Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
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 potential impact of reduced access to GP services on waiting times in Accident and Emergency departments.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises that where the capacity of general practice (GP) services is not meeting patient demand, this can lead to some patients seeking advice and care in alternative settings, such as accident and emergency. We have already committed to recruiting over 1,000 newly qualified GPs from this October through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, increasing capacity in GPs. The latest information on accident and emergency waiting times is published monthly by NHS England, and is available at the following link:
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the judgment in Summary of judgment - In re Dillon and others - NI Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 - CA, whether he plans to repeal Section 44 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government remains committed to repealing and replacing the Legacy Act. In my statement to the House on 29 July, I made clear my commitment to propose measures to allow inquests previously halted under Section 44 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 to proceed. I intend to implement the changes to the Act that I have promised, including allowing Troubles-related inquests to continue and reinstating prospective civil proceedings.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, with reference to the Written Statement of 29 July 2024 on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, HCWS30, what steps he plans to take to consult stakeholders on proposals relating to that Act.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
As part of my commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act, I am undertaking a wide range of engagements, consulting with interested parties, including victims and survivors, veterans, statutory bodies, Northern Ireland political parties, and wider civil society. This of course includes continued close discussion with the Irish Government, which this Government considers to be a valued partner in this process. These discussions focus on finding a pragmatic way forward that can both comply with human rights and command public confidence. I am encouraged by the willingness of those I have met to date to engage constructively, and I look forward to further discussions in the period ahead.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure international climate finance reaches the (a) children and (b) communities most vulnerable to climate change.
Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Our international climate finance continues to prioritise support to the most vulnerable communities who are experiencing the worst impacts of climate change, including children. For example, we will triple our funding for adaptation from £500 million in 2019 to £1.5 billion in 2025. In addition, we are committed to amplifying the voices of the most marginalised, empowering them as decision-makers, advocates and leaders in the climate response, ensuring gender and inclusion are a key part of our policy and programming. At COP29, I championed gender-responsive and inclusive international climate finance and policy, announcing over £5.8 million to support women's economic empowerment and in the context of insecurity created by the climate crisis.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Heath and Social Care and (b) Northern Ireland Executive on access to a UK-wide compensation scheme for victims of fetal valproate syndrome in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
I have not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Health or the Northern Ireland Executive regarding access to a UK-wide compensation scheme for victims of fetal valproate syndrome in Northern Ireland. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Health confirmed on 12 November that the Government will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity, and is engaging with devolved Governments, including the Northern Ireland Executive.