Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
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 non-monetised industry costs in the 2018 Nutrient Profiling Model's impact assessment on levels of cost for food manufacturers.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The new Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) is built on the latest science and has been updated in line with the latest dietary advice, particularly in relation to free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity.
The Government committed in the 10-Year Health Plan to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM. Applying the new NPM to these policies is expected to reduce a further 110,000 cases of childhood obesity. We published the new NPM on 27 January 2026, and on 25 March 2026 we launched a 12-week consultation on its proposed application to the restrictions, as well as a consultation-stage impact assessment.
The consultation-stage impact assessment includes impacts on businesses.
The impact assessment takes account of likely consumer behaviour, using recent purchasing data and modelling which includes assumptions about how consumers and businesses may respond to the restrictions. This could include consumers switching between products and retailers using alternative promotional activity. These assumptions were tested through sensitivity analysis.
We have engaged extensively with stakeholders throughout the consultation period and sought further evidence on the potential impacts of the proposals as part of the consultation process. We will use the evidence gathered to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any legislative changes being made.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the 2018 Nutrient Profiling Model's impact assessment has taken account of likely consumer behaviour.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The new Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) is built on the latest science and has been updated in line with the latest dietary advice, particularly in relation to free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity.
The Government committed in the 10-Year Health Plan to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM. Applying the new NPM to these policies is expected to reduce a further 110,000 cases of childhood obesity. We published the new NPM on 27 January 2026, and on 25 March 2026 we launched a 12-week consultation on its proposed application to the restrictions, as well as a consultation-stage impact assessment.
The consultation-stage impact assessment includes impacts on businesses.
The impact assessment takes account of likely consumer behaviour, using recent purchasing data and modelling which includes assumptions about how consumers and businesses may respond to the restrictions. This could include consumers switching between products and retailers using alternative promotional activity. These assumptions were tested through sensitivity analysis.
We have engaged extensively with stakeholders throughout the consultation period and sought further evidence on the potential impacts of the proposals as part of the consultation process. We will use the evidence gathered to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any legislative changes being made.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
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 level of the risks posed by the reliance of the 2018 Nutrient Profiling Model's impact assessment on assumptions about consumer behaviour.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The new Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) is built on the latest science and has been updated in line with the latest dietary advice, particularly in relation to free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity.
The Government committed in the 10-Year Health Plan to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM. Applying the new NPM to these policies is expected to reduce a further 110,000 cases of childhood obesity. We published the new NPM on 27 January 2026, and on 25 March 2026 we launched a 12-week consultation on its proposed application to the restrictions, as well as a consultation-stage impact assessment.
The consultation-stage impact assessment includes impacts on businesses.
The impact assessment takes account of likely consumer behaviour, using recent purchasing data and modelling which includes assumptions about how consumers and businesses may respond to the restrictions. This could include consumers switching between products and retailers using alternative promotional activity. These assumptions were tested through sensitivity analysis.
We have engaged extensively with stakeholders throughout the consultation period and sought further evidence on the potential impacts of the proposals as part of the consultation process. We will use the evidence gathered to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any legislative changes being made.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department spent on (a) external tenders and (b) contracts for (i) translation and (ii) interpretation services in the NHS in the last 12 months for which information is available.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department’s expenditure with external suppliers of translation or interpretation services from 1 October 2024 to 1 October 2025 was £32,442.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
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 the NHS of the use of (a) generative AI and (b) large language models; and whether pilot schemes are underway to assess potential uses.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
New artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are being developed that have the potential to improve healthcare delivery and to provide significant cost savings to the National Health Service. One example is the use of automated voice to text tools, which use generative AI to listen to and transcribe patient notes.
Currently, there are ongoing assessments of the use of these tools in the NHS as these technologies could help ease the administrative burden faced by staff and make systems more efficient. Several NHS trusts are running trials, including a multi-site assessment of the impact of using automated transcription software. The NHS AI team is monitoring these developments and developing guidance for the responsible use of these tools. This guidance will be informed by the Government’s broader guidance on the use of Generative AI in the public sector.
