Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of new neighbourhood GP providers on patient choice.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The ambition for our Neighbourhood Health Service is to rebalance our health and care system so that it fits around people’s lives, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and giving people more power and choice over the care that they receive.

Neighbourhood Health Services will bring together teams of professionals, including nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, and health visitors, closer to people’s home, to work together to provide comprehensive care in the community.

This Government will bring back the family doctor for those who would benefit from seeing the same clinician regularly, for example, those living with chronic illness. In doing so, we will improve continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes and fewer accident and emergency department attendances. We will make sure the future of general practice is sustainable by training thousands more general practitioners and delivering a modern booking system.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 59605 on Neurological Diseases: Primary Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that GP practices do not replace traditional methods of access with online triage services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

General practices are independent business that hold contracts with the National Health Service to perform essential services to the public. The GP contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person. Practice receptions should be open so that patients have a choice in access and so that patients who struggle to access telephone or online services are in no way disadvantaged.

As a part of this contract, we also require general practices to provide an online consultation tool as an option for patients to contact their general practice throughout core hours. We are clear that all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a general practitioner.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that patients are aware that they will continue to have the option to arrange GP appointments by (a) telephone and (b) visiting a practice in-person.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

General practices are independent business that hold contracts with the National Health Service to perform essential services to the public. The GP contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person. Practice receptions should be open so that patients have a choice in access and so that patients who struggle to access telephone or online services are in no way disadvantaged.

As a part of this contract, we also require general practices to provide an online consultation tool as an option for patients to contact their general practice throughout core hours. We are clear that all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a general practitioner.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken with the British Dental Association to make changes to the dental contract.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are committed to reforming the dental contract, with a focus on matching resources to need, improving access, promoting prevention, and rewarding dentists fairly, while enabling the whole dental team to work to the top of their capability.

Ministers meet regularly with external stakeholders on a variety of topics, including, but not limited to, dentistry. Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly in arrears on the GOV.UK website.

We are continuing to meet the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to discuss how we can best deliver our shared ambition to improve access for National Health Service dental patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to help improve access to NHS dentistry in South Cambridgeshire constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For South Cambridgeshire constituency, this is Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB.

We have asked ICBs to commission extra urgent dental appointments. ICBs have been making extra appointments available from 1 April 2025. Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB is expected to deliver 14,195 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.

ICBs are recruiting posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 22 September 2025, in England there were 97 dentists in post with a further eight dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. A further 224 posts are currently being advertised.

We are committed to reforming the dental contract, with a focus on matching resources to need, improving access, promoting prevention and rewarding dentists fairly, while enabling the whole dental team to work to the top of their capability. The Government is committed to achieving fundamental contract reform before the end of this Parliament.

We recently held a full public consultation on a package of changes to improve access to, and the quality of NHS dentistry, which will deliver better care for the diverse oral health needs of people across England. The consultation closed on 19 August 2025. The Government is considering the outcomes of the consultation and will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria his Department has used to identify which areas are in greatest need of increased numbers of NHS dental professionals; and how many of those areas are in the (a) Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, (b) Tees Valley Mayoral Authority Area and (c) North East.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population is delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. Dental practices in specific areas, determined locally as experiencing significant dental pressures due to workforce challenges impacting patient access, were invited by their ICBs to express interest in participating in the scheme and were notified of the outcome of their application via their ICB.

ICBs have started to recruit posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.

As of 22 September 2025, in England there were 97 dentists in post with a further eight dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. A further 224 posts are currently being advertised.

NHS England has published findings from its dental workforce survey, including national and regional vacancy rates. The most recent publication reports the position as of the end of December 2024. This is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/dental-workforce/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of patients in (a) Stockton West constituency and (b) the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees who are unable to access NHS dentistry services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Dental Statistics - England 2024-25, published by NHS Business Services Authority on 28 August 2025, is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202425

The data for North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes Stockton West and Stockton-on-Tees, shows that 44% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2025, compared to 40% in England; and that 60% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2025, compared to 58% in England.

Additionally, GP Patient Survey results data for the dentistry specific questions, published 24 July 2025, is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/gp-patient-survey-dental-statistics-january-to-march-2025-england/

This data shows that 24% of respondents who had tried to make an NHS dentist appointment in the last two years in North East and North Cumbria ICB did not get an appointment, compared to 21% for the whole of England.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he last met with the British Dental Association.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are committed to reforming the dental contract, with a focus on matching resources to need, improving access, promoting prevention, and rewarding dentists fairly, while enabling the whole dental team to work to the top of their capability.

Ministers meet regularly with external stakeholders on a variety of topics, including, but not limited to, dentistry. Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly in arrears on the GOV.UK website.

We are continuing to meet the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to discuss how we can best deliver our shared ambition to improve access for National Health Service dental patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to (a) services and (b) support for people affected by Functional Neurological Disorder.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The majority of services for people with neurological conditions, including functional neurological disorder (FND), are commissioned locally. Integrated care board (ICB) commissioners are best placed to configure services for their populations, supported by clinical guidance.

NHS England’s Neuroscience Transformation Programme is supporting ICBs to deliver the right services, at the right time for all neurology patients, which includes providing care closer to home.

NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology and RightCare Toolkits, including the Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, the Headache and Migraine Toolkit, and the Epilepsy Toolkit, aim to improve care for patients with neurological conditions by reducing variation.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently developing the guidance Rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders including acquired brain injury, which is expected to be published in October 2025. The guideline covers rehabilitation in all settings for children, young people, and adults with a chronic neurological disorder, neurological impairment, or disabling neurological symptoms resulting from acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury or peripheral nerve disorder, progressive neurological disease, or FND. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10181

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients with (a) vague and (b) non-specific symptoms can undergo a range of tests in one visit at Community Diagnostic Centres.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of this Parliament. The plan commits to transforming and expanding diagnostic services and to speeding up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times and returning to the referral to treatment 18-week standard.

As well as expanding capacity by building up to five more community diagnostic centres (CDCs) in 2025/26 and by expand existing CDCs, the plan commits to optimising the use of this capacity by increasing same day tests and consultations, as well as the range of tests offered. We are also increasing the operating hours of CDCs so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week, so that tests are accessible for patients around their busy working lives. This is backed by part of the £600 million of capital for diagnostic services announced at the October Spending Review.

NHS England is also taking steps to improve diagnostic pathways. Strongly coordinated pathways will involve testing in one visit in order to support early and accurate diagnosis.

Patients can be referred to CDCs via their general practitioner or via hospital based clinical teams. Clinicians are responsible for working with patients to assess symptoms that may be considered as vaguer and more non-specific, ensuring that this includes referral for appropriate diagnostic tests.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce NHS urgent treatment waiting times in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises that urgent and emergency care performance has fallen short in recent years and is committed to improving urgent treatment waiting times across England, including in Surrey Heath.

Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, set out steps we are taking to ensure that patients will receive better, faster, and more appropriate emergency care this winter, backed by a total of nearly £450 million of funding. The plan will ensure that at least 78% of patients in accident and emergency departments are seen within four hours. This includes the expansion of Urgent Treatment Centres and investment in digital tools to allow for the effective streaming of patients, helping to reduce waiting times and overcrowding.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, published on 3 July, sets out major National Health Service reforms to move healthcare from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. A key focus of our approach will be to expand access to urgent care services at home and in the community as part of our new Neighbourhood Health model. This will improve the experience and care that people receive, thereby avoiding unnecessary hospital trips, while more timely access to primary care and better proactive care for long term conditions will reduce demand into urgent and emergency care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of modular construction for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure within the NHS.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise the merits of modular construction for delivering National Health Service health infrastructure, including faster construction times, cost savings, minimised disruption, higher quality and safety standards, and the use of sustainable materials and methods.

Modular construction is a modern method of construction (MMC). A toolkit has been developed to support MMC opportunities in healthcare, which is publicly available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-modern-methods-of-construction-assessment-tool-user-guide/

The toolkit is recommended for use on all healthcare infrastructure projects and is mandated for projects over £25 million to meet the business case requirements of 70% new build and 50% refurbishment using MMC.

The New Hospital Programme is already transforming the way that hospital infrastructure is constructed by using a national standardised approach, called Hospital 2.0. Hospital 2.0 uses a standardised ‘kit of parts’ for hospital components, ranging from doors to full bathroom pods, that can be assembled into different size hospitals in an optimised, consistent, and repeatable way and with off-site manufacturing and with modular construction, reducing costs and accelerating construction.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what targets his Department has on reducing inequalities in (a) baby deaths and (b) pregnancy loss.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

A number of interventions specifically aimed at addressing maternal and neonatal inequalities are underway. These include the Perinatal Equity and Anti-Discrimination Programme, delivery of an inequalities dashboard, and projects on removing racial bias from clinical education and embedding genetic risk equity. Additionally, all local maternity and neonatal systems have published Equity and Equality actions plans to tackle inequalities for women and babies from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas.

An important aspect of both the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation and the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce announced in June 2025, is to address inequalities in maternal and neonatal care and promote health equity in the delivery of those services.

The Government remains committed to setting an explicit target to close the Black and Asian maternal mortality gap, and is taking an evidence-based approach to ensure that any targets set are women and baby-centred.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will consider adopting new National Maternity Safety Ambitions to eliminate inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes based on ethnicity and deprivation.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Our commitment to set an explicit target to close the black and Asian maternal mortality gaps has not wavered. Addressing the shocking inequalities that exist across maternity and neonatal services is fundamental to ensuring that all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.

We are working closely with NHS England, and the wider sector, to identify the right actions and interventions to tackle the stark inequalities that exist. The Government is committed to setting an explicit target to close the black and Asian maternal mortality gap. We are ensuring that we take an evidence-based approach, and that any targets set are women and baby centred.

It is vital that the system is supported with the right actions to meet any target or ambition set. This is why, through the national investigation and taskforce, we will work with families and stakeholders to develop further actions to meet our ambitions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays to rebuilding of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on people in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation was published on 20 January 2025 and sets out a credible, deliverable plan for the schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP). This plan will be delivered through five-year waves of investment and is backed by up to £15 billion over each consecutive five-year wave, averaging £3 billion a year from 2030. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome

As wave 3 schemes, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital have been paused. No further funding will be available from the NHP until pre-construction activity begins from 2030. The NHP is committed to ensuring both schemes are fully resourced when this time comes. The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive.

An equality impact assessment was carried out for the review into the NHP and included assessing the extent to which service users might be impacted by these delivery proposals, with specific reference to the impact that these might have on relevant protected characteristics. This was laid in the House Library and published on 20 January 2025, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-equality-impact-assessment

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to acquire further funding for the rebuilding of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation was published on 20 January 2025 and sets out a credible, deliverable plan for the schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP). This plan will be delivered through five-year waves of investment and is backed by up to £15 billion over each consecutive five-year wave, averaging £3 billion a year from 2030. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome

As wave 3 schemes, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital have been paused. No further funding will be available from the NHP until pre-construction activity begins from 2030. The NHP is committed to ensuring both schemes are fully resourced when this time comes. The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive.

An equality impact assessment was carried out for the review into the NHP and included assessing the extent to which service users might be impacted by these delivery proposals, with specific reference to the impact that these might have on relevant protected characteristics. This was laid in the House Library and published on 20 January 2025, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-equality-impact-assessment

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will bring forward proposals to rebuild the Royal Lancaster Hospital from 2035-38; and what steps he is taking to prevent further delays to this.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation was published on 20 January 2025 and sets out a credible, deliverable plan for the schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP). This plan will be delivered through five-year waves of investment and is backed by up to £15 billion over each consecutive five-year wave, averaging £3 billion a year from 2030. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome

As wave 3 schemes, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital have been paused. No further funding will be available from the NHP until pre-construction activity begins from 2030. The NHP is committed to ensuring both schemes are fully resourced when this time comes. The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive.

An equality impact assessment was carried out for the review into the NHP and included assessing the extent to which service users might be impacted by these delivery proposals, with specific reference to the impact that these might have on relevant protected characteristics. This was laid in the House Library and published on 20 January 2025, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-equality-impact-assessment

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his Department’s budget is for funding the Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary in 2026-27.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation was published on 20 January 2025 and sets out a credible, deliverable plan for the schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP). This plan will be delivered through five-year waves of investment and is backed by up to £15 billion over each consecutive five-year wave, averaging £3 billion a year from 2030. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome

As wave 3 schemes, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital have been paused. No further funding will be available from the NHP until pre-construction activity begins from 2030. The NHP is committed to ensuring both schemes are fully resourced when this time comes. The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive.

