Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 have made of the effectiveness of the NHS Business Services Authority in processing NHS pension applications.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly meets with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to discuss performance levels. These discussions include the processing times for National Health Service pension applications.
The NHSBSA aims to make the first payment for a new pension within 30 calendar days of the retirement date or the date when all information necessary to process the claim is received from the member and employer.
The NHSBSA is processing a high volume of claims. In May 2026, 97% of new pension claims were paid within the 30-day timeframe. For the remaining claims, payments took an average of 14 additional days beyond the 30-day timeframe. Up-to-date information on processing times is available on the NHSBSA website, at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions
Where a payment is likely to take longer than 30 days, to minimise the risk of financial hardship, the NHSBSA contacts members who have queried the progress of their claim to offer expedited payment. They also prioritise the processing of claims involving vulnerable members and those experiencing ill health. A member whose first pension payment is delayed beyond the 30-day timeframe will automatically receive interest on the overdue amount.
The Department is supporting the NHSBSA to take all steps necessary to increase performance so that applications can be processed within the 30-day target. To address the delays, the NHSBSA is re-allocating resources, improving their service planning, and recruiting and training new staff.
The Department is working with the NHSBSA to ensure that plans for providing McCloud remedy statements to affected scheme members take account of and protect the delivery of normal pension service operations, which continue to run in parallel to remedy activities.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 retiring NHS staff whose pensions are not processed within the target processing time.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly meets with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to discuss performance levels. These discussions include the processing times for National Health Service pension applications.
The NHSBSA aims to make the first payment for a new pension within 30 calendar days of the retirement date or the date when all information necessary to process the claim is received from the member and employer.
The NHSBSA is processing a high volume of claims. In May 2026, 97% of new pension claims were paid within the 30-day timeframe. For the remaining claims, payments took an average of 14 additional days beyond the 30-day timeframe. Up-to-date information on processing times is available on the NHSBSA website, at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions
Where a payment is likely to take longer than 30 days, to minimise the risk of financial hardship, the NHSBSA contacts members who have queried the progress of their claim to offer expedited payment. They also prioritise the processing of claims involving vulnerable members and those experiencing ill health. A member whose first pension payment is delayed beyond the 30-day timeframe will automatically receive interest on the overdue amount.
The Department is supporting the NHSBSA to take all steps necessary to increase performance so that applications can be processed within the 30-day target. To address the delays, the NHSBSA is re-allocating resources, improving their service planning, and recruiting and training new staff.
The Department is working with the NHSBSA to ensure that plans for providing McCloud remedy statements to affected scheme members take account of and protect the delivery of normal pension service operations, which continue to run in parallel to remedy activities.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional resources are being given to the NHS Business Service Authority to clear the backlog of NHS Pension applications.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly meets with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to discuss performance levels. These discussions include the processing times for National Health Service pension applications.
The NHSBSA aims to make the first payment for a new pension within 30 calendar days of the retirement date or the date when all information necessary to process the claim is received from the member and employer.
The NHSBSA is processing a high volume of claims. In May 2026, 97% of new pension claims were paid within the 30-day timeframe. For the remaining claims, payments took an average of 14 additional days beyond the 30-day timeframe. Up-to-date information on processing times is available on the NHSBSA website, at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/current-processing-times-nhs-pensions
Where a payment is likely to take longer than 30 days, to minimise the risk of financial hardship, the NHSBSA contacts members who have queried the progress of their claim to offer expedited payment. They also prioritise the processing of claims involving vulnerable members and those experiencing ill health. A member whose first pension payment is delayed beyond the 30-day timeframe will automatically receive interest on the overdue amount.
The Department is supporting the NHSBSA to take all steps necessary to increase performance so that applications can be processed within the 30-day target. To address the delays, the NHSBSA is re-allocating resources, improving their service planning, and recruiting and training new staff.
The Department is working with the NHSBSA to ensure that plans for providing McCloud remedy statements to affected scheme members take account of and protect the delivery of normal pension service operations, which continue to run in parallel to remedy activities.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 a proactive approach to offering breast cancer gene (BRCA) testing to those who have lost a family member to ovarian or breast cancer.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including testing for genetic predisposition conditions. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/
Genomic testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.
Testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer, where there is a living unaffected individual, is covered in the National Genomic Test Directory under clinical indication R208.
The current eligibility criteria include unaffected individuals who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where the individual or affected relative meets the relevant risk threshold. Testing is available where no living affected relative is available for genetic testing and no tumour material is available from a deceased affected relative.
The NHS England Genomics Programme and Cancer Programme has also, in recent years, supported the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, a three-year pilot programme to offer testing to individuals living in England, aged 18 years old or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 (a) define populations with high risk of carrying harmful breast cancer (BRCA) gene variants and (b) increase testing levels amongst those communities.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including testing for genetic predisposition conditions. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/
Genomic testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.
Testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer, where there is a living unaffected individual, is covered in the National Genomic Test Directory under clinical indication R208.
The current eligibility criteria include unaffected individuals who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where the individual or affected relative meets the relevant risk threshold. Testing is available where no living affected relative is available for genetic testing and no tumour material is available from a deceased affected relative.
The NHS England Genomics Programme and Cancer Programme has also, in recent years, supported the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, a three-year pilot programme to offer testing to individuals living in England, aged 18 years old or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will set out how his Department will roll out breast cancer gene (BRCA) testing nationally.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including testing for genetic predisposition conditions. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/
Genomic testing is available for all eligible patients across the whole of England. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Their healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing following clinical review of their and their family’s medical history if known, and the relevant genomic testing eligibility criteria.
Testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer, where there is a living unaffected individual, is covered in the National Genomic Test Directory under clinical indication R208.
The current eligibility criteria include unaffected individuals who have a first-degree relative with breast cancer or high-grade serous ovarian cancer, where the individual or affected relative meets the relevant risk threshold. Testing is available where no living affected relative is available for genetic testing and no tumour material is available from a deceased affected relative.
The NHS England Genomics Programme and Cancer Programme has also, in recent years, supported the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme, a three-year pilot programme to offer testing to individuals living in England, aged 18 years old or over with at least one Jewish grandparent, regardless of faith, religious practice, or any other criteria.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 new treatment options for glioblastoma are reviewed and made available as quickly as possible.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The Government recognises that glioblastoma is a rare and aggressive brain tumour and is committed to improving outcomes for people affected by rare and less common cancers such as this.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether new licensed medicines, including treatments for glioblastoma, should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of their clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE aims, wherever possible, to issue guidance close to the time of licensing. NICE-recommended cancer medicines are eligible for funding from the point of NICE's draft guidance, bringing forward patient access by up to five months.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness before they can be used in the United Kingdom.
The National Cancer Plan for England commits to accelerating access to innovation and speeding up the implementation of technologies and treatments proven to improve cancer outcomes. Through Action 16 of the plan, the Government will work to accelerate the adoption of effective technologies and treatments across cancer services, helping ensure that patients can benefit from innovation more quickly.
Patients with glioblastoma will also benefit from the wider commitments in the National Cancer Plan to improve outcomes for people affected by rare and less common cancers.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
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 proposed reductions in funding for Integrated Care Boards on their ability to provide oversight of contracted services.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are looking to reduce the cost of running integrated care boards (ICBs) to free up resources for frontline services. To support this, we have refocused their role on strategic commissioning and reduced their involvement in functions such as performance management and assurance. We have developed a model ICB Blueprint and published a Strategic Commissioning Framework, which are clear that contract management is a key enabler of successful strategic commissioning.
This is now being reflected in medium term plans following publication of the Medium Term Planning Framework for 2026/27 to 2028/29.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what mechanisms are available to remove an underperforming commissioned service provider before the expiry of a contract.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Standard Contract allows a commissioner to terminate a contract either by issuing notice in accordance with the contract notice period, or in a number of other circumstances which include where a provider:
is in persistent or repetitive breach of the contracted quality requirements;
is in material breach of any regulatory compliance standards, or has been issued a warning notice, or termination is otherwise required by any regulatory or supervisory body; or
is in persistent material breach of any of its obligations under this contract so as to have a material and adverse effect on the performance of the services, and the provider fails to remedy that breach within a specific time period.
In addition, NHS England currently has a range of statutory functions related to the oversight and regulation of providers which include operating the National Health Service provider licence for foundation trusts, NHS trusts, and certain independent providers. NHS England may enforce the NHS Provider Licence through a range of actions, which vary depending on the severity of the breach, and as a last resort can remove the provider’s licence, preventing them from providing NHS services.
Asked by: Brian Mathew (Liberal Democrat - Melksham and Devizes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what mechanisms are in place to assess the performance of care providers which have been commissioned by the Integrated Care Board.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assuring the quality, effectiveness, and value of the services they commission for their populations.
ICBs assess provider performance through a range of mechanisms, including contract management arrangements, quality and safety indicators, operational performance measures, patient outcomes and experience data, financial oversight, and information from regulators such as the Care Quality Commission.
To support the continued strengthening of commissioning capability, NHS England published the Strategic Commissioning Framework in November 2025, setting out the core functions and capabilities required of effective strategic commissioners. The Strategic Commissioning Framework is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-strategic-commissioning-framework/
NHS England oversees the performance of ICBs and National Health Service trusts through the NHS Oversight Framework. Further information on the current framework is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-oversight-framework/