Chris Coghlan
Liberal Democrat - Dorking and Horley
5,391 (10.8%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 4th July 2024
Division Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
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Dorking and Horley Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 115,114 signatures (0.52%)
of 130,554 signatures (0.44%)
of 40,391 signatures (0.28%)
of 41,376 signatures (0.24%)
of 85,572 signatures (0.24%)
of 115,114 signatures (0.52%)
of 130,554 signatures (0.44%)
of 231,272 signatures (0.18%)
of 223,707 signatures (0.16%)
Latest EDMs signed by Chris Coghlan
Community pharmacies
Tabled by: Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat - North Shropshire)That this House notes the perilous state of community pharmacies, which are struggling to survive across the country; recognises that pharmacies are at the heart of our communities, are an essential part of health and care services, and are relied upon by millions of people every day; further notes that …
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 51
Green Party: 3
Independent: 2
Labour: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Banking hubs
Tabled by: Chris Coghlan (Liberal Democrat - Dorking and Horley)That this House welcomes the return of in-person banking and cash services, with the opening of a banking hub in the market town of Dorking; notes that banking hubs offer important everyday banking transactions and a community banker for more specific or complex enquiries; acknowledges the contribution of Cash Access …
(Most recent: 25 Mar 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 18
Labour: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Chris Coghlan, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Chris Coghlan has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Chris Coghlan has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Chris Coghlan has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Chris Coghlan has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)To reach net zero requires a wide-reaching transformation of the UK economy, which brings with it incredible opportunity for jobs and growth across the country. It will attract investment into our communities and help support new jobs.
Accelerating to net zero will unlock a range of benefits for businesses, including new market opportunities, access to green finance and reduced energy bills. We support the UK Business Climate Hub which provides advice to support business, particularly SMEs, to take action to reduce emissions. We have also committed to publishing a Public Participation Strategy for Net Zero this year, which will include how we will support people to adopt new technologies.
In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Most central government funding for home-to-school travel is provided through the local government finance settlement administered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This government recognises the challenges local authorities are facing as demand for critical services rises.
The government has announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding for the 2025/26 financial year to help local government deliver core services. Together with local income from council tax and business rates, this will provide a real terms increase in core spending power of around 3.2%.
The government is committed to reforming local government funding, using the best available evidence to direct funding to where it is most needed. We will deliver these reforms in partnership with local government.
Minister of State (Education)
The Mole Valley District Council decided not to contest the judicial review to award a decision notice to Betchwood Vale Academy and the authority submitted an application to the court to quash the planning application.
The following reports were completed in support of the initial planning application:
- Planning Statement
- Project Design and Access Statement
- Drainage Strategy and Design Statement
- Construction Management Plan
- Landscape Masterplan
- Lighting Statement
- Energy Statement
- Noise Impact Assessment
- Community Involvement Statement
- Geoenvironmental Desk Study
- Architectural Drawings
- Transport Assessment
- Car Park Plan
- Archaeological Desk Based Assessment
- Heritage Assessment
- Green Belt Very Special Circumstances Case Report
- Transport Assessment
- Air Quality Assessment
- Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
- Habitat Condition assessment
- Habitat Regulations Assessment
The following surveys were completed to support the previous planning application:
- Topographical Survey
- Tree Survey
- Ecological Surveys
- Arboriculture Survey
- Hazel dormouse Survey
- Bat presence and Bat Roost Survey
- Badger Survey
- Geoenvironmental Ground Investigation
All of the above reports and surveys are in the process of being reviewed and refreshed as appropriate to support with a new planning application for the school.
As with all government investment, special provision free school projects will be subject to value for money consideration through their development, in line with the government’s vision for the special educational needs system.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not hold information on how many children are waiting for a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school placement. Surrey County Council will be best placed to provide this information.
Local authorities must ensure there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including children and young people with SEND. The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to keep the provision for children and young people with SEND under review (including its sufficiency), working with parents, young people, and providers.
Minister of State (Education)
The department knows that children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances, and we recognise the importance of the early identification of needs to ensure the right support is put in place as early as possible to ensure children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and emerging special educational needs can get the best start in life.
The department is working as quickly as possible to ensure every child has the best chance in life, by prioritising early intervention and inclusive provision in mainstream settings.
The department knows that early intervention prevents unmet needs from escalating, and that it supports children and young people to achieve their goals alongside their peers. That is why we are currently funding three specific early intervention programmes:
- The Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme.
- The Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) programme.