An equality impact assessment was carried out for the review into the NHP and included assessing the extent to which service users might be impacted by these delivery proposals, with specific reference to the impact that these might have on relevant protected characteristics. This was laid in the House Library and published on 20 January 2025, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-equality-impact-assessment

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his plan is to allocate funding for the rebuilding of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation was published on 20 January 2025 and sets out a credible, deliverable plan for the schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP). This plan will be delivered through five-year waves of investment and is backed by up to £15 billion over each consecutive five-year wave, averaging £3 billion a year from 2030. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome

As wave 3 schemes, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital have been paused. No further funding will be available from the NHP until pre-construction activity begins from 2030. The NHP is committed to ensuring both schemes are fully resourced when this time comes. The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support planning, however these are commercially sensitive.

An equality impact assessment was carried out for the review into the NHP and included assessing the extent to which service users might be impacted by these delivery proposals, with specific reference to the impact that these might have on relevant protected characteristics. This was laid in the House Library and published on 20 January 2025, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-equality-impact-assessment

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department required any private commercial suppliers or delivery partners previously contracted to work on the New Hospital Programme to be excluded from working on the New Hospital Programme Review.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The review of the New Hospital Programme (NHP) was led by a Director from the NHP Sponsor team in the Department. They were supported by a number of officials from the NHP Sponsor team in the Department along with officials from NHS England, with input from the NHP’s interim commercial and delivery partners and officials in HM Treasury. The NHP developed the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis tool with support from its interim commercial and delivery partners.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that cancer patients receive radiotherapy treatment within the 62 day standard wait time in Stoke-on-Trent South constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department remains committed to ensuring that all patients receive a swift diagnosis and timely access to treatments, including patients in the Stoke-on-Trent South constituency. We know that patients are often waiting too long for treatment which is why we have recently invested £70 million into new LINAC radiotherapy machines, replacing older, less efficient machines. These machines are currently being rolled out. This will be the first step in boosting productivity across the country, thereby allowing more patients to be seen per session, reducing waiting times for patients who require radiotherapy treatment.

In addition, the National Health Service is delivering an additional 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week. The NHS has exceeded its pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments in our first year of Government, having delivered 5.2 million more appointments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a national A&E Appreciation Week.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government highly values hardworking National Health Service staff who go above and beyond to provide rapid and critical care. Local NHS trusts have in place their own approaches to recognising and rewarding staff, supported by advice and guidance set out in the Staff Recognition Framework. This is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/staff-recognition-framework/

Members of Parliament can also acknowledge the work of NHS staff in their constituency through the NHS Parliamentary Awards.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) waiting times at urgent care centres and (b) the geographical coverage of urgent care provision in Staffordshire; and what is the timetable for the (i) opening of new and (ii) upgrading of urgent treatment centres in that county.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local communities, as they are best placed to take those decisions. In doing so, ICBs – including NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, which is responsible for services in Staffordshire – consider how best to provide urgent care, including Urgent Treatment Centres, to meet patient demand.

Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, set out the steps we are taking to ensure that patients will receive better, faster and more appropriate emergency care this winter, backed by a total of nearly £450 million of funding. This includes the expansion of Urgent Treatment Centres to allow for the effective streaming of patients, helping to reduce waiting times and overcrowding.

We have been taking key steps to ensure the health service is prepared for the colder months. This includes taking actions to try and reduce demand pressure on Accident and Emergency departments, increasing vaccination rates and offering health checks to the most vulnerable, as well as stress-testing ICB and trust winter plans to confirm they are able to meet demand and support patient flow.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter, including in Surrey. This includes robust, consistent Infection Prevention and Control measures, and the campaign to encourage eligible people to get their winter vaccinations. Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

The Government is committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services and is improving access to these services through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

All standard and large CDCs are required to offer diagnostic respiratory tests such as spirometry and full lung function tests as part of their core testing offer.

The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding is being allocated to support NHS performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes funding to enable the completion of 2024/25 CDC schemes, as well as to expand existing and build new CDCs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of respiratory diagnosis times in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter, including in Surrey. This includes robust, consistent Infection Prevention and Control measures, and the campaign to encourage eligible people to get their winter vaccinations. Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

The Government is committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services and is improving access to these services through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

All standard and large CDCs are required to offer diagnostic respiratory tests such as spirometry and full lung function tests as part of their core testing offer.

The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding is being allocated to support NHS performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes funding to enable the completion of 2024/25 CDC schemes, as well as to expand existing and build new CDCs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce inequalities in accessing respiratory care services in (a) Surrey Heath constituency and (b) Surrey.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter, including in Surrey. This includes robust, consistent Infection Prevention and Control measures, and the campaign to encourage eligible people to get their winter vaccinations. Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

The Government is committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services and is improving access to these services through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

All standard and large CDCs are required to offer diagnostic respiratory tests such as spirometry and full lung function tests as part of their core testing offer.

The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding is being allocated to support NHS performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes funding to enable the completion of 2024/25 CDC schemes, as well as to expand existing and build new CDCs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has set a national timeline for equal access to NHS-funded fertility treatment.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services. This work will take time to develop, and the Department is keen to ensure there will be stakeholder engagement during this process, beginning in the new year.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September 2025, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10263/consultation/html-content-2

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average length of time taken is for the Nursing and Midwifery Council to resolve a disciplinary complaint.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Registrant fees are used to fund the NMC's operations, including its fitness to practise processes. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase capacity in phlebotomy services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Blood tests are among the most commonly requested diagnostic investigations across primary and secondary care, and they are readily available across all 27 National Health Service pathology networks. Phlebotomy – the procedure to collect blood samples – is widely available across general practice, community health services, and secondary care phlebotomy clinics, supporting equitable access to blood testing.

Where phlebotomy services are provided by general practice, they are commissioned locally by integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs are responsible for commissioning phlebotomy services based on local population need and are funded for these services as part of their annual funding allocations.

In January 2025, we published the Elective Reform Plan, which sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of this parliament. The Plan commits to transform and expand diagnostic services and speed up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times.

Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), including those in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, are supporting one of the governments key strategic shifts – moving care from the hospital to the community. CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including phlebotomy, closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken.

We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the NHS. As set out in the Elective Reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week. This is backed by part of the £600 million of capital investment for diagnostic services announced at the October 2024 Spending Review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to increase awareness of aerobic vaginitis.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future.

Professional bodies, including the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, are considering how to raise awareness and make more information available about aerobic vaginitis.

Additionally, we have supported the system to improve access to more specialised and multidisciplinary teams in the community through the introduction of women’s health hubs. Women’s health hubs provide better integrated care for women with a range of different conditions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to help reduce NHS waiting times in Cumbria.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Tackling the waiting-list is a top priority for the Government. We have exceeded our pledge to deliver over two million more elective care appointments. More than double that number, 5.2 million more appointments, have now been delivered in England.

On 6 January 2025, NHS England published the new Elective Reform Plan, which sets out a whole system approach to delivering on the commitment that 92% of patients will wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment, in line with the NHS constitutional standard, by March 2029. This includes a focus on:

• empowering patients by giving them more choice and control, and by establishing the standards they can expect from National Health Service planned care;
• reforming delivery by working more productively, consistently, and in many cases differently, to deliver more elective care. This includes a commitment to rolling out additional diagnostic tests and scans through a network of community diagnostic centres (CDCs); and
• aligning funding, performance oversight, and delivery standards, with clear responsibilities and incentives for reform.

Cumbria is covered by two integrated care boards (ICBs). As of August 2025, 18-week referral to treatment performance for the NHS Lancashire And South Cumbria ICB was 60.7%, and was 70.2% for the NHS North East And North Cumbria ICB. As of October 2025, there are now two CDCs in Cumbria, the Workington CDC and the Crossland Day Hospital. These community diagnostic centres will support access to earlier diagnostic tests, benefiting millions of patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will allow London North West University Healthcare Trust to become an NHS Foundation Trust.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, our ambition is that by 2035 all provider trusts will be foundation trusts, using their freedoms to work with others and improve population health.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of trends in the length of NHS specialist waiting times for patients in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No formal assessment on the trends in the length of National Health Service specialist waiting times for patients in the Surrey Heath constituency has been made, as data is not collected at constituency level. Data is, however, available at an integrated care board (ICB) level.

The Surrey Heath constituency is served by both the NHS Frimley ICB and the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB. Between August 2024 and August 2025, the NHS Frimley ICB improved its referral to treatment time (RTT) 18-week performance by 5.1%, increasing to 56.6%, but sits under the national average of 61%. In the same period, the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB improved its RTT 18-week performance by 0.9%, up to 62.3%, which is above the national average.

As set out in the Elective Reform Plan and Plan for Change, we are committed to returning to the NHS constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment by March 2029.

Planning Guidance for 2025/26 sets a target that 65% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks by March 2026, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum 5% improvement on current performance over that period.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of excluding British citizens trained abroad from GMC registration-based prioritisation on the future NHS workforce in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

British doctors who obtained their medical degree abroad need to meet the requirements of the General Medical Council (GMC), the independent regulator of the medical profession, to practise medicine in the United Kingdom. These doctors are then able to apply for jobs in the National Health Service on the same basis as UK medical graduates.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will work across government to prioritise UK medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period for specialty training. We will set out further details in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to reduce ward work in portacabins at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service trusts make decisions locally on their use of temporary facilities, in line with delivering clinical services.

Any temporary facility must meet the same Health Building Notice and Health Technical Memorandum safety, environmental, fire, clinical, and other standards as a permanent healthcare building.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to help reduce the impact of chronic respiratory conditions on the NHS during winter months in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter, including in Surrey. This includes robust, consistent Infection Prevention and Control measures, and the campaign to encourage eligible people to get their winter vaccinations. Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

The Government is committed to increasing the capacity of respiratory services and is improving access to these services through new community diagnostic centres (CDCs).

All standard and large CDCs are required to offer diagnostic respiratory tests such as spirometry and full lung function tests as part of their core testing offer.

The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding is being allocated to support NHS performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes funding to enable the completion of 2024/25 CDC schemes, as well as to expand existing and build new CDCs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to routinely monitor and report miscarriage rate trends; and what steps he has taken to reduce the rate of miscarriages.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The risk of miscarriage is estimated at 15%, or approximately 100,000-150,000 miscarriages per year in the United Kingdom. However, due to lack of data on the earliest losses, the true figure could be higher at approximately 250,000 a year.

An update to digital record standards on maternity means that the National Health Service is now able to record the pregnancy outcome for any woman, including miscarriage, where they have been in contact with NHS maternity services.

The Tommy’s Miscarriage Centre at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital has completed its pilot assessing the effectiveness of a graded model of sporadic or recurrent miscarriage care and is in the final stages of evaluating the study. Under the ‘Graded Model of Care’, women receive dedicated care from their first miscarriage. It includes bereavement support, health advice and risk assessment for women who wish to become pregnant again, screening for mental health support, and a clear pathway to manage congenital risks.

Research on the feasibility and affordability of this care is due to be published later this year. The Department has received headline positive early findings from Tommy’s and will continue to engage with Tommy’s through our planning for maternity and neonatal services.

We look forward to discussing the full findings of this important work with Tommy's in the coming weeks, and to consider what immediate and longer-term actions the Government can put in place that will help to transform care and deliver the outcomes and experience we want to see.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of maternity services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

National Health Service Frimley Integrated Care Board confirmed that the Friends and Family Test is completed every month and includes all community midwifery services. There is also an annual survey conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and feedback from Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) who hold quarterly meetings with the trust. No concerns have been raised through these channels to the service, and nothing has been raised specifically about community maternity provision in Surrey Heath.

There are 11 maternity hubs across Frimley Health and Care, including one at Frimley Park Hospital which serves Surrey Heath and sees approximately 700 to 750 women. The community matron visits all the hubs monthly. Both the Director and the Head of Midwifery also undertake regular ‘walkabouts’.

The CQC last inspected in May 2023 and rated the maternity services at Frimley Park Hospital as Good overall. The MNVP did a ‘walkabout’ on both sites in July 2025. Their report is yet to be received.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase women’s engagement with healthcare providers for fertility concerns.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no particular measures in place to increase women’s engagement with healthcare providers for fertility concerns.

More broadly, achieving our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service will rely critically on a strong partnership working between health and social care, also working closely with wider local government services and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to better understand and meet the needs of individuals and local populations in a holistic way.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether there are internal NHS targets for blood test waiting lists; and what steps he is taking to ensure timely access to blood tests for patients in Staffordshire.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are committed to transforming National Health Service diagnostic services and ensuring timely access to diagnostic tests, including blood tests and that patients have the best possible experience of care.

The Elective Reform Plan published in January 2025 sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of this parliament. To achieve this, the plan commits to transform and expand diagnostic services and speed up waiting times for tests.

Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), including Cannock Chase CDC in Staffordshire, are supporting one of the Government’s key strategic shifts – moving care from the hospital to the community. CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests, including phlebotomy, closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken. Cannock Chase CDC has delivered 21,673 phlebotomy tests since July 2024.

We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the NHS. As set out in the Elective Reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs in 2025/26, alongside increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week. This is backed by part of the £600 million capital investment for diagnostic services announced at the October Spending review.

