theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commission a survey of the mental health of children and young people in 2025. \p Stephen Kinnock: Although there are no plans at present to commission further follow up waves to the 2017 Mental Health of Children and Young People in England survey, the Department recognises its importance. We will publish any such plans in due course.
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Adam Thompson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) help prevent and (b) increase early intervention for mental ill health. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Shared Outcomes Fund Early Support Hubs project aims to increase the Government's understanding of the effectiveness of early intervention and prevention support for children and young people's mental health delivered in a community setting and strengthen the evidence base for early intervention. By evaluating the Early Support Hubs as a delivery model for early intervention, the project aims to build a strong evidence base, assess the impact of these services, and inform potential future expansion of the model. The evaluation of the project aims to report its findings by Summer 2025.

There are currently approximately 65 locally funded early support hubs in England offering early easy access mental health interventions to thousands of children and young people aged 11 to 25 years old, including those from low-income families.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, we will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services in England to reduce delays and provide faster treatment.

Additionally, Every Mind Matters is a campaign run by NHS England, which features the mental health tool My Mind Plan at the heart of their resources and advice for those facing mental health problems.
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Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many dentists have been recruited under the Dental recruitment incentive scheme in (a) Suffolk Coastal constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) the East of England. \p Stephen Kinnock: Within the Suffolk and Northeast Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), three dentists have been recruited, although none of these are within the Suffolk coastal constituency. In the East of England in total, 11 dentists have been recruited under the dental recruitment scheme. The ICBs continue to work with practices in their area to support recruitment to these posts.

This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most, for three years.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time was for an autism diagnosis in Kent in (a) 2025 and (b) 2020; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for receiving an autism diagnosis. \p Stephen Kinnock: The information is not held centrally in the format requested, but may be held by individual providers or integrated care boards (ICBs). Some relevant information is available on autism assessment waiting times for the NHS Kent and Medway ICB.

In the NHS Kent and Medway ICB, the Autism Waiting Time Statistics published by NHS England show that there were a total of 8,695 patients with an open suspected autism referral in September 2024, the latest available data, and a total of 3,015 patients with an open suspected autism referral in September 2020. The median waiting time of all patients in this ICB with an open suspected autism referral, where their first care contact was in the quarter, was 483 days in September 2024, and 139 days in September 2020.

Data on children and young people in this dataset is expected to be an underestimate and caution should be used when interpreting these statistics since they are experimental rather than official statistics.

It is the responsibility of 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.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason ambulance services must sign up to a maintenance package in order to reclaim VAT in relation to the leasing of vehicles. \p Karin Smyth: Requirements for reclaiming value added tax are set by HM Revenue and Customs. Guidance on the approach for the Government and the health bodies, including ambulance services, for contracted out services is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-government-and-public-bodies/vatgpb9720
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Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board on steps to reduce the number of patients awaiting treatment in Heywood and Middleton North constituency. \p Karin Smyth: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are accountable to NHS England. The NHS Oversight Framework outlines NHS England’s approach to overseeing and monitoring ICB performance, and NHS England regional teams have regular review meetings with ICBs, the frequency of which will vary according to the governance arrangements, but they should be at least quarterly.

More broadly, the Government is working to reduce the number of patients awaiting treatment across the country, including those in Heywood and Middleton North. The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS Constitutional Standard, that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment (RTT) by the end of this Parliament, and will also ensure patients have the best possible experience of care.

We have set an ambition for 2025/26 that we reach 65% of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks nationally, and for all trusts to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026. We will also publish minimum standards of care that patients can expect to experience, and will make digital improvements, including to the NHS App, to provide patients with greater choice, control, and flexibility.

Across the country, dedicated and protected surgical hubs are transforming the way the National Health Service provides elective care, by focussing on high volume low complexity surgeries. In the Heywood and Middleton North constituency, there are two such surgical hubs serving patients, the Fairfield General Hospital Elective Surgical Hub, and the Rochdale Infirmary Elective Surgical Hub.
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John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to increase speciality training places in (a) radiology and (b) oncology. \p Karin Smyth: We are committed to training the staff we need, including radiologists and oncologists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. We will set out next steps in due course.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to visit healthcare facilities in the (a) London Borough of Havering and (b) surrounding area in the next six months. \p Karin Smyth: Ministers regularly consider visits across the country to see the impact of their policy areas. Any plans to visit specific locations will be notified to the relevant Members of Parliament in advance.
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Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to issue Severe Shortage Protocols for (a) methylphenidate, (b) dexamfetamine, (c) atomoxetine, (d) lisdexamfetamine, (e) guanfacine, (f) oestrogel, (g) buproprion and (h) lamotrigine. \p Karin Smyth: Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) enable community pharmacists to supply a specified medicine or device in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, with the patient’s consent, and without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber. SSPs are additional tools that have been used in recent years, alongside a range of other mechanisms, to manage and mitigate medicine and medical devices shortages. SSPs are not introduced unless sufficient supplies of the alternative product to be supplied in accordance with the SSP are available to support the market.