- The Early Language and Support for Every Child (ELSEC) pathfinders.
The PINS programme deploys specialists from both health and education workforces to strengthen training and resources for school staff to identify and meet the needs of neurodiverse children. It will upskill around 1,600 (10%) mainstream primary schools by March 2025.
11,100 schools are registered for the NELI programme, which has improved the speech and language skills of an estimated 211,700 children aged 4 to 5 between September 2020 and July 2024.
Over 640,000 primary school children have been screened to identify those with language development difficulties.
Evaluation of NELI shows the programme improved the development of oral language skills by 4 months’ progress for pupils receiving the intervention. Children eligible for free school meals (FSM) made 7 months additional progress compared to children eligible for FSM that did not receive the intervention.
In partnership with NHS England, we are funding the ELSEC pathfinders within our SEND and alternative provision Change Programme.
When a child is aged between two and three, educators must review their progress and provide parents and / or carers with a short, written summary of their child’s development in the prime areas, known as the EYFS progress check at age 2. It highlights areas in which a child is progressing well, where additional support might be needed and describes the strategies the educator intends to adopt to address any concerns.
The progress check at age two and the Healthy Child Programme review both offer opportunities to identify additional needs for children aged two to three and to work in partnership with parents or carers and relevant professionals.
This is funding nine joint Integrated Care Boards and local area partnerships within each of our Change Programme Partnerships to trial new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools, utilising pre-qualification Therapy Support Assistants. The interim report is due in February 2025, but areas like Barnet have already supported over 1000 children through their ELSEC universal and targeted offer.
Minister of State (Education)
We know that many children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) struggle to find a suitable school placement that is close to their home and meets their needs. This government is committed to addressing this by improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to children and young people with the most complex needs.
The department wants more children and young people to receive the support they need to thrive in their local mainstream school, reducing the need for pupils to travel a long way to access a specialist placement. Many mainstream settings are already going above and beyond to deliver specialist provision locally, including through resourced provision and special educational needs (SEN) units.
However, the department remains committed to ensuring special schools play a vital role in supporting those pupils with the most complex needs. The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to ensure there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with SEN. If a local authority identifies a shortage of special school places, resulting in a significant number of pupils needing to travel a long way to access a placement, they could consider creating or expanding provision.
The department supports local authorities to provide suitable school places for children and young people with SEND through annual high needs capital funding. In December, we announced £740 million for high needs capital in 2025/26 to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. This can be used to deliver new places in mainstream and special schools, as well as other specialist settings. It can also be used to improve the suitability and accessibility of existing buildings. It will start to pave the way for the government’s wide-ranging long-term plans for reform to help more pupils with SEND to have their needs met in mainstream schools.
In Surrey, work is continuing on two previously announced special schools: Betchwood Vale, which is in the Dorking and Horley constituency, and Frimley Oak. As with all government investment, special and alternative provision free school projects will be subject to value for money consideration through their development, in line with the government’s vision for the SEN system.
A new special school, Hopescourt School, opened in Walton-on-Thames in September 2024, delivered by Surrey County Council, with support from the department. It created 77 school places in its first year of opening, increasing to 200 at full capacity, as an ‘all-through school’.
Minister of State (Education)
In terms of educational performance of schools maintained by local authorities, the department exercises oversight of the performance of schools, informed by Ofsted’s inspections, rather than of local authority education departments. The department’s support and intervention guidance sets out the roles and responsibilities of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and local authorities in relation to school performance. It sets out expectations about how the local authorities will work with the department to support underperforming schools.
In relation to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service delivery, the department and NHS England have been supporting local areas to improve for a number of years. This includes monitoring, support and challenge following an inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission that identifies areas for improvement.
Surrey’s most recent local area SEND inspection was in September 2023 and found that the local area partnership’s arrangements lead to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people. The department, working alongside NHS England, has put in place systems to track the progress that the Surrey Partnership is making against these areas for improvement and offer support. For example, the department has appointed a SEND advisor who will continue to provide support and advice to the local authority as they make improvements.
Minister of State (Education)
This government is committed to ensuring that all learners have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.
The department knows that with the right preparation and support, the overwhelming majority of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are capable of sustained, paid employment. All professionals working with them should share that presumption, and should provide the career advice and support that help young people to progress in their education, to develop the skills and experience and achieve the qualifications, that they need to succeed in their careers.
