FOLLOWING some particularly negative campaigning by the Labour Party during the local elections, I would like to put the record straight regarding UKIP policy on health services.

UKIP believes in an NHS that is free at the point of delivery and time of need.

We have never had, and still do not have any plans to charge British residents to see their GP.

We would also make certain that GP surgeries are open at least one evening a week, where there is demand for it.

However, we would set-out that all visitors to the UK, including migrants have NHS-approved private health insurance for a period of five years as a condition of entry.

This would save the NHS £2 billion per annum.

UKIP would then commit to spending £200 million from this saving to end the contemptible hospital car parking charges in England.

We would also stop any future use of PFI contracts that have put many of our NHS hospital trusts, including Worcestershire, into financial difficulty.

I trust the above is enough to convince the people of Redditch that the NHS would be safe in UKIP hands and that the Labour Party will put an immediate end to the scaremongering tactics used earlier this year.

Councillor Paul Swansborough, Winyates Ward