theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_293
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_293

Warinder Juss:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will include (a) solar panels and (b) other net zero solutions on the salary sacrifice list. \p James Murray: This government is committed to improving the quality and sustainability of our housing stock, through improvements such as low carbon heating, insulation, solar panels and batteries. We are funding the Warm Homes Plan with a total of £13.2 billion across the Parliament, including Barnett consequentials and £5 billion of financial transactions.

Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials, including solar panels, in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent. This support is worth over £1 billion.

From April 2017 the tax and employer National Insurance advantages of optional remuneration arrangements (OpRAs) have been removed, with a handful of exemptions.

Extending the list of exemptions would have a fiscal cost and would be of greatest benefit to those paying higher rates of tax while low-earning individuals with income below the Personal Allowance or the higher rate threshold would benefit less or not at all.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_294
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_294

Becky Gittins:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will commission a review into the Financial Conduct Authority’s handling of historic pension transfer cases involving qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes. \p Torsten Bell: There are no plans to commission a review into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) related to qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes (QROPS).

A QROPS is the name for any pension scheme located outside the UK which meets the criteria to receive transfers of UK tax relieved pension savings.

Those overseas schemes are required to be regulated by a pensions regulator in the overseas country where they are established in order for them to receive UK tax relieved pensions.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_295
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_295

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if HMRC will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling secure written communication through the Government Gateway system. \p James Murray: HMRC are currently working on delivering a secure digital communications route for customers and their intermediaries to exchange documents and written communications with HMRC.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_296
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_296

Mark Garnier:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of Fujitsu’s suitability to bid for the Trader Support Service, in the context of the failures of the Horizon system. \p James Murray: All of our contract opportunities are publicly available through Contracts Finder and/or Find A Tender Service and are available to any economic operator that is able to meet the requirements of the procurement in compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_297
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_297

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if HMRC will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinstating the practice of paying interest on savings net of tax. \p Emma Reynolds: HMRC receives information from banks and building societies about the savings and investment income they have paid to their customers. Where possible, HMRC will match this information to a taxpayer’s record, and calculate any Income Tax due. If necessary, they will adjust the taxpayer’s tax code and send them an adjusted tax code notice. Guidance on Gov.uk sets out HMRC’s process to collect tax where an individual exceeds their allowance, settled either through Self-Assessment or adjustments to their tax code for Pay As You Earn customers.

A combination of several allowances means that around 85% of people with savings income pay no tax on their savings income.

Requiring banks and building societies to return to the system of deducting basic rate tax from interest would result in millions of savers being overcharged tax and needing to reclaim it from HMRC to benefit from their savings allowances.

The Government keeps all aspects of savings and tax policy under review
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_298
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_298

Jim Shannon:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the steps the Church is taking to help tackle (a) modern slavery and (b) human trafficking. \p Marsha De Cordova: Modern slavery remains hidden in British society, and the National Church Institutions of the Church of England take human trafficking and modern slavery seriously. With the support of the then Prime Minister Theresa May, the Church set up the Clewer Initiative in 2017 as its response to the prevalence of modern slavery, developing several tools for addressing modern slavery through the 'Car Wash' and 'Nail Bar' apps, and creating resources for identifying and tackling the exploitative agricultural and social care labour, sexual exploitation, and county lines trafficking

The Clewer Initiative continues to work closely across the Church in its parishes and dioceses to raise awareness through engagement with police, support and information services, and direct work with victims of trafficking in communities. You can find out more about their work here: https://theclewerinitiative.org. As the Clewer Initiative is in the process of becoming a separate charity, the National Church Institutions cannot provide a more detailed assessment of their work

The parishes of the Church of England are, through the clergy and congregations, committed to tackling the issues of modern slavery and offering support and signposting to victims on an ongoing basis

