Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what differences there will be in the role of ICBs in areas with (a) a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor for Health and Social Care, (b) a Mayor but no Deputy Mayor for Health and Social Care and (c) neither.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS379 on integrated care board (ICB) boundary changes, made on 14 October.

The Health Bill removes the requirement for ICBs and their partner local authorities to establish integrated care partnerships.

ICBs and local authorities should, through Health and Wellbeing Boards, develop locally owned Neighbourhood Health Plans for implementation from at least 2027/28. These plans should continue to be developed in areas undergoing local government reorganisation.

Further information on the Government's progress and plans for devolution, including in relation to deputy mayors, will be set out in the forthcoming Devolution Delivery Plan.