We are also funding all pathology networks to increase digital capabilities by March 2026. This will reduce unnecessary waits and repeat tests to ensure that patients receive their blood test results sooner, including in Staffordshire.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to increase the pay of band two phlebotomists.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Phlebotomists in England are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scale which is underpinned by the Job Evaluation Scheme (JES). The JES is a structured method of comparing job demands as set out in the job documentation, for example the job description, to determine the appropriate AfC pay band for any given role.

Employers are responsible for correctly and consistently implementing the JES locally to ensure staff are paid correctly for the work they are asked to deliver.

Regarding AfC pay in general, the Government remitted the Pay Review Bodies on 22 July to begin the 2025 to 2026 pay round, with the target of getting uplifts into the pockets of health workers earlier next year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the development of guidelines for PANS and PANDAS.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Decisions on topics for new or updated guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are considered through an established NICE prioritisation process with decisions overseen by a prioritisation board, chaired by NICE’s Chief Medical Officer.

NICE’s prioritisation board considered the development of guidance on paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus in November 2024 and concluded that there is insufficient evidence in this area to develop useful guidance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the press notice entitled 100,000 more people get quicker care thanks to GP funding reform, published on 4 September 2025, whether he plans to allocate funding for advice and guidance services to (a) other areas of primary care and (b) optometry services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The expansion of and funding for Advice and Guidance and referral triage more broadly for 2026/27 are currently under consideration, and a decision will be confirmed later this year.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of average (a) stillbirth and (b) neonatal mortality rates among (i) Black and Asian babies and (ii) babies born to mothers in the most deprived areas; and (b) what steps he is taking to help reduce maternal inequalities.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department recognises that there are stark inequalities for women and babies, and that they should receive the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their background, location or ethnicity.

A number of interventions specifically aimed at addressing maternal and neonatal inequalities are underway. These include the Perinatal Equity and Anti-Discrimination Programme, delivery of an inequalities dashboard and projects on removing racial bias from clinical education and embedding genetic risk equity. Additionally, all local areas have published Equity and Equality action plans to tackle inequalities for women and babies from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas.

An important aspect of both the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation and the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce announced in June, is to address inequalities in maternal and neonatal care and promote health equity in the delivery of those services.

We are putting in place immediate actions to improve safety across maternity and neonatal care, which includes the implementation of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle in all Trusts to reduce the rates of stillbirth, preterm birth and neonatal care.

NHS England is also introducing a Maternal Mortality Care Bundle to set clear standards across all services, and address the leading causes of maternal mortality. Women from Black and Asian backgrounds are more at risk of specific clinical conditions that are the leading causes of death. This bundle will target these conditions, and we expect a decline in deaths and harm.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many hours of staff time are taken up by the average Nursing and Midwifery Council disciplinary process.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Registrant fees are used to fund the NMC's operations, including its fitness to practise processes. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average cost to the public purse is of a Nursing and Midwifery Council disciplinary process.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold this information centrally. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government.

All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Registrant fees are used to fund the NMC's operations, including its fitness to practise processes. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many doctors who completed foundation training (a) successfully secured a specialty training post immediately after completion, (b) remained without a specialty training post one year after completing foundation training and (c) have taken up medical employment abroad in each of the last five years.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Data published by the General Medical Council shows it is becoming more common for doctors to not progress from completion of the second year of the foundation programme directly into specialty training. The following table shows the proportion of foundation year two (F2) doctors who had progressed into speciality training within 12 months of completion of foundation training and the proportion who had not progressed into speciality training within 12 and 24 months of completing F2 for each of the last five years where data is available. Doctors not progressing are not necessarily leaving employment but more likely to enter periods of employment under locally employed doctor contracts or to undertake planned periods working in other settings or countries.

Source: General Medical Council, Education Data Tool Progression Reports

https://edt.gmc-uk.org/progression-reports/recruitment-from-f2

The United Kingdom Foundation Programme Office, the body which operates and develops the UK medical foundation training programme has in some years run a Career Destination Survey for those completing F2.

In 2024, 13.4% of respondents to the F2 Career Destinations Survey went abroad after completing their foundation programme (into training, service posts, or still seeking a post outside of UK), which is a higher proportion compared to 2019 (9.3%).

It is important to note though when comparing these results that the F2 Career Destinations Survey was mandatory to the completion of the foundation year programme in the year 2019 leading a response-rate of 93.1%. In 2024, the F2 Career Destinations survey was not mandatory leading to a response rate of 18%.

The Department is unable to provide information on the number of doctors who completed their training taking up medical employment abroad in the years 2020-2023 as the UK Foundation Programme’s F2 Career Destinations Survey was not run during this period.

The 2024 F2 Career Destinations Survey report is available at the following link:

https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/UKFP-2024-F2-Career-Destination-Survey-Report.pdf

The 2019 F2 Career Destinations Survey report is available at the following link:

https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/F2%20CDS_2019.pdf

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will work across Government to prioritise UK medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period for specialty training. We will set out further details in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of making all asthma-related medication free on prescription for adults.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made of the potential merits of making all asthma-related medication free on prescription for adults.

While there are no plans to amend the criteria for eligibility for free prescriptions, approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with asthma may be eligible.

Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have another qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the National Health Service Low Income Scheme, which provides help based on a comparison between a person’s income and requirements. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with 3-month and 12-month certificates available. 12-month PPCs can be paid for in ten monthly instalments, allowing the holder to get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many golden hellos for new dentists have been allocated to Waveney Valley constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs) have started to recruit posts through the Golden Hello Scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.

We do not hold Golden Hello data at a constituency level but, as of 22 September in England, 97 dentists are in post. A further eight dentists have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. A further 224 posts are currently being advertised.

ICBs continue to work with practices in their area to support recruitment to these posts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the transition from hospital to community care for stroke survivors.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to improving services for patients locally by increasing the provision of services outside of a hospital setting that are delivered closer to home in the community.

The National Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation programme is helping to transform community-based care by increasing access to specialist stroke rehabilitation at home.

Recent data shows that the percentage of patients discharged from hospital to community stroke services has now risen to 65.7%.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of stroke rehabilitation services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to improving services for patients locally by increasing the provision of services outside of a hospital setting that are delivered closer to home in the community.

The National Stroke Quality Improvement in Rehabilitation programme is helping to transform community-based care by increasing access to specialist stroke rehabilitation at home.

Recent data shows that the percentage of patients discharged from hospital to community stroke services has now risen to 65.7%.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2025 to Question 62005 on Care Workers: Migrant Workers, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of collecting data on visa status and ongoing employment in adult social care or UK residence.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Home Office immigration statistics show the numbers of Health and Care Worker visas granted under this category for the ‘Caring Personal Services’ occupation group (613), which broadly covers occupations across social care, over time, and for the specific “care workers and home carers” occupation code (6135) from the fourth quarter of 2024. Not all visa grants will result in a worker travelling to the United Kingdom.

Skills for Care collects data on the adult social care workforce from employers on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, with the voluntary Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset data collection. From July 2024, it added a question about the Health and Care Worker visa status of employees, supplementing existing data on nationality and, for non-UK nationals, the year of entry to the UK. However, the uncertainty of any estimate of the total number of current workers with this status would depend on how many employers have chosen to respond to that question and whether their responses could be considered representative of the workforce in its entirety. Any estimate could not be directly compared to data on visa grants from the Home Office.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of workforce shortages on the delivery of social care services to older people.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department monitors workforce levels in the adult social care sector in England at a national and local level. As part of this monitoring, the Department considers Skills for Care estimates on the number of filled posts in residential and domiciliary care. The adult social care workforce is growing. Skills for Care data shows in 2024/25 there were 1.60 million filled posts, an increase of 52,000 (3.4%) from 2023/24. This was the second largest increase seen since Skills for Care records began in 2012/13.

Local authorities in England have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to meet social care needs and statutory guidance directs them to ensure there is sufficient workforce in adult social care.

We recognise the scale of reform needed to make adult social care attractive as a career and are determined to ensure those who work in care are respected as professionals. We are introducing a new Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care, implementing the first universal career structure for adult social care, and providing £12 million this year for staff to complete training and qualifications. These changes will help attract staff to the sector, providing proper recognition and opportunities for them to build their careers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of funding a new hospital to replace the University Hospital of North Tees.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Repairing and rebuilding our healthcare estate is a vital part of our ambition to create a National Health Service that is fit for the future through our 10-Year Health Plan.

We recognise that delivering high quality NHS healthcare services requires safe, sustainable, and effective infrastructure. That is why we prioritised investment in healthcare at the recent Spending Review, which delivered the largest ever health capital budget.

However, the New Hospital Programme (NHP) is the current mechanism for the delivery of hospitals and there are currently no plans to invite further schemes to join the NHP. The focus of the NHP is on delivery aligned to our Plan for Implementation. As such, the Department has made no assessment of the potential merits of funding a new hospital to replace the University Hospital of North Tees.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2025 to Question 62005 on Care Workers: Migrant Workers, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of collecting that information.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Home Office immigration statistics show the numbers of Health and Care Worker visas granted under this category for the ‘Caring Personal Services’ occupation group (613), which broadly covers occupations across social care, over time, and for the specific “care workers and home carers” occupation code (6135) from the fourth quarter of 2024. Not all visa grants will result in a worker travelling to the United Kingdom.

Skills for Care collects data on the adult social care workforce from employers on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, with the voluntary Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset data collection. From July 2024, it added a question about the Health and Care Worker visa status of employees, supplementing existing data on nationality and, for non-UK nationals, the year of entry to the UK. However, the uncertainty of any estimate of the total number of current workers with this status would depend on how many employers have chosen to respond to that question and whether their responses could be considered representative of the workforce in its entirety. Any estimate could not be directly compared to data on visa grants from the Home Office.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of workers working in the social care sector who are in the UK on a social care worker visa.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Home Office immigration statistics show the numbers of Health and Care Worker visas granted under this category for the ‘Caring Personal Services’ occupation group (613), which broadly covers occupations across social care, over time, and for the specific “care workers and home carers” occupation code (6135) from the fourth quarter of 2024. Not all visa grants will result in a worker travelling to the United Kingdom.

Skills for Care collects data on the adult social care workforce from employers on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care, with the voluntary Adult Social Care Workforce Dataset data collection. From July 2024, it added a question about the Health and Care Worker visa status of employees, supplementing existing data on nationality and, for non-UK nationals, the year of entry to the UK. However, the uncertainty of any estimate of the total number of current workers with this status would depend on how many employers have chosen to respond to that question and whether their responses could be considered representative of the workforce in its entirety. Any estimate could not be directly compared to data on visa grants from the Home Office.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ringfence funding for general practice nursing pay in line with the NHS Agenda for Change.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practices (GPs) how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. Funding for GP nursing pay is not ringfenced and contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on GPs with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions.

The Government looks to the independent pay review bodies for a pay recommendation for NHS staff, including both contractor and salaried GPs. They consider a range of evidence from organisations including the Government, the NHS, and trade unions to reach their recommendations.

The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) has recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay for 2025/26. We have provided an increase to core funding for practices to allow this 4% pay uplift to be passed on to salaried and contractor GPs. The additional funding is also intended to provide uplifts for other salaried GP staff, including nurses.

We expect GP contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they have received.

The Government has committed to a new substantive GP Contract within this Parliament, and we will continue to engage constructively with the General Practitioners Committee England on issues such as staffing.

The maximum reimbursable amounts for roles employed through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), including practice nurses, have also been uplifted in line with the NHS Pay Review Body’s recommendations, and ARRS budgets have been increased to reflect this.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards remove the requirement for self-funded intrauterine insemination for same-sex couples.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around NHS-funded fertility services including the issue for female same sex couples.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their population. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September 2025, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10263/consultation/html-content-2

In light of broader pressures on the National Health Service and ongoing changes within NHS England, we have been looking again at achievable ambitions to improve access to fertility services and fairness for all affected couples.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the efficacy of the regulatory framework for the health and wellness sector.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has not made a recent assessment of the efficacy of the regulatory framework for the health and wellness sector.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Millions more appointments as more than 2,000 extra GPs recruited, published on 24 July 2025, what proportion of additional GP appointments have been held in person.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Eight million more general practitioner (GP) appointments have been delivered this year compared to last.

The General Practice Appointments Data (GPAD) does not enable us to attribute delivered appointments to individual GPs. As a result, it is not possible to determine how many of these additional appointments were delivered specifically by the 2,300 newly recruited GPs.

