Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS England Medium Term Planning Framework – delivering change together 2026/27 to 2028/29, published on 24 October 2025, what plans he has to consult the Royal College of General Practitioners on the same day appointments for all clinically urgent patients (face to face, phone or online) success measure.

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

As part of our recently published Medium-Term Planning Framework, we have introduced a new and ambitious target to ensure all urgent appointments are provided on the same day, so that patients requiring urgent care are prioritised, irrespective of how they are delivered, whether it be face-to-face, via telephone, or online. At present, 44.4% of appointments are already delivered on the same day they are booked

We have always valued input from a range of stakeholders on the future of general practice and continue to engage with general practitioners broadly to ensure the targets are achievable, reflect the needs of the populations they serve, and to understand any barriers to delivery.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS England Medium Term Planning Framework – delivering change together 2026/27 to 2028/29, published 24 October 2025, what steps his Department is taking to measure the same day appointments for all clinically urgent patients (face to face, phone or online) success measure.

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

As part of our recently published Medium-Term Planning Framework, we have introduced a new and ambitious target to ensure all urgent appointments are provided on the same day, so that patients requiring urgent care are prioritised, irrespective of how they are delivered, whether it be face-to-face, via telephone, or online. At present, 44.4% of appointments are already delivered on the same day they are booked

We have always valued input from a range of stakeholders on the future of general practice and continue to engage with general practitioners broadly to ensure the targets are achievable, reflect the needs of the populations they serve, and to understand any barriers to delivery.

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 of (a) dentists currently accepting NHS patients, (b) NHS dental appointments offered each month and (c) patients seeking NHS dentistry in Newton Abbot constituency.

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

Data is not held on the number of National Health Service dental appointments offered each month.

As of 3 November 2025, there were nine NHS dentist practices in the Newton Abbot constituency, with two showing as ‘accepting new child patients when availability allows’ and two showing as ‘accepting new adult patients when availability allows’.

This data is sourced from the Find a Dentist website and is matched to constituencies based on the postcode data shown on the website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

The data for the Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes the Newton Abbot constituency, shows that 29% of adults were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2025, compared to 40% in England.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the ICBs across England.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to (a) ring-fence and (b) increase funding for school infrastructure where buildings are assessed as structurally unsound.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government has given a long-term commitment for capital investment through to 2034/35 to improve the condition of schools and colleges across England, including those which may have structural issues.

The department is investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034/35 in capital maintenance and renewal of the school and college estate, rising every year from £2.4 billion in 2025/26.

This is in addition to the investment of almost £20 billion in the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034/35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 schools across England within the existing programme, with a further 250 schools to be selected within the next two years. Two schools within the Newton Abbey constituency, Dawlish College and Kenton Primary School, are already part of the programme. The department aims to set out further details on the process for selecting additional schools for rebuilding later this year.

Where there are serious and urgent safety issues with school buildings, such as those which threaten closure of a school, and that cannot be managed locally by responsible bodies, the department provides additional advice and support on a case-by-case basis.

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 introducing an investment standard for general practice.

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

The Government recognises the important role that general practice (GP) plays in the National Health Service and is committed to shifting more funding towards primary and community care services to enable early intervention and to reduce pressure on hospitals. We are committed to investing in reforms to support this shift, and to ensure sustainable resources for GPs. We’ve delivered the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an almost £1.1 billion uplift, with GPs now receiving a growing share of National Health Service resources.

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 support patients with postural tachycardia syndrome in Devon.

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

Many patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) can be diagnosed and managed effectively within primary care. In complex cases, or where patients do not respond to initial treatment, patients may be referred to specialised cardiology or neurology services. Management of PoTS typically involves lifestyle changes and medications to help control symptoms, and can involve support from a multidisciplinary team.

Integrated care boards (ICBs), with oversight from NHS England, have a statutory responsibility to commission services which meet the needs of their local populations, including for those with PoTS. It is the responsibility of ICBs, including the NHS Devon ICB, to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that meet the needs of patients with PoTS.

