Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the capacity of local NHS services to provide safe home births in the context of the closure of Yeovil Hospital’s maternity unit.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is aware of the temporary changes to services at Yeovil District Hospital that have been made in response to a number of factors, including a recent Care Quality Commission inspection and not being able to currently meet the staffing levels required to provide safe services for babies and families.

The temporary closure is for an initial period of six months. Home births will continue to be offered, based on discussions with parents-to-be about preferences and risks. All births and expectant mothers are also being offered pain relief and safe birthing at surrounding hospitals in Taunton, Dorchester, and Bath.

Choice is a core part of maternity care. We are working with NHS England to improve personalised care, and the quality of information mothers receive about their choices, so they feel empowered throughout their pregnancy journey into motherhood.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate access to maternity care for people in West Dorset constituency, in the context of the closure of Yeovil’s maternity unit.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government will ensure that trusts failing on maternity care are robustly supported into rapid improvement, and we will continue to work with the National Health Service as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal delivery plan to ensure women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.

Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioner. The Department is aware of temporary changes to services at Yeovil District Hospital, which have been made in response to a number of factors, including a recent Care Quality Commission inspection and temporarily not being able to meet the staffing levels required to provide safe services for babies and families. The South West NHS England regional team, integrated care board, and trust are working collectively to review the situation and develop proposals to ensure the safe future service provision of maternity services.

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 dental school capacity on long-term access to NHS dentistry.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions.

To achieve these aims, we will work with partners such as the General Dental Council to explore the creation of new dental schools as necessary in currently under-served parts of the country, as well as with the Office for Students, which has statutory responsibility for allocating Government funded dental school places.

We have also launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of Government’s five long-term missions, a central part of which will be our workforce. We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.

To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential merits of introducing dental apprenticeships as a pathway to becoming a qualified dentist.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers regularly meet with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues.

Dental apprenticeships are available for roles such as dental nurses and technicians but are not available to become a qualified dentist. These apprenticeships provide skills and experience, combining work-based training with a degree.

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions. A core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing dental apprenticeships on shortages of dental professionals in each region.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers regularly meet with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues.

Dental apprenticeships are available for roles such as dental nurses and technicians but are not available to become a qualified dentist. These apprenticeships provide skills and experience, combining work-based training with a degree.

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions. A core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department provides incentives for universities to (a) expand and (b) introduce dental training programmes.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department works closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to help ensure the NHS has the dentistry workforce that it needs, including funding for dental schools and the training of dental students.

The government needs to ensure that the student funding system is financially sustainable and funding arrangements are reviewed each year. We will continue to engage with DHSC to consider the financial support that dental students receive.

The government is preparing the 10 Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. Ensuring that we have the right people, in the right places and with the right skills, will be central to this vision. The government will also publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

The department continues to work closely with DHSC on the 10 Year Health Plan.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to (a) colleges and (b) universities offering new dental training places.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department works closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to help ensure the NHS has the dentistry workforce that it needs, including funding for dental schools and the training of dental students.

The government needs to ensure that the student funding system is financially sustainable and funding arrangements are reviewed each year. We will continue to engage with DHSC to consider the financial support that dental students receive.

The government is preparing the 10 Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. Ensuring that we have the right people, in the right places and with the right skills, will be central to this vision. The government will also publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

The department continues to work closely with DHSC on the 10 Year Health Plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of incorrect eligibility advice given through the covid-19 helpline on people receiving that advice.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A vaccination telephone booking service, known as the 119 service, is available during COVID-19 and flu vaccination campaigns to provide booking support and guidance to people who may not be able to use online National Health Service booking services.

No direct assessment has been made of the potential impact of incorrect eligibility advice given through the telephone vaccination service. The service is commissioned by NHS England. NHS England advises that call handlers are trained to provide standard information rather than give individual eligibility advice.

If an individual is concerned that they were given incorrect advice, concerns can be raised with the NHS England Customer Contact Centre.