The GPAD provides information on the total number of appointments delivered face to face, and similarly, but not specifically, how many face-to-face appointments are delivered by individual GPs, including the 2,300 newly recruited GPs. Appointment mode, whether face to face, telephone, or online, is determined by clinical need and patient preference, and is not inherently directly linked to the number of GPs recruited.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make a comparative assessment of the level of the residential care home fees (a) in England, (b) Wiltshire and (c) Gloucestershire; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure (i) care home residents and (ii) the families of care home residents are protected from above-inflation increases in care charges.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold data on self-funder residential care home fees sufficient to make a comparative assessment between different local authorities. Fee rates are set by providers of adult social care. The Department does not have the power to limit the level of fees that a care home can charge. However, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.

We have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will deliver recommendations for the transformation of adult social care, including how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.

The current system of charging for care provides funded support for those with the least financial means. Only the income and assets, including savings, of the cared for individual can be considered by the local authority when assessing their financial eligibility for support. Where individuals have assets below £14,250, they will not contribute to their care from their assets. Local authorities have the power to set a higher threshold if they choose.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support families with rises in care home fees for relatives with dementia; and whether he has made an assessment of the impact of those changes on the savings of older people.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold data on self-funder residential care home fees sufficient to make a comparative assessment between different local authorities. Fee rates are set by providers of adult social care. The Department does not have the power to limit the level of fees that a care home can charge. However, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.

We have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will deliver recommendations for the transformation of adult social care, including how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.

The current system of charging for care provides funded support for those with the least financial means. Only the income and assets, including savings, of the cared for individual can be considered by the local authority when assessing their financial eligibility for support. Where individuals have assets below £14,250, they will not contribute to their care from their assets. Local authorities have the power to set a higher threshold if they choose.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the measures outlined in the document entitled Reforming elective care for patients, published on 6 January 2025, on waiting lists for gynaecology treatment.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra 2 million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered 5.2 million more appointments. This marks a vital First Step to delivering on the commitment that 92% of patients will wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to consultant-led treatment – in line with the National Health Service constitutional standard – by March 2029.

The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard. Since our plan was published we have seen improvements in gynaecology, with average waits reducing from 15.9 weeks in January 2025 to 15.2 weeks in August 2025, and the number of patients waiting 18 weeks or less from referral to treatment increasing from 55.2% in January 2025 to 56.4% in August 2025. But we know there is still much more to do, and we will continue to support NHS trusts to deliver our targets through innovation, sharing best practice to increase productivity and efficiency, and ensuring the best value is delivered.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of private healthcare providers using NHS hospital facilities on NHS waiting lists.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made as these decisions are taken locally. National Health Service trusts can utilise ‘insourcers’, private healthcare providers who operate using NHS facilities, but services must be arranged in a manner which offers value for money compared to the other options available.

NHS England published updated guidance on the use of insourcing in July 2024 to support NHS trusts in achieving value for money. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-for-trusts-on-the-use-of-insourcing/#

In this guidance, NHS England clearly prohibits the use of insourcing solutions where rates are not in line with, or are below, the prices in the NHS Payment Scheme, and where compliant approved frameworks are not used.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS trusts on accountability measures for contracted NHS transport providers in instances where they repeatedly fail to meet required standards.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such discussions have been held.

Local integrated care boards (ICBs) hold responsibility for the implementation of patient transport services at a local level, including monitoring and improving performance against targets. ICBs are best placed to work and consult with their local stakeholders, health and care organisations and local authorities to decide how to best meet and deliver for the needs of their local population.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to renew the National Maternity Safety Ambition at the end of 2025.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Our commitment to set an explicit target to close the black and Asian maternal mortality gaps has not wavered. Addressing the shocking inequalities that exist across maternity and neonatal services is fundamental to ensuring that all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.

We are working closely with NHS England, and the wider sector, to identify the right actions and interventions to tackle the stark inequalities that exist. The Government is committed to setting an explicit target to close the black and Asian maternal mortality gap. We are ensuring that we take an evidence-based approach, and that any targets set are women and baby centred.

It is vital that the system is supported with the right actions to meet any target or ambition set. This is why, through the national investigation and taskforce, we will work with families and stakeholders to develop further actions to meet our ambitions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what proportion of the £25 million funding for the pilot Women’s Health Hubs was allocated to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department invested £25 million in the establishment of Women’s Health Hubs through the two-year pilot from April 2023 to March 2025. Each integrated care board (ICB) received £595,000 of the £25 million of funding for Women’s Health Hubs.

We are supporting ICBs to continue improving their delivery of Women’s Health Hubs, in line with their responsibility to commission services that meet the needs of their local populations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made a comparative assessment of neonatal death rates in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries in the last ten years.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The United Kingdom neonatal mortality rate for babies after at least 24 weeks of pregnancy decreased between 2013 and 2020, before rising in 2021 and 2022 and falling slightly in 2023.

This is similar to the trend across Europe, where rates generally decreased or fluctuated about a similar level between 2015 to 2019.

In 2019, the UK neonatal mortality rate was slightly higher than the median across Europe.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to improve access to interpreters for pregnant women and their families who are receiving maternity and neonatal care; and whether he plans to introduce national guidance to ensure consistency of interpretation provision across all maternity and neonatal services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Community language translation and interpretation services are crucial for patient safety. The responsibility to commission these services sits with integrated care boards and National Health Service providers as they are better placed to make decisions about how they use their funding based on the needs of their local populations. Local commissioners are responsible for applying the highest quality standards possible.

To identify the most effective way to improve interpretation provision across all clinical services including maternity and neonatal care, NHS England has completed a strategic review, building on the recommendations of independent safety investigations.

In response, NHS England has developed a Framework for NHS action on Community Language Translation and Interpreting, to help improve interpretation services so that they meet the needs of communities and support equitable access, experience, and outcomes for all. A six-month period of engagement work ensured that issues relating to maternal and neonatal care were considered in the development of the Improvement Framework, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/improvement-framework-community-language-translation-interpreting-services/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24721 on Dental Services: Lancashire, what recent progress he has made on delivering 700,000 additional dental appointments.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have asked the integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission extra urgent dental appointments to make sure that patients with urgent dental needs can get the treatment they require. ICBs have been making extra appointments available from April 2025.

Appointments are available across the country, with specific expectations for each region. These appointments are more heavily weighted towards those areas where they are needed most. The Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB is expected to deliver 20,822 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to establish routine data collection on miscarriages.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

An update to digital record standards on maternity means that the National Health Service is now able to record the pregnancy outcome for any woman, including miscarriage, where they have been in contact with NHS maternity services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure parity between pay awards for (a) practice nurses, (b) other primary care staff and (c) staff whose pay is determined by national NHS pay review bodies.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to GP practices how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. General practice contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on GP practices with regard to general practice nurse (GPN) terms and conditions. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.

The Government looks to the independent pay review bodies for a pay recommendation for NHS staff, including both contractor and salaried general practitioners (GPs). They consider a range of evidence from organisations including the Government, the NHS and trade unions to reach their recommendations.

As different NHS and primary care staff groups do not all sit under the remit of one pay review body, the Government can receive different pay award recommendations for different groups. The independent review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) have recommended an uplift of 4% to the pay ranges for salaried GPs, and to GP contractor pay for 2025-26. To implement this through the GP contract, as the DDRB’s recommendation was higher than the assumed pay growth of 2.8%, we have provided a 1.2% top-up to the pay elements of the contract on a consolidated basis.

We have provided an increase to core funding for practices to allow this 4% pay uplift to be passed on to salaried and contractor GPs. The additional funding will also allow for pay uplifts for other salaried general practice staff, including nurses.

We expect General Practice Contractors to implement pay rises to other practice staff in line with the uplift in funding they have received.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to bring forward the timeline for social care reform.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is already delivering reform to adult social care and progressing towards a future National Care Service. This progress is built on higher standards, greater choice and control, and better join-up between services — with over £4 billion of additional funding available for adult social care by 2028/29.

We are:

• Raising the quality of care, including by legislating for a Fair Pay Agreement backed by £500 million, expanding career pathways, and investing £12 million in workforce development.
• Improving join-up between health and social care through neighbourhood health services, reform of the Better Care Fund, and enhanced digital and data infrastructure to support safer, more personalised care.
• Expanding choice and control, including through encouraging the greater use of direct payments, £172 million for home adaptations, and new care technology standards to help people choose the right support.

To help shape medium and longer-term reforms, the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Casey, will report in two phases — first in 2026, and again by 2028. Implementation will follow each phase. We have been clear that addressing the complex, deep-rooted challenges facing the sector will take time. This timeline allows Baroness Casey to carry out the national conversation needed to reach broad public and cross-party consensus on reforms to build a social care system fit for the future.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 139 of his Department's 10 Year Health Plan, published on 3 July 2025, whether bridging loan capabilities will be permitted in order to allow the provision of new GP surgeries prior to the receipt of Section 106 funding.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to determine how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.

The primary care estate is a complex mix of general practice (GP) private ownership, third-party ownership and lease arrangements with approximately half of GP premises owned by general practitioners. The bridging loan capabilities referenced in the 10-Year Health Plan are based on powers that my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has to provide financing to NHS trusts and foundation trusts and thus are not permitted to GP surgeries directly.

We advise those schemes looking to utilise section 106 to work with their integrated care board (ICB), which can provide information on eligibility for bridging loan capabilities or alternatives to support delivery of health infrastructure in the area.

ICBs are responsible for commissioning, including planning, securing, and monitoring, GP services within their health systems through delegated responsibility from NHS England. The National Health Service has a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient medical services, including GP services, in each local area. It should take account of population growth and demographic changes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many care and support workers in England are paid the national living wage; and whether he plans to increase minimum pay for those workers.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Adult social care is a historically low paid sector. In 2024/25, 22% of care workers in the independent sector were paid the National Living Wage (NLW). The median hourly pay rate for care workers was £12.00 in March 2025, 56p higher than the NLW.

We are committed to transforming adult social care and supporting adult social care workers, turning the page on decades of low pay and insecurity. That is why we plan to introduce the first ever Fair Pay Agreement in 2028, backed by £500 million of funding to improve pay and conditions for the adult social care workforce. Negotiations between employee and employer representatives will shape how this funding will be used to enhance pay, terms, and conditions.

The Spending Review allows for over £4 billion in additional funding for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26. This includes other sources of income available to support adult social care, additional grant funding, and an increase in the National Health Service’s contribution to adult social care via the Better Care Fund. This £4 billion increase includes £500 million to begin implementing the Fair Pay Agreement in 2028/29.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support families who have experienced baby loss in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust and West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust all provide seven-day maternity bereavement care, meaning women and families can access support from a maternity professional trained in specialist bereavement care.

Watford General Hospital has a team of midwives who provide families with individualised support and specialist bereavement care when faced with the death of their baby. The hospital has also opened the Rose Room, a special space for families who experience the loss of a baby to spend time with their baby and begin to process their grief. There are facilities for families and siblings, including hand and foot casting services, to provide lasting memories.

The Hertfordshire Perinatal Trauma and Loss Care service is a psychology-led, county-wide specialist service for people who are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties as a direct result of a perinatal loss of any kind, including loss by separation through safeguarding processes.

The charity Petals is also now able to provide specialist counselling support to bereaved parents who are Hertfordshire residents, no matter where their maternity care was delivered.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to train more dementia specialist nurses at NHS services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services, which may include dementia specialist nurses/admiral nurses, based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines. NICE recommends providing people living with dementia with a single named health or social care professional who is responsible for coordinating their care.

Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.  We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the Lampard Inquiry to report; and what steps he is taking to support the Inquiry.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Although the Department sponsors the Lampard Inquiry, the inquiry is independent of the Government. Baroness Lampard has committed to publish the final report as soon as possible and the inquiry will publish its intended timescales in due course. The next hearings are due to commence on 13 October 2025, with further hearings scheduled throughout 2026.

The Government is committed to ensuring that lessons are learned from the Lampard Inquiry to improve patient safety. The Department is a core participant to the inquiry and will give evidence. We are confident that the inquiry will play an important role in identifying wider learning for the health system and will contribute to improvements in patient safety. The inquiry continues to be funded by the Department.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of requiring patients with existing ADHD diagnoses from private providers to undergo repeat diagnostic assessments via the NHS in order to access shared care arrangements on NHS (a) waiting lists and (b) resources.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

Shared care with the National Health Service refers to an arrangement whereby a specialist doctor formally transfers responsibility for all or some aspects of their patient’s care, such as prescription of medication, over to the patient’s general practitioner (GP).

The General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates and sets standards for doctors in the United Kingdom, has made it clear that GPs cannot be compelled to enter into a shared care agreement. Practices may decline such requests on clinical or capacity grounds.

The GMC has issued guidance on prescribing and managing medicines, which helps GPs decide whether to accept shared care responsibilities. In deciding whether to enter into a shared care agreement, a GP will need to consider a number of factors such as whether the proposed activity is within their sphere of competence, and therefore safe and suitable for their patient’s needs. This includes the GP being satisfied that any prescriptions or referrals for treatment are clinically appropriate.