There are a number of policies outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan which should have a positive impact on care for patients with PoTS: more tests and scans delivered in the community; better joint working between services; and greater use of technology. These changes will help people with PoTS to manage their care closer to home.

Neighbourhood Health Services will be organised around the needs of their patients. The plan will create joined-up working across hospitals and into community settings with multi-disciplinary teams who can provide wrap-around support services to people with PoTS or other long-term conditions.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the NHS App will be enhanced to allow patients to manage appointments, medications, and view or create their own care plans. Patients will be able to manage their care in one place, giving them direct access and preference over the services they need. My Medicines will enable patients to manage their prescriptions, and My Health will enable patients to monitor their symptoms and bring all their data into one place. Patients will be able to self-refer to services where clinically appropriate through My Specialist on the NHS App. This will accelerate their access to treatment and support.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his digital ID proposals will use (a) biometric and (b) facial-recognition technology for age verification.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.

The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether proposals for digital ID include a centralised audit log of verification events.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.

The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will publish all consultation responses on the proposed digital ID scheme prior to the introduction of legislation.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We will follow the Cabinet Office principles for consultations and consider all responses received, from both individuals and organisations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing people using the UK digital ID system to have the right to view an access log showing (a) which and (b) organisations checked their identity.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.

The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to take steps to prevent commercial entities acting as digital ID verifiers from using verification data for (a) marketing, (b) analytics and (c) employment profiling.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.

The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what process the he is planning for (a) employers and (b) landlords to verify digital ID credentials; and whether that process will require personal data to be transmitted to a (i) central record and (ii) broker service.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital credential by the end of this Parliament.

We will be consulting on the detail of the programme in due course, including how to help employers onboard onto the system and how they will validate the credential to prove an employee's right to work.

There are no plans to pool data in a single location. The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure that any AI-assisted (a) decision and (b) image recognition within the digital ID system is (i) explainable, (ii) human-reviewed before adverse action, and (iii) subject to a right of correction or appeal.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.

The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what types of cross-system data matching he is planning under the proposed digital ID system.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government will conduct a full public consultation on the new digital ID to inform our approach. We are currently exploring best practice from other countries with digital identity schemes and other private sector companies who have digitised their services in order to develop the set of proposals to take to public consultation.

The Government has been clear that privacy and security will be hard-wired into the system from the start, and user control will be central to plans. It will operate to best practice standards for security and privacy.

This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage, and following all existing UK legislation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he intends to consult the Royal College of General Practitioners on a potential replacement of the Carr-Hill funding formula.

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

The review of the Carr-Hill formula is being conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The review has commenced and will draw on a range of evidence and advice from experts, with key stakeholders, including the Royal College of General Practitioners, involved in the process.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the risk from non-government actors to people's personal data security under the proposed digital ID scheme; and what (a) technical and (b) legal controls will be used to mitigate this.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The cyber security of the UK is a key priority for this government – crucial to protecting the public and our way of life, and a successful, growing economy. We are introducing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to improve UK cyber defences - protecting our economy, safeguarding essential public services and strengthening UK national security.

The bill will deliver a fundamental step change in the UK’s national security – making essential and digital services more secure in the face of cyber criminals and state actors who want to disrupt our way of life.

This framework will be applied to the new digital ID, which will have robust cyber security and personal data protections in place. These will also feature in the upcoming consultation on the scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) offline and (b) paper-based alternatives will be available for citizens without (i) digital access and (ii) smartphones under the proposed digital ID system.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

To design and deliver digital ID, this government will undertake the biggest digital inclusion drive in our country's history. This will ensure everyone eligible can access and use this new digital ID, including those more likely to be digitally excluded.

We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, help for those who are partially sighted, in-person support for those who struggle to engage digitally, and a dedicated team of case workers to support those who may struggle to initially prove their identity and access the system.

