19 April 2023 , 11:35
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Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of "living in another world" over Tory boasts that the country's public services are in "great shape".
The Prime Minister floundered when challenged by Mr Starmer over the bizarre claim from Tory chairman Greg Hands during a fractious PMQs session.
Mr Hands was asked to explain why the NHS is “falling apart” during an interview with LBC on Sunday.
But the top Tory sparked astonishment when he said he did not "accept" that there is anything wrong with our "excellent public services".
He added: "We're dealing with the strikes at the moment but overall our public services are in great shape.”
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The Labour leader asked the PM if he has "met a single member of the public who agrees with him?"
Mr Sunak replied: "Because of the record investment that we're putting into public services like the NHS, we're now getting waiting lists down, because of the reforms that we've made to our education system more children are studying in good and outstanding schools.
Labour leader Keir Starmer"Because that's what you get with a Conservative Government, more funding, more reform and better outcomes for Britain."
But Mr Starmer hit back, saying: "He's living in another world to the rest of us. People waiting more than two days (from) an ambulance because they broke the NHS. Only one in a hundred rapists going to court because they broke the criminal justice system.
"A record number of small boats crossing the Channel because they broke the asylum system. People can't afford their bills, can't get the police to investigate crimes, can't get a doctors appointment. Does that really sound like pretty good shape to him?"
The PM claimed crime had fallen by 50% since the Tories took over in 2010 - and branded Mr Starmer "Sir Softy" in an attempt to attack his record as former Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) chief.
The Labour leader added: "Either the Prime Minister doesn't use the same public services as the rest of us or he simply can't see the damage they have done to our country."