The Church Commissioners have continued at a global level to challenge the businesses in which they invest to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. Details about the policies of the National Investing Bodies towards Human Rights, modern slavery, and combating trafficking can be found here: human-rights-advice-and-policy.pdf. Page 38 of the Church Commissioners' stewardship report also gives more details about how the Church Commissioners are addressing modern slavery in the companies in which they invest: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/xx-xxxx-xxxx_cc_stewardship_v11b_0.pdfThe Lord Bishop of Bristol, who serves as the Church's lead Bishop on modern slavery, continues to advocate for more action on modern slavery through her work in Parliament with the Government and civil society. London has the highest number of reported cases of modern slavery, and the Diocese of London has recently launched a campaign and resources to inform, support and address this issue. More information can be found here: https://www.london.anglican.org/church-and-parish-support/compassionate-communities/refugees-asylum-seekers-modern-slavery/responding-to-modern-slavery/?searchterm=modern+slavery National Church Institutions staff are also receiving training to help them spot signs of modern slavery and how to access help for those affected.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_299
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_299

James MacCleary:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church Commissioners have a target for the proportion of the Church's land it plans to protect for nature by (a) 2030 and (b) other future dates. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners do not have a target to allocate a fixed percentage of land exclusively for nature protection. Much of the land managed by the Church Commissioners is leased to tenants for farming and food production, with over 90% classed as highly productive or productive (Grade I-III) or sustainable forestry. Our approach is holistic, aiming to optimise land management by integrating nature recovery alongside these activities rather than re-allocating land solely to protect nature. We work with Wildlife Trusts and Natural England through specific nature-focused tenancies, including a marshland restoration project with the RSPB.

We also support tenant farmers in adopting sustainable practices and integrating nature projects. A survey of over 80 tenants found that 91% are carrying out initiatives to increase biodiversity, and 80% participate in government environmental schemes. All our established forests are managed sustainably, and all harvested timber is certified. In the UK, biodiversity is the primary management objective for at least 20% of our forests by area, including native woodland, which we have doubled since acquisition

More information about the sustainability and stewardship of our land can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/national-church-institutions/church-commissioners-england/how-we-0 The most recent report about our approach to timberland and biodiversity on farmland can be found here on page 34: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/xx-xxxx-xxxx_cc_stewardship_v11b_0.pdf
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_300
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_300

James MacCleary:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Commissioners will publish a map of the land the Church owns in Lewes constituency; how much land the Church owns in that constituency broken down by land use; and what proportion of that land not in agricultural use is managed with the primary aim of (a) conserving nature and (b) restoring natural ecosystems. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners do not own land in the constituency of Lewes, and the closest assets are situated in West Sussex and Kent.

The Church Commissioners register all farmland holdings with the Land Registry, providing public access to ownership details. Details are also available about the management of these holdings in the annual report, which is available in the House of Commons Library or online here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/governance/national-church-institutions/church-commissioners-england/who-we-are/publications

Due to the disproportionate cost of producing and maintaining a map alongside the need to respect the interests of our tenants, the Church Commissioners do not intend to publish a map of our land holdings.

The Church Commissioners remain committed to providing updates on initiatives that support both nature and community development, including biodiversity projects, sustainable food production, and housing.

The most recent stewardship report regarding the management of our timberland and biodiversity on farmland can be found here on page 34: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/xx-xxxx-xxxx_cc_stewardship_v11b_0.pdf
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_301
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_301

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Commissioners have received reports of financial impropriety at the Additional Curates Society. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners have not received any reports regarding the Additional Curates Society. As a separate charity, the Additional Curates Society does not come under the remit or management of the Church Commissioners or the National Church Institutions.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_302
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_302

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Commission plans to respond to the First Report of the Speaker's Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections, published on 22 June 2025, HC 570. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Commission published a statement on 2 June on the day of publication of the report, welcoming the insights gathered by the Speaker’s Conference and their proposal for cross-cutting solutions.

The Commission is looking at how we can support implementation of the report’s proposals, in partnership with the wider electoral community, and how to improve our support for candidates and campaigners ahead of elections next May.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_303
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_303

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what proportion of valid votes were cast by (a) postal ballot and (b) proxy ballot, by Parliamentary constituency in the 2024 general election. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: All votes are mixed for counting so it is not possible to distinguish the proportion of valid votes cast by post or proxy.

