Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Jayne Kirkham and Karin Smyth(2 weeks ago)
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Karin Smyth
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Matt Turmaine) and others for their campaigning in that part of north-west London and elsewhere. The movement of services is now firmly part of the programme, and the people of Watford will have the services that they deserve. Discussions are continuing, and I shall be happy to update the House on the final decision as soon as possible.
Jayne Kirkham (Truro and Falmouth) (Lab/Co-op)
Percy, a five-year-old constituent of mine, wrote to me ask whether gluten-free products would ever be provided on prescription for people with coeliac disease. What steps is the Minister taking to address postcode variations in the provision of gluten-free food by integrated care boards?
NHS Pensions
Debate between Jayne Kirkham and Karin Smyth(1 year, 7 months ago)
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Jayne Kirkham (Truro and Falmouth) (Lab/Co-op)
Does the Minister agree that it is important that the affected members receive those statements to allow informed decision making? The Government have worked to minimise financial detriment to those affected, but this issue is part of the mess we have been clearing up. We have had record investments into pharmacies and more GPs, and we have cut waiting lists and stopped the junior doctors’ strikes. We are on the road to recovery.
Karin Smyth
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we are on the road to recovery—and that, of course, is what the Opposition cannot stand. This is a complicated issue, as they well know. As I said, we inherited this complication in July, when we were made well aware of it. The Conservatives could have done more about it while they were in government, but it is yet another issue on which they have let people down—this time, it is staff.
We will ensure that we remedy that. The timelines are available in the written ministerial statement that I issued yesterday. We will continue to work with trade unions and employers to ensure that people understand. As my hon. Friend said, it is important that people do understand their own personal positions.