We will launch a public consultation in the coming months and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups, including the Digital Inclusion Action Committee.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to respond to the Freedom of Information Act request of 7 October 2025 by the hon. Member for Newton Abbot regarding meetings between Boris Johnson and Peter Thiel.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires that requests are answered promptly and no later than 20 working days after receipt. Cabinet Office responded to the hon. Member’s request on 5 November 2025, within the statutory time limit.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the two-child benefit cap on working class people in Newton Abbot constituency.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Statistics related to the policy to provide support for a maximum of 2 children are published annually and provide various breakdowns including by households with someone earning.

The latest publication, with April 2025 data, is published here: Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK data by Parliamentary Constituencies can be found in tables 12A, 12B, 12C in the published spreadsheet.

All previous releases of these statistics are published here: Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit claimants: statistics related to the policy to provide support for a maximum of 2 children - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what team in her Department produced the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Cyber Security & Digital Identity Directorate within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) are the policy owners of the overall PSTI regime and led the development of the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.

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 merits of a framework model for functional neurological disorder (FND) care, including (a) FND care pathways, (b) the requirement for multidisciplinary teams trained in FND, (c) follow-up appointments for patients, and (d) mandatory training for (i) GPs, (ii) neurologists, and (ii) A&E staff.

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

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) included information on functional neurological disorder (FND) in its guideline Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral, code NG127, which covers symptoms and the appropriate referral pathways. The NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries also feature a detailed topic on FND, offering information on diagnosis and management. The guideline and Clinical Knowledge Summary are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng127

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/functional-neurological-disorder/

We will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, and with the right skills, to deliver the best care for patients, including those with FND, when they need it. We have recently published a call for evidence to gather views from stakeholders on the specific professions, roles, skills, and training needed to implement the reforms outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan for England.

More widely, the Elective Reform Plan has committed to reforming outpatient care, which will improve outcomes for patients with FND, through:

¾ clinical pathway reform, by transforming clinical pathways to build on the opportunity to deliver more activity in the community and increase the opportunities for patients to be referred straight to diagnostic tests;

¾ reducing unnecessary follow up care by using remote monitoring and widening access to Patient Initiated Follow Up so that more patients can have choice and control over if and when they require follow up care, freeing up appointments for patients who need them most; and

¾ focusing on the smaller aspects of service delivery than can make a big difference to productivity, by focusing on waiting list validation being properly funded as a form of activity, better use of outpatient clinical capacity, and making better use of clinic templates and job planning so clinicians have the right balance of activity to meet demand.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is his Department's policy that the proposed digital ID scheme will be overseen by an independent body to (a) monitor compliance, (b) investigate misuse and (c) publish annual transparency reports.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Digital ID scheme will build on existing programmes and infrastructure. We will follow best practice on privacy and security, from both within the UK and internationally. The National Cyber Security Centre Security (NCSC) is advising how this is done to the highest standard. We will adhere to all existing UK law and governance structures, including close working with the ICO during the development of the scheme.

We will examine options for appropriate oversight of the digital ID system through the upcoming consultation, which will begin in the new year.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much paid civil service time did it take to create The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The UK is the most targeted country in Europe for cyber-attacks and with most connected products used here manufactured abroad, so developing these Regulations required collaboration with international partners to reduce complexity for manufacturers and consumers.

The process of developing any legislation is inherently complex and time-consuming, involving extensive consultation, drafting, and scrutiny. Development of the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 was no different and involved a collaborative effort between DSIT policy officials and legal experts, as well as discussing the appropriate terminology used in the draft Regulations with our counterparts in Japan and Singapore.

We do not have figures for the exact amount of civil service time involved but can confirm that developing this Statutory Instrument was part of the work of the Cyber Security & Digital Identity Directorate within DSIT.