Furthermore, SSPs are not suitable for all medicines and patients. For example, patients with complex health needs may not be considered suitable for a supply in accordance with an SSP. In these cases, patients would always be referred back to the prescriber for any decision about their treatment before any therapeutic or generic alterative is supplied. SSPs are not issued for controlled drugs in Schedule II, such as methylphenidate, except under very restricted circumstances.

The Department is aware of a supply issue affecting methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. These supply issues are taking longer to resolve than the Department originally anticipated, and the Department is working with the respective suppliers to further improve the United Kingdom’s supply for the short and long-term as soon as possible. There are no plans to issue a SSP for methylphenidate.

The Department is currently unaware of any medicine supply issues affecting dexamfetamine, atomoxetine, lisdexamfetamine, guanfacine, oestrogel, bupropionand, lamotrigine. Therefore, there are no plans to issue SSPs for these medicines.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the document entitled Reforming elective care for patients, published on 6 January 2025, which groups of patients will be offered the prehabilitation services outlined in that plan; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending those services to all patients referred for surgery. \p Karin Smyth: The Elective Care Reform Plan identifies the importance of supporting all patients to take control of their health, for example through smoking cessation and weight loss programmes, as they prepare for their surgery. As well as improving patient outcomes, this can also enable patients to be treated in lower acuity settings, for example in day case settings enabling patients to go home the same day.

The plan states that NHS England will work through Cancer Alliances to support improvements in prehabilitation for people about to undergo cancer treatment. The approach to this will be informed by the Macmillan Cancer Support/National Institute of Health and Care Research guidance for healthcare professionals, which is available at the following link:

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/news-and-resources/guides/principles-and-guidance-for-prehabilitation

An update on this guidance is expected in spring 2025, alongside existing good practice examples.

Current NHS England guidance requires acute trusts in England to adopt earlier screening, risk assessment and health optimisation for adult patients waiting for inpatient surgery, with more information available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/earlier-screening-risk-assessment-and-health-optimisation-in-perioperative-pathways-guide-for-providers-and-integrated-care-boards

NHS England will continue to identify and work with areas of England that have programmes in place for different groups of patients waiting for surgery, including prehabilitation programmes to support patients having major surgery and waiting well programmes to support patients having all types of surgery, to learn from and share best practice.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to support primary care to reduce the time it takes to receive (a) results and (b) appointments from secondary care services. \p Karin Smyth: The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out plans to improve patients’ experience, so that it is as smooth, supportive, and convenient as possible. This includes giving them more control and flexibility, and designing care around their needs.

Effective integration of primary and secondary care will be essential to helping ensure results and appointments are communicated quickly to both general practitioners and patients. We have set out improvements to digital tools, including a revolutionised NHS App, to help patients to contact their treatment provider more easily and conveniently, to receive clear information, regular updates, and test results.

By March 2025, patients at over 85% of acute trusts will be able to view appointment information via the NHS App. By December 2025, we will build on the success of digitising appointment letters by making more types of content about patients’ treatment available on the NHS App, such as discharge letters and results.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) barriers and (b) costs for NHS trusts in implementing the perioperative care measures outlined in the document entitled Reforming elective care for patients, published on 6 January 2025. \p Karin Smyth: The perioperative care measures outlined in the Elective Care Reform plan build on existing NHS England led work to improve perioperative care including guidance on Earlier screening, risk assessment and health optimisation for adult patients due to have inpatient care. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/earlier-screening-risk-assessment-and-health-optimisation-in-perioperative-pathways-guide-for-providers-and-integrated-care-boards

NHS England has worked closely with systems and providers including through onsite visits and system level engagement to understand the key barriers to implementing the perioperative care measures outlined in the Elective Reform Plan.

