Susan Murray
Liberal Democrat - Mid Dunbartonshire
9,673 (18.3%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 4th July 2024
1 APPG membership (as of 28 Mar 2025)
MenopauseDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Department Debates
(9 debate contributions)
(6 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
(3 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(170 words contributed)
Mid Dunbartonshire Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 13,980 signatures (0.82%)
of 161,147 signatures (0.26%)
of 87,350 signatures (0.24%)
of 115,290 signatures (0.21%)
of 161,147 signatures (0.26%)
of 247,231 signatures (0.12%)
of 234,534 signatures (0.12%)
of 142,672 signatures (0.17%)
Latest EDMs signed by Susan Murray
Parliamentary Prayers
Tabled by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)That this House recognises that religious worship should not play any part in the formal business of the House of Commons; believes that Parliamentary meetings should be conducted in a manner that is equally welcoming to all attendees, irrespective of their personal beliefs; further believes that Parliamentary prayers are not …
(Most recent: 22 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 6
Labour: 4
Green Party: 3
Scottish National Party: 1
Humanitarian response to the Myanmar earthquake
Tabled by: Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat - Esher and Walton)That this House offers its deepest condolences to the people of Myanmar and Thailand after the devastating earthquake and tragic loss of life; recognises the work done by responders to rescue survivors from rubble, deliver food and provide urgent medical assistance; welcomes the Government’s announcement of a £10 million package …
(Most recent: 22 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 34
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 3
Labour: 2
Green Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Susan Murray, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Susan Murray has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Susan Murray has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Susan Murray has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Susan Murray has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)The British Business Bank is undertaking a multi-year evaluation of the Covid-19 loan schemes, looking at whether the schemes met their objectives. The Year 2 evaluation report was published in November 2023 and shows that the schemes met their primary objectives of unlocking credit for businesses at scale and speed, reaching just over a quarter of small businesses in the UK. Evaluation evidence to date suggest that the schemes have had a positive impact on business outcomes like survival, turnover and employment.
Covid loan guarantee scheme performance data is published on a quarterly basis. As at 30 September 2024, within the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, £6.61 billion had been fully repaid by borrowers and £12.10 billion was being repaid on schedule.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets out the standards consumers can expect when a trader supplies goods and services, including building work, and remedies if these rights are breached. Consumers can seek redress through local authority trading standards or the Small Claims Court.
Ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry is the best way to protect commercial clients. The Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced competence requirements for both individuals and businesses working in the built environment.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global programme to provide grants for students to do study and work placements anywhere in the world, including in the EU. Students can develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability. Since its introduction following the UK’s departure from the Erasmus+ programme, the Turing Scheme has provided funding to support more than 160,000 international placements. In addition to travel and living costs, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds the Turing Scheme covers items that students may need to be able to travel, including vaccinations, visa applications, passports and insurance costs.
For the 2024/25 academic year, over £105 million has been allocated to send more than 43,000 students from across the UK on study and work placements around the world.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This government is committed to ending the VAT exemption that private schools enjoy. HM Treasury will deliver the tax changes and is engaging with a range of stakeholders as it carefully considers the impact of this policy.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Collection fees were introduced in 2014, with the objectives of subsidising the cost of the service; encouraging greater parental collaboration and more family-based arrangements; and encouraging compliance.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government is dedicated to ensuring parents meet their obligations to children, taking robust enforcement action against those who do not.
Cases in Collect & Pay represent the most difficult cases, as many of these have been unwilling to pay voluntarily or have not been compliant in a Direct Pay arrangement. Cases where the paying parent has missed payments or demonstrated behaviour that suggests they are unlikely to pay, can be put on the Collect and Pay service. Fees only apply to the Collect and Pay Service. A fee of 20% is added to what the paying parent needs to pay, while 4% is deducted from maintenance paid to receiving parents. The receiving parent charge is only applied from the maintenance that the Child Maintenance Service has successfully collected.
Fees were introduced in 2014, partly with the objective to encourage greater collaboration and more family-based arrangements rather than using a statutory service.
After Collect and Pay fees were introduced an assessment was carried out by the previous government and published in The Child Maintenance Reforms; 30 Month Review of charging.