There are strict safeguards in place throughout the NHS to protect data. All providers of services which handle patient data must protect that data in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Data Protection Act 2018, and every health organisation is required to appoint a Caldicott Guardian to advise on the protection of people’s health and care data, and ensure it is used properly. This includes where AI is used in relation to patient records.
To mitigate the likelihood and severity of any potential harm to individuals arising from use of data in AI, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has developed detailed AI guidance which provides an overarching view of data protection, including Data Protection Impact Assessments and UK GDPR. It has also produced an AI toolkit to support organisations auditing compliance of their AI-based technologies. NHS bodies are expected to make use of this guidance and toolkit.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the most frequent reasons are given by staff for early departure from the NHS in order of frequency.
Answered by Edward Argar
The information requested on trusts undertaking exit interviews is not held centrally. While exit interviews are recommended in the National Health Service learning handbook, it may not be appropriate for all staff, such as in cases of redundancy or dismissal. An updated, online, self-exit questionnaire was launched in October 2021, which includes staff survey questions and allows staff to explain their reasons for leaving. This is currently being promoted to all NHS trusts and is in use in approximately 83 organisations.
Reasons for leaving are noted in the Electronic Staff Record. Where detailed information for leaving was available, in 2021 the most frequent reasons were retirement; end of fixed term contract; work/life balance; relocation; and pay or reward.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence is used to determine the cause of early departure of staff from the NHS.
Answered by Edward Argar
The information requested on trusts undertaking exit interviews is not held centrally. While exit interviews are recommended in the National Health Service learning handbook, it may not be appropriate for all staff, such as in cases of redundancy or dismissal. An updated, online, self-exit questionnaire was launched in October 2021, which includes staff survey questions and allows staff to explain their reasons for leaving. This is currently being promoted to all NHS trusts and is in use in approximately 83 organisations.
Reasons for leaving are noted in the Electronic Staff Record. Where detailed information for leaving was available, in 2021 the most frequent reasons were retirement; end of fixed term contract; work/life balance; relocation; and pay or reward.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the findings of exit interviews by NHS Trusts for departing staff are collated centrally.
Answered by Edward Argar
The information requested on trusts undertaking exit interviews is not held centrally. While exit interviews are recommended in the National Health Service learning handbook, it may not be appropriate for all staff, such as in cases of redundancy or dismissal. An updated, online, self-exit questionnaire was launched in October 2021, which includes staff survey questions and allows staff to explain their reasons for leaving. This is currently being promoted to all NHS trusts and is in use in approximately 83 organisations.
Reasons for leaving are noted in the Electronic Staff Record. Where detailed information for leaving was available, in 2021 the most frequent reasons were retirement; end of fixed term contract; work/life balance; relocation; and pay or reward.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which NHS Trusts conduct exit interviews for departing staff.
Answered by Edward Argar
The information requested on trusts undertaking exit interviews is not held centrally. While exit interviews are recommended in the National Health Service learning handbook, it may not be appropriate for all staff, such as in cases of redundancy or dismissal. An updated, online, self-exit questionnaire was launched in October 2021, which includes staff survey questions and allows staff to explain their reasons for leaving. This is currently being promoted to all NHS trusts and is in use in approximately 83 organisations.
Reasons for leaving are noted in the Electronic Staff Record. Where detailed information for leaving was available, in 2021 the most frequent reasons were retirement; end of fixed term contract; work/life balance; relocation; and pay or reward.
Asked by: Andrew Murrison (Conservative - South West Wiltshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the number of days spent in hospital by people medically fit for discharge in each month since January 2020.
Answered by Edward Argar
This information is not held in the format requested. The delayed transfer of care data collection was paused in March 2020 to support the National Health Service response to COVID-19.
Since 9 December 2021, NHS England and NHS Improvement have published data with daily figures of patients remaining in hospital who no longer meet the criteria to reside for inpatient care in acute hospitals in England. The attached table shows the average number of patients who did not meet the criteria to reside and were not discharged in each month from November 2021 to March 2022 by NHS trust.