The spring 2025 COVID-19 campaign in England started on 1 April 2025 and runs until 17 June. All those who are eligible, those aged 75 years old and above, those aged six months old and above with immunosuppression, and those living in care homes for older adults, still have time to take up the vaccination offer, and are encouraged to do so.

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 accurate information is provided by the covid-19 vaccination helpline.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A vaccination telephone booking service, known as the 119 service, is available during COVID-19 and flu vaccination campaigns to provide booking support and guidance to people who may not be able to use online National Health Service booking services.

No direct assessment has been made of the potential impact of incorrect eligibility advice given through the telephone vaccination service. The service is commissioned by NHS England. NHS England advises that call handlers are trained to provide standard information rather than give individual eligibility advice.

If an individual is concerned that they were given incorrect advice, concerns can be raised with the NHS England Customer Contact Centre.

The spring 2025 COVID-19 campaign in England started on 1 April 2025 and runs until 17 June. All those who are eligible, those aged 75 years old and above, those aged six months old and above with immunosuppression, and those living in care homes for older adults, still have time to take up the vaccination offer, and are encouraged to do so.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Q204 of the oral evidence given by him to the Health and Social Care Committee on 8 April 2025, HC 563, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of an increase in the geographical area of integrated care boards on the adequacy of their relationship with local authorities.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within their structure. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025 where ICBs are tasked to develop plans setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

Local authorities are mandated statutory partner members of ICBs and will maintain their important role to deliver integrated health and care service for their local population. Ministers and the Department will work with the transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to ensure ICBs continue to fulfil their future functions effectively within the running costs cap and unlock the benefit of working at scale to deliver better care for their population.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of emergency service capacity in tourist areas during the summer months in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs then decide how that money is spent within the local integrated care system, and are responsible for planning service provision in their local area. In doing so, ICBs, including the NHS Dorset ICB, which is responsible for services in West Dorset, should consider how best to use their funding to meet patient demand, including expected seasonal variation. ICB allocations for 2025/26 were published on 30 January 2025, and are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/allocation-of-resources-2025-26/

The National Health Service’s operational pressures escalation levels (OPEL) framework provides a standardised approach to support an effective, integrated, and coordinated response to acute trust operational pressures. This includes actions locally, regionally, and nationally that support the depressurising of services and ensure patient safety. Further information about the OPEL framework is published by NHS England at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/integrated-opel-framework-2024-to-2026/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment she has made of emergency service capacity in tourist areas during summer months.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs then decide how that money is spent within the local integrated care system, and are responsible for planning service provision in their local area. In doing so, ICBs, including the NHS Dorset ICB, which is responsible for services in West Dorset, should consider how best to use their funding to meet patient demand, including expected seasonal variation. ICB allocations for 2025/26 were published on 30 January 2025, and are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/allocation-of-resources-2025-26/

The National Health Service’s operational pressures escalation levels (OPEL) framework provides a standardised approach to support an effective, integrated, and coordinated response to acute trust operational pressures. This includes actions locally, regionally, and nationally that support the depressurising of services and ensure patient safety. Further information about the OPEL framework is published by NHS England at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/integrated-opel-framework-2024-to-2026/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what mechanisms exist for Integrated Care Boards to request additional funding during seasonal tourism peaks in demand for Accident and Emergency services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs). ICBs then decide how that money is spent within the local integrated care system, and are responsible for planning service provision in their local area. In doing so, ICBs, including the NHS Dorset ICB, which is responsible for services in West Dorset, should consider how best to use their funding to meet patient demand, including expected seasonal variation. ICB allocations for 2025/26 were published on 30 January 2025, and are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/allocation-of-resources-2025-26/

The National Health Service’s operational pressures escalation levels (OPEL) framework provides a standardised approach to support an effective, integrated, and coordinated response to acute trust operational pressures. This includes actions locally, regionally, and nationally that support the depressurising of services and ensure patient safety. Further information about the OPEL framework is published by NHS England at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/integrated-opel-framework-2024-to-2026/

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to increase funding for nature-friendly farming.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We remain committed to investing £5 billion of funding in the farming budget over two years and are on track to do so. This is the highest budget for sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our history.