If a shared care arrangement cannot be put in place after the treatment has been initiated, the responsibility for continued prescribing falls upon the specialist clinician, and this applies to both NHS and private medical care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support people who have been diagnosed privately with ADHD to enter shared care agreements with GPs.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

Shared care with the National Health Service refers to an arrangement whereby a specialist doctor formally transfers responsibility for all or some aspects of their patient’s care, such as prescription of medication, over to the patient’s general practitioner (GP).

The General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates and sets standards for doctors in the United Kingdom, has made it clear that GPs cannot be compelled to enter into a shared care agreement. Practices may decline such requests on clinical or capacity grounds.

The GMC has issued guidance on prescribing and managing medicines, which helps GPs decide whether to accept shared care responsibilities. In deciding whether to enter into a shared care agreement, a GP will need to consider a number of factors such as whether the proposed activity is within their sphere of competence, and therefore safe and suitable for their patient’s needs. This includes the GP being satisfied that any prescriptions or referrals for treatment are clinically appropriate.

If a shared care arrangement cannot be put in place after the treatment has been initiated, the responsibility for continued prescribing falls upon the specialist clinician, and this applies to both NHS and private medical care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 72364 on North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust: Medical Records, by when he expects North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust to submit that investment case.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is unable to confirm the date the investment case will be submitted, as this is subject to conversations between NHS England regional and national colleagues to confirm necessary approvals and funding for the Outline Business Case. We are working to ensure this happens in a timely manner to secure the trust and integrated care system strategic objectives, and to meet the timeline for the new hospital opening at Hinchingbrooke.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of migraine in the 2024-25 financial year; and what steps he plans to take to help reduce the number of patients presenting to hospital with migraines.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England publishes data on hospital admissions and related diagnosis information, including finished admission episodes due to migraines. The total number of hospital admissions due to migraines in the 2024/25 financial year was 39,207. The data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-admitted-patient-care-activity/2024-25

At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with migraine, including the Getting It Right First Time programme for neurology and the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan includes a focus on expanding access to urgent care services at home and in the community as part of our new Neighbourhood Health model, to reduce demand into urgent and emergency care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, published on 30 July 2025, whether the proposal to provide opt-out smoking cessation interventions in all routine care within hospitals includes people who (a) have been referred through urgent suspected referral for cancer, (b) are awaiting cancer treatment and (c) are undergoing cancer treatment.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 10-Year Health Plan committed to ensuring that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. Within their 2025/26 allocations, integrated care boards have access to funding to support the rollout of tobacco dependency treatment services in hospital settings, including acute and mental health inpatient settings and maternity services. Where inpatients are identified as a smoker, including those in cancer-related services or undergoing cancer treatment, the expectation would be for them to receive an opt-out referral to talk to a specialist and subsequently make an informed decision about accessing treatment tailored to their needs.

Future funding decisions, including any decision to expand tobacco dependency treatment services across routine care, are subject to the Spending Review process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64433 on Smoking: Health Services, if he will take steps to use (a) A&E, (b) lung screening and (c) other new NHS services to automatically enrol smokers into cessation services.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 10-Year Health Plan committed to ensuring that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. Within their 2025/26 allocations, integrated care boards have access to funding to support the rollout of tobacco dependency treatment services in hospital settings, including acute and mental health inpatient settings and maternity services. Where inpatients are identified as a smoker, including those in cancer-related services or undergoing cancer treatment, the expectation would be for them to receive an opt-out referral to talk to a specialist and subsequently make an informed decision about accessing treatment tailored to their needs.

Future funding decisions, including any decision to expand tobacco dependency treatment services across routine care, are subject to the Spending Review process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what policies his Department plans to include in the National Cancer Plan on increasing access to clinical trials for (a) teenagers and (b) young adults with cancer.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, so that more people survive, and we will improve the experience of cancer patients across the system, including teenagers and young adults.

Since the launch of the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce on 4 February 2025, the taskforce has been exploring opportunities for clinical and non-clinical improvement across a range of areas. These include data, early detection and diagnosis, patient experience, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation, which includes access to clinical trials. The Government is aware of the unique challenges that teenagers and young adults with cancer face, often falling in between paediatric and adult care, and the work of the taskforce has included a specific focus on this issue.

As part of its work, the taskforce will ensure that the needs of teenagers and young adults are carefully considered as part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan. The plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years, for all patient groups. This will include teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what policies his Department plans to include in the National Cancer Plan on the earlier diagnosis of (a) teenagers and (b) young adults with cancer.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, so that more people survive, and we will improve the experience of cancer patients across the system, including teenagers and young adults.

Since the launch of the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce on 4 February 2025, the taskforce has been exploring opportunities for clinical and non-clinical improvement across a range of areas. These include data, early detection and diagnosis, patient experience, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation, which includes access to clinical trials. The Government is aware of the unique challenges that teenagers and young adults with cancer face, often falling in between paediatric and adult care, and the work of the taskforce has included a specific focus on this issue.

As part of its work, the taskforce will ensure that the needs of teenagers and young adults are carefully considered as part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan. The plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years, for all patient groups. This will include teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help improve data collection on (a) teenagers and (b) young adults with cancer in relation to (i) staging at diagnosis, (ii) routes to diagnosis, (iii) emergency presentation, (iv) waiting times and (v) access to clinical trials.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, so that more people survive, and we will improve the experience of cancer patients across the system, including teenagers and young adults.

Since the launch of the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce on 4 February 2025, the taskforce has been exploring opportunities for clinical and non-clinical improvement across a range of areas. These include data, early detection and diagnosis, patient experience, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation, which includes access to clinical trials. The Government is aware of the unique challenges that teenagers and young adults with cancer face, often falling in between paediatric and adult care, and the work of the taskforce has included a specific focus on this issue.

As part of its work, the taskforce will ensure that the needs of teenagers and young adults are carefully considered as part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan. The plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years, for all patient groups. This will include teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that the National Cancer Plan for England provides age-appropriate information on the symptoms of cancer for young people.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, so that more people survive, and we will improve the experience of cancer patients across the system, including teenagers and young adults.

Since the launch of the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce on 4 February 2025, the taskforce has been exploring opportunities for clinical and non-clinical improvement across a range of areas. These include data, early detection and diagnosis, patient experience, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation, which includes access to clinical trials. The Government is aware of the unique challenges that teenagers and young adults with cancer face, often falling in between paediatric and adult care, and the work of the taskforce has included a specific focus on this issue.

As part of its work, the taskforce will ensure that the needs of teenagers and young adults are carefully considered as part of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan. The plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years, for all patient groups. This will include teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients with clinically recognised ADHD diagnoses made by qualified private providers who have commenced treatment under GP-supported shared care agreements do not have to repeat diagnostic assessments through the NHS before being able to access ongoing care.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

Shared care with the National Health Service refers to an arrangement whereby a specialist doctor formally transfers responsibility for all or some aspects of their patient’s care, such as prescription of medication, over to the patient’s general practitioner (GP).

The General Medical Council (GMC), which regulates and sets standards for doctors in the United Kingdom, has made it clear that GPs cannot be compelled to enter into a shared care agreement. Practices may decline such requests on clinical or capacity grounds.

The GMC has issued guidance on prescribing and managing medicines, which helps GPs decide whether to accept shared care responsibilities. In deciding whether to enter into a shared care agreement, a GP will need to consider a number of factors such as whether the proposed activity is within their sphere of competence, and therefore safe and suitable for their patient’s needs. This includes the GP being satisfied that any prescriptions or referrals for treatment are clinically appropriate.

If a shared care arrangement cannot be put in place after the treatment has been initiated, the responsibility for continued prescribing falls upon the specialist clinician, and this applies to both NHS and private medical care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to include astrocytoma brain cancer in the (a) National Cancer Plan, (b) Rare Cancers Bill and (c) NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Cancer Plan will take into account the needs of all patients with brain tumours. This means we will not be excluding any kinds of brain or spinal cord tumours and astrocytomas will be included as part of our work on brain tumours.

The Rare Cancers Bill as currently drafted is relevant to cancers that affect not more than 1 in 2000 people in the United Kingdom. Astrocytoma and low grade gliomas fit this definition and will therefore be relevant to the Bill.

The Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform that will speed up access to clinical trials for cancer vaccines and immunotherapies for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company, including those developing vaccines for brain tumours, can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the NHS is taking to improve access to clinical trials for people with rare blood cancers.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients in the National Health Service, including those with rare blood cancers, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.

The Department-funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports NHS patients, the public, and NHS organisations across England, to participate in high-quality research, including clinical trials into rare blood cancers. NIHR infrastructure schemes aim to build research capacity and capability across all geographies, settings, and disease areas within the NHS.

The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve access to clinical trials in the NHS for cancer patients across the country, including patients with rare cancers.

The Government also supports the Rare Cancers Bill and its ambitions to incentivise clinical trials and access to innovative treatments for rare cancers.

The NIHR provides an online service called 'Be Part of Research', which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them, including research into blood cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with Integrated Care Boards on steps to improve access to care for people with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs), with oversight from NHS England, have a statutory responsibility to commission services which meet the needs of their local populations, including for those with PoTS.

We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down, including for those with PoTS. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment, by March 2029.

Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.

By shifting care into the community through Neighbourhood Health Services, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary models of care, and expanding the use of personalised care plans, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure that people with conditions like PoTS receive more timely and accessible support closer to home.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with Integrated Care Boards on the time it takes to be diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs), with oversight from NHS England, have a statutory responsibility to commission services which meet the needs of their local populations, including for those with PoTS.

We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and times down, including for those with PoTS. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment, by March 2029.

Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.

By shifting care into the community through Neighbourhood Health Services, promoting integrated, multidisciplinary models of care, and expanding the use of personalised care plans, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure that people with conditions like PoTS receive more timely and accessible support closer to home.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May to Question 50928 on Brain: Tumours, what discussions he has had with (a) the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and (b) other stakeholders in the NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad on prioritising vaccine trials for brain cancers.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is a platform that will speed up access to clinical trials for cancer vaccines and immunotherapies for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. NHS England is responsible for the overall delivery of the CVLP and has contracted the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit to manage the day-to-day delivery of the platform. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company, including those developing vaccines for brain tumours, can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and officials have not had discussions to prioritise cancer vaccine trials for brain or other cancer types. However, the Government is taking measures to boost brain cancer research. We are working closely with the patient and researcher communities to stimulate high-quality research applications through: establishing a national Brain Tumour Research Consortium to bring together researchers from different disciplines to drive scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage and treat brain tumours; a dedicated funding call for research into wraparound care and rehabilitation for people living with brain tumours; and a partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission to fund the next generation of researchers through the Allied Health Professionals Brain Tumour Research Fellowship programme.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including brain tumours. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on brain tumours to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 10-Year Health Plan, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government about the role of placemaking in improving public health.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government meet periodically to discuss shared priorities and links to health.

The Government’s initial response to the report of the independent New Towns Taskforce makes clear the importance of health in placemaking, stating that this work “is about creating new places and new communities, each place with a distinct sense of identity and the necessary infrastructure and amenities to support the health and wellbeing of its residents and neighbouring communities”. The taskforce report specifically recommends learning from the former NHS England Healthy New Towns programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the (a) mental and (b) physical health benefits of having access to (i) green and (ii) blue spaces for recreation.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The ability to access green and blue space is associated with improved physical and mental health and increased healthy life expectancy.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people's health and wellbeing, and has committed to creating nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England, expanding access to the great outdoors.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote regular exercise.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government and the National Health Service recognise that reducing physical inactivity in people of all ages is important in helping people live longer, healthier lives. Building movement back into people’s everyday lives is a key part of the Health Mission and requires action across the Government and the NHS to deliver, as part of the shift from treatment to prevention.

As committed to in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will develop a national movement campaign led by Brendan Foster and will explore ways to recognise what places and communities are doing to help people build movement back into everyday lives. Wider cross-Government action is underway to invest in grassroots sport, develop a new physical education and school sports partnership network, to support children in reaping the benefits of movement, and to support cycling and walking infrastructure and promote active travel.

The NHS Better Health Campaign promotes ways for people of all ages to move more, and signposts to digital support like the NHS Couch to 5k and the NHS Active 10 walking app providing free and accessible ways of building movement into everyday life.  

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing investment in research into postural tachycardia syndrome in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds health and care research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds clinical, public health, and social care research and works in partnership with the National Health Service, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR welcomes proposals for research into a range of conditions, including Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, and topics for new research can be proposed to the NIHR via the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to increase research funding into the development of anti-epileptic drugs with fewer side effects and greater efficacy.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including epilepsy treatment and side effects.

These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on epilepsy to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.