In July 2024 the government consulted on the proposal for wider reform to consolidate the CMS into a single service type where the CMS monitors and transfers payments. The consultation Improving the collection and transfer of payments, also proposed a new fee structure of just 2% for receiving parents, deducted from maintenance received; 2% for compliant paying parents, on top of maintenance owed; and 20% for non-compliant paying parents, on top of maintenance owed.
Following consideration of public responses concerning fees and other proposals in the consultation, and subsequent ministerial decisions, next steps will be detailed in the Government Response, which will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Collection fees only apply to the Collect and Pay service and are intended to provide both parents with an incentive to collaborate, and offset the cost of the scheme. Entry to the service is permitted if either both parents agree to it, or if the paying parent is deemed ‘unlikely to pay’. Paying parents therefore have the more influence in deciding which service type a case goes into.
The 20% collection fee for paying parents is a strong deterrent against non-compliance. The 4% collection fees for receiving parents acknowledges the costs associated with maintaining the case and provides a financial incentive for parents to consider using, or returning to, Direct Pay, or having a family-based arrangement, where appropriate.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
All parents are given the option to use the Direct Pay service, where no fees apply.
If a paying parent pays on time and in full on Direct Pay and there is no reason to believe they would be unlikely to pay; they cannot be forced to use the Collect and Pay service.
The 20% collection fee for paying parents is a deterrent against non-compliance and offsets the cost of action needed to recover arrears.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government is dedicated to ensuring parents meet their obligations to children, taking robust enforcement action against those who do not.
Cases in Collect & Pay represent the most difficult cases, as many of these have been unwilling to pay voluntarily or have not been compliant in a Direct Pay arrangement. Cases where the paying parent has missed payments or demonstrated behaviour that suggests they are unlikely to pay, can be put on the Collect & Pay service. Fees only apply to the Collect and Pay Service. A fee of 20% is added to what the paying parent needs to pay, while 4% is deducted from maintenance paid to receiving parents.
Fees were introduced in 2014, with the objectives of subsidising the cost of the service; encouraging greater collaboration and more family-based arrangements; and encouraging compliance.
When Collect and Pay charges were introduced, an assessment was carried out by the previous government and published in The Child Maintenance Reforms; 30 Month Review of charging. The government response to the assessment was that application fees may influence some parents’ decisions regarding their maintenance arrangement.
On 8 May 2024 the consultation Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments was published by the previous government before being extended on the 31 July by the current government. The consultation included a range of proposals with the key one being to remove the Direct Pay service and consolidate the CMS into a single streamlined service that monitors and transfers all payments. In addition, it also proposed a new fee structure of just 2% for receiving parents, deducted from maintenance received; 2% for compliant paying parents, on top of maintenance owed; and 20% for non-compliant paying parents, on top of maintenance owed.
Following consideration of public responses concerning fees and other proposals in the consultation, and subsequent ministerial decisions, next steps will be detailed in the Government Response, which will be published in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Analysis by the Pensions Regulator estimates that, as of 31 March 2023, more than three quarters of schemes provide indexation on scheme benefits accrued before 6 April 1997. This is in addition to any Guaranteed Minimum Pension rights accrued between 1988 and 1997, which must be indexed by the scheme. These schemes represent over 80 per cent of the membership of private-sector occupational Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes. This information is published and available at: Data requests | The Pensions Regulator
The Department does not hold any data on the financial status of the members of these schemes.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Analysis by the Pensions Regulator estimates that, as of 31 March 2023, more than three quarters of schemes provide indexation on scheme benefits accrued before 6 April 1997. This is in addition to any Guaranteed Minimum Pension rights accrued between 1988 and 1997, which must be indexed by the scheme. These schemes represent over 80 per cent of the membership of private-sector occupational Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes. This information is published and available at: Data requests | The Pensions Regulator
The Department does not hold any data on the financial status of the members of these schemes.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
It is for sponsoring employers to decide on what pension benefits they offer, provided they meet minimum standards. Scheme rules set out how the scheme should be run. It would not be appropriate for the Government to interfere in decisions made by individual schemes, beyond setting clear, affordable minimum standards that apply to all.
Pensions legislation does not usually apply new provisions retrospectively to rights that have already been accrued. It is generally seen to be unreasonable to add liabilities to pension schemes that could not have been taken into account in the funding assumptions that determined the contributions to be paid at the time. In some cases, the additional unplanned liabilities could result in significant additional contributions for the sponsoring employers, and ultimately threaten the future viability of some schemes.
