Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to amend rules on competent states for UK citizens residing in the UK who are (a) subject to EU Regulation E883/2004 and (b) receiving a small pension from another country.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are no plans to review the rules relating to competent states. The EU Regulation 883/2004 only applies to those in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. The role of these regulations is to coordinate the differing EU social security systems. The UK is bound by these international agreements and cannot change how the competent state is determined.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with (a) broadcasters and (b) social media companies on making more sporting events freely available to watch live.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I routinely hold discussions with a range of stakeholders in the sector where we cover matters relevant to sports and television, including free-to-air access to sporting events.
The Government wants major sporting events to be made available on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sporting organisations to generate revenues to invest in their sports, at all levels.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy that doctors (a) should have a mandatory duty to report suspected cases abuse and neglect and (b) should be given immunity from suit after reporting such cases.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Doctors have a professional duty, in accordance with the General Medical Council’s Good medical practice, to act promptly if they think that patient safety is or may be seriously compromised. This includes ensuring a patient is receiving basic care to meet their needs and ensuring there are adequate premises, equipment, resources, and policies. Doctors must also consider the needs and welfare of people who may be vulnerable and offer help if they have concerns that a patient, or someone close to them, may be at risk of abuse or neglect. If doctors have concerns that a colleague may not be fit to practise, or that patient safety may be put at risk, they must also take action, including reporting cases if necessary.
Failure to uphold and adhere to the principles within Good medical practice and the related guidance will put a professionals’ registration with the General Medical Council at risk. Doctors in leadership roles must create an environment where people can talk about concerns safely. The Government supports the right of staff working in the National Health Service to speak up, and has put in place measures to support staff to raise a concern, including legal protections for whistle-blowers. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has no current plans to introduce additional measures to protect doctors from being sued after reporting suspected cases of abuse and neglect.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
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 veterans in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency have access to adequate mental health support.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, an integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Op COURAGE has received over 5,000 referrals since April 2024. In addition to these services, integrated care boards commission NHS Talking Therapies, which have received over 13,400 referrals over the same time period.
In the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, veterans can access National Health Service commissioned mental health services through their general practice (GP). Veterans can also contact Op COURAGE directly themselves, or a referral can be made on their behalf by a clinician or a family member. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including NHS trusts, GPs, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres.
In England, the NHS has commissioned the veteran friendly GP accreditation programme to recognise and support practices in delivering the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces. This includes referrals to Op COURAGE, where it is appropriate to do so. As of January 2025, 99% of primary care networks had at least one accredited GP in their area.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mental health services available to veterans.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, an integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Op COURAGE has received over 5,000 referrals since April 2024. In addition to these services, integrated care boards commission NHS Talking Therapies, which have received over 13,400 referrals over the same time period.
In the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, veterans can access National Health Service commissioned mental health services through their general practice (GP). Veterans can also contact Op COURAGE directly themselves, or a referral can be made on their behalf by a clinician or a family member. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including NHS trusts, GPs, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres.
In England, the NHS has commissioned the veteran friendly GP accreditation programme to recognise and support practices in delivering the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces. This includes referrals to Op COURAGE, where it is appropriate to do so. As of January 2025, 99% of primary care networks had at least one accredited GP in their area.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of NHS England's Op COURAGE service in providing mental health support to veterans including the (a) accessibility of that service and (b) effectiveness of signposting to that service by GPs.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, an integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Op COURAGE has received over 5,000 referrals since April 2024. In addition to these services, integrated care boards commission NHS Talking Therapies, which have received over 13,400 referrals over the same time period.
In the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, veterans can access National Health Service commissioned mental health services through their general practice (GP). Veterans can also contact Op COURAGE directly themselves, or a referral can be made on their behalf by a clinician or a family member. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including NHS trusts, GPs, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres.
In England, the NHS has commissioned the veteran friendly GP accreditation programme to recognise and support practices in delivering the best possible care and treatment for patients who have served in the armed forces. This includes referrals to Op COURAGE, where it is appropriate to do so. As of January 2025, 99% of primary care networks had at least one accredited GP in their area.
Asked by: Luke Myer (Labour - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of economic inactivity in Teesside.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Office for National Statistics estimate that 110 thousand working-age people in Tees Valley are economically inactive. This is similar to the pre-pandemic level. This government has ambitious plans to devolve more power to local areas to help more people get into work.