We have worked closely with global partners to develop the internationally recognised European Standard for Cyber Security in Consumer Internet of Things devices ETSI EN 303 645. This standard is the foundation for nearly every major consumer product security regime worldwide and we are engaging with international partners to encourage its uptake in their connected devices regimes.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans his Department has to ensure that (a) cloud hosting, (b) data processing and (c) other core components of the proposed digital ID system are under sovereign UK control.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Data associated with the Digital ID system will be held and kept safe in secure cloud environments hosted in the United Kingdom.

The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme effective, secure and inclusive, including taking insights from previous IT projects where appropriate.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in Israel on the potential impact of drone activity in international waters on establishing new aid flotillas.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

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 potential impact of the white paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on the adequacy of (a) the supply of trainee GPs and (b) levels of access to primary care services.

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

We are aware of the white paper and officials are considering the implications for the general practice workforce and for access to primary care services.

Whilst we hugely value our international workforce and the skills and experience they bring, we are also committed to growing homegrown talent and giving opportunities to more people across the country to join our National Health Service. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will outline strategies for improving retention, productivity, training, and reducing attrition, thereby enhancing conditions for all staff while gradually reducing reliance on international recruitment, without diminishing the value of their contributions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 October 2024 to Question 6887 on Plastics: Pollution, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the plastic waste export regime in promoting domestic recycling.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is reviewing the role of plastic waste exports as part of the Government’s wider efforts to improve management of this waste. Our focus is on ensuring a level playing field for domestic recyclers whilst realising our environmental objectives, and any future action will aim to help drive investment in UK reprocessing infrastructure and promote domestic recycling.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 86440 on Deposit Return Schemes, if she will take steps to ensure the deposit return scheme allows (a) bottles and (b) other deposit items (i) purchased in the UK to be returned in other European countries and (ii) vice versa.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Thank you for your interest in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The objectives of DRS include boosting recycling levels, reducing littering, and offering greater opportunities to collect higher quality, uncontaminated materials in greater quantities.

In practical terms, DRS regulations allow UK Deposit Management Organisation (Ltd), who has been appointed to operate the scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, to work jointly and in cooperation with other scheme administrators, including those operating an overseas scheme.

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 vape liquid and vapes to be sold separately.

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

The Government is currently exploring a range of topics related to vaping and nicotine products.

On 8 October, we launched a call for evidence which examines the size and shape of vapes, vape-like devices and tanks, the components of vaping products, as well as the role of technology in these devices. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/tobacco-and-vapes-evidence-to-support-legislation/tobacco-and-vapes-evidence-to-support-legislation.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs banned the sale and supply of single use vapes due to the harm that they cause to the environment on 1 June 2025. They will continue to monitor the impact of these changes to ensure that they have the desired positive environmental impact.

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 potential impact of the administration of Jhoots pharmacies on the ability of residents in Newton Abbot constituency to access prescribed medicine.

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

On 11 November, I wrote to all Members of this House with an update on actions taken to date.

Where a pharmacy goes into administration, administrators will work to rescue the pharmacy business or sell it.

Where pharmacies close, integrated care boards will work with other local pharmacies and general practices to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines. If the closure of a pharmacy causes a gap in pharmacy provisions, new pharmacies can apply to provide NHS pharmaceutical services. Patients may also use distance-selling pharmacies, which are required to deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ homes.

Pharmacy staff are not employed by the NHS but by pharmacy businesses. Therefore, any dispute between staff and a pharmacy business should be raised with the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service which has powers to provide arbitration and binding decisions in such matters.

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 support staff affected by Jhoots’ administration with (a) ensuring continuity of employment within the local pharmacy network and (b) other issues.

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

On 11 November, I wrote to all Members of this House with an update on actions taken to date.

Where a pharmacy goes into administration, administrators will work to rescue the pharmacy business or sell it.

Where pharmacies close, integrated care boards will work with other local pharmacies and general practices to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines. If the closure of a pharmacy causes a gap in pharmacy provisions, new pharmacies can apply to provide NHS pharmaceutical services. Patients may also use distance-selling pharmacies, which are required to deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ homes.