Details of NIHR funding allocated to individual research awards are openly published and updated quarterly on the NIHR’s Open Data website, at the following link:

https://nihr.opendatasoft.com/explore/

The NIHR also works closely with other Government funders, including UK Research and Innovation, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and which includes the Medical Research Council, to fund research into a range of conditions, including epilepsy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) general practitioners and (b) hospital doctors receive training on (i) Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and (ii) other rare conditions.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England commissions a national diagnostic service for complex and rare types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) via two specialist centres. This service supports patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnoses of rare types like classical, vascular, or kyphoscoliotic EDS, and aims to provide accurate diagnoses, minimise unnecessary tests, and provide management plans for local care providers to implement.

A primary goal of the Complex EDS Service, which is commissioned by NHS England, is to educate referring doctors about the diagnosis, investigation, and management of patients with complex and atypical forms of EDS. While the service focuses on rare types and accepts referrals from secondary and tertiary care, its development of guidelines and educational initiatives also benefits general practitioners (GPs), who are on the front line of patient care. Additionally, other resources like the EDS GP Toolkit, developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, is specifically designed to provide information and guidance to GPs.

For the more common types of EDS, diagnosis and management are handled locally and are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs), which have a statutory responsibility to commission services which meet the needs of their local populations, including for those with EDS. It is the responsibility of ICBs, working with clinicians, service users, and patient groups, to develop services and care pathways that meet patients’ needs.

Neighbourhood Health Centres, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, will improve care for people with EDS by providing integrated, multidisciplinary community-based care and support. This approach will offer a more coordinated and holistic support system for people with complex conditions like EDS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England plans to commission dedicated multidisciplinary clinics for patients with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England commissions a national diagnostic service for complex and rare types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) via two specialist centres. This service supports patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnoses of rare types like classical, vascular, or kyphoscoliotic EDS, and aims to provide accurate diagnoses, minimise unnecessary tests, and provide management plans for local care providers to implement.

A primary goal of the Complex EDS Service, which is commissioned by NHS England, is to educate referring doctors about the diagnosis, investigation, and management of patients with complex and atypical forms of EDS. While the service focuses on rare types and accepts referrals from secondary and tertiary care, its development of guidelines and educational initiatives also benefits general practitioners (GPs), who are on the front line of patient care. Additionally, other resources like the EDS GP Toolkit, developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners and Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, is specifically designed to provide information and guidance to GPs.

For the more common types of EDS, diagnosis and management are handled locally and are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs), which have a statutory responsibility to commission services which meet the needs of their local populations, including for those with EDS. It is the responsibility of ICBs, working with clinicians, service users, and patient groups, to develop services and care pathways that meet patients’ needs.

Neighbourhood Health Centres, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, will improve care for people with EDS by providing integrated, multidisciplinary community-based care and support. This approach will offer a more coordinated and holistic support system for people with complex conditions like EDS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking with Cancer Research UK to increase levels of future funding for brain tumour research.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department continues to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including Cancer Research UK and other third sector organisations, to identify areas of investment in brain tumour research. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is the research arm of the Department. Working with stakeholders from across the research community, in September 2024 the NIHR launched a package of support to stimulate high-quality research applications through: establishing a national Brain Tumour Research Consortium to bring together researchers from different disciplines to drive scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage, and treat brain tumours; a dedicated funding call for research into wraparound care and rehabilitation for people living with brain tumours; and a partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission to fund the next generation of researchers through the Allied Health Professionals Brain Tumour Research Fellowship programme.

We will continue to explore all opportunities for collaborations with Cancer Research UK and other organisations to increase the amount of high-quality research into this important area.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using brain tumour research funding announced in 2018 for supporting (a) new vaccines and (b) novel therapeutics.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In May 2018 the Government made a commitment to spend £40 million on brain cancer research. Between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the Department, via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), directly invested £11.8 million in research projects and programmes focused on brain tumours. The NIHR has also invested approximately £37.5 million in research infrastructure to support the delivery of 261 brain tumour research studies and to enable over 11,400 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain tumour research.

The Government is working closely with the patient and researcher communities to provide new funding opportunities for novel brain tumour research and is stimulating high-quality research applications through: establishing a national Brain Tumour Research Consortium to bring together researchers from different disciplines to drive scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage, and treat brain tumours; a dedicated funding call for research into wraparound care and rehabilitation for people living with brain tumours; and a partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission to fund the next generation of researchers through the Allied Health Professionals Brain Tumour Research Fellowship programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered using brain tumour research funding announced in 2018 to fund an increase in the speed of research into new treatments.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In May 2018 the Government made a commitment to spend £40 million on brain cancer research. Between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the Department, via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), directly invested £11.8 million in research projects and programmes focused on brain tumours. The NIHR has also invested approximately £37.5 million in research infrastructure to support the delivery of 261 brain tumour research studies and to enable over 11,400 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain tumour research.

The Government is working closely with the patient and researcher communities to provide new funding opportunities for novel brain tumour research and is stimulating high-quality research applications through: establishing a national Brain Tumour Research Consortium to bring together researchers from different disciplines to drive scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage, and treat brain tumours; a dedicated funding call for research into wraparound care and rehabilitation for people living with brain tumours; and a partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission to fund the next generation of researchers through the Allied Health Professionals Brain Tumour Research Fellowship programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility for covid-19 vaccinations to groups not included in the vaccination programme.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness (hospitalisations and deaths) arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years and over;

• residents in care homes for older adults;

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book).

The Government has no plans to change eligibility for autumn 2025. It has accepted the JCVI advice for this campaign in full. As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he considered including people suffering from Long Covid within the Clinical risk group eligible for the covid-19 vaccination in the Autumn 2025 vaccination programme.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness (hospitalisations and deaths) arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years and over;

• residents in care homes for older adults;

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book).

The Government has no plans to change eligibility for autumn 2025. It has accepted the JCVI advice for this campaign in full. As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what eligibility criteria his Department plans to use for covid vaccination eligibility in winter 2025-26.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness (hospitalisations and deaths) arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years and over;

• residents in care homes for older adults;

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book).

The Government has no plans to change eligibility for autumn 2025. It has accepted the JCVI advice for this campaign in full. As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support research for a cure for Fanconi Anaemia.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including Fanconi Anaemia.

These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Topics for new research can be proposed to the NIHR via the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

The NIHR also works closely with other Government funders, including UK Research and Innovation, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and which includes the Medical Research Council, to fund research into a range of conditions, including Fanconi Anaemia.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to promote awareness of screening for prostate cancer.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead on 7 July 2025 to Question 63475.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support research into treatments for (a) Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and (b) related conditions.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and related conditions.

These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Topics for new research can be proposed to the NIHR via the following link:

https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the level of uptake of (a) flu, (b) RSV and (c) whooping cough vaccinations among pregnant women in Fylde constituency in the last 12 months.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) routinely monitors and reviews vaccination coverage of all routine immunisation programmes in England. UKHSA does not collect or publish data at constituency level and is therefore unable to provide these data. UKHSA publishes data for uptake of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pertussis vaccinations for England at national and NHS commissioning region level. For pertussis and influenza, data are published by integrated care board level for Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Flu vaccine uptake for pregnant women in Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care board was 31.4% during the 2024 to 2025 flu season.

RSV vaccine uptake for pregnant women is published for England at a national and NHS commissioning region level only. Uptake for women in the North-West region was 53.2%. The latest assessment for women delivering in May 2025 is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-maternal-vaccination-coverage-in-england

Pertussis vaccine uptake for pregnant women is published for England at a national and NHS commissioning region level only. Uptake for women in the North-West region was 66.2% and in Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care board was 62.1%.

The latest assessment for women delivering in June 2025 is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pertussis-immunisation-in-pregnancy-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-october-2013-to-march-2014/prenatal-pertussis-vaccination-coverage-in-england-from-april-to-june-2025

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS provides adequate support to digitally-excluded people in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Digital health tools should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services. Digital inclusion is a key priority for the National Health Service as it will support the shift from ‘analogue to digital’. It is one of the five national NHS England Health Inequalities Strategic Priorities, and they published a Digital Healthcare Framework which has guided the approach of integrated care boards.

In line with this, the Lincolnshire Integrated Care System (ICS) has collaboratively developed the Lincolnshire Health and Care Digital Inclusion Strategy 2025-2028 in partnership with ICS organisations and individuals with lived experience. A Patient Participation Group representative from Bourne actively contributed to the oversight group, and extensive engagement with the population groups most at risk of digital exclusion was carried out to support the development of the strategy.

Following on from previously successful initiatives in Mablethorpe utilising community-based digital learning and support from the voluntary sector, a project is underway in Boston, the highest area at risk of digital exclusion, which will provide digital community drop sessions for the local population until March 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Dpartment holds on the average waiting times for (a) ADHD and (b) autism diagnosis for (i) primary school age and (ii) secondary school age children.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information is not held centrally in the format requested, but some data on waiting times for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments for children aged 0-17 is available on the NHS England website at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/august-2025

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/autism-statistics/july-2024-to-june-2025

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation limited eligibility for covid-19 booster vaccinations; and whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including unpaid carers under 75 within the eligibility for those vaccinations.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness (hospitalisations and deaths) arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years and over;

• residents in care homes for older adults;

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book).

The Government has no plans to change eligibility for autumn 2025. It has accepted the JCVI advice for this campaign in full. As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to extend the eligibility criteria for the covid-19 vaccine to include people with asthma.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness (hospitalisations and deaths) arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

• adults aged 75 years and over;

• residents in care homes for older adults;

• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book).

The Government has no plans to change eligibility for autumn 2025. It has accepted the JCVI advice for this campaign in full. As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) manufacturers on the effectiveness of the packaging and labelling of SSRIs in warning patients of (a) the associated risks, (b) suicidal thoughts as a side effect of their use and (c) withdrawal symptoms.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for ensuring that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) packaging and labelling produced by marketing authorisation holders (MAHs) reflects what is known about the safety of these medicines for patients on all associated risks or side effects, including suicidal thoughts and withdrawal symptoms.

The product information can be updated based on new safety data or to address concerns. The MHRA wrote to the MAHs of SSRIs to inform them of an independent expert working group (EWG) review into how the risk of suicidal behaviour and sexual dysfunction where symptoms continue are communicated in patient leaflets. Updates to the statutory patient information leaflets (PILs) for antidepressants were agreed for the risk of “post-SSRI sexual dysfunction” for some of the 28 antidepressants involved in the review. The EWG recommended that proposed updates to the PILs on the risk of suicidal behaviour should be tested by a group of patients with a range of mental health conditions and the MHRA is currently exploring the most appropriate way to take this advice forward

In addition to this work, a review into how the risk of withdrawal symptoms is communicated in the SSRI and other antidepressants patient leaflets will be started by the MHRA later in the year and all affected MAHs will be informed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that (a) couples and (b) families are able to use the same email when signing up for the NHS app.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Instead of sharing an email, the NHS App supports proxy access through linked profiles, enabling parents or carers to manage health services for children or dependents through properly configured access. The registered email address and multi-factor authentication is used for security-sensitive activities, such as resetting an NHS login password or recovering an account, so should be kept private, ensuring an individual’s data is protected and secured in compliance with the requirements of Article 5.1(f), the ‘integrity and confidentiality’ principle, of the UK General Data Protection Regulation.

Using and sharing the same email address for multiple users may increase the risk of exposing sensitive health information inadvertently to others, limit controls to protect individuals against coercive behaviour, and increase the risk of cyberattacks including brute force attacks and fraudulent access.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) training of specialist healthcare professionals for Parkinson’s care in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual NHS employers, who manage this at a local level to ensure that they have the staff that they need to deliver safe and effective care.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, this Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. To support this ambition, the Government will introduce a new set of standards for modern employment in April 2026. The new standards will reaffirm our commitment to improving retention, including in Surrey Heath, by tackling the issues that matter to staff.

We will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan which will create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The plan will ensure that the NHS has the right people in the right places, including in Surrey Heath, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 15 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, whether support to purchase wearables will be provided to patients outside areas where health need and deprivation are highest.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will ensure fair and equitable access by making wearables available for patients that need them.

We are exploring how wearable technology can best support prevention, early intervention, and the management of long-term conditions, while reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes across the country.

The type of wearable technology provided will depend on the specific health need being addressed. The focus will be on deploying the most relevant and effective technology to support individual care pathways and improve patient outcomes.

Any future decisions about wider support for the purchase or provision of wearables will be subject to evaluation findings, value-for-money assessments, and future spending review decisions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of cancer diagnosis targets in (a) Surrey Heath constituency and (b) Surrey.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Health Service’s operational planning guidance for 2025/26 outlines the priorities for tackling cancer across England, including in Surrey. The aim of this is to reduce wait times for elective care. For 2025/26, systems across the NHS are expected to aim for the success measure of 80% of patients with suspected cancer either receiving a diagnosis or having cancer ruled out within 28 days of an urgent referral.

The following table shows the diagnostic performance of the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for August 2025:

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that parents with disabled children are provided with appropriate medical equipment to support their child.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services to meet the health needs of their local population, and responsibility for providing disabled children’s equipment would typically fall to the National Health Service and local authorities.

