Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent representations he has received from NHS England on changing the four-hour accident and emergency waiting target.

As my Rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out in her speech on 18 June, this Government wants to ensure that the National Health Service is focused on the right targets - for both physical and mental health - which incentivise the best care and outcomes for patients, and have the broad support of our health professionals. This work is being taken forward as the NHS develops its long-term plan for the future to ensure the best possible health service.

Professor Steve Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, has been asked to lead a review of clinical standards. NHS England has made no representations on possible findings of the review.