Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what headcount and full-time equivalent staffing level they expect the restructured Department of Health and Social Care to have when the transfer of NHS England's functions is complete; and how this compares with the combined Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England workforce in March 2025.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the detailed plans set out in my Written Statement HLWS1049 made on 12 November 2025, and to the impact assessment that has been laid before the House, a copy of which is attached. We will provide further updates on staffing matters on an ongoing basis as the plans we have set out are delivered.