I appreciate that leaving the European Union poses uncertainty to our country's future and our public services. I would like to pay tribute to the 62,000 EU nationals who work in the NHS and commend the care and compassion they provide.

I believe we must do all we can to support the NHS and I have the utmost confidence in my ministerial colleagues in their efforts to ensure that the UK not only concludes an excellent deal with our European partners, but also maintains this country's reputation as a fantastic place to live and work.

Continued on PDF...