Health and Social Care

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Monday 27th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Barbara Keeley]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Minister is not giving way at the moment.

[David Mowat]

The Care Act 2014 was introduced by this Government, and it has transformed social care, although we accept that the system is under pressure. The number of delayed transfers of care in Newcastle, St Helens, Bedford and Nottingham is nil. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, the hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Meg Hillier), said that she had been told by Simon Stevens that if the top-performing councils—in terms of delayed transfers—were emulated by all the rest, the consequence would be very small. The truth is that there is a 30 times difference between the top 10% of councils and the bottom 10%.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry. I say to the hon. Lady without fear of contradiction that we must spread things out evenly.

[David Mowat]

I agree that budgets make a difference, which is why we are increasing spending by £7.6 billion over this Parliament, but so do leadership, grip and best practice. Some 50% of all delayed transfers that are due to social care delays occur in 24 local authorities. Many other local authorities have virtually no delays. I recently visited the IASH team—Integrated Access St Helens—in the hon. Lady’s own constituency, which, working with Whiston hospital, has achieved spectacular results and some of the best outcomes in the country. I am sure that she will want to join me in congratulating those responsible.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 20th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat]

The impact assessment set out an upper range, which we do not believe represents an accurate reflection of what will happen. The facts of the matter are that we need our community pharmacy network to move towards services and away from dispensing. Paying every community pharmacy in the country, or 91% of them, £25,000 just for having an establishment does not achieve—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) should not chunter from a sedentary position in an attempt to hector the Minister, who should glide seamlessly above the attempted provocation. Minister, continue.

[David Mowat]

The Minister has finished.

[Mr Speaker]

He has finished his answer. Very well; I call Alistair Burt.

[Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire) (Con)]

To ensure not only that unnecessary costs are reduced, but that the best community pharmacy services are provided, will the Minister do all that he can to make sure that clinical commissioning groups engage as effectively as possible with pharmacies? Preferably, that would be by getting more people on CCG boards to ensure that the crucial connection between the provision of health services and pharmacy is absolutely at the heart of what we do.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Mowat]

I do agree with my hon. Friend. I am particularly pleased that this year, the pharmacy network has done more flu jabs so far than in the entire period last year. I had my flu jab, and it is holding up well.

[Mr Speaker]

It is always useful to have a bit of additional information. We are greatly indebted to the Minister.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 15th November 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat]

This is a very difficult case. The Department will look at the evidence and revert to the House.

[Mr Speaker]

That was very dextrous handling of a very broad interpretation of the question on the Order Paper, but I hope that honour has been served.

[Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab)]

14. The Cheshire and Merseyside sustainability and transformation plan relies heavily on more care in the community. Does the hon. Gentleman accept that this will not work while local authority social care is being cut to the bone, because it will merely send people back to their own homes, where their health will deteriorate?

Community Pharmacies

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Wednesday 2nd November 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat]

The impact review, which was published at the same time as my statement two weeks ago, estimated that the amount of extra time that people would have to spend going to a pharmacy would be a matter of seconds, even if we had, say, 100 closures. The impact review sets that out in some detail. Did someone sitting behind me wish to intervene?

[Mr Speaker]

Perhaps the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) could detach himself from his device for a matter of seconds. It is very good of him to drop in on us and to take a continuing interest in our proceedings. They certainly interested him greatly a few seconds ago.

[Oliver Colvile]

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was just trying to find something that was going to inform my intervention. Is my hon. Friend the Minister aware that in Devon, about £5.5 million is wasted on unused medicines? We need to do something about that.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Mowat]

I need to make progress.

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I think it is fair to say that the Minister is being what I would call—if it does not sound a contradiction in terms—courteously harangued to give way, but it is perfectly evident to me that he is not giving way at the moment. Members will therefore have to exercise their judgment as to the frequency with which they make further attempts.

[David Mowat]

I will continue to make some progress and then give way towards the end of my remarks.

I do not want to downplay the impact of the change on the private businesses that own and operate the network. The pharmacy sector is a mixed economy with 70% of the market made up of multiples and chains and 30% owned by independents. It is hard to accurately predict the impact of the changes on those individual business models. What I can say, however, is that the savings we are making will be entirely recycled back into the NHS. Every penny of the efficiency savings that we are asking of community pharmacies will be spent on better patient care, better drugs and better GP access.

Community Pharmacy in 2016-17 and Beyond

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

1st reading: House of Commons
Thursday 20th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that comment and reassure her that for the first time we will be allowing pharmacists to access a quality fund, which means that the average pharmacy could earn up to £6,000 or £7,000 over and above what it gets just for dispensing. The fund will include specific measures around public health.

[Mr Speaker]

My apologies to the hon. Lady; I call Dr Philippa Whitford.

[Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

We discussed this on Monday and, as I pointed out, Scotland has had a national minor ailments service, a chronic medicine service and public health prevention for many years within community pharmacies, and we have found them to be very effective. Research showed they could cut 10% of the pressure on GPs and 5% on accident and emergency.

The problem with the Government’s proposal is that it is going to be a bit random; pharmacies are just going to be shutting on the basis that they cannot survive. Should there not be a planned system, to look at and discuss where they should be? It is not just a question of rural or deprived. It is also about transport; a mile away may be a real problem for those who are elderly and frail and for whom there is not a bus going in that direction. I welcome England taking forward these services, but my concern is the way in which it is going to be done; if it is just done due to cuts, it might not give England the answer it really wants.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Mowat]

I can confirm that no part of what we are talking about today is in respect of the hub-and-spoke model that my hon. Friend talks about.

[Mr Speaker]

I am most grateful to the Minister and to colleagues for their helpful co-operation in facilitating progress on this important matter.

Bill Presented

Housing Standards (Preparation and Storage of Food by Tenants in Receipt of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit)

Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57)

Frank Field, supported by Jeremy Lefroy, Caroline Flint, Dr Philippa Whitford, Sir Edward Garnier, Stephen Timms, Caroline Lucas, Sir David Amess, Tristram Hunt, Sir Peter Bottomley, Ruth Smeeth and Helen Jones presented a Bill to require landlords of tenants in receipt of universal credit or housing benefit to ensure that their rented accommodation meets minimum standards for the hygienic storage and preparation of food; contains adequate appliances, equipment and utensils for the cooking of food; and for connected purposes.

Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 4 November, and to be printed (Bill 79).

Community Pharmacies

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Monday 17th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab)]

I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party pharmacy group. In February this year, the Minister’s predecessor, the right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), said there would be an impact assessment. In answer to a parliamentary question I tabled last week and the Minister answered, you also said that an impact assessment will be published, so that it would inform the final decision. Can the Minister tell us when that will be published? Will it be shared with representatives of community pharmacists?

[Mr Speaker]

I did not say anything about any impact assessment, but the Minister might have done for all I know. I have a feeling we are about to learn about it.

[David Mowat]

As my predecessor said, an impact assessment is being produced, and when these proposals are published in their entirety, that will be published at the same time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 11th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat]

Yes, I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss that subject.

[Mr Speaker]

I am extremely grateful to the Minister for his response on that matter.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

Bearing in mind that cases of Lyme disease have quadrupled in the past 12 years, and that some of those cases have been in my constituency of Strangford in Northern Ireland, what has been done with the devolved Assemblies in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to ensure that a UK-wide strategy is put in place to address this trend and to provide effective diagnosis and treatment?

--- Later in debate ---

[David Mowat]

As I said earlier, there is a national process in the form of the care plan. Where the family is not able to or will not provide support, typically the voluntary sector is asked to do so. If that does not work, local authorities can increase the personal expenses allowance to provide clothing. I am interested to hear about the cases that my hon. Friend mentions in his constituency, and I am very happy to talk to him to understand better why the process has failed there.

[Mr Speaker]

And have a cup of tea with the fella.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 24th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

After we passed the Climate Change Act 2008, we hoped that other EU countries would follow with similar commitments: none did. Indeed, many countries, including Austria, Holland and Ireland, have made no emissions savings since 1990. We saw the result of that in the Paris COP 21 when the EU submission was significantly lower than the UK’s targets. Can the Secretary of State look me in the eye from her position and tell me that we will not be acting unilaterally this time?

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May we have an end to this rather tedious business of requests for looks in the eye? I say that in the context of answering the hon. Gentleman because the Secretary of State’s responsibility is to address the House. If she looks at anybody, she should look at the Chair. She certainly should not be looking behind her at the hon. Gentleman, a very agreeable sight though it may be.

HMRC and Google (Settlement)

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Monday 25th January 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

If we are finished by then, the Minister will be on time for the Westminster Hall debate. If we are not, he can make a grand entrance at a later stage. We look forward to that with eager anticipation.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

When it is in the public domain that one technique used by Google, Facebook and others is the so-called double Irish arrangement, by which profits in the first instance leave the UK and go to Ireland, is there not more that we can do with our European partners to use state aid rules on countries such as Ireland and Luxembourg, which undermine our tax base in that way?

National Minimum Wage: Sports Direct

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Monday 14th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

This is an extremely important matter but we have other important business to follow, so I am looking for pithy questions and answers.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

On the facts, the case in The Guardian is disturbing. Does the Minister agree that one good piece of news is that, whatever else happens, in April next year Sports Direct will have to pay these people 11% more than they are getting now?