Whilst costings will vary between organisations, measures from this work alongside supporting improved patient experience and outcomes, will support the delivery of sustainable clinical pathways. This will lead to reduced waste in the National Health Service, for example by ensuring productivity in theatres is maximised.
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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that disabled people employed in the health and social care sector are afforded (a) reasonable adjustments, (b) support in the workplace and (c) other employment rights. \p Karin Smyth: All health and social care employers are expected to comply with employment legislation such as the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Equality Act 2010, which includes considerations for reasonable adjustments. Most social care workers are employed by private sector providers who set their pay, and terms and conditions, including any occupational health or wellbeing support, independent of the Government.

NHS Employers and Skills for Care provide comprehensive guidance to help employers in health and social care understand their legal obligations and how best to support employees with disabilities to have the best working experience possible.

Since 2019, NHS England has published the NHS Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) which sets out metrics to enable organisations to understand the experiences of disabled staff. National Health Service trusts are required to report each year and publish a WDES annual report, which includes local data and an action plan.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to promote cooperation between Integrated Care Boards on (a) data and (b) treatment options for patients. \p Karin Smyth: My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has announced that there will be a single patient record that allow all providers access to a comprehensive record, to relevant depth and with appropriate safeguards. This would allow patient data to be shared, if necessary, between services in different integrated care boards (ICBs) and give professionals access to the information they need to make the best-informed decisions when delivering care and treatment.

In addition, the NHS Standing Rules set out specific obligations on ICBs to enable patients to choose aspects of their healthcare.

Commissioners need to ensure where a patient requires a physical health elective referral for a first outpatient appointment and any subsequent treatment that is required, to a consultant or a member of a consultant’s team, the patient can choose any clinically appropriate provider that holds a qualifying NHS Standard Contract with any ICB or NHS England, for the service which the patient needs because of the referral.

ICBs should be engaging with local primary and secondary care, and their peers, to build choice into commissioning plans and monitoring referral patterns for potential opportunities and issues related to choice.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that private ambulance service personnel on NHS contracts receive (a) recognition and (b) honours. \p Karin Smyth: Under the honours system of the United Kingdom, anyone can receive an award, and anyone can nominate someone if they demonstrate the exceptional contribution the person has made.

Recognition for those working in the private sector is primarily a matter for their employers.
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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that all healthcare professionals have adequate training and awareness of endometriosis. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions including endometriosis. Several measures are in place to raise awareness of endometriosis among clinicians and support diagnosis and care.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines support healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat conditions. In November 2024, NICE published updated recommendations on the diagnosis, management and treatment of endometriosis. This is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73

Endometriosis is included in the core curriculum for general practitioners, and for obstetricians and gynaecologists. The General Medical Council is introducing the Medical Licensing Assessment for most incoming doctors, including all medical students graduating from academic year 2024/25 and onwards. Within this assessment are several topics relating to women’s health, including endometriosis. This will encourage a better understanding of endometriosis among doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom.

We will continue to keep opportunities for training and further awareness raising about endometriosis under review.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the waiting time for Emergency Care in Epsom and Ewell constituency. \p Karin Smyth: The Government recognises the pressures on the National Health Service during the winter period and the impact this is having on waiting times for emergency care, including in Epsom and Ewell.

We are committed to supporting the NHS to improve performance and achieve the standards set out in the NHS Constitution, but we must be clear that there are no quick fixes.

However, we are determined to turn things around through investment and reform. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £25.6 billion of additional healthcare funding over the next two years, and we will set out an urgent and emergency care improvement plan shortly, as well as a 10-Year Health Plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of HRT products in London. \p Karin Smyth: The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within London is not held centrally.

There are over 70 hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products, and the vast majority are in good supply. Previously there has been issues with the supply of a limited number of these products, primarily driven by very sharp increases in demand. Following the Department’s intensive engagement with industry, the supply position has improved considerably. As part of this we have met with suppliers on a very regular basis and have held seven HRT supply roundtables since April 2022, with the most recent in September 2024, with suppliers, wholesalers, and community pharmacists, to provide updates on the supply position and actions being taken to address them, to share data, and to discuss relevant policy developments and potential impacts.