Spending on farming in future financial years will be confirmed as part of the government’s spending review.

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 help increase the number of nursing apprenticeship opportunities in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. This will include how we ensure we train healthcare staff, through all training routes, to support patients in all of our communities.

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 increase the number of nursing apprenticeships.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. This will include how we ensure we train healthcare staff, through all training routes, to support patients in all of our communities.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the budget for nature-friendly farming practices in meeting environmental targets.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In 2025 the Government will publish its review of the 25-year environment improvement plan (EIP), which includes the progress made in achieving the Government's Environment Act targets. The government also publishes annual progress reports setting out delivery towards the EIP.

Farming and food security are the foundations of a healthy and resilient economy, local community, and environment. That is why we announced £5 billion for the farming budget over 2024/25 and 2025/26 - the largest ever directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history. In February we committed to a further Capital Grants offer worth £45 million to support nature-friendly farming. There are also over 39,000 live sustainable farming incentive (SFI), which aims for large scale uptake of sustainable farming practices.

Defra’s Land management budget will be set for the coming years in the Chancellor’s upcoming spending review. More information on the future budget will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his French counterpart on the lack of visible (a) controls and (b) public information at French ports of departure on the risk of foot and mouth disease under the new import restrictions.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government communicated the ban on personal imports of meats and dairy products from EU countries, introduced on 12 April 2025, via a press release and information on social media and on GOV.UK. It has also published updated posters for operational partners to display.

As part of our national mission to protect our food sector and farmers, Defra has written to ports, airports and travel operators requesting that they take further steps in communicating the new rules to travellers as a matter of urgency.

Defra has also written to Department for Transport, Home Office and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers for their support in asking for their help with making travellers aware of the new rules.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Q204 of the oral evidence given by him to the Health and Social Care Committee on 8 April 2025, HC 563, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of an increase in the geographical area of integrated care boards on the adequacy of rural NHS services' (a) funding and b) staffing levels.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health services and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, NHS trusts, and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025, where ICBs were tasked with developing plans setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities. This letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

Ministers and the Department will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to ensure ICBs continue to fulfil their future functions effectively within the running costs cap and unlock the benefit of working at scale to deliver better care for their population, including for those in rural areas.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has (a) analysed and (b) commissioned research on the potential long-term health impacts of organophosphate exposure on agricultural workers since 2014.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government commissioned a considerable amount of research to investigate whether there is a link between the use of organophosphate sheep dips and chronic ill-health. The outcome of this research was provided to the independent Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment who have published two statements in 2009 and 2014.

The independent scientific advice is that the research evidence does not support a link between the use of sheep dips and chronic ill-health. Therefore, it would be unlikely that further public inquiry would reach a different conclusion, making it difficult to justify committing public funds to an inquiry.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to review the potential impact oforganophosphate exposure on occupational health outcomes in agricultural workers.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the enforcing authority for workplace health and safety on farms. The potential impact of organophosphate exposure on occupational health outcomes in agricultural workers, taking account of occupational exposure risk and current state of knowledge, is the basis for industry specific guidance in relation to organophosphate exposure and sheep dipping.

This information is published in HSE Agricultural Information Sheet AIS41 (Sheep dipping: Advice for farmers and others involved in dipping sheep) and is freely available to download from the HSE website.

HSE has no plans to carry out a further review at this time.

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 increases in employer National Insurance contributions on primary care providers in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have made the necessary decisions to fix the foundations of the public finances at the Autumn Budget. Resource spending for the Department will be £22.6billion more in 2025/26 than in 2023/24, as part of the Spending Review settlement. The employers’ National Insurance rise was implemented in April 2025.

Primary care providers are valued independent contractors. Every year we consult with each sector both about what services they provide, and the money providers are entitled to in return under their contract. Operating costs for these providers are taken into account as a part of this process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure access to cost of living support schemes for people living in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

To support people in need, we are providing £742 million to extend the Household Support Fund until 31 March 2026 in England. This enables Local Authorities to continue to provide vulnerable households with immediate crisis support towards the cost of essentials, such as energy, water and food, and to develop their schemes to help prevent poverty locally and build local resilience.

