TRAFFORD Labour Party members welcomed Andy Burnham MP, Labour's candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, to Sale on Saturday for a special campaign day on the NHS.

Mr Burnham joined councillors and activists in talking to residents in order to highlight what they call a 'crisis' in health funding in light of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement last week.

Mr Burnham said: "I was delighted to join local Labour Party members in Trafford to speak to residents and highlight the crisis facing our NHS both locally and nationally.

"The NHS faces its worst financial deficit on record - some £2.5 billion - with almost 4 million people currently sat on waiting lists to start treatment.

"And what did the Tories offer us in their Autumn Statement? Not one penny more for the NHS and no mention whatsoever about the growing problems in social care.

"I find that astonishing, and if elected as Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester I will be challenging the government from day one to properly fund health and social care across the region, so that I can ensure that residents receive the treatment and care that they need from local health services."

Cllr Andrew Western, leader of Trafford Labour Group, said: "It was fantastic to welcome Andy to Trafford again on Saturday. He is the outstanding choice for Greater Manchester Mayor and, as a former Health Secretary, has the experience and knowledge required to take our local NHS and social care services forward whilst challenging the government on the full extent of the funding challenge we are faced with."

But the Conservatives refute the claims.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “Andy Burnham’s record shows he is playing politics with the care of people in Greater Manchester. His Labour Party said local authorities would not get a penny more under them, and failed to promise the extra £10 billion for the NHS we are delivering.

"We are letting councils raise more money for social care, and helping them work with the local NHS to look after people better. Burnham should support that work, instead of trying to use the NHS for his own political gain.”