Oral Answers to Questions

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Hilary Benn]

The figures the hon. Gentleman just referred to do not reflect the Treasury’s assessment of the number of farms that will be affected, which is based on claims submitted in the past. I understand the farming industry’s concerns, but the Treasury is clear that, first, it will not hit the majority of farms and, secondly, we have to do something about very big landowners who buy a lot of land to avoid inheritance tax.

[Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Suffolk Coastal) (Lab)]

6. What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on best practice for public sector reform.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)]

Public sector reform is a priority for this Government, and I regularly meet with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, unions and public service providers. Most recently, the Government and Executive agreed £129 million of funding for public service transformation for health, special educational needs, justice and waste water.

[Jenny Riddell-Carpenter]

I welcome what the Minister said about public service reform being a shared challenge. Does she agree that it is in the interests of patients and people in Northern Ireland and England for the Executive and the Government to share knowledge and best practice?

[Fleur Anderson]

I absolutely agree. Public service transformation is not just about funding; it is about how to spend the money that the Northern Ireland Executive has with the record £18.2 billion settlement. Health is devolved, but we work together to share best practice and expertise, as well as recently agreeing £61 million of funding for multidisciplinary teams in GP surgeries. We will work together to create an NHS fit for the future, and I will be meeting the Health Minister again in Northern Ireland this week.