It is extremely important to achieve a balance between providing members with some measure of protection against inflation and not increasing schemes’ costs beyond a level that schemes and employers can generally afford.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Analysis carried out by the Pensions Regulator estimates that, as of 31 March 2023, 23 per cent of private-sector occupational Defined Benefit (DB) pension schemes have no indexation applied to pre-1997 benefits. However, this is in addition to any Guaranteed Minimum Pension rights accrued between 1988 and 1997, which must be indexed by the scheme.
This information is published and available at: Data requests | The Pensions Regulator
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK has a robust and flexible regime for protecting defined benefit (DB) pensions.
Sponsoring employers are ultimately responsible for meeting the promised pensions and DB pension schemes are subject to the statutory funding objective which requires them to have sufficient and appropriate assets to provide for their pension liabilities. Schemes must be valued, at least every three years, and where there is a funding deficit a recovery plan must be put in place, and the deficit filled as soon as the sponsor can reasonably afford.
The Pensions Regulator has a range of enforcement powers and can intervene to protect member benefits when needed.
Where an employer becomes insolvent, and the scheme winds up underfunded, benefits are underpinned by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) which can provide compensation at 100% of scheme benefits for pensioner members and 90% of scheme benefits for deferred members.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
I was the first Minister in 8 years to meet the WASPI campaign group and listen to their concerns.
We need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation.
Once this work has been undertaken, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department has made no formal assessment of the actions taken by integrated care boards (ICBs) in response to the National Patient Safety Alert entitled Shortage of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT): additional actions. However, the Department has engaged with representatives from specific ICBs for details on the management plans implemented and to understand how these are working in improving access to PERT at a regional level.
The Department also continues to work closely with specialist clinicians, NHS England, and the affected patient advocacy groups and charities, including Pancreatic Cancer UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Guts UK, and Neuroendocrine Cancer UK, to understand the impacts of the guidance issued and discuss further actions.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department is in regular discussions with the suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy on the latest stock availability and the actions being taken to mitigate the supply issue that is affecting the whole of the United Kingdom. We have had discussions with representatives from UK and global supply teams, and will continue these meetings to understand what more can be done to add further resilience to the UK market.
The Department has worked with specialist clinicians from impacted therapeutic areas, the Medicine Shortage Response Group, and the Specialist Pharmacy Service to devise guidance for healthcare professionals with comprehensive management advice for the treatment of patients during this time.
The Department meets regularly with the affected patient advocacy groups and charities, including Pancreatic Cancer UK, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Guts UK, and Neuroendocrine Cancer UK to ensure they are kept informed on the latest supply picture and any communications issued to healthcare professionals.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department does not hold details on the volume of unlicensed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) stock imported since 1 January 2024. The Department continues to work with specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market. The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, has created a webpage to include easily accessible advice on the prescribing and ordering of alternative PERT products, including unlicensed imports where licensed stock is unavailable.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is only able to provide information on prescriptions for cannabis-based medicines that have been prescribed and submitted to the NHSBSA. Data on National Health Service prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based medicines is withheld in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation, due to the number of prescriptions attributed to fewer than five patients, and the enhanced risk of the release of patient identifiable information. Patient information is not routinely collected for private prescriptions.
The following table shows the number of identifiable patients that were prescribed NHS prescriptions for licensed cannabis-based medicines, for instance epidyolex, nabilone, and sativex, in the community in England in the 12 months, from February 2024 to January 2025, the latest available data:
Total items prescribed to identified patients | Total number of unique identified patients |
5,413 | 880 |
Source: NHSBSA.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Licence in Dental Surgery (LDS) exam is operated by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng), and the exam is regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC). There are no restrictions to accessing the exam based on British residency status.
It is the role of the GDC to approve eligibility criteria for the exam, which is proposed by the RCSEng as its operator. The GDC is independent of the Government. The RCSEng continues to increase the capacity of the LDS exam to ensure more candidates can access a place.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department monitors and manages medicine supply issues at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within individual National Health Service trusts is not held centrally.
The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to mitigate the supply issue that is affecting the whole of the United Kingdom. Through this, we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025 for the UK. We are continuing to work with all suppliers to understand what more can be done to add further resilience to the market. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market.
