theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is considering proposals to introduce a national social tariff on water bills. \p Emma Hardy: The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper.

The Government is working with industry to keep current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported and expects water companies to ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9%.
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Dr Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to publish the River Wye Diffuse Water Pollution Plan. \p Emma Hardy: Diffuse Water Pollution Plans are not published by Defra. The River Wye Diffuse Water Pollution Plan is being prepared by the Environment Agency (EA). The EA will be sharing it with the partners and stakeholders who are working together to achieve improvements of water quality in the Wye Catchment. This plan is part of a broader programme of work to manage nutrient levels and improve water quality in the Wye catchment.
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Adrian Ramsay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Waveney Valley of 21 July 2025, Official Report, col 579, on what evidential basis his Department has estimated the cost of bringing water companies into public ownership. \p Emma Hardy: Defra has estimated that nationalising the water industry would cost approximately £100 billion. This is based on the sector’s Regulatory Capital Value (RCV), which was £99.3 billion in 2024 and £106.7 billion in 2025. It reflects the cost of purchasing equity in all water companies as well as the cost of assuming their existing debt liabilities. For more information on the approach taken by Defra to reach its estimate, please see: Nationalising the water sector: how we assessed the cost - GOV.UK.
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Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of (a) strengthening, (b) publicising and (c) enforcing the Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation. \p Mary Creagh: The Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation issued in May 2000 (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20030731231207/http://www.defra.gov.uk:80/environment/water/industry/copcar/chapter1.htm) sets clear expectations of how water and sewerage companies are expected to comply with statutory duties under sections 3-5 of the Water Industry Act 1991, covering concerns such as conservation and public access. The Environment Agency must have regard to this Code of Practice.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many instances of water quality breaches have been reported by water suppliers in Lancashire in the last 12 months. \p Emma Hardy: The Drinking Water Inspectorate does not compile water quality breach data by county. The figures provided relate to United Utilities' operations across its entire supply area, which serves Lancashire and the wider Northwest region.

In the 12-month period from Q4 2024 to August 2025, there were 107 water quality breaches reported by United Utilities, which is the water supplier serving Lancashire.

This data is reported as of 24 October 2025 and is subject to change as new data is reported. These figures are not yet final, as water companies have one month following a breach to investigate the cause and rectify any issues before completing their compliance reports. Data for September and October 2025 is not yet available.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate does not compile water quality breach data by county. The figures provided relate to United Utilities' operations across its entire supply area, which serves Lancashire and the wider Northwest region.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release titled Record investment to protect thousands of UK homes and businesses, published on 4 February 2025, how much of the £2.65 billion of funding announced for flood defences will be allocated to projects in (a) North Shropshire constituency and (b) Shropshire. \p Emma Hardy: Within the current Flood Risk Management investment programme 2021–2026, over £15 million has been invested in Shropshire to reduce flood risk to people and property. Between 2024 and 2026 over £5 million of investment will benefit the North Shropshire constituency to reduce flood risk.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect homes and businesses in North Shropshire from flooding this winter. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) is committed to working with partners and communities to prepare for flooding this winter. The EA responds to incidents and manages flood risk, operates a 24/7 service to warn and inform, continually monitors the weather and river networks, and issues alerts and warnings when required. Preparing for and during flooding, the EA’s teams carry out essential operational activities by checking assets and removing obstructions that increase flood risk.

Please help by encouraging people to sign up to the EA’s new and improved free flood warning service which can be accessed here: Get flood warnings by text, phone or email - GOV.UK
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Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the threshold is for Natural England to investigate reported burns on deep peat. \p Mary Creagh: Defra takes any allegations of breaches of The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 seriously. With support from Natural England, a desk-based assessment is completed for all reports received. Where an offence cannot be ruled out, these cases are then referred to Defra’s Counter Fraud and Investigations team (CFI).
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support alternative network providers to deploy broadband in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Kanishka Narayan: The government is committed to ensuring 99% of UK premises receive gigabit coverage by 2032.