The department supports schools and college careers leaders, including special schools, to develop high-quality careers programmes, including careers advice, for children, young people and young adults with SEND and put in place a personalised support and transition plan. The programmes use a wide range of imaginative approaches, such as taster opportunities, work experience, mentoring, exploring entrepreneurial options, role models and inspiring speakers that are crucial to raise aspirations and broaden employment horizons helping young people transition to work or further training.
As part of the commitment to developing the skills children and young people with SEND need as they move into adult life, the department is building capacity in supported internships, aiming to double the number of internships each year to around 4,500 to support more young people with education, health and care plans to gain the skills to transition into employment.
Minister of State (Education)
The construction contractor, appointed by the department to progress the detailed designs, is currently producing the necessary reports and surveys required to submit the planning application for Betchwood Academy.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Chris Coghlan's Defra questions)For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.
Since 01 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. In addition to this, the Water (Special Measures) Bill will introduce a duty for water companies to publish data related to discharges from all emergency overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. This will ensure that every sewage discharge outlet is monitored.
Price Review 24 set record levels of investment into the water industry of £104 billion over the next five years and sets out work water companies have to conduct. This includes investing £12 billion to upgrade nearly 3,000 storm overflows in England and Wales, reducing the number of spills from storm overflows and installing water quality monitors to provide further information on the impact of sewage discharges on water quality.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ofwat published their final determinations for Price Review 2024 (the price, investment and service package for water companies in England and Wales) on 19 December, which sets company expenditure and customer bills for 2025-2030.
This will deliver substantial, lasting, improvements for customers and the environment through £104 billion of investment in the water sector, including improving over 1700 wastewater treatment works.
Government recognises the importance of having a robust drainage and wastewater system both now and for future demand. As part of the Environment Act 2021, water companies in England are required to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). DWMPs set out how a water company intends to improve their drainage and wastewater systems over the next 25 years. These plans will help sewerage companies to fully assess the capacity of the drainage and wastewater network and develop collaborative solutions to current problems and future issues.
It is ultimately water companies’ responsibility to maintain and improve their sewage treatment facilities, as needed.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ofwat, the independent economic regulator, sets specific performance targets for companies in the five-yearly price review. Where companies fail to meet these targets, including pollution incidents, they must reimburse customers through lower water bills.
Additionally, under new proposals set out by this Government on the Guaranteed Standards Scheme, households and businesses will be entitled to higher payments from water companies when basic services are not met. This includes payments for incidents of internal and external sewer flooding to a customer’s property.
In October 2024, the Secretary of State and the Welsh Government launched an Independent Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. These wide-ranging recommendations will form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
For Price Review 2024 (PR24), which runs from 2025 – 2030, water companies will be delivering record levels of investment: £104 billion over the next five years.
Ofwat, Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales have developed a new Delivery Monitoring Framework for the delivery period from 2025-30. It will establish a system for tracking and reporting on water company delivery of their WINEP obligations, to report to their customers and regulators on progress. Thames Water will be expected to comply with the 6 monthly reporting requirements.
As part of the Environment Act 2021, water companies in England are required to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). DWMPs set out how a water company intends to improve their drainage and wastewater systems over the next 25 years. These plans will help sewerage companies to fully assess the capacity of the drainage and wastewater network and develop collaborative solutions to current problems and future issues.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government cares deeply about the cost of living and food security; therefore, it closely monitors food prices and the factors impacting them. After a period of high inflation experienced during 2022 and 2023, with a peak at over 19% in March 2023, year-on-year food price inflation (based on ONS CPI data) has been at or below 2% since May 2024. In 2025 food price inflation is expected to remain positive, with current industry forecasts indicating an average rate of 3.4% for 2025.
Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers about a number of issues, including to explore the range of measures they can take to ensure the availability of affordable food. For example, by maintaining value ranges, price matching and price freezing measures. However, it is not for HM Government to set retail food prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions by companies. It is for each individual food retailer to take the commercial decision around which products they sell in their stores. This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Great Britain and Northern Ireland can access nutritious and fairly priced food.
To further support struggling families, £1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, on top of the six months already announced, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales.
To support people with the cost of living we are tripling investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million, introducing a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit, and increasing the National Living Wage, boosting the pay of 3 million workers.