In the longer term, the Department has had interest from non-UK suppliers wishing to bring their products to the UK and, along with colleagues in the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, we are working with these potential suppliers, and if authorised, these products could further diversify and strengthen the market.
In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider the unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department continues to collaborate closely with NHS England colleagues, clinicians, patient groups, and charities to ensure that these mitigation plans are supporting patients, and routinely updates advice and issues further guidance when necessary. There are no current plans to provide additional funding for unlicensed imports.
The Department will continue to meet with suppliers, clinicians, representatives from the impacted patient advocacy groups, and charities so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department monitors and manages medicine supply issues at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within individual National Health Service trusts is not held centrally.
The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to mitigate the supply issue that is affecting the whole of the United Kingdom. Through this, we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025 for the UK. We are continuing to work with all suppliers to understand what more can be done to add further resilience to the market. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market.
In the longer term, the Department has had interest from non-UK suppliers wishing to bring their products to the UK and, along with colleagues in the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, we are working with these potential suppliers, and if authorised, these products could further diversify and strengthen the market.
In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider the unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department continues to collaborate closely with NHS England colleagues, clinicians, patient groups, and charities to ensure that these mitigation plans are supporting patients, and routinely updates advice and issues further guidance when necessary. There are no current plans to provide additional funding for unlicensed imports.
The Department will continue to meet with suppliers, clinicians, representatives from the impacted patient advocacy groups, and charities so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department monitors and manages medicine supply issues at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within individual National Health Service trusts is not held centrally.
The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to mitigate the supply issue that is affecting the whole of the United Kingdom. Through this, we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025 for the UK. We are continuing to work with all suppliers to understand what more can be done to add further resilience to the market. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market.
In the longer term, the Department has had interest from non-UK suppliers wishing to bring their products to the UK and, along with colleagues in the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, we are working with these potential suppliers, and if authorised, these products could further diversify and strengthen the market.
In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider the unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department continues to collaborate closely with NHS England colleagues, clinicians, patient groups, and charities to ensure that these mitigation plans are supporting patients, and routinely updates advice and issues further guidance when necessary. There are no current plans to provide additional funding for unlicensed imports.
The Department will continue to meet with suppliers, clinicians, representatives from the impacted patient advocacy groups, and charities so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department monitors and manages medicine supply issues at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within individual National Health Service trusts is not held centrally.
The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to mitigate the supply issue that is affecting the whole of the United Kingdom. Through this, we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025 for the UK. We are continuing to work with all suppliers to understand what more can be done to add further resilience to the market. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market.
In the longer term, the Department has had interest from non-UK suppliers wishing to bring their products to the UK and, along with colleagues in the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, we are working with these potential suppliers, and if authorised, these products could further diversify and strengthen the market.
In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider the unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department continues to collaborate closely with NHS England colleagues, clinicians, patient groups, and charities to ensure that these mitigation plans are supporting patients, and routinely updates advice and issues further guidance when necessary. There are no current plans to provide additional funding for unlicensed imports.
The Department will continue to meet with suppliers, clinicians, representatives from the impacted patient advocacy groups, and charities so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It is very worrying that approximately 25% of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping, despite the risks of nicotine addiction. Evidence suggests that vapes appeal to children because of the brightly coloured packaging, amongst other child-friendly features. Evidence also indicates that the nicotine content descriptions on vape packaging are not consistent between packaging, preventing adults from making informed decisions on nicotine strength.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care with regulation-making powers to introduce new requirements on retail packaging, including for vaping products and nicotine products. There is a balance to be struck between reducing the appeal of vapes to non-smokers, particularly children, whilst considering the implications for adult smokers to ensure we can achieve the greatest possible impact.
It is our intention to regulate the appeal of vapes to children, whilst minimising the impact on adult smokers. We plan on consulting on the preferred options to get this balance right as soon as possible after the bill gains Royal Assent.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The delivery of palliative and end of life care services is a devolved matter.
We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance contributions rise will be implemented in April 2025.
In England, palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The delivery of palliative and end of life care services is a devolved matter.
We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance contributions rise will be implemented in April 2025.
In England, palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The delivery of palliative and end of life care services is a devolved matter. We want to assure ourselves and the National Health Service in England that it has access to the workforce it needs in the years ahead to ensure that patients, including those at end of life, are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. We will need to do this in light of the 10-Year Health Plan.