The Commission has published data, where provided by Returning Officers, on the proportion of postal votes included in counts and the number of proxies appointed.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_304
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_304

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what estimate the Commission has made of the total number of registered overseas electors at the 2024 general election; and how many applied for a postal or proxy vote. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: 191,338 overseas voters registered for the 2024 general election. Half (49%) of all registered overseas voters registered for a postal vote. The Commission does not collect data on how many overseas voters applied to vote by proxy.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_305
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_305

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Commission has issued on political donations being made via cryptocurrencies. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Commission’s guidance on permissibility of donations includes information on cryptocurrencies. The guidance states that the same legal requirements apply to donations received in cryptocurrencies as any other donations. Parties must ensure that they obtain donors’ details, so they can check permissibility. As with other types of assets, parties must report the value in pounds at the time of the donation.

The Commission will continue to review its guidance and support for parties to ensure that they are aware of how the law applies to cryptocurrency donations.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_306
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_306

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what proportion of valid votes were cast by overseas electors, by Parliamentary constituency in the 2024 general election. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: Due to the secrecy of the ballot, it is not possible to distinguish if a valid vote was cast by an overseas elector.

The Commission has published data, where it could be provided by Returning Officers, on the proportion of overseas electors issued with a postal vote and the percentage that were returned by close of poll. It does not hold data on the number of overseas electors who chose to cast their vote by proxy or in person.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_307
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_307

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Commission has issued guidance on whether a government department can be a permissible donor. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: A government department is not a permissible donor. However, political parties can receive public funds from government departments. The Commission’s guidance on permissibility states that any payment received by a political party out of public funds is regarded as received by a permissible donor. Parties must report these payments if above the reporting threshold.
wrans/answers2025-11-15 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-15 conversation_1

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the annual budget was for the (a) Pensions Regulator and (b) Health and Safety Executive in each year since 2005. \p Torsten Bell: Both the Health and Safety Executive and the Pensions Regulator are funded from a mix of sources. These include direct government funding, levies on industry (in the case of the Pensions Regulator) and from charging or cost recoveries.

The full spend, and financial breakdowns, for these bodies by year can be found in their respective Annual Report and Accounts. This information is available in the public domain via The Pensions Regulator and Health and Safety Executive respective ARAs. They can be found using the following links:

The Pensions Regulator (see Financial Review sections)

HSE Annual Reports and Accounts (see statement of Cashflows section)

[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Reports produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_1

Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to tackle the shortage of social care packages in (a) Royal Hampshire County Hospital and (b) Winchester. \p Stephen Kinnock: Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population, which is why, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market and to commission services to meet the diverse needs of all local people. In performing that duty, a local authority must have regard to current and likely future demand for such services and consider how providers might meet that demand.

The Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund includes grant conditions which require each local authority to submit an adult social care capacity plan. These were submitted to the Department in June 2024.

The Government is supporting local authorities by making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, which includes an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_2

Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for autism diagnoses. \p Stephen Kinnock: It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including autism assessments and diagnosis, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to help ICBs and the National Health Service to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people and adults referred to an autism assessment service.

In 2024/25, £4.3 million is available nationally to improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment services.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_3

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has spent on measures to achieve net zero targets in the last five years. \p Karin Smyth: In the last five years, the Department has not provided ringfenced capital for the National Health Service’s Net Zero targets.

Direct investment in the decarbonisation of NHS buildings and operations is primarily supported by external grant funding. For example, NHS trusts have secured over £1.2 billion for heat-decarbonisation projects under the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme since 2020.

The Department works with NHS England to ensure that NHS national programmes and day-to-day capital budgets support decarbonisation objectives where appropriate.

We have also previously provided capital to improve trusts’ energy efficiency, with associated benefits for carbon reduction. For instance, in 2023/24 we worked with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to invest £40 million in NHS light emitting diode lighting and solar projects through the NHS National Energy Efficiency Fund. The substantial savings from such investments can be directed into frontline services.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_4

Melanie Onn:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when it was decided that community interest companies should be ineligible for capital funding provided to NHS mental health trusts in the 2024-25 financial year; and whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of making community interest companies eligible. \p Karin Smyth: Government capital funding is provided for specific purposes, and for the National Health Service is for NHS organisations to manage their assets and provide NHS services. Community interest companies (CICs) are therefore outside the remit of most of this funding.

