Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43180 on Metropolitan Police: Finance, whether ministers in her Department have (a) met with and (b) corresponded with the (i) Mayor of London and (ii) Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss increasing investment into the Metropolitan Police Estate.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is the role of Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners (including Mayors with PCC responsibilities) to make decisions about their resources and estates, based on their local knowledge and expertise.

This Government is committed to supporting the Metropolitan Police by providing them with £3.8 billion of funding in the 2025-26 police settlement. This is a £262.1 million increase when compared with the 2024-25 settlement, equating to a 7.4% cash increase.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to transfer any NHS England functions to other arm's-length bodies.

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

Work is progressing at pace to map functions, appraise options, and inform decision making on where NHS England’s functions will best sit. There are important choices to be made here, and ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Mr Alan Milburn has consulted his Department on taking on any new work that involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.

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

The usual process of declarations of interest and agreement of appropriate mitigations for non-executive board member (NEBM) appointments was carried out, overseen by the Permanent Secretary, when Mr Milburn was initially appointed. NEBMs’ contract terms state that they must alert the Department to any new interests. Mr Milburn will consult with the Department before taking on any new work which involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.

NEBM declarations of interest are published each year in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and are also be published on the GOV.UK website, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025

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 correspondence to inform pensioners about changes to the winter fuel payment.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

This winter, during a six-week period, the Department communicated with pensioners regarding the change in eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment and also included an update on its Scottish equivalent. Around 13 million letters were issued to individuals who may have previously had entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment, and who may have been expecting to receive a letter about the Payment this winter.

The letter informed recipients of the qualifying benefits for receipt of a Winter Fuel Payment and encouraged pensioners to check if they may be eligible for Pension Credit and how to make a claim. Additionally, the letter emphasised other benefits that becoming eligible for Pension Credit may offer, such as assistance with housing costs, energy bills, and a free TV licence for those over 75.

The cost of the exercise was £7.5 million; similar to the cost of sending out letters in previous years, where the Department has written to pensioners about the Winter Fuel Payment.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have been sent from the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom in each month since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

None.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to consolidate estates following the closure of NHS England.

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

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation.

Whilst this transformation takes place, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42886 on NHS England: Redundancy Pay, whether he is making provision to reclaim redundancy payments for any staff subsequently reemployed by a public health body during the payout period.

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

At this stage, while we are scoping the transformation programme, it is too early to share details of any redundancy programmes and what any terms will be regarding the clawback of redundancy payments.

The leadership of the Department and NHS England will communicate information about these reforms to staff at the earliest opportunity, and are committed to a culture of transparency.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45093 on Alan Milburn, whether Mr Milburn has initiated the process outlined in that Answer.

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

Any updates to a declaration of interest will be published in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and on the GOV.UK website, in alignment with Government policy.

Found: Later Life Ambitions AOC044967 470 MP, Ben Lake AOC0537 471 MP, Jayne Kirkham AOC0535 472 MP, Julia Lopez