In England, palliative and end of life care is wide-ranging, provided by generalist as well as specialist healthcare professionals, and is not disease/diagnosis specific. A large proportion of palliative and end of life care is not provided by palliative care specialists and, therefore, it is difficult to quantify the totality of the NHS workforce providing palliative and end of life care.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has been working hard with industry to help resolve the shortages of radioisotopes, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. The affected radioisotopes are mainly used for diagnosing cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, and are also used for the imaging of organ function in scans, including for the heart. Supply of the affected molybdenum-technetium generators has improved significantly during week of 11 November.
The Department has worked in close partnership with National Health Service specialists from across the UK, suppliers, the British Nuclear Medicine Society, the UK Radiopharmacy Group, and the devolved administrations, including Scotland, to ensure that critical patients are prioritised, and that the limited supply is shared equitably between hospitals and trusts across the UK.
The Department issued a National Patient Safety alert which provided comprehensive management advice for NHS clinicians across the UK on how to manage and prioritise patients affected by these shortages. The guidance covers actions for health boards in the devolved nations, including on the coordination of mutual aid arrangements and escalation routes where issues are identified.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which has enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.
Primary care providers, including general practice (GP), dentistry, pharmacy, and eye care, are valued independent contractors who provide nearly £20 billion worth of National Health Services. Every year we consult with each sector both about what services they provide, and the money providers are entitled to in return under their contract. As in previous years, this issue will be dealt with as part of that process.
We will shortly begin discussions on the annual GP Contract and on the funding arrangements for community pharmacy in 2025/26. I am unable to say more until these have been concluded.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Whilst stock of a small number of medicines is held by the Government, for example as a result of COVID-19 preparedness, stockpiling essential medicines centrally is not a tool that the Department uses to limit the effects of production shortages. While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they do arise, to mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols, and issuing National Health Service communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a universal varicella, also known as chickenpox, vaccination programme be introduced as part of the routine childhood schedule. This recommendation was based on an assessment of the estimated programme cost-effectiveness as well as cases of severe varicella that could be prevented. The JCVI’s statement is available at the following link:
Ministers have accepted the JCVI’s recommendation, and the Department is in discussions with NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency on the potential implementation of the recommendation.
The UK is deeply concerned about the potential impact of these new measures on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We have raised with the Government of Israel our concerns about a variety of measures that risk constraining the operating environment for NGOs doing vital work. The UK supports NGOs in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on a range of issues, including those providing humanitarian assistance and promoting and defending human rights.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned about the potential impact of these new measures on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We have raised with the Government of Israel our concerns about a variety of measures that risk constraining the operating environment for NGOs doing vital work. The UK supports NGOs in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on a range of issues, including those providing humanitarian assistance and promoting and defending human rights.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned about the potential impact of these new measures on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We have raised with the Government of Israel our concerns about a variety of measures that risk constraining the operating environment for NGOs doing vital work. The UK supports NGOs in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on a range of issues, including those providing humanitarian assistance and promoting and defending human rights.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is deeply concerned about the potential impact of these new measures on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We have raised with the Government of Israel our concerns about a variety of measures that risk constraining the operating environment for NGOs doing vital work. The UK supports NGOs in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on a range of issues, including those providing humanitarian assistance and promoting and defending human rights.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government is committed to pushing the Government of India for faster progress to resolve Jagtar Singh Johal's case. The Foreign Secretary has raised Mr Johal's case with his Indian counterpart on several occasions, most recently on 5 March. The Prime Minister also raised Mr Johal's case with the Indian External Affairs Minister on 4 March, during his visit to the UK.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Inheritance tax is a wealth transfer tax charged on the estate (the property, money, and possessions) of someone who has died. In the latest available tax year (2021-22), 4.39% of all UK deaths were liable to inheritance tax.
The tax liability is on the estate and not the beneficiary of any inherited assets. As such, HMRC does not collect information on the beneficiaries of estates, as it has no reason to do so.
The Government announced several reforms to inheritance tax at Autumn Budget 2024. The Government’s analysis of these reforms is based on the number of estates expected to pay more inheritance tax. More information is available in the various policy papers published alongside the Budget: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-budget-2024.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Inheritance tax is a wealth transfer tax charged on the estate (the property, money, and possessions) of someone who has died. In the latest available tax year (2021-22), 4.39% of all UK deaths were liable to inheritance tax.
