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Health Inequalities

The hon. Gentleman makes a strong case and I, too, welcome the extra funding in the NHS over the years and the additional resources now. Before I was elected in 1997, and since then, I have campaigned for a fair funding formula—one reflecting not only need but poverty in the area that I represent, taking in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The trust there, following the recent ACRA review of the funding formula, has certainly resolved to increase the funding to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which is very welcome. However, because of the way in which the funding is delivered over time, and the pace of change at which the target is ultimately reached, the problem is that the Isles of Scilly has been left at a distance of 6.2 per cent. from its target—equivalent to £56 million—as it is a very large trust area. Will the hon. Gentleman comment on how such deprived areas as his and mine, which require additional funding, can move more rapidly towards the target that they clearly deserve?