THE Government is still not giving enough money to help ease North Somerset s health debts, according to the town's politicians.

THE Government is still not giving enough money to help ease North Somerset's health debts, according to the town's politicians.

Despite the NHS announcing a surplus of £938million for the end of this financial year, North Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT) still has a £12million deficit.

The PCT commissions services from Weston Area Health Trust, also debt-ridden, which runs Weston General Hospital.

Earlier this year the hospital, under its new chief executive Lorene Read, announced a financial recovery plan which aims to balance the books this year.

Both trusts belong to a group of just 22 out of 341 trusts across the country that are predicting end of financial year deficits.

Weston's MP John Penrose has praised Weston hospital for making 'real headway in dealing with its inherited financial problems'.

But he added: "Weston needs more modern GP surgeries. We'll never do it until the Government gives us the funding we need and deserve."

* The town's Liberal Democrats, led by prospective parliamentary candidate Mike Bell, will be delivering 40,000 petition slips to homes across the district calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to stave off NHS cuts by providing more cash for the area. To read more about the campaign log on to www.nhssos.com