In July, we published a consultation on a draft updated Statement of Strategic Priorities to Ofcom that sets out the government’s view on the importance of competition to promote investment in broadband deployment across the UK, including in rural areas. A pro-competition regulatory environment will allow alternative networks to continue to play a key role in the fibre roll-out. We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

In non-commercially viable, often rural, areas, more than £2.4 billion of Project Gigabit contracts have already been signed, including with alternative networks, to connect over one million more premises with gigabit-capable broadband.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support service personnel with SEND children. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 3 September 2025 to Question 73617 to the hon. Member for Birmingham Northfield (Laurence Turner).

Armed Forces: Special Educational Needs (docx, 17.1KB)
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what nations form the European Carrier Group Initiative. \p Luke Pollard: The European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative comprises the UK, France, Italy and Spain (Carrier Nations), alongside the non-Carrier members of Portugal, Greece, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 79715 on Guided Weapons: Procurement, what conditions must be met in order for FASGW (Light) to progress from initial to full operating capability by December 2025. \p Luke Pollard: In order to move from Initial Operating Capability to Full Operating Capability the full set of User Requirements will need to have been delivered and signed off by the Defence Lines of Development owners.

The substantive elements of the programme have been delivered and so this final step is completion of the paperwork. Once this process is complete, a recommendation will be made to the Programme Sponsor that Full Operating Capability is declared.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to compensate British servicemen who took part in sampling missions through Soviet mushroom clouds in 1961 and 1962. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: This Government has no current plans to develop a specific compensation scheme for Nuclear Test Veterans or their families, including those who took part in sampling missions through Soviet mushroom clouds in 1961 and 1962.

Service personnel and Veterans who believe they were negatively impacted by their service can apply for compensation through the existing War Pensions Scheme (WPS). The WPS is a no-fault scheme for Service personnel disabled or killed due to injury or illness caused or worsened by service before April 6, 2005. There is no time limit for claiming, however if a claim is made more than seven years after termination of service, the claimant is granted the benefit of doubt when there is uncertainty about whether the disablement is linked to or worsened by their service. Factors such as being on operations or in a hazardous environment can support a service-related claim. Historical records, including medical records, will be reviewed to establish a causal link to service for Veterans seeking compensation.
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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Language Commissioner (a) on the topic of Welsh Language Standards and (b) in general. \p Jo Stevens: The then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State met with the Welsh Language Commissioner earlier this year at the Urdd Eisteddfod where among other matters, they discussed the topics of Welsh Language Standards and Welsh Language Schemes. The now Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister McMorrin, looks forward to meeting the Welsh Language Commissioner this month and my officials also continue to engage with the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Office regularly.

Although the Welsh Language is a devolved matter, the UK Government has a role to play in supporting the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 strategy. This is most notably through ensuring that S4C as a public service broadcaster continues to promote the use of a thriving Welsh language.

The UK Government’s overarching goal is to continue to develop and expand Welsh language use and delivery. For example, we coordinate the officials led cross-Government Welsh Language Forum, which last met in September and was attended by a representative of the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Office. We publish content (graphics and videos) in both Welsh and English and all four social media channels operated by the Wales Office - X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The Commissioner's office also regularly engages with individual UK Government departments to assist them in delivering their services in Wales through the medium of Welsh.

It is for the Welsh Ministers to specify, in regulations under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, the bodies to which the Welsh Language Commissioner may be required to comply with Welsh language standards. Where the Welsh Ministers seek to provide for standards to be specifically applicable to a Minister of the Crown, they must obtain the consent of the relevant Secretary of State.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department held a pre-publication briefing of the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework with representatives of the Alliance Party. \p Hilary Benn: As stated previously, the Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.
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Gill German:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the value for money of the new Contract for Difference awarded to Drax Power Station compared with alternative (a) low-carbon generation and (b) storage technologies. \p Michael Shanks: The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has provided analysis that without large-scale biomass, we could face increased security of supply risks from 2027 to 2031.

Alternative low carbon generation such as wind or solar power, need to be supplemented with dispatchable generation to ensure security of supply.