We are aware of the supply issues affecting Estradot (estradiol) 50 microgram/24 hour, 75 microgram/24 hour, and 100 microgram/24 hour patches, for which we have issued comprehensive management guidance to the National Health Service, including Serious Shortage Protocols allowing community pharmacists to supply the equivalent strength patch of an alternative brand without the need for a new prescription. Alternative brands of estradiol patches remain available.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to increase patient capacity in the Queen’s Hospital, Romford Accident and Emergency Department. \p Karin Smyth: Operational matters, including decisions on local hospital capacity, are primarily matters for local National Health Service trusts working with NHS commissioners.

The NHS has supported increased patient demand for accident and emergency services by strengthening same day emergency care, supporting vaccination efforts for COVID-19, flu, and the respiratory syncytial virus, and increasing the provision of community services.

In addition, due to the action taken by the Government, this winter NHS hospitals are free of strikes and focused on caring for patients.
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Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce accident and emergency waiting times in hospitals in East Kent. \p Karin Smyth: The Government recognises the pressures on the National Health Service during the winter period and the impact this is having on accident and emergency waiting times, including in hospitals in East Kent.

We are committed to supporting the NHS to improve performance and achieve the standards set out in the NHS Constitution but must be clear that there are no quick fixes.

However, we are determined to turn things around through investment and reform. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £25.6 billion of additional healthcare funding over the next two years, and we will set out an urgent and emergency care improvement plan shortly, as well as a 10-Year Health Plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce ambulance waiting times (a) in the A&E queue and (b) for Torbay and South Devon NHS foundation trust. \p Karin Smyth: Ambulance response times and ambulance handover times have been below the high standards that patients should expect in recent years, including at the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundational Trust.

The Government has committed to supporting the National Health Service to improve performance and achieve the standards set out in the NHS Constitution, including ambulance response times, but we must be clear that there are no quick fixes.

We are determined to turn things around through investment and reform. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £25.6 billion of additional healthcare funding over the next two years, and we will set out a 10-Year Health Plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of increases in cases of flu on NHS healthcare provision. \p Karin Smyth: During winter there is an increase in hospital admissions from seasonal respiratory conditions such as flu. This can impact hospital occupancy and the flow of patients through hospitals, which in turn impacts on accident and emergency, and ambulance services. Respiratory conditions can also impact the number of staff absences, which can further increase pressure on the provision of health care.

This year the number of beds occupied with flu has been higher than last year. The latest data shows there were, on average, 4,693 patients in hospital with flu in the week ending 12 January 2025, above the peak figure of 2,478 reported during winter 2023/24.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time is for (a) ambulances held in queues and (b) people waiting at home for an ambulance. \p Karin Smyth: The national average ambulance handover time was 43 minutes and 32 seconds in December 2024. The following table shows the national ambulance response time, including for people who have called for an ambulance from their home, for Category 1, 2, 3, and 4 incidents, in hours, minutes and seconds:

Category of incident

December 2024 national average

NHS Constitution standard

Category 1 average response time

00:08:40

00:07:00

Category 1 90th centile response time

00:15:25

00:15:00

Category 2 average response time

00:47:26

00:18:00

Category 2 90th centile response time

01:41:40

00:40:00

Category 3 90th centile response time

07:21:03

02:00:00

Category 4 90th centile response time

08:15:44

03:00:00

Source: NHS England Ambulance Quality Indicators, which is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the National Prostate Cancer Audit's report entitled NPCA State of the Nation Report 2024, published January 2025, what steps he is taking to tackle inequalities preventing Black men from (a) receiving early diagnosis and (b) accessing NICE recommended treatments following advanced prostate cancer diagnosis. \p Andrew Gwynne: To address disparities and find ways to better detect prostate cancer earlier, we have invested £16 million in the United Kingdom-wide TRANSFORM trial, aimed at helping find the best ways of detecting prostate cancer in men, even if they are not displaying any symptoms. This research will aim to address some of the inequalities that exist in prostate cancer diagnosis by targeting black men in trial recruitment, ensuring that one in ten participants are black men.

Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish a new National Cancer Plan, which will include further details on how we will improve access to treatments and outcomes for all tumour types, including prostate cancer. We are now in discussions about what form that plan should take, and what its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider Health Mission should be. We will provide updates on this in due course.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects to receive the outcome of the Group B Streptococcus trial from the UK National Screening Committee. \p Andrew Gwynne: Recruitment to the Group B Streptococcus trial undertaken by the University of Nottingham has ended. The researchers are analysing the data and will draft a report in due course.

