Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Agenda for Change contract in improving productivity in the NHS; and what plans he has to alter future contracts to further improve productivity.

In the Autumn Budget statement, my Rt. hon. Friend the Chancellor confirmed that, in order to protect patient services he is committing to providing additional funding above the 1% per annum if ongoing discussions between National Health Service trades unions, NHS Employers and the Department on reforming the Agenda for Change contract bear fruit.

The detail of how contract reform could help improve productivity is part of those negotiations.