As outlined in the scheme guidance, found on GOV.UK, Local Authorities have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out, having the experience and the relationships to determine how best to support those in their local areas.

The guidance states that Authorities must have a website page dedicated to the scheme, and consider inclusive and accessible ways in which they might advertise availability of The Fund to local people. There are no set eligibility requirements, and every Authority must operate part of their scheme on an application basis to allow the opportunity for individuals struggling to ask for further support.

Further information on cost of living support can be found on Gov.UK.

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 with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of access to NHS dentistry in new developments in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Dental Statistics - England 2023/24, published by the NHS Business Services Authority on 22 August 2024, is available from the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324

The data for the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, which includes the West Dorset constituency, shows that 36% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England, and that 52% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England.

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS 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, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of cost of living support schemes to people living in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

To support people in need, we are providing £742 million to extend the Household Support Fund until 31 March 2026 in England. This enables Local Authorities to continue to provide vulnerable households with immediate crisis support towards the cost of essentials, such as energy, water and food, and to develop their schemes to help prevent poverty locally and build local resilience.

As outlined in the scheme guidance, found on GOV.UK, Local Authorities have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out, having the experience and the relationships to determine how best to support those in their local areas.

The guidance states that Authorities must have a website page dedicated to the scheme, and consider inclusive and accessible ways in which they might advertise availability of The Fund to local people. There are no set eligibility requirements, and every Authority must operate part of their scheme on an application basis to allow the opportunity for individuals struggling to ask for further support.

Further information on cost of living support can be found on Gov.UK.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with animal rights groups on the (a) import and (b) sale of fur products.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

There have been no recent discussions between the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with animal rights groups specifically on the import and sale of fur products.

Defra is continuing to build the evidence base on the fur sector. This includes commissioning our expert Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) on what constitutes responsible sourcing of fur. The report that they produce will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps.

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 nursing apprenticeships on levels of (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the NHS.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Apprenticeships are an important way to widen routes into the nursing profession, by providing opportunities for people from all backgrounds, and for whom a full-time university course may not be practical or preferred. They also offer existing staff new ways to continue to progress and develop in their career.

We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. This will include how we ensure we train healthcare staff, through all training routes, to support patients in all of our communities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional funding is provided to Integrated Care Boards to manage seasonal changes in population in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs). This process is independent of the Government, and NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation.

ICBs then decide how that money is spent within the local integrated care system, and are responsible for planning service provision in their local area. In doing so, ICBs should consider how local funding can be deployed to best meet the needs of their local population.

The initial population data used in setting resource allocations is the 12-month average of general practice registrations. This captures seasonal patterns, such as areas with high numbers of students or seasonal workers, better than using the population at a specific time would.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether claimants need to appeal in order to receive transitional protection when they are moved from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since 2024 the Department has been inviting claimants of income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA IR) to make a claim to Universal Credit (UC) within three months in order to maintain their financial support. Those making a UC claim before their deadline, whose circumstances remain the same as those of their ESA claim will be assessed for transitional protection and, where eligible, this will automatically be applied to their Universal Credit award without requiring an appeal although statutory appeal rights are attached to this decision.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to take steps to apply transitional protections automatically for claimants moving from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since 2024 the Department has been inviting claimants of income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA IR) to make a claim to Universal Credit (UC) within three months in order to maintain their financial support. Those making a UC claim before their deadline, whose circumstances remain the same as those of their ESA claim will be assessed for transitional protection and, where eligible, this will automatically be applied to their Universal Credit award.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in property valuations conducted by the Valuation Office Agency.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency has a statutory duty to maintain fair and accurate lists for Council Tax and business rates purposes. Both the lists, the VOA’s rating manuals, and other technical guidance, including its approach to valuing over 200 types of non-domestic property, are publicly available for transparency on GOV.UK. The VOA also publishes blogs explaining how they assess properties and why they might ask for information from taxpayers to perform their functions.

