Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on the potential impact of prioritising UK medical graduates in the 10 Year Health Plan on staffing levels.

The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 January 2026. The bill delivers the Government’s commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, published in July 2025, to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty training.

The bill extends and applies across the UK. Health workforce planning and access to medical training are devolved matters. However, the process of recruitment and the allocation of foundation and specialty training places is undertaken on a UK-wide basis, and we are committed to keeping that consistency.

Department ministers have worked closely with their counterparts on the draft bill and alongside this, officials have been working closely and constructively with colleagues across all devolved administrations as we shape these proposals, and will continue to do so.