Pharmacy staff are not employed by the NHS but by pharmacy businesses. Therefore, any dispute between staff and a pharmacy business should be raised with the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service which has powers to provide arbitration and binding decisions in such matters.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will review its oversight mechanisms for large multi-branch contractors to ensure stronger safeguards against sudden collapses; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing the NHS’s pharmacy contracting processes to prevent financially unstable operators taking on critical community pharmacy roles, following the collapse of Jhoots Pharmacy,

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

On 11 November, I wrote to all Members of this House with an update on actions taken to date.

Where pharmacies close, integrated care boards (ICBs) will work with other local pharmacies and general practices to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines. Patients may also use distance-selling pharmacies, which are required to deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ homes.

Pharmacies are private businesses that are commissioned to provide NHS services. Before new pharmacy premises can be registered, applicants must demonstrate to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that the premises will meet all the standards for registered pharmacies from the first day it opens. Pharmacy premises and pharmacy professionals are regulated by the GPhC, and ICBs monitor and enforce adherence to the NHS Terms of Service for pharmacies.

I have convened a roundtable meeting with representatives from the GPhC, NHS England and ICBs to discuss enforcement action against Jhoots and steps to review and strengthen the regulation of pharmacy businesses where standards are not met. My officials are conducting an analysis of gaps in how pharmacies are regulated to ensure those with contract management and registration responsibilities can swiftly take action proportionate to the scale of the failures.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, steps he is taking to protect patients (a) receiving home deliveries, (b) dosette boxes, (c) end of life medicines and (d) other vulnerable patients who may lose access to their local Jhoots branch.

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

On 11 November, I wrote to all Members of this House with an update on actions taken to date.

Where pharmacies close, integrated care boards (ICBs) will work with other local pharmacies and general practices to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines. Patients may also use distance-selling pharmacies, which are required to deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ homes.

Pharmacies are private businesses that are commissioned to provide NHS services. Before new pharmacy premises can be registered, applicants must demonstrate to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that the premises will meet all the standards for registered pharmacies from the first day it opens. Pharmacy premises and pharmacy professionals are regulated by the GPhC, and ICBs monitor and enforce adherence to the NHS Terms of Service for pharmacies.

I have convened a roundtable meeting with representatives from the GPhC, NHS England and ICBs to discuss enforcement action against Jhoots and steps to review and strengthen the regulation of pharmacy businesses where standards are not met. My officials are conducting an analysis of gaps in how pharmacies are regulated to ensure those with contract management and registration responsibilities can swiftly take action proportionate to the scale of the failures.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure continuity of pharmacy services for patients affected by Jhoots Pharmacy entering administration.

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

On 11 November, I wrote to all Members of this House with an update on actions taken to date.

Where pharmacies close, integrated care boards (ICBs) will work with other local pharmacies and general practices to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines. Patients may also use distance-selling pharmacies, which are required to deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ homes.

Pharmacies are private businesses that are commissioned to provide NHS services. Before new pharmacy premises can be registered, applicants must demonstrate to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that the premises will meet all the standards for registered pharmacies from the first day it opens. Pharmacy premises and pharmacy professionals are regulated by the GPhC, and ICBs monitor and enforce adherence to the NHS Terms of Service for pharmacies.

I have convened a roundtable meeting with representatives from the GPhC, NHS England and ICBs to discuss enforcement action against Jhoots and steps to review and strengthen the regulation of pharmacy businesses where standards are not met. My officials are conducting an analysis of gaps in how pharmacies are regulated to ensure those with contract management and registration responsibilities can swiftly take action proportionate to the scale of the failures.

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 number of (a) patients and (b) GP practices directly affected by Jhoots branch closures.

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

On 11 November, I wrote to all Members of this House with an update on actions taken to date.