Migration

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Wednesday 16th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. Progress has been slow, and we are a bit short of time, but the last question was commendably pithy. If we can follow in that vein, it will help the House with later business.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

Like others, I welcome today’s statement, but could the Home Secretary tell us a bit more about the criteria she will use to determine the proportions of settlers going to the various nations and regions of the UK?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 23rd October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am sure copies will be placed subsequently in the Library, preferably signed by the right hon. Gentleman.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

T3. The local growth deal recently announced a much needed new bridge over the River Mersey in Warrington. I thank the Minister for his support on that but ask that he continue to support the need for a second bridge over both the Mersey and the ship canal, which is a strategic priority for the local enterprise partnership. This will make a much needed difference to the town.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 16th October 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Miss Anne McIntosh—not here.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

T3. There are manifest and clear benefits from the game of chess as an educational and sporting tool, but while other countries continue to develop the game, in the UK participation is collapsing, particularly in the state primary school sector. Will the Minister meet me and other members of the newly formed all-party parliamentary group on chess to discuss substantive and low-cost changes that we could make to help the sport?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 9th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think that the hon. Lady was referring to an hon. Gentleman, if memory serves me correctly. I would not want the Minister to suffer from gender confusion.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

Previous grooming trials have been characterised by intimidatory and vicious cross-examination by defence barristers, and often by multiple defence barristers. Will the Minister assure us that steps are being taken to stop that happening?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 10th July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Jack Dromey. Not here.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

8. What the estimated cost-benefit ratio is for the High Speed 2 Wigan spur.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 26th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I am deeply obliged to the Minister, but we must leave time for Mr Mowat.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

16. What recent consideration he has given to banning the use of NHS funds for provision of alternative therapies.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 8th October 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We must make some progress. I want to allow Back Benchers to speak, and conceivably even a Front Bencher.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

11. What assessment he has made of the scope for further savings in the justice system in England and Wales.

Petrol Prices

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Wednesday 15th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I gently point out to the House that there is a lot of interest in this important statement, which I am keen to accommodate, but, in the final day of the debate on the Gracious Speech, there are literally dozens of colleagues wishing to contribute, so some self-discipline from Back and Front Benches alike is urgently required.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

The allegations are serious, and yet the EU energy portal told me this morning that the pre-tax and duty prices of diesel and petrol in the UK are among the cheapest in Europe—indeed, they are cheaper than in Germany, France and Holland. Given that, will the Secretary of State tell us whether the focus of the inquiry is the UK market or the cross-border European market, which, on the facts, would appear to have bigger problems?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 26th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We will get to No. 13 in due course. Never mind.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

10. What assessment his Department has made of the effect of hospitals built under the private finance initiative on the work of neighbouring hospitals.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 14th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Mr Graham Allen. Not here.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

7. What steps her Department is taking to encourage the development of non-league football clubs.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 6th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I think we will take that as a no. He is not suggesting anything of the sort, but simply seeking to put his own position on the record, for which we are grateful.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

4. What plans he has for the future structure of the water and sewerage industry.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Thursday 12th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. May I remind the House that topical questions are supposed to be significantly shorter, and the same goes for the replies? We will then be able to get more colleagues in.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

Over the past few months, there has been a significant increase in the level of electricity imports, mostly cheap nuclear from France, through the interconnector. Indeed, over the past 24 hours we have imported more electricity by a factor of two than we have produced from offshore and onshore wind. That is a big policy failure and is costing us thousands of jobs. How can we address it?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Wednesday 23rd May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We will have more, but it will be from Mr David Mowat.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

In 1993 the IRA bombed Warrington, killing two small boys and injuring more than 50 other people. Last week a memorial plaque with a scrap value of about £40 was stolen. The Government have already legislated to prevent the sale of scrap metal for cash. Will the Prime Minister consider further legislation making the theft of such memorials an aggravating factor?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Tuesday 27th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

No one could accuse the Secretary of State of being other than comprehensive. We are grateful to him.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

The Secretary of State will be aware that under the allocation formula a number of PCTs have built up historic deficits, which have required us in Warrington, for example, to reduce our in vitro fertilisation services. Can the Minister confirm that with the transfer to GP commissioning, those historic deficits will be written off, which will in effect inject large amounts of money into local health economies such as Warrington’s?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and John Bercow

Wednesday 26th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat]

Calman acknowledged that the Barnett formula no longer reflected need. As a consequence, constituencies such as mine—Warrington South—receive many millions of pounds per year less than equivalent constituencies in Scotland. Does the Minister have any plans to amend the Scotland Bill to put the allocation on to a basis of need?

[Mr Speaker]

All I will say to the Secretary of State is that that question is very wide of the considerations of the Calman commission, and I feel sure that he will be dextrous enough to provide an orderly reply.