However, there may be some instances where integrated care systems (ICSs) can commission and fund other organisations including CICs to provide NHS services; for example, the Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care programme funds, amongst other things, new and improved facilities and alternatives to accident and emergency, and hospital admission such as crisis houses and cafes, safe havens and step-down services.

Any changes to the current capital regime, including funding distribution will be considered during the development of the 10-Year Health Plan.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_5

Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion patients who attended A&E with a respiratory condition and were admitted to a hospital ward were subsequently readmitted with a respiratory condition at a later date at each acute hospital trust since 2019. \p Karin Smyth: A table showing the information requested is attached.

PQ22251 Table (xlsx, 57.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_6

Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were seen at North Cambs Diagnostic Centre in each month since its opening in June 2023. \p Karin Smyth: Published data is not held in the format requested. Activity data, specifically the number of tests delivered, rather than patients seen, for community diagnostic centres (CDCs) is held centrally and published at the national level, and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/cdc-management-information/
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_7

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.71 of the Autumn Budget 2024, what estimate he has made of the number of radiotherapy machines that will be replaced; and whether his Department plans to fundi a rolling replacement programme. \p Andrew Gwynne: NHS England will allocate funding to trusts to purchase new radiotherapy machines, and trusts may purchase different types of machines. Therefore, it is not yet known how many machines will be purchased. There are currently no plans to have a rolling replacement programme.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_8

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department (a) has consulted and (b) plans consult with (i) clinical experts, (ii) the radiotherapy industry, (iii) patients and (iv) charities on how best to allocate the funds announced in the Budget for new radiotherapy machines. \p Andrew Gwynne: The funding for new radiotherapy machines will be used to replace outdated machines, and allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England has developed, so that the new machines can best meet the needs of patients across the country. The Department has no plans to consult on this matter.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_9

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of radiotherapy infrastructure. \p Andrew Gwynne: There are currently no plans to make an assessment of radiotherapy infrastructure.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_10

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what percentage of cancer patients have access to radiotherapy as their primary treatment; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of barriers to increasing that percentage. \p Andrew Gwynne: Radiotherapy is available to all patients. Clinicians will help patients to determine the best treatment option for their cancer. No assessment has been made of the potential implications, as all patients have access to radiotherapy treatment on the National Health Service.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_11

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps to ensure that all defibrillators installed at train stations are (a) registered and (b) visible on The Circuit national defibrillator network website. \p Andrew Gwynne: The Government is committed to improving access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed in train stations or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service.

However, AEDs procured through the Department’s AED fund, once installed, are required to be registered on The Circuit. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or SMS text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED battery or pads expire.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_12

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.71 of the Autumn Budget 2024, what criteria he plans to use to prioritise the allocation of the funds for radiotherapy cancer treatments. \p Andrew Gwynne: The funding for new radiotherapy machines will be used to replace outdated machines, and allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England has developed. The new machines will support the recovery of cancer waiting times and help ensure that patients have access to the most up-to-date treatments.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_13

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 1 May 2024 to Question 19413 on NHS: Expenditure, how much (a) NHS England, (b) clinical commissioning groups and (c) integrated care boards spent in aggregate on (i) mental health services, (ii) acute health services, (iii) social care services, (iv) primary medical services, (v) specialised services, (vi) NHS continuing healthcare and (vii) all other recorded spending categories in each financial year since 2015-16; and how much those organisations plan to spend in aggregate in each of those areas in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Karin Smyth: The attached table sets out the spend categories for the specified services commissioned by NHS England, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and integrated care boards (ICBs) between 2015/16 and 2023/24.

Information for 2024/25 is unvalidated and not quality assured. In-year data is not routinely reported on the methodology used for this answer and would be subject to material change between plan and outturn as a result.