Where pharmacies close, integrated care boards (ICBs) will work with other local pharmacies and general practices to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines. Patients may also use distance-selling pharmacies, which are required to deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ homes.

Pharmacies are private businesses that are commissioned to provide NHS services. Before new pharmacy premises can be registered, applicants must demonstrate to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) that the premises will meet all the standards for registered pharmacies from the first day it opens. Pharmacy premises and pharmacy professionals are regulated by the GPhC, and ICBs monitor and enforce adherence to the NHS Terms of Service for pharmacies.

I have convened a roundtable meeting with representatives from the GPhC, NHS England and ICBs to discuss enforcement action against Jhoots and steps to review and strengthen the regulation of pharmacy businesses where standards are not met. My officials are conducting an analysis of gaps in how pharmacies are regulated to ensure those with contract management and registration responsibilities can swiftly take action proportionate to the scale of the failures.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to introduce a discounted ticketing scheme for schools who want to take the train for school trips.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

All Department for Transport contracted operators offer some form of group discount, with some offering substantial savings for groups of 10 or more people. Additionally, many train operators participate in the GroupSave offer, for groups of three to nine people travelling together. As more train operators are taken into public ownership through the Department for Transport Operator and into the establishment of Great British Railways, it will have the opportunity to provide a more consistent passenger offer across the network.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will will make an assessment of the potential merits of forming a national digital verification tool such as a gas tag to allow only qualified professionals to purchase gas critical products and parts.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998) requires gas-fuelled appliances to be installed by a competent and Gas Safe Registered engineer. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has no power to restrict online or physical sale of gas appliances or parts. HSE strongly advises that gas appliances, flues and pipework are installed, regularly maintained and serviced at least annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to support equality for intersex people in Devon.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

This Government believes that intersex people deserve our support, respect and understanding. The Government is committed to furthering our understanding of intersex people and the challenges they face. The Office for Equality and Opportunity regularly engages with representatives from a range of Intersex rights based organisations.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making it a legal requirement that all operatives entering a UK home to undertake gas work must display their Gas Safe Register accreditation and ID.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998) place a legal requirement on those who undertake gas work to be competent and Gas Safe Registered. The Gas Safe Register Rules of Registration require engineers to carry an in-date, valid ID card which displays who the holder is, and what gas work they are competent to perform. HSE continue to advise consumers to always verify the identity and credentials of engineers or persons entering their property.

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 July to Question 65984 on NHS Databases, what assessment he has made of the challenges of hosting the NHS Federated Data Platform on cloud services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) Programme Team in NHS England have conducted a comprehensive assessment of the technical, operational, regulatory, and public trust considerations associated with hosting the platform on cloud services.

It is a contractual requirement that all processing and storage of patient information take place within the United Kingdom. Data within the FDP and NHS Privacy Enhancing Technology cannot be accessed by provider personnel or contractors based outside the UK. This is stipulated in the overarching FDP Data Protection Impact Assessment and enforced through technical controls. All data is protected through strong encryption, access controls, and audit trails, in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. These measures ensure that National Health Service data remains fully under UK jurisdiction.

Robust security measures are in place, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, regular penetration testing, and vulnerability scanning. Live service teams continuously monitor the platform to identify and address any issues promptly.

The FDP has been designed to be modular and standards-based, enabling integration with multiple systems and avoiding over-reliance on any single cloud provider.

Following national guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre, the NHS has adopted the 14 cloud security principles as its core means of aligning of cloud and internet security throughout the NHS and healthcare providers. All NHS data stored on cloud services in the UK is encrypted, at rest and in transit, using the highest encryption standards.

Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week 2025

Tackling van and tool theft

Neurodivergent service personnel in the armed forces

County FA Recognition Awards 2025

Access to banks

Safeguarding pubs, brewers and one million jobs

UK–EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Agreement

Fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping by criminal gangs

Tobias Gutteridge

Jordan Codices

Conduct of Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean on the 18.25 Doncaster to Kings Cross train on 1 November 2025