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We want to expand ticketing innovations such as PayAsYouGo (PAYG) where possible. We will be considering a number of factors to determine stations which could be included in the future phases of PAYG with contactless rollout.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We have committed to expanding Pay As You Go (PAYG) contactless ticketing to further stations in the South East and recently announced that PAYG with contactless would be extended to a further 49 stations in 2025, including stations that are within the Dorking area; Dorking (Main), Box Hill and Westhumble, Reigate, and Leatherhead. Further details on any wider expansion of PAYG will be announced in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
PAYG contactless pilots have been announced in both Manchester and the West Midlands, expanding PAYG to more than 90 additional rail stations, which are due to be launched in 2026. Further details on any wider expansion of PAYG with contactless in the South East will be announced in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
PAYG contactless pilots have been announced in both Manchester and the West Midlands, expanding PAYG to more than 90 additional rail stations, which are due to be launched in 2026. Further details on any wider expansion of PAYG with contactless in the South East will be announced in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Pay As You Go (PAYG) contactless ticketing launched at 47 further stations in the South East on 2 February, joining 6 stations on the Chiltern railways line that went live in June last year. We recently announced that PAYG with contactless would be extended to a further 49 stations in 2025. Further details on any wider expansion of PAYG will be announced in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The UK already has a Regulatory framework to protect air passenger rights, including during disruptions such as cancellations and delays, and for disabled and less mobile passenger. The Department for Transport will continue to consider options for strengthening air passenger rights; working with industry, stakeholders and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure consumers continue to have a high level of protection whilst travelling by air.
The Department for Transport launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group in November. It brings together industry experts and consumer representatives to identify practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility.
Furthermore, the Department for Transport is continuing work with the CAA exploring how the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme should operate in the future to continue to provide valued protection for consumers.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is monitoring the impact of the death certification reforms which came into legal effect on 9 September 2024. Medical examiner offices are staffed at a trust level and arrangements at each office should reflect local health priorities and the needs of communities. NHS England has published guidance which outlines principles for medical examiner offices and advice on how to provide flexible and sustainable cover during busy periods
Early data since the introduction of the reforms indicated the median time taken to register a death appeared to have risen by one day, from seven days to eight days prior to Christmas. This figure is for all deaths, as it includes those certified by a doctor and those investigated by a coroner. The average time taken to register increased further over the Christmas weeks, but this was expected given increases are observed during this period every year; the average has subsequently decreased.
The median time taken to register a death varies depending on the type of certification. Deaths certified by a doctor, that comprise approximately 80% of deaths registered each week, have typically had a median time to registration of seven days, though there can be variation at a local level. It is important to note that the medical examiner system was active on a non-statutory basis before the introduction of the statutory system on 9 September 2024, and this makes direct ‘before’ and ‘after’ comparisons challenging to draw conclusions from.
Ensuring the system is appropriately resourced and works for all those who interact with it is crucial, and something the Department will continue to monitor with NHS England.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We hugely value the critical role that general practitioners (GPs) play and are determined to address the issues they face by shifting the focus of the National Health Service beyond hospitals and into the community.
The Government committed to recruiting over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25, as part of an initiative to address GP unemployment and secure the future pipeline of GPs. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that recently qualified GPs who are employed via the ARRS will continue to be supported through the scheme in 2025/26.
We have also announced an £889 million uplift to the GP contract in 2025/26, which will support practices to increase capacity. Changes to the GP contract in 2025/26, including ARRS adjustments and other important reforms, will be confirmed following consultation with the GP Committee of the British Medical Association before April 2025.
The data requested on the number of unemployed and underemployed qualified GPs is not held centrally.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We hugely value the critical role that general practitioners (GPs) play and are determined to address the issues they face by shifting the focus of the National Health Service beyond hospitals and into the community.
The Government committed to recruiting over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25, as part of an initiative to address GP unemployment and secure the future pipeline of GPs. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that recently qualified GPs who are employed via the ARRS will continue to be supported through the scheme in 2025/26.
We have also announced an £889 million uplift to the GP contract in 2025/26, which will support practices to increase capacity. Changes to the GP contract in 2025/26, including ARRS adjustments and other important reforms, will be confirmed following consultation with the GP Committee of the British Medical Association before April 2025.
The data requested on the number of unemployed and underemployed qualified GPs is not held centrally.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England keeps the selection process for foundation training under review to make sure it works well for applicants and for building a sustainable workforce to provide the best possible care for patients.
We are committed to ensuring that the number of medical foundation training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable, nurtures homegrown talent and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.
Internationally educated staff remain an important part of the workforce, and our Code of Practice for International Recruitment ensures stringent ethical standards when recruiting health and social care staff from overseas. However, the Government is also committed to growing homegrown talent and giving opportunities to more people across the country to join the NHS.
