PMQs: Rishi Sunak confirms he has used private healthcare amid widespread NHS strikes

Rishi Sunak has confirmed for the first time that he has used private healthcare.

Labour MP Cat Smith had prompted the admission at Prime Minister’s Questions, asking Mr Sunak how long he had to wait for his last dentist appointment.

Mr Sunak responded: “Let me answer the honourable lady directly. I am registered with an NHS GP. I have used independent healthcare in the past and I’m also grateful to the Friarage Hospital for the fantastic care they have given my family over the years.”

The PM added: "The truth is, Mr Speaker, I'm proud to come from an NHS family, and that's why I'm passionately committed to protecting it."

Rishi Sunak speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. Picture: House of Commons/PA Wire

Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Mr Sunak was asked, but declined to reveal whether he uses private healthcare. He had insisted the matter was “not really relevant” at the time.

It has previously been reported that he is registered with a private GP practice in west London.

The Prime Minister’s press secretary said while Mr Sunak believed in principle personal health details should remain private, he had set out his arrangements due to “the level of interest and in the interests of transparency”.

She said Mr Sunak no longer had private healthcare cover, but declined to say when that ceased.

“He has used private healthcare in the past. He doesn’t have private healthcare cover. I am not going to get into timelines,” she said.

Mr Sunak’s comments followed health secretary Steve Barclay confirming he used an NHS doctor.

“I don’t subscribe to a sort of GP private thing,” the Cabinet minister told LBC.

Pressed on whether he has NHS care, Mr Barclay replied: “Yes, I don’t subscribe to private provision.

“But I don’t have a problem with people, with their own money, who wish to spend that money on private healthcare.

“I think that is a perfectly reasonable thing for people to want to do.”

A Labour spokesman said its leader Sir Keir Starmer has never had private healthcare.