We expect ICBs to follow guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In 2022 NICE published guidance on Disabled children and young people up to 25 with severe complex needs, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng213/chapter/Recommendations-on-service-organisation-integration-and-commissioning

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires that education, health, and social care services must work together to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In May 2023, NHS England issued statutory guidance setting out the requirement for ICBs to have an executive lead for SEND, who will lead on supporting the chief executive and the board to ensure the ICB performs its functions effectively in the interests of children and young people with SEND.

Local authorities are responsible for providing social care services for disabled children which can include specialist equipment. The guidance on supporting disabled children and their carers is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6849a7b67cba25f610c7db3f/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_2023_-_statutory_guidance.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS provision of medical equipment for families with disabled children.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services to meet the health needs of their local population, and responsibility for providing disabled children’s equipment would typically fall to the National Health Service and local authorities.

We expect ICBs to follow guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In 2022 NICE published guidance on Disabled children and young people up to 25 with severe complex needs, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng213/chapter/Recommendations-on-service-organisation-integration-and-commissioning

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires that education, health, and social care services must work together to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In May 2023, NHS England issued statutory guidance setting out the requirement for ICBs to have an executive lead for SEND, who will lead on supporting the chief executive and the board to ensure the ICB performs its functions effectively in the interests of children and young people with SEND.

Local authorities are responsible for providing social care services for disabled children which can include specialist equipment. The guidance on supporting disabled children and their carers is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6849a7b67cba25f610c7db3f/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_2023_-_statutory_guidance.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase early diagnosis for blood cancer.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department continues to support the National Health Service to diagnose and treat cancer, including blood cancers, as early and fast as possible.

To increase early diagnosis of blood cancer, the NHS has implemented non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type such as blood cancer. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, with blood cancers being one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.

Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan. It will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure medicine shortages do not impact clinicians' ability to prescribe medicines that are best suited to the patient.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The resilience of UK supply chains is a key priority, and we are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. In August, the Government published a policy paper, ‘Managing a robust and resilient supply of medicines’, which outlines the steps the Department and NHS England are taking to enhance resilience in our supply chains. As part of that work, we continue to engage with industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and other colleagues across the supply chain as we progress work to co-design and deliver these actions.

While we cannot always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs), and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

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Found: Dataset (ASC-WDS), holding rich workforce data on over 700,000 staff and 20,000 locations on behalf of DHSC

Found: This fund, drawn from expenditures in the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, aimed to

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Found: content/uploads/2025/09/PSC-Impact-Paper-1-1.pdf where she comments “I welcome the planned overhaul by DHSC

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Found: departments such as Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: How effectively does the UK, including the NHS and DHSC, collaborate with international partners to

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Found: How effectively does the UK, including the NHS and DHSC, collaborate with international partners to

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Found: In May 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) issued a serious shortage protocol for

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Found: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) initially assigned a low impact tier to the Triamcinolone

Found: The National Homecare Medicines Committee previously provided a co-ordinating role, liaising with DHSC

Found: How effectively does the UK, including the NHS and DHSC, collaborate with international partners to

Found: British Beauty Council (BBCo), British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Strategy, NHS England; David Simmons, Director of Supply Resilience and Medicines, Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: The Government should coordinate a collaborative approach between the MHRA, NICE, DHSC, NHS England

Found: If the DHSC wants to transform the NHS from analogue to digital, that will require investment in digital

Found: We welcome further dialogue with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure these initiatives

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Found: UTA members are concerned that several ongoing initiatives by the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: River Associates (CRA) in 2022 and NERA Economic Consulting in 2007 (both of which are quoted by DHSC

Found: progress indicators and coordinate across departments to avoid duplication between Department of Health and Social Care

Found: life-sciences- sector-data-2024/life-sciences-competitiveness-indicators-2024-summary [2] Department of Health and Social Care

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Found: including all the relevant industrial, patient advocacy and regulatory partners such as ABPI, BIA, DHSC

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Found: We felt there has been disability discrimination because the DHSC and Ministers offices have made the

Found: with digital technology suppliers HC 640 26th Tackling Violence against Women and Girls HC 644 25th DHSC

Found: The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) is working closely with NHS England and MHCLG to ensure

Found: In the UK Government, our sponsor Department is the Department of Health and Social Care, because we

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reducing levels of funding for Level 7 apprenticeships on the number of nurses in training.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity. Apprenticeship starts by young people under 25 fell by almost 40% over the last decade.

The government therefore wants to ensure that public funding is prioritised towards those at the start of their working lives, rather than those already in work with higher levels of prior learning and qualifications.

That is why from January 2026 the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level – except for young apprentices under the age of 22, and those under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan.

This decision was informed by a wide range of evidence, including analysis by Skills England of official apprenticeship statistics and engagement with relevant stakeholders, including other government departments such as the Department of Health and Social Care. Skills England evidence also suggested that there was unlikely to be a significant or unavoidable fall in the supply of these skills in the long term, post-defunding.

The department also continues to work across government to tackle the skills needs of different sectors, including addressing the skills gaps in the health and social care industry which were identified in Skills England’s first report on driving growth and widening opportunities.

There is a complete apprentice pathway for nursing, from entry level to postgraduate advanced clinical practice. A person can join the NHS as an entry level Healthcare Assistant apprentice with a view to eventually qualifying as a Registered Nurse.

In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care will be funding ongoing provision of Level 7 apprenticeships in five professions, including Specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN) and District nurse (Community Specialist Practice Qualification).

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether funding will be made available to the Scottish Government under the Barnett Formula from the New Hospital Programme.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

Since the election, the UK Government’s plan for change has delivered an extra £5.2 billion for the Scottish Government. In June 2025, the Spending Review announced an additional £9.1 billion in funding for the Scottish Government over the spending review period. This included almost £5.8 billion in Barnett consequentials as a result of additional UK Government funding for the Department of Health and Social Care.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the number of those who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Long-term sickness continues to be the most common reason for economic inactivity among the working age population. Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Backed by £240 million investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched last November will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.

Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.

Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care and WorkWell.

It is also recognised that employers play an important role in addressing health and disability. To build on this, the DWP and DHSC Joint Work & Health Directorate (JWHD) is facilitating “Keep Britain Working”, an independent review of the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. The lead reviewer, Sir Charlie Mayfield, is expected to bring forward recommendations in Autumn 2025. Additionally, the JWHD has developed a digital information service for employers, continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme, and continues to increase access to Occupational Health.

In our March Green Paper, we set out our Pathways to Work Guarantee, backed by £1 billion a year of new additional funding by 2030. We will build towards a guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for all disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits.

The 10 Year Health Plan, published in July, stated our intention to break down barriers to opportunity by delivering the holistic support that people need to access and thrive in employment by ensuring a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area. The Plan sets out the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of health and care needs, including for disabled people. Furthermore, it outlines how the neighbourhood health service will join up support from across the work, health and skills systems to help address the multiple complex challenges that often stop people finding and staying in work.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Health and Social Care on the public health impact of domestic wood burning, in the context of the forthcoming Environmental Improvement Plan.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra and DHSC officials work closely on a range of environmental public health issues. A commitment to reduce emissions from domestic combustion is set out in the Government’s NHS 10 Year Plan for England.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 997, published on 1 July 2025m what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of removing (a) dental hygienists and (b) dental technicians from the Skilled Worker visa eligible occupation list on (i) sustainability of the dental workforce sustainability and (ii) patient access to care.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

On 12 May, the Government published its Immigration White Paper, outlining our future approach to legal migration routes. A technical annex (www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.

The Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules laid on 1 July represent the first step in delivering on the Governments White Paper and included raising the skills threshold for Skilled Worker, excepting an interim Temporary Shortage List of lower skilled occupations deemed critical to the UK’s Industrial Strategy, which was based on advice from the Department of Business and Trade and His Majesty’s Treasury.

Home Office and DHSC continue to work very closely to understand the impact of all Immigration Routes on sector workforce. It is our intention to publish an Impact Assessment (IA) at the earliest opportunity. NHS Employers has published www.nhsemployers.org/articles/immigration-rule-changes-july-2025 which explains the impact of the changes on health and social care occupations.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure children with Developmental Language Disorder receive appropriate support within the education system.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in life. This includes all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including speech, language and communications needs such as Developmental Language Disorder.

We know that continuing to build the pipeline of speech and language therapists (SaLT) is essential. The department is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to improve access to community health services, including speech and language therapy, for children and young people with SEND.

In addition to the undergraduate degree route, SaLTs can now also train via a degree apprenticeship. This route is entering its fourth year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway to the traditional degree route into a successful career as a SaLT.

In partnership with NHS England, the department has extended the Early Language and Support for Every Child programme, trialling new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years settings and primary schools.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools have access to speech and language specialists.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in life. This includes all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including speech, language and communications needs such as Developmental Language Disorder.

We know that continuing to build the pipeline of speech and language therapists (SaLT) is essential. The department is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to improve access to community health services, including speech and language therapy, for children and young people with SEND.

In addition to the undergraduate degree route, SaLTs can now also train via a degree apprenticeship. This route is entering its fourth year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway to the traditional degree route into a successful career as a SaLT.

In partnership with NHS England, the department has extended the Early Language and Support for Every Child programme, trialling new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years settings and primary schools.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what further steps he plans take to help tackle (a) Islamophobic and (b) antisemitic hate crime in London.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In response to the concerning rise in both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, the Government is absolutely committed to rooting out these forms of hatred. We continue to work across government on security, education and working alongside local government, including via the following.

An Antisemitism Working Group has been established to advise the Government on effective strategies to tackle hate against Jewish communities and will explore how the Government should engage with Jewish communities in relation to international, national, and local events that impact British Jews. In addition, the Government continues to work with the independent advisor Lord Mann in combating antisemitism through meaningful engagement with diverse communities.

The Government established an independent working group to advise on a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia. The working group have engaged widely to ensure their proposed definition accounts for the variety of backgrounds and experiences of communities across the United Kingdom.

The government also funds the British Muslim Trust to deliver a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and provide support to victims, and True Vision, an online hate crime reporting portal, designed so that victims of hate crime do not have to visit a police station to report to the police.

In response to the Manchester terror attack, Home Office, DfE and DHSC have increased funding to support policing, security and education to tackle antisemitism. Jewish communities will receive up to £10 million in an emergency cash injection to scale up security at synagogues and schools, taking funding to protect faith communities to record levels. As part of the DfE’s committed £7 million to tackling antisemitism in schools, universities and colleges, a £4 million innovation fund will be launched in late November to provide an opportunity for organisations to come up with innovative means to tackle antisemitism in education. NHS England will also roll out updated mandatory antisemitism and anti-racism training for all 1.5 million NHS staff.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria were used by his Department to select the chosen sites for the Great British Energy solar scheme.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Schools were selected by the Department for Education (DfE), primarily clustered in three areas of deprivation, with at least ten schools in each region to ensure geographical spread. Selection was based on criteria including levels of deprivation, available roof space, and location. Each cluster includes a further education college working with appointed contractors to promote careers in renewables and support workforce growth.

NHS sites were selected following an open invitation from NHS England for Trusts to submit expressions of interest. Projects were prioritised based on delivery confidence and expected economic and environmental impact. These are being managed through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of inclusive (a) sports days and (b) competitions on (i) participation, (ii) motivation and (iii) confidence among secondary school girls; and what steps she is taking to ensure that sporting activities in schools promote (A) engagement and (B) equal opportunities for pupils.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government recognises the challenges girls face participating in PE and sport and is committed to ensuring they can access equal opportunities to be physically active and experience the many known benefits of sports.

In June, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister launched a new approach to PE and school sport. A new partnerships model will be created, supported by the new Enrichment Framework, to ensure all children and young people, including girls, have equal access to high-quality extra-curricular activities.

The partnerships will:

• Increase collaboration to expand high-quality PE, increase physical activity, maximise use of facilities, and strengthen teacher continuing professional development.
• Build stronger links to create clear pathways for children and young people to stay active.

Following the announcement, the department, along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Health and Social Care, has held design meetings with over 25 stakeholders, including schools, NGBs, SGOs, and sector bodies, to identify and build on effective practice from current and past programmes.

Additionally, the School Games Mark, funded by the government and managed by the Youth Sport Trust, introduced mandatory equality criteria for PE, school sport and physical activity participation. Schools can review their provision as part of their planning and delivery. Best practice from the School Games Mark will be shared with all schools to enhance equal access to sport.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 27 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, when the next national exercise to test whole-of-society preparedness will take place.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government’s Resilience Action Plan has committed to the delivery of the National Exercise Programme (NEP). This covers a range of whole-system risks, with the priority areas for testing informed by our assessment of cross-cutting and systemic vulnerabilities and capability gaps. The NEP sets out a timetable of annual Tier 1 exercises requiring a central response and cross-government coordination. Tier 1 exercises are scalable national exercises involving devolved governments and regional and local tier responders, as well as relevant industry engagement such as critical businesses and voluntary and community organisations. Government departments fully participate at senior official and ministerial levels.

