Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of integrating health services with social welfare advice.

We recognise the importance of integrated health and care services, including social welfare advice. We are committed to moving to a Neighbourhood Health Service, which will reinforce integrated working between the National Health Service, social care, local government, other statutory services, the voluntary sector, and communities themselves, as the norm, not the exception.

A Neighbourhood Health Service will mean more care delivered locally to create healthier communities, spot problems earlier, and support people to stay healthy and maintain their independence for longer.

The full vision for the health system will be set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.