The UK National Screening Committee’s Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure rural and semi-rural communities have access to pharmacies. \p Stephen Kinnock: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for understanding the health needs of their areas and for commissioning services to meet those needs. Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment every three years to assess whether their population is adequately served and must keep these assessments under review. These assessments inform ICBs when reviewing applications for National Health Service pharmacies.

The Pharmacy Access Scheme provides additional funding to further support pharmacies in more remote areas. Additionally, in rural areas where there is no pharmacy, general practitioners are permitted to dispense medicines. Patients can also choose to access medicines and pharmacy services through any of the nearly 400 NHS online pharmacies that are contractually required to deliver prescription medicines free of charge to patients.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of NHS staff have been vaccinated for flu (a) this year and (b) at this stage in the flu cycle in each of the last four years. \p Andrew Gwynne: The UK Health Security Agency publishes monthly official statistics on flu vaccine coverage for frontline healthcare workers. The second monthly report of the 2024 to 2025 season was published on 19 December 2024, covering the period from 1 September to 30 November 2024, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/seasonal-influenza-and-covid-19-vaccine-uptake-in-frontline-healthcare-workers-monthly-data-2024-to-2025

Data for the previous seasons is also available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vaccine-uptake#seasonal-flu-vaccine-uptake:-figures

The following table shows the percentage of seasonal flu vaccine uptake, the survey response rate, and the number of vaccinated people within those who answered the survey, rounded to the nearest hundred, from 2020/21 to 2024/25:

2024/25

2023/24

2022/23

2021/22

2020/21

Percentage uptake

32.2%

38.5%

41.8%

52.5%

70.6%

Survey response rate

79%

79.8%

90.4%

82.3%

96.1%

Number of vaccinated survey responders

333,100

386,700

461,000

486,000

750,800

Notes:

the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_1

Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of indexing payments from the Financial Assistance Scheme for pensions accrued before 1997 by Allied Steel and Wire members. \p Torsten Bell: We are committed to consider what we have heard on this issue. I have heard first hand all the challenges facing ASW workers and others with pre-1997 accrued pensions. However any change in this area has significant implications on public finances for the taxpayer funded Financial Assistance Scheme.

We will continue to work through these important issues with the Pension Protection Fund. The PPF has recently reviewed, and made publicly available, its assessment of the potential impacts of addressing pre-1997 indexation for all the schemes within its remit.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_2

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in (a) Liverpool Walton, (b) Easington, (c) Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, (d) Aberafan Maesteg and (e) Knowsley constituencies in each of the last five years. \p Sir Stephen Timms: 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/answers2025-11-17 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_3

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in (a) Blackpool South, (b) Birkenhead, (c) Bootle, (d) Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, (e) Rhondda and Ogmore, (f) Hartlepool and (g) Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituencies in each of the last five years. \p Sir Stephen Timms: 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/answers2025-11-17 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_4

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Personal Independence Payment claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in (a) the North East, (b) the North West, (c) Yorkshire and the Humber, (d) the East Midlands, (e) the West Midlands, (f) the East of England, (g) London, (h) the South East and (i) the South West in each of the last five years. \p Sir Stephen Timms: 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/answers2025-11-17 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_5

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will reply to the correspondence from the hon. member for Newton Abbot about case ref MW09732 / CMPT12025/78972 sent on 18 August 2025. \p Andrew Western: A response has been issued to the MP on 12th November 2025. We apologise for the delay and are committed to improving response times. We have taken a number of steps, including deploying additional resource, to improve the timeliness of responses to MP enquiries.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_6

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models. \p Andrew Western: Currently, the electric vehicles available for use in the department are leased. The department has not purchased any electric vehicles in the period since July 2024.

From 4 July 2024 to date, DWP has spent £263,176.93 to install electric vehicle chargers. By comparison, £2,001,388.61 was spent in the year 2023-24

No assessment has been made of the difference between the capital costs of electric vehicles and of petrol and diesel vehicles.

We do not hold the Arms Length Bodies information being asked for.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_7

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many work placements have been (a) delayed or (b) cancelled due to delays in processing Access to Work applications in the past 12 months. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are committed to reducing the time taken to process Access to Work applications and are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work applications. We prioritise applications from customers who are about to start a job or are renewing existing support.

