New figures revealed by Liberal Democrat London Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone MP, show that there has been a dramatic increase in TB outbreaks in London over the last five years.

With a 15% increase in TB cases in London over the last 5 years and over 3,000 cases currently recorded, Lynne Featherstone is calling on the government to investigate the rise of TB in London and put together a plan of action to combat this disease.

Commenting Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is too easy to think that TB is a thing of the past. It is on the rise in London and must be stopped.

“It is time that the Government realises the seriousness of this problem.

“The Government needs to come up with concrete plans to tackle the rise of TB. Let’s not forget that today TB is a curable disease. The Government urgently needs to find out why the number of TB cases in London is increasing each year and make clear how it plans to deal with this epidemic.”

Notes:

The number of cases in Haringey increased from 136 to 149 between 2000 and 2004.

Figures for all London boroughs are available from Hansard.