/20976…

Strong agreement across the world on today’s UK action against illegal settlements and settler violence that are an existential threat to the two state solution. No one should be profiting from stolen land.

Cervical cancer is preventable. Starting today, 4 million women who have fallen behind on cervical screening will be offered a free HPV self-testing kit. Our NHS - making it easier to stay healthy and there for us all when we need it.

Robert Bush’s actions were utterly abhorrent, and my thoughts are with all the bereaved families in Hull who have been so badly let down. In the wake of this horrific case, we will now bring forward comprehensive proposals to ensure respect and dignity for the deceased in every setting, including proper regulation of the funeral sector. We are determined to drive rogue operators out of this industry, and protect other families from suffering this same heartache.

My thoughts today have been with Alice, Bebe and Elsie, their families, the survivors, and all those affected by the Southport attack two years ago. We stand with them now and always. We also pay tribute again today to the extraordinary life-saving work that the emergency services and NHS staff did that day, in the most traumatic of circumstances. Their courage and dedication remains an inspiration to us all.

Since I became an MP, there have been 22 attempts to reform social care but instead the problems have just got worse. More families have been let down. Our NHS has felt more pressure. We can’t keep walking away from this. @andyburnham is right: we need a system that gives people the dignity, support and security they deserve.

So pleased to welcome our brilliant team of ministers and PPSs to the DHSC Ministers @DianaJohnsonMP @karinsmyth @Alison_McGovern @ChrisMcDonaldMP Gillian Merron @JamesFrith And PPSs @SoniaKumarMP @catkinson80 @DavidBSampson

It’s a real honour to be appointed Health Secretary by Andy Burnham - 27 years after I worked on the first NHS Cancer Plan as a junior health minister. I’m looking forward to working urgently to improve maternity services, to take forward plans for social care, and to once again play a part in supporting our National Health Service, Labour’s proudest achievement. Most of all I’m looking forward to working with the dedicated NHS staff, carers, healthcare professionals and volunteers on whom we all depend. In leaving the FCDO, let me pay tribute to the brilliant diplomats and ministers I worked with at the Foreign Office, and to my fellow foreign ministers from across the world - for all the work we did together to support Ukraine, to recognise the State of Palestine, to keep the spotlight on Sudan and to treat violence against women and girls as the global crisis it is. The partnerships we build abroad make us stronger at home.

Russia’s atrocious overnight strikes have caused death, injury and destruction to civilians in Kyiv and across Ukraine. We condemn these appalling attacks which reflect Putin’s desperation. The UK stands in solidarity with Ukraine and its people.

Yesterday I paid my respects following the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. He played a defining role in Qatar's history and strengthening the friendship between the UK and Qatar. My thoughts are with the Amir, the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar.

At the Palestine Donor Group event today with the Palestinian Prime Minister and international partners. The UK is providing £10m for the UN Horizon Fund to support Palestinian led recovery in Gaza, where the appalling humanitarian crisis continues. Israeli Government restrictions preventing basic aid and shelter for Gaza are immoral and must be urgently lifted. We need renewed international support for the Gaza peace process to bring security and peace to the region.

My thoughts are with the friends, family and colleagues of Senator Lindsey Graham following his sudden passing. He was a steadfast supporter of the NATO alliance and unrelenting in his support for the fight for freedom in Ukraine, visiting Kyiv again only this week. His voice in those debates will be greatly missed.

His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was a respected leader who strengthened the longstanding Qatar-UK friendship. My sincere condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar at this time of mourning.