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Written Question
Hospital Beds: Dorset
Wednesday 3rd December 2025

Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many beds at University Hospitals Dorset were occupied on (a) 1 April and (b) 1 October 2025 by patients with no criteria to reside.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Information about how many beds are occupied by patients with no criteria to reside by trust is published by NHS England, and this information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/discharge-delays/acute-discharge-situation-report/

The following table shows how many beds at University Hospitals Dorset were occupied by patients with no criteria to reside for 1 April 2025 and 1 October 2025:

Date

Number of patients remaining in hospital who no longer meet the criteria to reside

1 April 2025

186

1 October 2025

194

Source: NHS England

To support trusts to reduce the number of beds occupied by patients with no criteria to reside, the Government published a new policy framework in January 2025 for the £9 billion Better Care Fund. This holds the National Health Service and local authorities accountable for setting and achieving joint goals for reducing discharge delays and preventing avoidable emergency admissions. Some challenged systems are also receiving a programme of improvement support.


Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 364 Noes - 167
Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 90 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 327 Noes - 182
Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 362 Noes - 164
Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 348 Noes - 176
Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 90 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 166
Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 371 Noes - 166
Division Vote (Commons)
2 Dec 2025 - Budget Resolutions - View Vote Context
Christopher Chope (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 88 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 357 Noes - 174
Written Question
Budget November 2025
Tuesday 2nd December 2025

Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will place in the Library a copy of each of the representations made by the Rt hon. and hon. Members to which she refers in the Budget statement.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Stakeholder Representation Portal was open from 3 September 2025 until 15 October 2025 to allow members of the public, MPs and organisations to submit their views ahead of the fiscal event. HM Treasury does not publish individual representations on behalf of respondents.


Written Question
Fraud: Dorset
Thursday 27th November 2025

Asked by: Christopher Chope (Conservative - Christchurch)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 20th November to question 86600, if she will use her powers under Section 41A of The Police Act 1996 to require Dorset Police to investigate remedial measures by reason of its failure to conclude to discharge its functions relating to the investigation and prosecution of fraud.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Operational policing is not a Home Office matter. Chief Constables are operationally independent, with decisions often made based on threat, risk and harm.

The Home Secretary has powers under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 to ensure an efficient and effective policing system, which includes the power under S.40 and 40A of the Police Act 1996.

Under the Policing Protocol these powers can only be used in exceptional circumstances in order to prevent or mitigate risk to the public or national security. Where necessary, this Government has been clear it will provide active leadership for policing to make it more efficient and effective.

Fraud is now incorporated into His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Police Efficiency Effectiveness and Legitimacy (PEEL) framework. The upcoming inspection cycle will formally assess each police force in England and Wales on their performance in tackling fraud. This will provide valuable insight on investigative practices whilst also improving standards and consistency across police forces.