Doubt has been cast over the rebuilds of two crumbling Norfolk hospitals following the announcement of a review of the projects.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that the new Labour government is reviewing the new hospitals programme ahead of the Autumn budget.
It is part of a move to address a £22bn financial black hole she says has been inherited from the Conservative government, announced to the House of Commons on Monday.
The review has cast fresh doubt over previously pledged plans to replace both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn and the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.
Both hospitals are built from re-enforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and are fast approaching the end of their shelf lives - with the QEH currently held up by thousands of props.
Ahead of this month's general election, Labour promised to commit to both rebuild projects in the event of a victory.
But during her spending inheritance address on Monday, she announced the new hospitals programme was being put under immediate review.
James Wild, MP for Norfolk West Norfolk (Image: Richard Townshend Photography)
James Wild, Tory MP for North West Norfolk, said: "This new review will only cause further managing delay and uncertainty for NHS staff and patients.
"Ministers simply need to act on the clear advice from an independent expert report on the compelling case for a new hospital to address the RAAC issue.
"I will continue to press this Labour government to stick to the promises they made to our local community."
Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk (Image: Chris Bishop)
Terry Jermy, new Labour MP for South West Norfolk, said a new QEH was "an absolute priority" - blaming the previous government for the delays.
He said: "It is right and proper that the new government takes stock of where things are at with all the hospital projects within the new hospitals programme.
"We should remember, however, this rebuild is long overdue and the previous government should have been addressing the issues years ago and making necessary preparation, rather than kicking the can down the road.
"I am committed to the new build as soon as possible and will be applying whatever pressure I can."
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