News that Sussex hospitals will be costing the taxpayer almost six times as much as they are worth is shocking, but not unexpected.

Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) have a track record of costing far more for services like hospitals and schools than they would if built under public funding. Yet the Government continues to use PFI to fund our essential public services.

Buying a hospital through PFI is much like buying your house on a credit card - no one in their right mind would do this! So why does the Government continue to spend our money in this way?

The Green Party has long been opposed to PRI and the scandalous amount tax payers are forced to pay, and I believe the Government should buy back our rip-off PFI hospitals.

Greens are deeply committed to improving NHS services. But if our hospitals are worth £58m, then we should be paying £58m - any more is an unnecessary outrage. Public money should go towards improving public services, not to line the pockets of private companies.