The tax liability is on the estate and not the beneficiary of any inherited assets. As such, HMRC does not collect information on the beneficiaries of estates, as it has no reason to do so.
The Government announced several reforms to inheritance tax at Autumn Budget 2024. The Government’s analysis of these reforms is based on the number of estates expected to pay more inheritance tax. More information is available in the various policy papers published alongside the Budget: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-budget-2024.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Small and medium sized businesses make a vital contribution to the UK economy. There are various arrangements in place that enable businesses to access reduced or zero import charges.
With regards to customs duty, the UK has a number of free trade agreements which enable businesses to benefit from paying reduced or zero customs duty. The UK also has several customs procedures which allow businesses to pay a reduced amount of duty on their imports, depending on what they are and what they do with them – for example, if they are importing them temporarily or repairing them.
VAT is due on all imports of goods into the UK at the same rate as domestic transactions. This ensures imports cannot undercut UK businesses and does not represent an additional charge for businesses buying imports. VAT registered businesses are able to reclaim VAT paid upon import, in the same way as for domestic purchases, as well as making use of VAT accounting schemes to smooth cash flow.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.
The Government’s approach to the VAT threshold and applicable rates aims to balance potential impacts on small businesses, including their growth and financial sustainability, the economy as a whole, and tax revenues. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and is determined that support should be focused on people who need it most. The aim of existing Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) exemptions for recipients of some disability benefits is to provide additional help for people who become disabled early, or relatively early, in life and as a result experience economic disadvantage. These allowances are therefore only available to people who become disabled before State Pension age.
For individuals who develop a disability after State Pension age, Attendance Allowance (AA) is a non-means-tested benefit which provides targeted help with the extra costs of disability and helps them maintain their independence. Unlike Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment, AA does not have a mobility component and is intended to cover the need for care or supervision an individual requires as a result of their disability rather than specific mobility needs. Individuals can however choose to use their AA to fund mobility aids.
While we have no current plans to reform the VED exemptions for recipients of some disability benefits, the Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process, and the Chancellor makes decisions at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The creative industries play a key role in driving economic growth. The Government is committed to supporting them as part of its plan to fix the foundations of the economy.
Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) provides tax relief at a rate of 50% on production costs. To qualify for the relief, a concert must be performed by a group of at least 12 instrumentalists. Concerts with a vocal element, including a choir, may be eligible provided that the instrumentalists are the primary focus.
These rules help ensure OTR fulfils its objective of supporting and incentivising orchestra concerts specifically. The Government keeps the tax system under review and any changes will be announced at a fiscal event.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education, which is why we have made the tough decision to end tax breaks for private schools. This will raise revenue for essential public services, including investing in the state education system
This VAT change will not impact pupils with most acute additional needs where these can only be met in private schools, as determined by an Education and Health Care Plan in England, and equivalent processes in other nations.
Where pupils are placed in a private school because their needs cannot be met in the state sector, and they have their places funded by their Local Authority, the Local Authority will be able to reclaim the VAT they incur on these pupils’ fees. In Northern Ireland, it will be the Education Authority who fund placements in private schools and will be able to reclaim the VAT in this way.
The government will publish a Tax Information and Impact Note setting out the impacts of the changes, including the equalities impacts, alongside the Finance Bill.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boarding services provided by private schools.
The Government will confirm the introduction of these tax policy changes at the Budget on 30 October. Following scrutiny of the Government’s costing by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, details of the Government’s assessment of the expected impacts of these policy changes will be published at the Budget in the usual way.
These changes will apply across the UK. The Barnett formula will continue to apply in the usual way as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has been brought under the Security Minister’s portfolio in a move that will ensure that the SIA is provided clear, strategic direction from the Home Office on both regulation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill and also the Private Security Industry Act moving forward. The Home Office and the SIA are overseeing a substantial programme of work to ensure that the SIA can deliver for the public. This will include:
- tightening existing safeguards, to ensure that those who present a risk to the public cannot access an SIA licence.
- work to ensure criminality is driven out of the industry, including a review of the SIA’s investigation and enforcement remit, powers and tools for its current role.
Minister of State (Home Office)