The Government’s business rates reforms will deliver greater transparency on valuations for ratepayers and greater accuracy. By 2026, most ratepayers will be able to access more tailored details about comparable properties and by 2029, more specific valuation information and rental evidence will also be available.

The VOA uses internationally recognised valuation methods. It has a robust three-stage assurance framework which maintains and improves the quality of valuations across all areas through assuring adherence to professional standards, legislative obligations and internal processes. It also has a performance target around valuation quality, which it reports on in its annual report and accounts, which are published on GOV.UK.

The recent decision to move the Valuation Office Agency’s functions into its parent department (HMRC) by 2026 was taken to increase efficiency, business experience and provide greater ministerial oversight and accountability around delivery.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the change in payment frequency from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit on the finances of claimants.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Universal Credit has a range of tools available to support customers with budgeting including Benefit Transfer Advances which are available for customers moving across from legacy benefits to UC.

Universal Credit is, by default, a monthly payment which is paid directly to customers as a single household payment. Alternative Payment Arrangements are available to support those who cannot manage the single monthly payment.

In instances where it is identified that a claimant is finding it difficult to budget, they can ask to have their Universal Credit payment divided over the month to be paid more frequently. This may be paid twice, or in exceptional circumstances, four times within a monthly assessment period. This payment arrangement does not increase the total award received within each assessment period.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the steps her Department has taken to prevent automated bots from monopolising driving test booking slots on the DVSA platform.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.

On 28 May 2025, DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. Views are being sought from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties on changes which aim to prevent learner drivers being exploited by those who resell tests at a higher price. The consultation will close at 11:59pm on 23 July 2025.

As part of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, announced in December 2024, this consultation follows the agency’s recent call for evidence about the rules and processes for booking and managing practical car driving tests, which received almost 27,000 responses.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce delays in processing driving licence renewal applications in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) surrounding areas.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days.

There are also no delays in straightforward paper driving licence applications which are being processed within normal turnaround times and drivers should receive their driving licence within three weeks.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer. The length of time taken depends on the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, for example doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a decision on whether to issue a licence can be made.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of waiting times for driving licence renewals in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) surrounding areas.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days.

There are also no delays in straightforward paper driving licence applications which are being processed within normal turnaround times and drivers should receive their driving licence within three weeks.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer. The length of time taken depends on the condition(s) involved and whether further information is required from third parties, for example doctors or other healthcare professionals, before a decision on whether to issue a licence can be made.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help support local authorities to implement speed reductions in rural villages.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport issues best practice guidance on setting local speed limits. This is designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set, whilst allowing for flexibility to deal with local needs and circumstances.

The guidance can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is planning to take to assist low-income families facing rising living costs in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

To support those most in need, the Government have introduced a Fair Repayment Rate, capping debt deductions made through Universal Credit, enabling 1.2 million families to keep more of their UC award each month and benefiting around 700,000 of the poorest families with children.

We also extended the Household Support Fund in England, as well as Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales, helping households facing the greatest hardship. Working age benefits increased fully by inflation in 2025-26 which will see around 5.7 million families on Universal Credit gain £150 on average this year.

The Government has set out the next steps in delivering our approach for regional growth, spreading growth across the country through investment and reform, including via devolution of funding and powers. This will benefit people across the country, including in the West Devon constituency.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to remove the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps in 2025.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The relevant regulations were laid on 8 May 2025 and came into force on 29 May 2025. Further details on the changes can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure community pharmacy provision in new housing developments in Dorset.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) every three years to assess whether their population is adequately served by local pharmacies. Legislation requires PNAs to include considerations of the future need for pharmaceutical services in the area. The Department has published an information pack to support local authorities in preparation of PNAs, with the pack available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/617bdc31d3bf7f5601cf3168/pharmaceutical-needs-assessment-information-pack.pdf

Chapter 6 of the information pack provides advice on how future needs, improvement or better access should be articulated in the PNA, including following any new housing developments. These assessments inform commissioning decisions by integrated care boards.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of sewage discharge into (a) rivers and (b) coastal waters on public health in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West regional team provides specialist advice and guidance on a range of public health threats to system partners across the South West region. This informs risk and needs assessments and includes routine surveillance to detect and manage exceedances of Gastro-Intestinal illnesses across the South West.

