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 15 December 2025 to Question 96945 on Ophthalmic Services, what steps his Department is taking to share best practice between Integrated Care Boards in order to reduce regional inequalities in access to eye care services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are encouraged to share best practice to help reduce regional inequalities in access to eye care services via the NHS Future Platform

The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme also has best practice guidance for ophthalmology. More information is available at the following link:

https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/surgical_specialties/ophthalmology/

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 of the (a) effectiveness of the Pharmacy First Model in Scotland and (b) potential merits of expanding a similar service in England.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pharmacy First in England was launched on 31 January 2024. This incorporated existing elements under the former Community Pharmacist Consultation Service and introduced a new clinical pathways element. The new clinical pathways element allows patients to receive treatment for seven common health conditions without the need for a general practitioner (GP) appointment.

As health is a devolved matter, the Pharmacy First service in Scotland is commissioned separately to the one in England. The conditions covered by the English and Scottish schemes do differ slightly, but the services operate in a similar manner. Both operate a consultation service under which pharmacists can provide some prescription only medicines without the need to see a prescriber. In addition, Scotland commissions the expanded Pharmacy First Plus service, which has a broader scope and can be provided by pharmacists with a prescribing qualification. In line with the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to giving pharmacists in England more ability to prescribe and to manage a range of health conditions.

The Department has not formally assessed the Scottish scheme, but the Pharmacy First service design was informed by best practice from similar locally commissioned services and services commissioned by the devolved governments. NHS England will keep the clinical scope of the service under review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to ensure that pensioners are not required to file self-assessment tax returns for small amounts after the new state pension exceeds the tax-free allowance in 2027.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pensioners whose sole income is the basic or new State Pension without any increments will not pay income tax in 2026-27.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced that it will ease the administrative burden for pensioners whose sole income is the basic or new State Pension without any increments so that they do not have to pay small amounts of tax via Simple Assessment from 2027-28.

The Government will set out more detail in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Pursuant to WPQ 103428 answered on 19 January 2026 on Speed Limit: Fines, what body is coordinating the independent investigation on the anomaly; and when that body will report.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The terms of reference were published on Monday 19 January 2026 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-on-the-national-highways-nh-speeding-enforcement-issue-terms-of-reference/independent-review-on-the-national-highways-nh-speeding-enforcement-issue-terms-of-reference.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the 2024 Slaughter Sector Survey, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number of [a] pigs, [b] chickens [c] cows and [d] sheep that were not stunned before slaughter compared to the last five reported survey years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Regulations require that animals must be stunned prior to slaughter so that they are unconscious and insensible to pain. The only exception to the requirement to stun is where animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. The Government would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but we respect the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

For sheep and goats, the Government supports an industry-led initiative called the Demonstration of Life Protocol, which provides assurance for Muslim consumers that the stunning of these animals is compatible with halal slaughter requirements, while protecting the welfare of the animals involved and supporting opportunities for trade.

All pigs are stunned before slaughter, in accordance with legislation. As set out in the government’s animal welfare strategy, we will consult on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas as a method of stunning pigs.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the 2024 Slaughter Sector Survey, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number of [a] pigs, [b] chickens [c] cows and [d] sheep that were stunned before slaughter compared to the last five reported survey years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Regulations require that animals must be stunned prior to slaughter so that they are unconscious and insensible to pain. The only exception to the requirement to stun is where animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites. The Government would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but we respect the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

For sheep and goats, the Government supports an industry-led initiative called the Demonstration of Life Protocol, which provides assurance for Muslim consumers that the stunning of these animals is compatible with halal slaughter requirements, while protecting the welfare of the animals involved and supporting opportunities for trade.

All pigs are stunned before slaughter, in accordance with legislation. As set out in the government’s animal welfare strategy, we will consult on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas as a method of stunning pigs.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with motorsport manufacturers and related bodies on growing the sector in the UK.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK’s globally recognised motorsport cluster continues to play a vital role in driving engineering excellence and supporting investment across the automotive sector. DBT Ministers have engaged on issues affecting the UK motorsports sector, including a cross‑Whitehall F1 Ministerial Roundtable on 15 January 2024, where Ministers discussed industry priorities with F1 and government partners. The Department engages regularly with the Motorsports Industry Association (MIA) and motorsport manufacturers as part of our wider work to support the UK’s world leading high performance engineering sector. These discussions cover support for innovation, supply chain competitiveness and opportunities for growth through export support and technology‑focused trade missions.

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 IT issues on pharmacies claiming payment for Pharmacy First Services that they have carried out.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Payments made to pharmacy contractors in England are set out in the Drug Tariff. Within the Drug Tarif there are discretionary provisions for advanced services, including Pharmacy First, that allow contractors to receive payment if the submission of claims data was delayed by an IT issue outside the contractor’s control. All payments are subject to an investigation by the NHS Business Services Authority and the required evidence being supplied by the contractor and IT system supplier.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will undertake a review of (a) current levels of on-call firefighters and (b) the challenges faced by fire and rescue services to recruit on-call firefighters.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Fire and Rescue Authorities are responsible for resourcing their services.

