Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of claimants who are unfit for work in the Universal Credit (a) limited capability for work and work related activity and (b) (i) income-related and (ii) contributory Employment and Support Allowance group who would not able to move into work if their additional disability component was removed.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
In the interim findings report of our Work Aspirations research, 62% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 36% with work-related activity requirements, felt they would never be able to work or work again. 28% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 38% with work-related activity requirements, felt they might be able to work in future if their health improved. 3% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 8% with work-related activity requirements, felt they could work right away if the right job or support was available.
The Work Capability Assessment is not working and needs to be reformed or replaced alongside a proper plan to help disabled people into work, which will help them, businesses and the economy.
We know that change is desperately needed but equally these sorts of changes shouldn’t be made in haste. So, alongside our Get Britain Working White Paper, we want to engage with disabled people, and others with expertise and experience on these issues, to consider how to address these challenges and build a better system.
We will reconsult on the WCA changes as part of our Green Paper in spring 2025 that will bring forward wider proposals to reform the health and disability benefits system.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to consult with civil service trade unions prior to the publication of the Governing Greening Commitments 2025-30.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
A response to the Public and Commercial Services Union was sent on 3 February 2025. I apologise for the delay in responding. Defra officials will discuss the implementation of the new framework with the relevant unions.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to reply to the correspondence dated 7 December 2024 from the Public and Commercial Services Union.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
A response to the Public and Commercial Services Union was sent on 3 February 2025. I apologise for the delay in responding. Defra officials will discuss the implementation of the new framework with the relevant unions.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the judgment in Clifford v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] EWHC 53 (Comm), for what reason she proceeded with the case.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Courts have found the previous government failed to explain their proposals adequately. We felt, on balance that the consultation that was under challenge had provided people with sufficient information and time to respond intelligently to the proposals. However, we have accepted the judgment and do not intend to appeal.
As part of wider reforms that help people into work and ensure fiscal sustainability, the government will re-consult on WCA descriptor changes, addressing the shortcomings in the previous consultation, in light of the judgment. The government intends to deliver the full level of savings in the public finance forecasts.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
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 with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of (a) debt collection practices and (b) the use of bailiffs by (i) private companies, (ii) local authorities and (iii) other public bodies on the mental health of people in financial difficulties.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise the effect that debt collection practices and the use of bailiffs can have on some people’s mental health. That is why we have worked with colleagues at HM Treasury and the Money and Pensions Service to promote the mental health Breathing Space scheme, which gives those with mental ill health facing financial difficulties space to receive debt advice, without pressure from creditors or mounting debts.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of the legal fees incurred in the judicial review of the work capability assessment consultation.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Judgment was handed down in the Work Capability Assessment (WCA): Activities and Descriptors consultation Judicial Review on 16 January 2025.
DWP’s litigation costs between 1 November 2023 and 21 January 2025 were £211,345.42.
DWP has been ordered to pay the Claimant’s reasonable costs of the claim. The DWP will endeavour to agree those reasonable costs with the Claimant following the standard legal process where necessary. The DWP has been ordered to pay £254,458.63 as a payment on account of the Claimant’s costs representing 60% of an estimate of the costs she has incurred in bringing this claim.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
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 recruitment freezes in the NHS diagnostics workforce on plans to ensure same day scan results in Community Diagnostic Centres.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are aware of cases where trusts have put recruitment restrictions in place for diagnostic services. How systems and trusts resource plan internally within their budgets is a matter for local discretion, and as such we will not be taking action at a national level.
The National Health Service is committed to maintaining timely and high-quality diagnostic services, including delivering same-day scan results in Community Diagnostic Centres wherever possible.
As set in the Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, we will introduce more straight-to-test pathways, deliver the optimal standards of tests per hour, and make better use of technology, including by upgrading the NHS app. These initiatives intend to drive efficiencies within diagnostic pathways and support patients to be tested more quickly, using existing capacity.
Investment in recent years has also enabled the NHS to grow the diagnostics workforce. This includes an increase in the number of specialty training places for key roles, such as radiologists, radiographers, and other diagnostic professionals, alongside initiatives to improve retention and reduce reliance on outsourcing.
This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan, to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. We will 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.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to increase speciality training places in (a) radiology and (b) oncology.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to training the staff we need, including radiologists and oncologists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.
We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.
This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. We will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will include an expansion of (a) radiology and (b) oncology speciality training places in the next iteration of the Long Term Workforce Plan.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We are committed to training the staff we need, including radiologists and oncologists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.
We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.
This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. We will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: John McDonnell (Independent - Hayes and Harlington)
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 merits of requiring NHS trusts to develop long-term plans for the (a) cancer and (b) diagnostic workforce including (i) training and (ii) consultant posts.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne
The Government recognises that a cancer-specific approach is needed to meet the challenges in cancer care, and to improve outcomes for people living with cancer. Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish a new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients. We will continue to ensure that we train the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it, and the cancer plan will reflect this.
In summer 2025, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. We will ensure the National Health Service has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.