Responding to new data released to the Labour Party following a freedom of information request, which shows category 3 patients were left waiting two and a half days for an ambulance in December, NHS Providers chief executive Sir Julian Hartley said:

"These figures are further evidence, were it needed, that last winter was one of toughest on record for the NHS.

"Trust leaders will be very concerned by these wait times as ensuring timely, high-quality care for patients is their top priority.

"The causes of long ambulance waits are complex. High demand – always at its worst in winter – along with overstretched capacity and vast workforce shortages all contribute.

"Trust leaders are working extremely hard to recover urgent and emergency care services and develop community and mental health support to ensure patients can access the care they need swiftly in the right setting. However, they desperately need action on a national level to help tackle these problems.

"The government's promised long-term workforce plan, which must be fully funded and costed, should help address these issues. It cannot come a minute too soon."