As part of the historic £10 billion of investment by water companies on storm overflow improvements in Asset Management Period 8 (2025-2030), in the West Dorset Constituency, Wessex Water plan to investigate 30 frequently spilling overflows and improve a further 18. The upcoming Progress Report on the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP), scheduled for publication later this year, will include assessment of Wessex Water’s progress toward the Human Health (bathing water) target. This target requires water companies to improve all storm overflows affecting designated bathing water sites by 2035, reducing sewage-related risks to human health.

The UK and Welsh Governments have launched an Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, to recommend reforms to reset the water sector and ultimately serve both customers and the environment. His Interim Report was published on 03 June 2025; the report's findings can be found at Independent Water Commission publishes interim findings - GOV.UK. The final report and recommendations will be published later in the summer. These recommendations are expected to form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of living on households in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Plan for Change outlines key milestones, including raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom to put more money back in people’s pockets. In the latest data, living standards (as measured by real household disposable income per capita) are already growing at their fastest quarterly rate in two years.

The Government has set out the next steps in delivering our approach for regional growth, spreading growth across the country through investment and reform, including via devolution of funding and powers. This will benefit people across the country, including in the West Devon constituency.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure appropriate biosecurity checks are carried out on (a) vehicles and (b) goods arriving from France to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD), following a further confirmed case in Hungary, close to the Austrian border.

The Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.

We recognise the risk posed by illegal imports via personal imports. Border Force officers are responsible for detention and seizure of any illegal products of animal origin (POAO) and Defra is working closely with authorities at points of entry to help control the illegal movement of POAO into Great Britain in personal imports.

Current policy reflects our experience of responding to past outbreaks of exotic animal disease and is in line with international standards of best practice for disease control.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recruitment of general practitioners trained in India to practise in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.

The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recruitment of pharmacists qualified in India to work in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.

The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department discussed the recognition of Indian dental qualifications for work in the UK during negotiations on the UK-India free trade agreement.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

We have agreed a Professional Services Annex, which will require UK and India to identify and encourage mutually interested relevant bodies to enter into negotiations on mutual arrangements for recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated professions, which include dentists, pharmacists and medical practitioners in the UK, will be within the scope of the annex. These commitments will not affect the autonomy of UK relevant bodies nor compel them to engage in dialogues where there is no mutual interest.

The ability of Indian professionals to supply professional services in the UK will remain subject to the UK's domestic regulatory and immigration systems.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when her Department plans to bring forward amended regulations on the permitted distance of air source heat pumps from property boundaries under the Warm Homes Plan.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The relevant regulations were laid on 8 May 2025 and came into force on 29 May 2025. Further details on the changes can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to introduce targeted incentives for dentists treating low-income patients privately due to levels of NHS provision in West Dorset.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - 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 areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, 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 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the West Dorset constituency, this is the Dorset ICB.

ICBs have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 10 April 2025, in England, there are 53 dentists in post with a further 44 dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. Another 256 posts are currently advertised.

The NHS contracts with independent dental providers, to deliver NHS dental treatment in primary care settings. NHS dentists can offer private treatments in addition to NHS services. Dentists must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis, and the costs associated for each. The Government does not control the cost of private dental or orthodontic treatment and patients cannot claim back the expense from the NHS.

Free NHS dental care is available for patients who qualify for certain exemptions. Support is also available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for exemption or full remission of dental patient charges. Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England is offering temporary funding for private providers to deliver NHS dental care in areas with insufficient NHS provision.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - 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 areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, 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 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the West Dorset constituency, this is the Dorset ICB.

ICBs have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 10 April 2025, in England, there are 53 dentists in post with a further 44 dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post under this scheme. Another 256 posts are currently advertised.

The NHS contracts with independent dental providers, to deliver NHS dental treatment in primary care settings. NHS dentists can offer private treatments in addition to NHS services. Dentists must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis, and the costs associated for each. The Government does not control the cost of private dental or orthodontic treatment and patients cannot claim back the expense from the NHS.