In summer 2025, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS England National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) provides adaptable guidance to support local decision-making. Healthcare organisations are responsible for conducting dynamic risk assessments to determine when enhanced infection control measures, such as the use of FFP3 masks, are necessary. These assessments take into account factors such as ventilation quality, local infection prevalence and specific care environments.
Should new evidence emerge that warrants updates, the guidance will be reviewed and revised accordingly by NHS England and UKHSA to ensure the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained across healthcare settings. Any updates will be disseminated appropriately to healthcare employers and providers to support consistent implementation
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The shingles vaccination was originally routinely offered as part of the national immunisation programme to those aged 70 years old, using the Zostavax vaccine. In 2019, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that the programme should be changed to offer the Shingrix vaccine routinely at 60 years of age, that those aged between 60 to 70 years old should also be offered the vaccine, and that individuals would require two doses of Shingrix to complete the course.
Based on JCVI’s advice, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England decided that the programme would be implemented in phases. Phase 1 would be between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2028, for those who reach 65 or 70 years old, who would be called in on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. Phase 2 would be from the 1 September 2028 to 31 August 2033, for those who reach age 60 or 65 years, who would be called in on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination will be routinely offered to those turning 60 years old, on or after their 60th birthday.
This programme change was implemented in September 2023 and is in line with the expert advice that the Government received.
The Department has not made a specific assessment on the potential impact of laboratories not testing samples within 16 hours on prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing accuracy.
All pathology services in England are expected to implement the recommendation issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, that PSA testing specimens must reach the laboratory within 16 hours for the serum to be separated.
This guidance is in place to ensure that PSA test results are of the highest possible accuracy and validity in supporting the early detection of prostate cancer, particularly in ensuring cases do not go undetected.
All pathology services in England are also expected to maintain international standards for laboratory quality, certified through the UK Accreditation Service.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Older People’s Housing Taskforce report, published November 2024, estimated that the number of households aged 65 years old and over will increase by 37.3% by 2040. The taskforce also estimated that this would mean that an additional 30,000 to 50,000 new later living homes would need to be built per year.
The Government has committed to building 1.5 million new homes over the next five years and delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As private employers, community pharmacies are responsible for the recruitment and retention of staff. The Department and NHS England also provides support and funding for initial education and training, apprenticeships, and upskilling staff to develop knowledge and skills and deliver better and safer care to patients and the public.
NHS England and the General Pharmaceutical Council have been working with education providers to increase pharmacy training places. Recent announcements include the establishment of new schools of pharmacy at Plymouth University, Teesside University, the University of Leicester, and Bangor University, which will improve training opportunities and build resilience in these areas.
The Government will make sure the National Health Service has the staff it needs to be there for all of us when we need it. We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.
In summer 2025, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to improving capacity and access to general practice (GP) appointments. That is why, in October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered and will benefit thousands of patients. It will also secure the future supply of GPs and take pressure off those currently working in the system.
Additionally, we have announced a proposed £889 million uplift to the GP Contract for 2025/26, the largest uplift in years, with a rising share of total National Health Service resources going to GPs. We are currently consulting the profession on key proposals to improve access, continuity of care, and GP recruitment.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most.
To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.
The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Dorking and Horley constituency, this is the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The emerging evidence on airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses is continually reviewed by the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, and the Department. Assessment of research on aerosol behaviour, Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs), and personal protective equipment, including FFP3 masks, ensures that the guidance reflects the latest science and best practice.
The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual offers practical guidance on respiratory transmission, including airborne pathways, with non-pathogen-specific standards providing a robust framework for diverse infection, prevention, and control challenges.
The updated acute respiratory virus guidance, published in March 2024, advises adult social care providers on precautions for preventing respiratory infection transmission, addressing masks, ventilation, and other measures based on current evidence. The acute respiratory virus guidance is available at the following link:
NHS England maintains efforts to evaluate potential revisions to the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM), which aim to maintain high infection, prevention, and control standards. Any updates will ensure consistent application across healthcare settings. Current guidance balances scientific evidence, operational feasibility, and sustainable infection, prevention, and control practices to protect healthcare workers and patients.
Delaying NIPCM updates until the final Module 3 COVID-19 inquiry report risks greater exposure to infection, slower practice improvements, and training gaps. Timely updates, based on emerging evidence, strengthen healthcare worker and patient safety through evidence-based, locally adapted measures.