The Department does not hold data on how many work placements may have been (a) delayed or (b) cancelled due to delays in processing Access to Work applications in the past 12 months.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_8

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the equitableness of the Child Maintenance Service's (a) fee structure and (b) case prioritisation (i) where a paying parent has multiple children across different claims and (ii) all other cases. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service operates on the principle that both parents have financial responsibility for their child, including their food and clothing, as well as contributing towards the associated costs of running the home that the child lives in.

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately.

The calculation can also take into account other aspects such as where care of the child is shared between the parents and any other children that the paying parent provides care.

The CMS recognises the complexity of cases where a paying parent has multiple children across different claims and is committed to ensuring that all children receive fair and timely support.

Where a paying parent has multiple children across different claims, the CMS recalculates the total maintenance liability based on the number of qualifying children across all cases, fees are based on a percentage of the total ongoing maintenance (OGM) amount, not on the number of arrangements.

The calculation can also take into account any other children outside of the statutory scheme for whom the paying parent provides support. This ensures the Child Maintenance Service fulfils its responsibility to consider the welfare of all children connected to a case.

A consultation on proposed CMS reforms was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. The consultation was extended by the Government at the end of July and ran until 30 September 2024. The Government published a response on 23 June 2025. This included plans to reform the CMS fee structure for the Collect and Pay Service, reducing fees to 2% for receiving parents, deducted from maintenance received, and 2% for compliant paying parents in addition to their calculated maintenance amount, while maintaining the 20% rate for non-compliant paying parents, in addition to their calculated maintenance amount.

The Government is conducting a review of the child maintenance calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose. This includes updating the underlying research and considering how to ensure the calculation reflects current and future societal trends.

Options for proposed reforms are currently being considered. Any changes made to the child maintenance calculation will be subject to extensive public consultation, and if made, will require amendments to legislation so would be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_9

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has provided to access to work administrators on communication with (a) service users, (b) employers and (b) providers. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Access to Work guidance is publicly available on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-staff-guide/access-to-work-staff-guide). All requisite information is contained therein.

Access to Work staff receive training and coaching on the Access to Work principles and processes to ensure their communication is clear, effective in managing expectations and supported by explanations and signposting where necessary. In addition, the Department provides other mandatory learning including understanding responsibilities with customer equality and accessibility.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_10

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who is able to reduce agreed hours for (a) self-employed job coaches and (b) support providers who have both (i) an agreed support plan under Access to Work and (ii) not had a consultation on the reduction of these hours. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The support that a customer will receive from Access to Work is dependent upon their needs and circumstances at the time they make an application. Case managers will use the current guidance to ensure Access to Work principles are considered when making a decision on support.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_11

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the proportion of paying parents who have (a) avoided and (b) reduced child maintenance payments through (i) advance benefit payments and (ii) other similar means. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) recognises the importance of ensuring that child maintenance payments are made fairly and consistently, and that children receive the financial support to which they are entitled.

In the Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced that from 30 April 2025, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) would reduce the Universal Credit (UC) overall deductions cap from 25% to 15% of the standard allowance, introducing the Fair Repayment Rate (FRR). Without changes, this would reduce the number of child maintenance (CM) deductions. To prevent this, DWP implemented a temporary regulatory and policy change for one year from 30 April 2025 meaning CM deductions moved to first place in UC’s deductions priority order and deductions can exceed the 15% cap ensuring CM payments continue. Evidence gathered during the year will inform whether to make the change permanent or adopt an alternative approach.

In relation to other similar means: The CMS monitors claims to ensure they are accurate and works closely with HMRC to verify income data and identify discrepancies. Where a receiving parent believes their assessment does not reflect the paying parent’s true financial position, CMS offers a variation process to challenge the assessment.

The CMS continues to refine its systems to detect and prevent avoidance, including through legislative reforms and improved data sharing.
wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-17 conversation_12

Margaret Mullane:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to improve data collection on occupational diseases linked to silica exposure. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Clinical assessments of silicosis are being reported on the Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease (SWORD) database, which collects voluntary information from around 350 physicians of respiratory disease, including silicosis.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) intends to consult on potential changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) including consideration of changing the definitions of occupational diseases that employers would be required to report. HSE is intending to launch a public consultation on these options in 2026, which will be subject to Ministerial review.