Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
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 (a) adequacy and (b) accessibility of transport services for (i) older and (ii) disabled patients attending NHS hospital appointments in rural areas.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As set out in the Plan for Change, we will ensure that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. The Government is clear that reforming elective care must be done equitably and inclusively for all adults, children, and young people.
We know there is also geographical variation in waiting times. It is important that patients, including older and disabled patients, do not miss or cancel hospital appointments due to a lack of affordable and/or accessible transport options in their area.
This is why the Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, committed to reviewing existing national health inequalities improvement initiatives to develop them and increase their uptake. Specifically, the plan committed to reviewing local patient transport services and improving the signposting to and the accessibility of them for patients, to make it easier for vulnerable groups to travel to and access appointments.
This includes improving the accessibility, awareness, and efficiency of The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme, with a focus on reducing health inequalities and improving the patient experience.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
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 that patients do not (a) miss and (b) cancel hospital appointments due to a lack of (i) affordable and (ii) accessible transport options.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As set out in the Plan for Change, we will ensure that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. The Government is clear that reforming elective care must be done equitably and inclusively for all adults, children, and young people.
We know there is also geographical variation in waiting times. It is important that patients, including older and disabled patients, do not miss or cancel hospital appointments due to a lack of affordable and/or accessible transport options in their area.
This is why the Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, committed to reviewing existing national health inequalities improvement initiatives to develop them and increase their uptake. Specifically, the plan committed to reviewing local patient transport services and improving the signposting to and the accessibility of them for patients, to make it easier for vulnerable groups to travel to and access appointments.
This includes improving the accessibility, awareness, and efficiency of The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme, with a focus on reducing health inequalities and improving the patient experience.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
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 12 June 2025 to Question 56077 on Farmer: Mental Health, what findings have been identified through the Farmer Opinion Tracker on mental health challenges; and how these findings are informing agricultural policy development.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We listen to what farmers are telling us, reporting in our statistical series the strength of sentiment through both numbers and from the open response questions. Findings, alongside our engagement with farmers at shows and events and with representative bodies, including farming welfare charities, all contribute to a better understanding of the issues farmers are facing and how the delivery of schemes and other interventions can impact not just on businesses but also on farmers’ own personal resilience and mental health.
In the Farmer Opinion Tracker, we hear views from farmers across a range of issues relating to farming and we recognise that confidence remains low. Findings can be found on GOV.YK by searching ‘Farming Opinion Tracker’.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support (a) South Northamptonshire and (b) other local authorities to improve grid connections for clean energy projects under the Connections Accelerator Service.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Clean energy projects in South Northamptonshire and other local authorities will benefit from ongoing reforms to the grid connection process which will release up to 500GW of capacity from the queue, enabling accelerated connections for schemes that are ready to progress and aligned with our strategic needs, as set out in the Clean Power Action Plan.
As set out in the Industrial Strategy, the Connections Accelerator Service will support demand projects to connect to the grid, including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and bring the greatest economic value.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 2025 June to Question 57929 on Armed Force: Recruitment, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the accelerated recruitment process maintains rigorous standards in (a) training and (b) suitability assessments.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention.
We are committed to maintaining the high standards of recruitment needed to build and maintain battle winning Armed Forces while still accelerating the recruitment process. The Services are improving training to recruitment personnel to maintain rigorous standards and ensure recruits become operationally effective quickly. Additionally, they are improving the digital exchange of medical information with civilian GPs. While specific numerical targets and timelines have not yet been formally published, we have initiated a series of reforms aimed at addressing challenges in these areas.
In addition, from 2027 the new Armed Forces Recruiting Service will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with the aim of recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent into the Armed Forces. It will replace individual Service schemes and will modernise and improve how people join the Armed Forces. It will be a key enabler in building the future force, ensuring that the British Armed Forces remain equipped with skilled, motivated, and capable personnel ready to meet evolving global challenges.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57929 on Armed Forces: Recruitment, whether the Department plans to set out (a) specific targets and (b) timelines for improving recruitment and retention in each of the Armed Forces branches.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention.