The updated acute respiratory virus guidance, published in March 2024, advises adult social care providers on precautions for preventing respiratory infection transmission, addressing masks, ventilation, and other measures based on current evidence. The acute respiratory virus guidance is available at the following link:
NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence, and is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/
NHS England will consider the next steps for Excellence in Continence Care.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:
https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/
Research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use in young people without symptoms, and that treatments and interventions were not based on good scientific evidence to prevent SCD.
To stop SCDs in young people, the current consensus is to focus on rapid identification and care of people who are likely to be at risk of SCD due to a family link or because they have had symptoms, and to train people to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to use defibrillators.
NHS England has published guidance for inherited cardiac conditions which requires services to investigate patients with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease, suggestive symptoms, or patients from families with sudden unexplained deaths. Where a genetic variation is identified, cascade testing is offered to relatives based on risk.
We are aware that the UK NSC has received a submission via its annual call process to consider SCD screening in young people aged 14 to 35 years old engaging in sport. The UK NSC is currently reviewing all annual call proposals. Further information on the annual call process is available at the following link:
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing volumes and the time taken for blood specimens to reach the laboratory for separation, including those within 16 hours, is not currently monitored by NHS England.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that serum samples for PSA testing should be received by the laboratory within 16 hours. Pathology services are expected to implement this NICE recommendation.
All pathology services in England, including prostate specific antigen tests, are also expected to maintain international standards for laboratory quality, certified through UK Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing volumes and the time taken for blood specimens to reach the laboratory for separation, including those within 16 hours, is not currently monitored by NHS England.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that serum samples for PSA testing should be received by the laboratory within 16 hours. Pathology services are expected to implement this NICE recommendation.
All pathology services in England, including prostate specific antigen tests, are also expected to maintain international standards for laboratory quality, certified through UK Accreditation Service (UKAS).
The UK’s Intangible Fixed Asset (IFA) regime offers generous and internationally competitive relief for acquired intangible assets like trademarks and licences. In addition, UK businesses can benefit from the biggest tax treaty network in the OECD – which make the UK an attractive jurisdiction for holding IFAs.
The government committed to maintain the regime’s current competitive approach in the Corporation Tax Roadmap.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government issues debt to the market, and the price of government debt is determined by the market.
The government does not comment on specific financial market movements. Gilt yields are determined by a wide range of international and domestic factors, and it is normal for the yields of gilts to fluctuate when there are wider movements in the global financial markets.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
7 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Questions
(View all Chris Coghlan's MHCLG questions)The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December does not require that private infrastructure providers submit business plans for strategic Community Infrastructure Levies that align with local plans.
The Framework states that, to ensure faster delivery of public service infrastructure, local planning authorities should work proactively and positively with promoters, delivery partners and statutory bodies to plan for required facilities and resolve key planning issues before applications are submitted.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is not intended to make individual planning applications acceptable in planning terms.
As a result, some site-specific impact mitigation may still be necessary for a development to be granted planning permission.
Some of these needs may be provided for through the levy but others may not, particularly if they are very local in their impact.
There is still a legitimate role for development specific planning obligations, even where the levy is charged, to enable a local planning authority to be confident that the specific consequences of a particular development can be mitigated.
The government is committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer my Hon Member to the answer I gave to UIN 26698 on the 3rd February 2025.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The English Devolution White Paper was clear that we know people value the role of governance at the community scale. All levels of local government have a part to play in bringing improved structures to their area through reorganisation. We will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level.
The power to create and restructure town and parish councils is devolved to principal local authorities, which can review and make changes to local governance arrangements through Community Governance Reviews. In doing so, they are expected to take the views of local people into account.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The White Paper sets out the comprehensive devolution of local transport functions to strategic authorities in England, including a comprehensive rail devolution offer for the first time. Combined with their new powers over strategic spatial planning, this will empower them to deliver strategic transport infrastructure to deliver growth across England. However, the proposals and Devolution Framework set out in the English Devolution White Paper do not cover aviation policy and would not have any direct impact on the operation of Gatwick Airport.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
There is an existing system of accountability and scrutiny arrangements for Mayoral Combined Authorities and Mayoral Combined County Authorities to ensure that public spending is achieving value for money.
The government is committed to strengthening the accountability and scrutiny arrangements that will enable central government, Mayors, and Combined Authorities to shift gear into a new mode of genuine partnership. The English Devolution White Paper set out how the government plans to go further.
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)