LABOUR leader Ed Miliband has promised to fast track funding to the North-East, but has failed to mention the debts and problems accrued when Labour last held office.

Statistics from the Treasury in 2011 estimated the cost of PFI hospitals in the North-East to be £2.9bn, including Bishop Auckland £366m (build cost £67m), the University Hospital of North Durham £524m (£91m) and Chester-le-Street £89m (£10m).

It is no wonder that our health ministers struggle to fund other projects when they must meet these crippling loan repayments for the next 20 or 30 years.

A&E Departments have problems, but Labour’s 24-hour drinking law was a big contributory factor and, sadly, it has taken ten years for Andy Burnham to admit it was a mistake.

Unfortunately, Labour’s spending culture spread to local Labour councils. Darlington once had vast reserves, but the town now has debts in excess of £200m while “our” property portfolio continues to shrink to service the debt and council spending.

Recent sales include the Arts Centre, Stressholme Golf Club and Feethams car park.

It is all too easy to spend but, as the past five years have shown, debts must be repaid before the country can move on.

Jean Jones, Darlington.