Controversial TTIP trade deal is 'once in a generation opportunity'

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the largest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated, is a trade agreement between the US and Europe.

Critics, which include British trade unions, claim the deal could lead the way to the irreversible privatisation of the NHS as it would give corporations the power to sue nations.

The deal would allow US multinationals, or any firm with American investors, to sue the UK government if it attempted to make privatised health services public, jeopardising their profits.

However, Winsford’s MP, Stephen O’Brien has claimed TTIP poses no threat to the NHS.

He said: “I can assure you the Government is committed to an NHS that is always there for everyone who needs it, funded from general taxation and free at the point of use. TTIP could not change this.

“It will continue to be for EU member states to make decisions about whether and to what extent they involve the private sector in the provision of public services.

“The (EU) Commission's chief negotiator on TTIP has confirmed in writing that EU countries will be free to decide how they run their public health systems.”

Mr O’Brien said that any provisions included in TTIP will strike the appropriate balance between protection for UK investors abroad.

He claims this will ensure the Government is not prevented from acting in the public interest in areas such as public health and the NHS.

He said: “Your concerns are therefore allayed, and there is no more use of private contracts in the NHS today, than there was under the last Labour government, which introduced private sector tendering – which I scrutinised and opposed as Shadow Health Minister.

“I believe this partnership is a once in a generation opportunity.

“It would be the largest bilateral trade agreement in the world and would bring significant economic benefits in terms of jobs and growth, with the potential to deliver £10 billion to the UK economy each year.”