Free NHS dental care is available for patients who qualify for certain exemptions. Support is also available through the NHS Low Income Scheme for those patients who are not eligible for exemption or full remission of dental patient charges. Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-is-entitled-to-free-nhs-dental-treatment-in-england/

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of streamlining the visa processes for overseas-qualified dentists seeking to work in the UK.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Dentists are eligible for the Health and Care visa. They usually receive a decision within 3 weeks and have a dedicated UKVI team that assists them with the application process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of redundancies there will be as a result of the reorganisation of integrated care boards in Dorset.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Proposed changes to integrated care board (ICB) functions and geography are being discussed as part of a wider National Health Service reform programme, to reduce management costs and focus more money on the front line.

All ICBs in England are being asked to significantly reduce running costs and shift to a more strategic role, with different responsibilities. Specifically, ICBs have been asked to reduce pay costs by approximately 50%.

It is too early to predict the impact of potential redundancy numbers. The Dorset ICB is discussing proposals to form a wider ICB “cluster” with neighbouring colleagues at the NHS Somerset ICB and the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire ICB.

Clustering will allow the ICBs to realise efficiencies, releasing resources for frontline care, while maintaining teams of sufficient size in order to be resilient and specialised.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has provided to Integrated Care Boards on levels of redundancies due by the end of May 2025.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards have been asked to submit plans about how they will reduce their operating costs throughout this financial year. These are currently being assessed. The process of implementing any reductions will follow local employment change processes which will occur over several months. This will include local trade union involvement.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the Charity Commission’s powers to (a) regulate and (b) take action against (i) misconduct and (ii) mismanagement in charities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As the independent regulator, the Charity Commission for England and Wales has a wide range of powers to tackle misconduct or mismanagement in charities. It acts robustly to tackle those who abuse charities.

In 2023-24 the Charity Commission concluded 3,710 regulatory concern cases, 65 statutory inquiries, and exercised its legal powers on 2,189 occasions.

Concerns about links to hostile states are taken seriously. Any evidence that there is misconduct or mismanagement within a registered charity should be referred to the Charity Commission.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with the Charity Commission and I met with the Commission last week to discuss these and other matters. We keep the Charity Commission's powers under regular review and are actively considering whether further powers are required.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to review the powers of the Charity Commission when allegations are made about links between UK charities and hostile states.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As the independent regulator, the Charity Commission for England and Wales has a wide range of powers to tackle misconduct or mismanagement in charities. It acts robustly to tackle those who abuse charities.

In 2023-24 the Charity Commission concluded 3,710 regulatory concern cases, 65 statutory inquiries, and exercised its legal powers on 2,189 occasions.

Concerns about links to hostile states are taken seriously. Any evidence that there is misconduct or mismanagement within a registered charity should be referred to the Charity Commission.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with the Charity Commission and I met with the Commission last week to discuss these and other matters. We keep the Charity Commission's powers under regular review and are actively considering whether further powers are required.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with Higher Education providers on regional expansion of dental schools to tackle geographic shortages.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

​​The department works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on a wide range of matters, to help ensure the NHS has the dentistry workforce that it needs, including funding for dental schools and the training of dental students.

Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government and it is a decision for individual universities to decide whether they wish to establish a dental school.

​The government is preparing the 10 Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. Ensuring that we have the right people, in the right places and with the right skills, will be central to this vision. The government will also publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service that we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

​The department continues to work closely with DHSC on the 10 Year Health Plan.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what incentives are in place to encourage universities to expand or introduce dental training programmes in the South west.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

​​The department works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on a wide range of matters, to help ensure the NHS has the dentistry workforce that it needs, including funding for dental schools and the training of dental students.

Universities are autonomous bodies, independent from government and it is a decision for individual universities to decide whether they wish to establish a dental school.