The national exercise for 2025 is a pandemic preparedness exercise led by the Department of Health and Social Care. It is the first of its kind in nearly a decade and is set to be the biggest in UK history. It aims to test our ability to respond to a pandemic arising from a novel infectious disease, involving all regions and nations of the UK and thousands of participants. It is currently underway, with every UK government department participating. As part of the National Exercise Programme future government exercises are being coordinated to test all levels of government and those from across society to increase preparedness across the whole of society.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) suicide-related and (b) mental health-related emergency callouts on frontline emergency services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.

Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.

Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to improve (a) mental health support and (b) suicide prevention training for emergency service workers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.

Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.

Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of people with epilepsy in the workplace.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Backed by £240 million investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched last November will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including epilepsy, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including epilepsy, with their employment journey. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.

Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care and WorkWell.

It is also recognised that employers play an important role in addressing health and disability. To build on this, the DWP and DHSC Joint Work & Health Directorate (JWHD) is facilitating “Keep Britain Working”, an independent review of the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. The lead reviewer, Sir Charlie Mayfield, is expected to bring forward recommendations in Autumn 2025.

Additionally, the JWHD has developed a digital information service for employers, continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme, and continues to increase access to Occupational Health.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the introduction of telemedicine for first-trimester abortions on the number of criminal prosecutions in England and Wales over the past five years.

Answered by Baroness Levitt - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The offences that apply in cases of unlawful abortion are administering drugs to procure an abortion and procuring drugs to cause abortion under sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as well as child destruction under section 1 of the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929.

Publicly available Ministry of Justice statistics show the following number of prosecutions brought under those offences:

This data is held on a principal-offence basis and therefore reports information relating to the most serious offence that a defendant was dealt for.

The available data does not specify how many of these prosecutions are linked to the use of telemedicine for early medical abortion. The Government has not made an assessment on the connection between the number of prosecutions for unlawful abortions and the availability of telemedicine for early medical abortion.

The Department of Health and Social Care is responsible for the policy relating to telemedicine for early medical abortion.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that prison-based treatment and rehabilitation services are adequately resourced for the provisions of the Sentencing Bill.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We know that continued engagement with treatment is vital to addressing the underlying causes of offending. That is why we want to divert offenders with a substance misuse need away from custody and into community treatment where appropriate. For those where a prison sentence is appropriate, we need to make prison a place that reforms offenders and supports them to recover from substance misuse.

The Ministry of Justice works closely with NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure that all offenders who need it have access to high-quality alcohol and substance misuse treatment. Responsibility for commissioning and delivery of substance misuse treatment in the community lies with Local Authorities, and NHS England is responsible for treatment in custody. While decisions about future funding positions are ongoing, they are considering the needs of offenders. This is demonstrated by DHSC’s existing, targeted investment to support those referred by the criminal justice system, including funding 575 drug and alcohol workers with criminal justice specialisms who work closely with prisons, probation and in courts as well as the police to improve access to and quality of treatment. The National Partnership Agreement sets out the basis of a shared understanding of, and commitment to, the way in which the partners will work together.

The Ministry of Justice’s overall Impact Assessment was published with the Sentencing Bill and noted that more offenders can be expected to be diverted from short custodial sentences to suspended sentence orders. This will likely result in more people in the community who would have otherwise required treatment in prison needing support. We are also extending drug testing powers through the Sentencing Bill, meaning any offender on licence can be tested. This may lead to an increase in treatment referrals.

The Impact Assessment sets out that delivering treatment in prison is often more costly than delivering it in the community. By diverting someone from prison, we are not increasing the number of people who need treatment but are changing the setting in which they receive it. We are working closely with DHSC on the impacts and will be engaging with the sector.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed powers for probation to test offenders on licence on the (a) capacity and (b) resourcing of local drug and alcohol treatment services.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We know that continued engagement with treatment is vital to addressing the underlying causes of offending. That is why we want to divert offenders with a substance misuse need away from custody and into community treatment where appropriate. For those where a prison sentence is appropriate, we need to make prison a place that reforms offenders and supports them to recover from substance misuse.

The Ministry of Justice works closely with NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure that all offenders who need it have access to high-quality alcohol and substance misuse treatment. Responsibility for commissioning and delivery of substance misuse treatment in the community lies with Local Authorities, and NHS England is responsible for treatment in custody. While decisions about future funding positions are ongoing, they are considering the needs of offenders. This is demonstrated by DHSC’s existing, targeted investment to support those referred by the criminal justice system, including funding 575 drug and alcohol workers with criminal justice specialisms who work closely with prisons, probation and in courts as well as the police to improve access to and quality of treatment. The National Partnership Agreement sets out the basis of a shared understanding of, and commitment to, the way in which the partners will work together.

The Ministry of Justice’s overall Impact Assessment was published with the Sentencing Bill and noted that more offenders can be expected to be diverted from short custodial sentences to suspended sentence orders. This will likely result in more people in the community who would have otherwise required treatment in prison needing support. We are also extending drug testing powers through the Sentencing Bill, meaning any offender on licence can be tested. This may lead to an increase in treatment referrals.

The Impact Assessment sets out that delivering treatment in prison is often more costly than delivering it in the community. By diverting someone from prison, we are not increasing the number of people who need treatment but are changing the setting in which they receive it. We are working closely with DHSC on the impacts and will be engaging with the sector.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the funding required for community drug and alcohol treatment providers to support the additional cohort of offenders serving sentences in the community under the provisions of the Sentencing Bill.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We know that continued engagement with treatment is vital to addressing the underlying causes of offending. That is why we want to divert offenders with a substance misuse need away from custody and into community treatment where appropriate. For those where a prison sentence is appropriate, we need to make prison a place that reforms offenders and supports them to recover from substance misuse.

The Ministry of Justice works closely with NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure that all offenders who need it have access to high-quality alcohol and substance misuse treatment. Responsibility for commissioning and delivery of substance misuse treatment in the community lies with Local Authorities, and NHS England is responsible for treatment in custody. While decisions about future funding positions are ongoing, they are considering the needs of offenders. This is demonstrated by DHSC’s existing, targeted investment to support those referred by the criminal justice system, including funding 575 drug and alcohol workers with criminal justice specialisms who work closely with prisons, probation and in courts as well as the police to improve access to and quality of treatment. The National Partnership Agreement sets out the basis of a shared understanding of, and commitment to, the way in which the partners will work together.

The Ministry of Justice’s overall Impact Assessment was published with the Sentencing Bill and noted that more offenders can be expected to be diverted from short custodial sentences to suspended sentence orders. This will likely result in more people in the community who would have otherwise required treatment in prison needing support. We are also extending drug testing powers through the Sentencing Bill, meaning any offender on licence can be tested. This may lead to an increase in treatment referrals.

The Impact Assessment sets out that delivering treatment in prison is often more costly than delivering it in the community. By diverting someone from prison, we are not increasing the number of people who need treatment but are changing the setting in which they receive it. We are working closely with DHSC on the impacts and will be engaging with the sector.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, which (a) large sites have been descoped and (b) medium-sized sites have been brought into scope following the rescaling of the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the three pilot projects are that she plans to launch with local authorities and other partners under the Asylum Accommodation Programme; and who the other key partners are.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which sites are in scope as accommodation pilots for the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the different operating models being tested at each site are through the locally-led delivery model under the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, for what reason it was decided to reduce the number of bed spaces delivered by the Asylum Accommodation Programme prior to its approval.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the target for bed spaces by the end of 2026 through the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, which smaller to medium sites are being progressed under the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, with which (a) local authorities, (b) statutory partners and (c) other Departments she is working with on the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the Stage Gate status is of each site in the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what additional sites are included within the pipeline for the Asylum Accommodation Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, when the strategic refresh of the Asylum Accommodation Programme was undertaken.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Asylum Accommodation Programme (AAP) was initially set up as one of a range of responses in the Home Office to tackle a growing demand of asylum accommodation to reduce reliance on costly contingency options such as hotels, looking specifically at large sites and vessels. To date the Programme has delivered two sites (Wethersfield and the Bibby Stockholm) and continues to progress a pipeline of additional sites.

The Asylum Accommodation Programme has now captured over 1,000 lessons from sites delivered, as well as those that never made it through to delivery.   As lessons have been learned, the Programme undertook a strategic refresh in Spring 2024 and is aiming to deliver a more flexible estate, working closely with local authorities and statutory partners and in collaboration with other government departments. We will ensure that lessons are continually learned and applied. These lessons identified are implemented and applied to future sites via a detailed ‘Stage Gate’ process, ensuring the correct due diligence and decision-making is carried out before investment decisions are made.

Decisions made by the programme relating to targets are decided based on various assessments, outlined in the business case, which is approved both internally and externally, such as by HMT.

A number of proposals from local authorities expressing interest in working on the pilots have been shortlisted, however further progression will be subject to ongoing due diligence, funding and collaboration and no contractual agreements will be set up until a final shortlist is agreed. We continue to engage with LAs across the UK and are focused on delivering mutual benefits regarding a more locally led model, increasing overall supply of temporary accommodation suitable for multiple cohorts and delivering additional community benefits, to be designed in partnership with individual LAs.

The Home Office is working with a range of strategic partners to deliver accommodation plans, including collaboration with other government departments, such as MHCLG, MoD and DHSC. We are also engaging with Local Authorities through ongoing Full Dispersal and accommodation pilot plans, promoting community cohesion and joint initiatives.

The government is investing £500 million to develop this accommodation model, developed in consultation with LAs. This funding will be delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in partnership with the Home Office and local councils, in order to deliver better outcomes for communities and taxpayers. This new funding will complement ongoing Home Office reforms to the asylum accommodation estate, including pilot schemes to repurpose derelict buildings and to develop other community-led alternatives to the use of hotels.

Community cohesion is fully considered in site selection. We are prioritising models that give control back to communities, reduce pressure on local services, and deliver fairer distribution across the country.

We are unable to provide commentary on individual sites in the scope of the programme. Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders and in compliance with published policy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help increase the level of funding for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector for clinical trials to (a) optimise existing treatments and (b) support innovation in repurposed drugs for paediatric brain cancer.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology invests approximately £200 million into cancer research annually via UK Research and Innovation. In parallel, the Department of Health and Social Care funds cancer research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research, investing £133 million in 2023/24.

The government is supporting commercial clinical research through the Commercial Research Delivery Networks as part of the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth Investment Programme. Government investment and infrastructure can be used to optimise existing treatments and support innovation in drug repurposing. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will also detail plans for improving care across all cancer types, including paediatric brain cancers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of district valuer assessments on the opening of new GP surgeries.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor has regular conversations with the Health Secretary on range of issues.

The Spending Review 2025 announced the largest ever health capital budget, with a £2.3 billion real terms increase in capital spending over the SR period.

The £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund announced earlier this year will upgrade more than a thousand GP surgeries across England, which will create space to deliver more appointments and improve access for patients.

With respect to the opening of new GP surgeries, this is a matter for the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, who may consult the district valuer when the value for money of premises development proposals is assessed.

Found: (DHSC), made it “impossible” for recommendations to be published in time for a pay award

Found: We reviewed relevant public documents and documentation provided by DHSC, NHS England and Hospice UK

Found: We reviewed relevant public documents and documentation provided by DHSC, NHS England and Hospice UK

Found: : 29 Oct 2025 Topics: Health and social care, NHS, Social care Departments: Department of Health and Social Care

Found: and regulating those caring for children, spending £156.6 million in 2024-25; • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: (DHSC) The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will expand the Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP)

Found: activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer by 2025’.505 The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: and regulators are working together to go further: • The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC

Found: Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Found: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs • Department for Work and Pensions • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: We have delivered our 2023/24 objectives and supported Defra and DHSC on the multi- year partnership.

Found: (DHSC); Government Digital Services assessment not required. • Procurement process for knowledge

Found: and regulators are working together to go further: • The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC

Found: The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.   

Found: The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

Found: Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Found: relation_to_children.pdf Information about Regulated Activity with adults is available from the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

Found: (Education) and Treatment Reviews (IC(E)TRs) programme CQC was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: ’ve tackled these barriers The RIO has partnered with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC

Found: NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are working on a joint programme on recommendations

Found: We expect ICBs and providers to work with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Funding for most postgraduate medical training programmes is covered by the Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Radiographers • UK Clinical Pharmacy Association • UK Oncology Nursing Society Others • Department of Health and Social Care

Found: The Department of Health and Social Care and the Welsh Government provide a unique perspective on the

Found: untreated ALK-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (review of TA909) The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: consultation Lorlatinib for untreated ALK-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer The Department of Health and Social Care

Found: 24 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 27 Department for Transport 30 Department of Health and Social Care

Found: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs • Department for Work and Pensions • Department of Health and Social Care