Purchase of Social care expenditure is an accounts category within the Operating Expense note of the NHS England Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24, with consolidated group expenditure for 2022/23 totalling £1,196,487,000 and that for 2023/24 totalling £1,024,918,000. Most of this expenditure, namely 76.2%, falls under the ‘Community’ category in the analysis provided. The report is available at the followed link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6709344a92bb81fcdbe7b728/nhs-england-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.pdf

PQ20253 - Supplementary table (docx, 22.3KB)
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_15

Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the cost of agency staff employed by Royal Hampshire County Hospital was in the last 12 months. \p Karin Smyth: The information requested is not available. Information regarding expenditure on agency staffing will be held locally by the National Health Service trust, the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. NHS England collects some information on the staffing expenditure of NHS bodies, but this information has not been centrally validated.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_16

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the NHS is taking to provide better pain relief for people suffering from chronic urinary tract infections. \p Karin Smyth: Treating clinicians use National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, which helps practitioners and commissioners get the best care to patients, when assessing, signposting to, and prescribing pain relief medications.

It is a prescriber’s duty when providing clinical care for conditions, such as urinary tract infections, to prescribe medicines, including pain relief, when they have adequate knowledge of the patient’s health and are satisfied that the medicine is clinically suitable for the patient.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_17

Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average wait time in the Royal Hampshire County Hospital's Accident and Emergency department was between December 2024 and January 2025. \p Karin Smyth: The data is not available in the format requested. The latest provisional published data for the median average time spent at emergency departments at the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for November 2024 was 218 minutes. Information relating to December 2024 will be published on 13 February 2025.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_18

Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will issue guidance to NHS Trusts on adopting a standardised FOI request system. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has no intention to publish guidance on how National Health Service trusts respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. Guidance for organisations on responding to FOIs is published by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_19

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will undertake a review of the prescription charge exemption list to include more (a) chronic and (b) lifelong conditions. \p Karin Smyth: There are no current plans to review the list of prescription charge exemptions, or the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.

There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with long term or chronic conditions may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_20

Michael Payne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that (a) patients requiring Creon are updated on the availability of that medication and (b) local guidance issued by (i) his Department and (ii) NHS England is shared with patients. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has been working with suppliers, NHS England, and national clinical specialists to address the current supply issues with Creon, which is a brand of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Comprehensive guidance has been issued to the National Health Service and is being regularly reviewed and updated as the supply situation changes. This guidance includes information clinicians can share with patients, and refers to advice from patient groups aimed at supporting patients in managing the supply issues and addressing their questions.

The Department has not issued any local guidance on this supply issue, but has issued a National Patient Safety Alert in December 2024, with an action for integrated care boards to put in place a local mitigation plan for instances when patients are unable to obtain stock from their community pharmacy or dispensing general practice. In all cases of medicines supply issues, healthcare professionals should endeavour to communicate any supply issues and relevant information about resupply dates and the proposed management plan clearly with patients. They should also undertake counselling to support affected patients where possible.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_21

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of patients waiting over 52 weeks for elective care in (a) England, (b) Norfolk and Waveney ICB area and (c) Queen Elizabeth King's Lynn Hospital Trust; and what his target is for eliminating waits of over a year. \p Karin Smyth: Across England, at the end of November 2024, over 221,000 patient pathways involved waits of more than 52 weeks for elective treatment, which is down by over 80,000 since June 2024.

At the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, at the end of November 2024, over 6,800 patient pathways involved waits of more than 52 weeks for elective treatment, down by over 3,600 since June 2024. At the Queen Elizabeth King's Lynn Hospital Trust, at the end of November 2024, 585 patient pathways involved waits of more than 52 weeks for elective treatment, down from 609 in June 2024.

We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment (RTT) by March 2029. The Elective Reform Plan, published on 6 January 2025, sets out how we will achieve this and the interim targets we will meet in doing so.

Whilst our focus is on achieving the RTT constitutional standard, it is unacceptable that patients are waiting over a year for care. Tackling the longest waits will be a key part of achieving our commitment and we will continue to review and treat the patients who have waited the longest, as well as monitoring progress on the 18-week standard.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_22

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the (a) cost and (b) incidence of cousin marriage. \p Karin Smyth: The Government has not carried out an assessment of health costs resulting from cousin marriage. The Department also does not hold data on the incidence of cousin marriage.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_23

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to update guidance on how funds are allocated to GP surgeries in places with high demand such as Seaford, East Essex. \p Stephen Kinnock: There are currently no plans to update how funding is allocated to general practice (GP) surgeries. GP practices receive funding through a range of income streams in return for providing services specified in the GP contract. ‘Global sum’, which is the funding allocated for providing core services, makes up between 50 and 60% of practice income. The rest of the income is made of Quality and Outcomes Framework, premises payments, directed enhanced service and additional services, for example vaccine and immunisation.

