Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
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 work with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations to help (a) increase the flexibility of NHS appointment systems and (b) reduce the number of missed appointments across the UK.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and have the best possible experience during their care, no matter where they are treated in the UK. Whilst health is a devolved issue, we intend to work closely with partners across the devolved governments in providing support and sharing best practice to reduce waiting lists and fix the NHS, including the configuration of appointment systems and policies relating to reducing Did Not Attends (DNAs).
Together we aim to deliver faster, improved and more equitable health outcomes for all patients across the UK, and strengthen our collaboration in achieving these common goals.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for her policies of the differences in the amounts received by recipients of the old and new State Pension.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.
It is not possible to make direct, like for like comparisons between State Pension amounts received under the pre 2016 State Pension system and the new State Pension. Under both systems, the amount people are entitled to varies according to their National Insurance record. This is reflected in the average amounts that people receive.
Through our commitment to protect the Triple Lock, over 12 million pensioners will benefit, with many expected to see their State Pension increase by around a thousand pounds over the next five years.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on the adequacy of fiscal support for local councils across the UK, in the context of (a) recent trends in levels of demand for services, (b) the impacts of inflation and (c) increases in energy costs; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local authorities receive adequate funding for the provision of their services.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Funding for local councils is a devolved responsibility and it is for the Devolved Governments to decide on their level of funding.
I met with all Devolved Government Finance Ministers in Belfast on 3rd October at a meeting of the Finance: Interministerial Standing committee. We discussed our approach to resetting relations, driving economic growth and delivering the vital public services on which our citizens depend.
The Chancellor has also met with the First Ministers and Finance Minsters from the Devolved Governments over the summer to hear their priorities.