To support the future of the on-call system, the Government funded the National Fire Chiefs Council to undertake detailed research into the sustainability of the retained duty system. This work- the National On-Call Research Study was published in November 2025 and has been shared with Fire and Rescue Authorities to inform future planning, improvement activity, and local workforce strategies.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of newly qualified physiotherapists that have secured work within 12 months of qualifying.

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

The requested data is not held.

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 adequacy of the number of job places available for newly qualified physiotherapists.

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

The requested data is not held.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the most recent competition ratio is for newly qualified physiotherapists.

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

The requested data is not held.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of pensioners who will be required to pay tax for the first time after 2027.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The majority of pensioners paid tax under the previous Government, with 8.3 million taxpayers over state pension age in 2024/2025.

The Chancellor has said that those whose only income is the basic or new State Pension without any increments will not have to pay income tax over this Parliament

At the Budget, the Government announced that it will achieve this by easing the administrative burden for pensioners so that they do not have to pay small amounts of tax via Simple Assessment from 2027/28. The Government will set out more details in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for issuing Pension Savings Statements to doctors.

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

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Formula One bodies on further support for Formula One in the UK.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Formula One is a British success story and this government is proud to champion and support the sport. My Department frequently engages with Formula One and wider stakeholders across the motorsport industry to champion the sport and identify shared opportunities including recently at the Motorsport UK Night of Champions and at the iconic British Grand Prix in July.

The Government recognises manufacturing, engineering and other STEM advances generated in our domestic motorsport sector are a vibrant part of regional growth in Motorsport Valley and beyond.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many doctors have had to file an estimate for their tax returns as a result of not receiving the appropriate Pension Savings Statements before 31 January 2026.

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

The Department, the NHS Business Services Authority, and HM Revenue and Customs do not hold this information.

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 adequacy of the current provision for young adults with cerebral palsy but with no diagnosed learning disability.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department recognises the importance of ensuring that young adults with cerebral palsy, including those without a diagnosed learning disability, can access appropriate, high‑quality services that meet their individual needs.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local populations and for commissioning the necessary services, including specialist neurodisability, therapy, community rehabilitation, and wider support for people with cerebral palsy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a guideline for adults with cerebral palsy, reference code NG119. The guideline recommends regular reviews of clinical and functional needs, clear care pathways, and access to multi-disciplinary teams and specialist neurology services. The guideline is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng119

ICBs are expected to take full account of NICE guidance when designing and commissioning services for their local populations. NICE guidelines provide authoritative, evidence‑based recommendations on best practice, including clinical and cost‑effectiveness considerations. NHS England ensures that ICBs follow NICE guidance through a combination of statutory oversight frameworks, annual performance assessments, and local clinical governance requirements.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out a vision for a health and care system that delivers more personalised, integrated, and proactive care for people with long-term and complex conditions, including those with cerebral palsy but no diagnosed learning disability. By 2027, 95% of people with complex needs should have an agreed personal care plan. These will promote shared decision-making and access to personal health budgets, giving individuals more choice and control over therapies, equipment, and support tailored to their needs. Additionally, integrated neighbourhood health teams will bring together professionals across disciplines to deliver joined-up care for people with cerebral palsy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the NHS's refusal rate in paying pharmacies for carrying out Pharmacy First Services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pharmacy First is an essential approach to make greater use of pharmacy professionals and shift more care from hospital into the community. The service allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions, enabling patients to receive a complete episode of care in the pharmacy setting, reducing pressure on general practitioners and the wider healthcare system. This shift is significant and represents a new way of working for the National Health Service that will offer patients greater choice and improve access to the care they need.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England (CPE). Advanced notice of the change was provided to contractors by letter and in an article published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

The Department sets out the terms for remuneration for pharmacy and appliance contractors in England in the Drug Tariff, which the NHSBSA is required to follow. The Drug Tariff outlines that contractors must submit claims for payment for Pharmacy First consultations within the permitted grace period. We would expect contractors to have standard operating procedures in place to ensure claims are submitted promptly. The Department does not hold data on the number of Pharmacy First claims which were not submitted in accordance with the Drug Tariff. The Department recognises the importance of ensuring pharmacy contractors are paid promptly and we are committed to making improvements where possible. That is why we have recently moved more service payments to the early advance payment to assist with contractors cashflow.

The Department will continue to work with the NHSBSA and CPE recognising where improvement can be made to get the best outcomes for patients, pharmacies and the NHS.

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 shortening the Pharmacy First Service claim window in June 2025 on pharmacies carrying out that service.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pharmacy First is an essential approach to make greater use of pharmacy professionals and shift more care from hospital into the community. The service allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions, enabling patients to receive a complete episode of care in the pharmacy setting, reducing pressure on general practitioners and the wider healthcare system. This shift is significant and represents a new way of working for the National Health Service that will offer patients greater choice and improve access to the care they need.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England (CPE). Advanced notice of the change was provided to contractors by letter and in an article published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

The Department sets out the terms for remuneration for pharmacy and appliance contractors in England in the Drug Tariff, which the NHSBSA is required to follow. The Drug Tariff outlines that contractors must submit claims for payment for Pharmacy First consultations within the permitted grace period. We would expect contractors to have standard operating procedures in place to ensure claims are submitted promptly. The Department does not hold data on the number of Pharmacy First claims which were not submitted in accordance with the Drug Tariff. The Department recognises the importance of ensuring pharmacy contractors are paid promptly and we are committed to making improvements where possible. That is why we have recently moved more service payments to the early advance payment to assist with contractors cashflow.

