She added: “Previously I was pretty sure that the work will go ahead, now I fear that ministers are preparing to scrap or delay the programme as part of their austerity cutbacks.”
After the meeting was scheduled, she said: “I am very pleased the minister has agreed to meet with us.
“I and the other Liverpool MPs look forward to discussing the progress of the hospital with him.”
Mrs Ellman and Wavertree MP Luciana Berger met former health minister Simon Burns last July and received a commitment which they say has not been repeated by his successor in the department of health.
But Mr Kehoe said: “The draft appointment business case for the new Royal has been approved by commissioners of local health services NHS Merseyside and NHS North of England.
“We are working with the department of health and treasury as they review the business case and we expect to have their approval by the end of the year.
“The new Royal is widely supported by our patients, staff, local people, local MPs, Liverpool council and local business leaders.
“The new Royal will provide a modern hospital environment with a health and life sciences campus which will put Liverpool on the world stage.”
A Royal spokesman added: “With the switch from Labour to coalition government, ministers inevitably want to look at the plans before signing them off.”
