Petition against health bill might trigger debate

A new Commons debate could be triggered on the controversial Health and Social Care Bill after more than 100 000 people signed an e-petition demanding the bill’s withdrawal.

Critics have also stepped up pressure on ministers to disclose the full scale of internal warnings from NHS officials about the continuing risks associated with implementing the health proposals.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said support for the Drop the Health Bill e-petition, submitted by GP Kailash Chand, sent a clear message to the prime minister about people’s feelings.

In addition, Mr Burnham said “devastating” revelations in risk assessment papers drawn up by NHS regions supported the case for abandoning the bill.

E-petition campaigners needed at least 100 000 people to sign up so that their case can be considered eligible …