The Department will continue to work with the NHSBSA and CPE recognising where improvement can be made to get the best outcomes for patients, pharmacies and the NHS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of pharmacies who have not been paid for carrying out Pharmacy First Consultations due to a shortening in the claim window in June 2025.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pharmacy First is an essential approach to make greater use of pharmacy professionals and shift more care from hospital into the community. The service allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions, enabling patients to receive a complete episode of care in the pharmacy setting, reducing pressure on general practitioners and the wider healthcare system. This shift is significant and represents a new way of working for the National Health Service that will offer patients greater choice and improve access to the care they need.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England (CPE). Advanced notice of the change was provided to contractors by letter and in an article published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

The Department sets out the terms for remuneration for pharmacy and appliance contractors in England in the Drug Tariff, which the NHSBSA is required to follow. The Drug Tariff outlines that contractors must submit claims for payment for Pharmacy First consultations within the permitted grace period. We would expect contractors to have standard operating procedures in place to ensure claims are submitted promptly. The Department does not hold data on the number of Pharmacy First claims which were not submitted in accordance with the Drug Tariff. The Department recognises the importance of ensuring pharmacy contractors are paid promptly and we are committed to making improvements where possible. That is why we have recently moved more service payments to the early advance payment to assist with contractors cashflow.

The Department will continue to work with the NHSBSA and CPE recognising where improvement can be made to get the best outcomes for patients, pharmacies and the NHS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the (a) number of pharmacy contractors who are due outstanding payments from the NHSBSA for Pharmacy First Services and (b) total value of outstanding payments.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pharmacy First is an essential approach to make greater use of pharmacy professionals and shift more care from hospital into the community. The service allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions, enabling patients to receive a complete episode of care in the pharmacy setting, reducing pressure on general practitioners and the wider healthcare system. This shift is significant and represents a new way of working for the National Health Service that will offer patients greater choice and improve access to the care they need.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England (CPE). Advanced notice of the change was provided to contractors by letter and in an article published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

The Department sets out the terms for remuneration for pharmacy and appliance contractors in England in the Drug Tariff, which the NHSBSA is required to follow. The Drug Tariff outlines that contractors must submit claims for payment for Pharmacy First consultations within the permitted grace period. We would expect contractors to have standard operating procedures in place to ensure claims are submitted promptly. The Department does not hold data on the number of Pharmacy First claims which were not submitted in accordance with the Drug Tariff. The Department recognises the importance of ensuring pharmacy contractors are paid promptly and we are committed to making improvements where possible. That is why we have recently moved more service payments to the early advance payment to assist with contractors cashflow.

The Department will continue to work with the NHSBSA and CPE recognising where improvement can be made to get the best outcomes for patients, pharmacies and the NHS.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHSBSA provide timely payments to pharmacists carrying out Pharmacy First consultations.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Pharmacy First is an essential approach to make greater use of pharmacy professionals and shift more care from hospital into the community. The service allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions, enabling patients to receive a complete episode of care in the pharmacy setting, reducing pressure on general practitioners and the wider healthcare system. This shift is significant and represents a new way of working for the National Health Service that will offer patients greater choice and improve access to the care they need.

As part of delivering the Pharmacy First service, pharmacy contractors receive a monthly fixed payment if they meet specific requirements, which include minimum activity levels. From June 2025, pharmacies delivering 20 to 29 consultations receive £500, while those with at least 30 consultations continued to receive £1,000 monthly. To make this change and facilitate more timely payments, the claim window for Pharmacy First was reduced from three to one month. The new tier of payment supports pharmacies with lower potential for delivery and has increased the number of pharmacies qualifying for Pharmacy First fixed payments. This adjustment was agreed with the sector representative body, Community Pharmacy England (CPE). Advanced notice of the change was provided to contractors by letter and in an article published by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

The Department sets out the terms for remuneration for pharmacy and appliance contractors in England in the Drug Tariff, which the NHSBSA is required to follow. The Drug Tariff outlines that contractors must submit claims for payment for Pharmacy First consultations within the permitted grace period. We would expect contractors to have standard operating procedures in place to ensure claims are submitted promptly. The Department does not hold data on the number of Pharmacy First claims which were not submitted in accordance with the Drug Tariff. The Department recognises the importance of ensuring pharmacy contractors are paid promptly and we are committed to making improvements where possible. That is why we have recently moved more service payments to the early advance payment to assist with contractors cashflow.

The Department will continue to work with the NHSBSA and CPE recognising where improvement can be made to get the best outcomes for patients, pharmacies and the NHS.