We are committed to maintaining the high standards of recruitment needed to build and maintain battle winning Armed Forces while still accelerating the recruitment process. The Services are improving training to recruitment personnel to maintain rigorous standards and ensure recruits become operationally effective quickly. Additionally, they are improving the digital exchange of medical information with civilian GPs. While specific numerical targets and timelines have not yet been formally published, we have initiated a series of reforms aimed at addressing challenges in these areas.
In addition, from 2027 the new Armed Forces Recruiting Service will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, with the aim of recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent into the Armed Forces. It will replace individual Service schemes and will modernise and improve how people join the Armed Forces. It will be a key enabler in building the future force, ensuring that the British Armed Forces remain equipped with skilled, motivated, and capable personnel ready to meet evolving global challenges.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57936 on Strategic Defence Review, whether the findings from the internal survey and call for evidence were published or summarised.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was informed by an unprecedented level of consultation. The findings from the internal survey and call for evidence informed the 'Review and Challenge' phase of the SDR; during which 27 panels, comprised of more than 150 experts, tested propositions relating to UK Defence between October and November 2024. The testing of findings continued throughout the 'decision-making and finalisation' phase between December 2024 and May 2025.
The output from the challenge and review rounds were included in the SDR published in June 2025.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57936 on Strategic Defence Review, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the views of junior ranks and underrepresented groups within the armed forces were captured during the consultation process for the Strategic Defence Review 2025.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Strategic Defence Review was informed by an unprecedented level of consultation. The call for evidence phase explicitly invited responses from serving military personnel. They were invited to respond to both the public call for evidence and an internal Departmental survey, which saw 800 responses.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57939 on Investment: Fraud, what steps HMRC is taking to improve (a) communication (b) access to specialist caseworkers, (c) financial hardship assessments and (d) other support to individuals facing tax demands linked to fraudulent investment schemes.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the honorable Member to the response to UIN 57939.
Where an individual disagrees with HMRC’s decision on their tax liability, they can appeal by requesting HMRC reviews the decision, use an Alternative Dispute Resolution process in appropriate cases, or by making an appeal to the independent tax tribunal.
HMRC appreciates and recognises dealing with tax, financial hardship, or debt can lead to pressure on people. All HMRC advisers are given training and guidance on how to identify customers who need extra help and how to provide tailored support themselves or refer the customer to HMRC’s specialist extra support provision.
In January HMRC published its approach to dealing with agents, which has established the Standard for Agents, and is currently consulting on enhanced powers to tackle non-compliance facilitated by tax agents. It will publish guidance shortly, which will set out its approach to preventing and addressing intermediary harm and also support customers to identify signs of harmful intermediary behaviour, including fraud.
In April HMRC launched a new Compliance Interactive Guidance Tool on GOV.UK to help customers more easily find guidance on compliance checks and extra support available, particularly for unrepresented customers and those with extra support needs.
Asked by: Sarah Bool (Conservative - South Northamptonshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57939 on Investment: Fraud, what criteria HMRC uses to determine whether a tax liability arising from an investment scheme promoted through fraudulent means constitutes a genuine tax liability.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the honorable Member to the response to UIN 57939.
Where an individual disagrees with HMRC’s decision on their tax liability, they can appeal by requesting HMRC reviews the decision, use an Alternative Dispute Resolution process in appropriate cases, or by making an appeal to the independent tax tribunal.
HMRC appreciates and recognises dealing with tax, financial hardship, or debt can lead to pressure on people. All HMRC advisers are given training and guidance on how to identify customers who need extra help and how to provide tailored support themselves or refer the customer to HMRC’s specialist extra support provision.
In January HMRC published its approach to dealing with agents, which has established the Standard for Agents, and is currently consulting on enhanced powers to tackle non-compliance facilitated by tax agents. It will publish guidance shortly, which will set out its approach to preventing and addressing intermediary harm and also support customers to identify signs of harmful intermediary behaviour, including fraud.
In April HMRC launched a new Compliance Interactive Guidance Tool on GOV.UK to help customers more easily find guidance on compliance checks and extra support available, particularly for unrepresented customers and those with extra support needs.