Oral Answers to Questions

Vicky Ford Excerpts

Tuesday 18th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Seema Kennedy]

I understand the hon. Gentleman’s concern. As I understand it, the Colosseum dental group practices will remain open until 31 July. NHS England has put in place plans to ensure that where possible patients currently undergoing dental treatment will complete their course of treatment before the practice closures and is working with other local dental practices to provide additional capacity to treat patients as well as considering the longer-term options for procuring dental services in the Portsmouth area.

[Vicky Ford (Chelmsford) (Con)]

I declare an interest as a doctor’s wife. If the sub-dean at Chelmsford’s brilliant new medical school continues to teach the students and work in the hospital, she faces a 90% tax rate. If she continues to do the weekend hours the hospital needs, she faces having to pay more in tax than she is earning. Will the Minister look again at the taper, which is driving our consultants out of our hospitals?

[Stephen Hammond]

As I said in response to an earlier question, we are putting out a consultation on pensions that will allow for looking at a number of issues, including the taper.