​The government is preparing the 10 Year Health Plan which will set out a bold agenda to reform and repair the NHS. Ensuring that we have the right people, in the right places and with the right skills, will be central to this vision. The government will also publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service that we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

​The department continues to work closely with DHSC on the 10 Year Health Plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that new housing developments have adequate access to GPs.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure. This is alongside guidance on how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better negotiated and used towards delivering local health services and infrastructure.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning, planning, securing, and monitoring general practice services within their health systems through delegated responsibility from NHS England. The National Health Service has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient medical services, including general practices, in each local area. It should take account of population growth and demographic changes.

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 increase the number of optometrists in West Dorset.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England provides an annual grant for supervisors of optometry trainees. This payment is an essential element of ensuring adequate training provision is available for new optometrists.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services and receive an annual allocation of funding to secure services to meet the needs of their local population. Any decisions about the recruitment of optometrists are a matter for individual employers.

We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the letter from the Chief Executive of NHS England entitled Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform, published on 1 April 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) proposed funding reductions and (b) organisational reorganisation on staff (i) training, (ii) retention and (iii) morale.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has asked the integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure, to achieve reductions in their running cost allowance. NHS England will work closely with the ICBs to ensure these changes do not compromise the quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs. ICBs will also consider how these changes impact on staff, and will take the necessary steps to ensure continuity of staff training and support for staff morale, thereby protecting frontline staff.

ICBs have drafted and shared their delivery and resource plans in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April and the Model ICB framework. NHS England is working with ICBs to review and implement these plans, including is supporting staff through the transition.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the reorganisation of integrated care boards in Dorset on the NHS estate in the next two years.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners and reduce duplication of responsibilities within their structure. NHS England will work closely with ICBs to ensure their plans to deliver these changes do not compromise the quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs.

NHS England has circulated the Model ICB blueprint which lists primary care operations and transformation, including estates support, and estates and infrastructure strategy as functions in scope for reviewing for ICBs to transfer over time to neighbourhood health providers and providers respectively. NHS trusts will maintain a statutory responsibility over their assets, including their estate.

Currently, Dorset ICB has a small estates function which is predominantly focused on the primary care estate and some capital oversight. There has been significant investment in estates in Dorset over the last few years and continuing this year through the New Hospital Programme (NHP) and other capital programmes which will give improved facilities through the acute sites, namely University Hospitals Dorset and Dorset County Hospital, and hubs in the community including Wimborne, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Forston. Much of this is already in place and being managed with NHS trusts and through the NHP.

Role of relationship education in preventing violence against women and girls

Shared Lives Carers

Fracking moratorium and onshore fossil fuel exploration

Bath Rugby

Support for farmers

UK Government recognition of the state of Palestine

Impact of EU 90/180 day rule on UK citizens

Progress in UK-EU relations

Chinese Embassy

Digital-only immigration status

Reform of NHS dentistry services

Carers Week 2025

Access to Work backlogs

Long covid in children and young people

Wastewater Infrastructure and Environmental Protection in Planning Applications

Gaza (No. 2)

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Found: 2025 _NC20 Gideon Amos Olly Glover Jess Brown-Fuller Tom Gordon Ben Maguire Vikki Slade Edward Morello

Found: _NC20 Gideon Amos Olly Glover Jess Brown-Fuller Tom Gordon Ben Maguire Vikki Slade Edward Morello

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Found: _NC20 Gideon Amos Olly Glover Jess Brown-Fuller Tom Gordon Ben Maguire Vikki Slade Edward Morello

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Found: Gideon Amos Helen Maguire Liz Jarvis John Milne Vikki Slade James MacCleary Martin Wrigley Edward Morello

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Found: 2025 _NC20 Gideon Amos Olly Glover Jess Brown-Fuller Tom Gordon Ben Maguire Vikki Slade Edward Morello

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Found: Daisy Cooper Freddie van Mierlo Dr Al Pinkerton Helen Maguire Liz Jarvis Martin Wrigley Edward Morello

Found: Barker Debbie Abrahams Anna Sabine Alice Macdonald Leigh Ingham Cameron Thomas Zöe Franklin Edward Morello

Climate Change APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Parliamentarians: Pippa Heylings MP (Chair), Ruth Cadbury MP, Wera Hobhouse MP, Edward Morello

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