With Parliament set to resume next week, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland is urging Conservative ministers to rethink their plans to cut the community pharmacies budget.

The Department of Health announced in December it was cutting funding for pharmacies by £170 million.

The minister at the time, Alistair Burt MP, admitted in May that up to 3,000 of the 12,000 pharmacies across England could be affected by the cuts.

Ministers had been due to announce final details of the plans in July, but decided to delay them until October.

Nearly two million people signed a petition, coordinated by the National Pharmacies Association, opposing the plans.

Commenting, Greg Mulholland said:

“Our community pharmacies provide a hugely valuable service to local residents, and it is highly concerning that up to 3,000 pharmacies could be affected by the £170 million of cuts drawn up by this Conservative government.

“I welcome the delay that was announced in July, and when Parliament resumes, I hope ministers will finally listen to people across the country who have voiced their opposition to these plans, including around 250 constituents who have written to me.”