The global sum allocation formula, also known as the Carr-Hill formula, is designed to ensure that resources are directed to practices based on an estimate of their patient workload and unavoidable practice costs.

The formula considers GP-registered patient list size, adjusted and weighted to reflect differences in the age and sex composition of the practice’s registered patient list, together with a range of factors that take into account the additional pressures generated by differential rates of patient turnover, morbidity, mortality and the impact of geographical location. Under this formula, practices whose registered patients have greater healthcare needs are paid more per patient than practices whose registered patients have fewer healthcare needs.

The global sum figure for 2024/25 is set at £112.50 per patient as set out in the General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements 2024.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_24

Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on intermittent shortages of (a) Olanzapine and (b) other anti-psychosis medicines in the UK. \p Karin Smyth: Department officials regularly meet with manufacturers and suppliers to discuss shortages of olanzapine and other anti-psychosis medicines, and how to manage them.

We have been notified of some issues for olanzapine tablets and orodispersible tablets, however we understand there is sufficient stock available for all olanzapine strengths to meet market demand.

We are aware of intermittent disruptions in the supply of olanzapine (Zypadhera) 210 milligram prolonged-release suspension for injections. This is due to a global manufacturing capacity constraint faced by the supplier. We are actively working with the supplier to address these manufacturing issues as quickly as possible, to ensure that patients in the United Kingdom have access to this medication, and have issued communications to healthcare professionals.

Olanzapine (Zypadhera) 300 milligram and 405 milligram prolonged-release suspension for injections remain available.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_25

Mr Paul Foster:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of pensioners receive Pension Credit in South Ribble constituency; and how many of these are new recipients since 31 July 2024. \p Torsten Bell: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_26

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Pension Credit applications her Department has received in each of the last 12 months; and how many such applications were processed within the 50 day target. \p Torsten Bell: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_27

Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of an application for Universal Credit automatically triggering a claim for Council Tax Support. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Council Tax Support is administered by the Local Authority and is not a DWP benefit, therefore before we have determined entitlement to Universal credit, it is not appropriate for the department to trigger a claim for Council Tax Support automatically. A significant number of UC claims do not have an entitlement so notifying Councils before entitlement is established would present a number of risks to Councils.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_28

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2025 to Question 20687 on Employment, when she expects the Labour Market Advisory Board to finish their work. \p Alison McGovern: The Labour Market Advisory Board, announced on the 23 July 2024, ensures that we listen and engage with a wide range of external views to design and deliver reforms to help drive the Government’s growth mission. The Board, chaired by Paul Gregg (former Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Policy at the University of Bath), has expertise across the labour market and are working with officials on key priority areas.

The role of the Board, set out in the Terms of Reference (Labour Market Advisory Board: Terms of Reference), is to provide ongoing insight, support and challenge to the Department across a range of priorities, including inactivity, youth employment, employer engagement and progression. As set out the Department will undertake a review of the membership and remit of the board after 12 months.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_29

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish a summary of findings from the call for evidence on fit note reform. \p Alison McGovern: The call for evidence was launched under the previous government to seek views on how the current fit note process works and the support required to facilitate meaningful work and health conversations. It closed on the 8 July 2024 and received around 1,900 responses. Insights and responses gathered will play an important role in shaping ongoing policy development.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_30

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21052 on Gender: Public Consultation, if she will publish the submissions to the call for input on single-sex spaces which were determined not to meet the criteria because they contained text which was irrelevant to the request. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government has written to the EHRC to confirm that we will share all the submissions with them which met the criteria of the previous Government’s call for input on single-sex spaces guidance in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-15 conversation_31

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will direct her Department to share all submissions received for the call for input on single-sex spaces with the Equality and Human Rights Commission. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government has written to the EHRC to confirm that we will share all the submissions which met the criteria of the previous Government’s call for input on single-sex spaces guidance.