Lord Kamall

The Government is focussed on delivering the commitment in the Plan to Make Work Pay, to strengthening protections for whistleblowers, including by updating protections for women who report sexual harassment at work. The Employment Rights Bill delivers on that commitment.

Organisations and individuals have put forward many different ideas for how to strengthen the whistleblowing framework, including proposals for an office. The Government is always open to ideas.

We are determined that alongside the 10-Year Health Plan, there will be a long-term plan for adult social care to build consensus on the reform needed to create a National Care Service. We have now launched the Change NHS website, where everyone can submit their ideas and experiences to help us build a health service fit for the future and inform the 10-Year Health Plan. We will listen to and co-design the plan with the public and health and care staff.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been clear that the Government will not tolerate National Health Service managers who silence whistleblowers. The Government recognises the importance of strong and accountable leadership in supporting whistleblowers and fostering a positive, compassionate culture within the NHS. That is why we have committed to introducing professional standards for and regulating NHS managers. We are currently considering the most appropriate and effective means of delivering this.

The Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, gives legal protection to those who speak up in the public interest. The legislation is intended to build openness and trust in workplaces by ensuring that workers who hold their employers to account are treated fairly. In 2018, enhanced legal protections were introduced that made it unlawful for NHS employers to discriminate against job applicants on the grounds that they have made a protected disclosure in the past. This complements the longstanding legal provisions within the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

There is a network of more than 1,200 local Freedom to Speak Up Guardians throughout healthcare in England, whose role is to help and support staff who want to speak up about their concerns. NHS England has also published a national Freedom to Speak Up policy, which provides the minimum standard for local Freedom to Speak Up policies across the NHS, which NHS organisations are required to adopt. Workers who wish to speak up can also receive advice and support from Speak Up Direct.

This Government, since taking office, has not held any such conversations.

We are proposing a single or unified health record as a vision for the future, to develop in consultation with the public and healthcare professionals. Ensuring that patients’ confidential information remains protected and is seen only by those who need to see it will be a priority. Public engagement next month will help us understand what safeguards patients would want to see.

The SURMOUNT-REAL clinical trial of tirzepatide, announced on 15 October 2024, is being developed between Health Innovation Manchester, The University of Manchester, and Eli Lilly and Company, with further details about the study to be published by these organisations at a later date, following on from relevant approvals.

The study will evaluate the real-world effectiveness of tirzepatide in weight loss, diabetes prevention, and the prevention of obesity-related complications for people living with obesity. Additionally, data will be collected on healthcare resource utilisation, health-related quality of life, and changes in participants’ employment status, including sick days from work.

The evidence generated will seek to increase the global evidence base on the long-term impacts of weight loss medicines more broadly, and the placement of the trial is a clear vote of confidence in the United Kingdom from a global healthcare stakeholder, working with our brilliant and regionally diverse life sciences sector to improve understanding of a priority healthcare field.

This announcement was made as part of a collaboration agreement between Eli Lilly and Company and Government unveiled at the International Investment Summit, as part of an intended £279 million package of investment from Eli Lilly and Company into the UK's innovation and research ecosystem.

Assisting refugees and asylum seekers is a central part of the UK government's efforts to tackle the global migration crisis. Cooperation with international partners is crucial to delivering this. Since taking office, government ministers have discussed migration in calls with other governments, at the NATO summit and the European Political Community meeting where we agreed new migration-related initiatives with other countries, and announced £84 million of funding to address migration at source in countries across Africa and the Middle East. That includes humanitarian and health support, skills training, help with job opportunities and access to education for refugees.

The UK does not currently have the capability to reprocess used fuel from decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines for the purpose of energy generation and to do so would require significant investment in new technology. Used naval nuclear fuel will continue to be stored safely and securely.