Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their White Paper Integration and innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all, published on 11 February, what plans they have to provide clarity on the scope and limits of competitive tendering in the NHS; and what steps they are taking to reduce the level of bureaucracy for NHS commissioners and providers.

The National Health Service is currently consulting on the proposal for a new provider selection regime. The new regime is intended to provide significantly more flexibility to make decisions about arranging health care services in a streamlined way, including without competitive tendering, where this can be shown to be in the best interests of patients, taxpayers and the population. The new regime will be supported by regulations and statutory guidance, which will be informed by the results of the consultation. All other procurement will continue to be subject to Cabinet Office procurement processes.