Government has secured the best value for money deal to provide the dispatchable capacity required. Our analysis estimates that the alternative option of procuring the required capacity through the capacity market, which storage technologies bid into, would cost in the region of £170m more per year than the new arrangement with Drax.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will confirm that holiday lets will have the same Energy Performance Certificate requirements as (a) Hotels and (b) bed and breakfasts. \p Martin McCluskey: Hotels in the UK require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they are being sold, leased, or constructed. For short-term holiday lets, an EPC is required if the property is rented for a total of four months or more in a 12-month period.

In December 2024, the government consulted on introducing a requirement for short-term rental properties to have a valid EPC at the point of being let, regardless of who is responsible for the energy costs. A response to this consultation will be published in due course.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish a lessons learned review relating to the decision of Newcleo not to pursue its investment in nuclear reactors in the UK. \p Michael Shanks: Newcleo Ltd’s decision to suspend its advanced nuclear activities in the UK was a commercial decision for the company. Government will not be publishing a lessons learned review into this matter.

It was announced in the 2025 Spending Review that the Government would provide a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear projects, with Great British Energy - Nuclear having a role in assessing proposals, the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investable opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects. This will be published in a framework document shortly.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what representations he has received on the development of compressed air energy storage. \p Michael Shanks: The Secretary of State has received correspondence from stakeholders across the energy sector on electricity storage technologies, including Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES). Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. This government introduced a Long Duration Electricity Storage (LDES) Cap and Floor investment support scheme as part of our clean energy superpower mission. The scheme is being delivered by Ofgem and CAES projects, as well as many other LDES technology projects, have applied, details of which can be found on the Ofgem website.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Plan for wind developers to pay for skilled job training, published on 23 August 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the measures referred to in that press release on energy prices. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recently consulted on proposals under the Clean Industry Bonus which aim to incentivise developers to provide routes to high-quality employment. The Government will analyse responses and set out its proposed next steps in the response due to be released this winter. An impact assessment will also be published before relevant secondary legislation is laid.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding his Department plans to provide to (a) transport and (b) storage companies to help support their carbon capture, usage and storage business models in the next 12 months. \p Michael Shanks: In the 2025 spending review, the Government allocated £9.4 billion over the Spending Review period.

The bulk of public funding for Track 1 is only provided once projects are operational. Transport & Storage Companies (T&SCos) operate a Regulated Asset Base model regulated by Ofgem. This allows them to recover costs during operation by charging connected capture projects - expected from 2028 onwards.

The government has announced its support for the Acorn and Viking clusters and is providing development funding to advance their delivery, including approximately £200m for Acorn. The exact amounts for each cluster and funding schedule will be subject to negotiations, value for money and deliverability assessments.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish fishing sector on the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund since 5cc Memb September 2025. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Secretary of State for Scotland regularly engages with industry stakeholders in Scotland, including the fishing sector. Decisions over how the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund is spent in Scotland are devolved, granting the Scottish Government discretion to allocate funding in line with local priorities and the specific circumstances of Scotland’s fishing and coastal communities. As fisheries overall is devolved, the Scottish Government also has an important role in engaging with industry and other stakeholders.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the allocation of the Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund to Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: I recognise Scotland’s key role in the UK fishing industry. The Scotland Office has engaged with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding the allocation of the Fisheries and Coastal Fund. The funds awarded sit in addition to the baseline funding provided to the Scottish Government through their block grant. The Scottish Government has received the biggest funding settlement since devolution, with Scotland generally receiving around 20% more per capita. This funding can be allocated to other priorities, including fisheries.
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John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Array. \p Kirsty McNeill: The UK Government sees onshore wind as a key part of our clean energy ambitions. However, we are aware of the interference that onshore wind turbines can cause to seismological arrays, such as the one at Eskdalemuir, and the subsequent security concerns that this can create.

A key commitment of the UK Government’s Onshore Wind Taskforce Strategy, published in July 2025, was to prioritise bringing forward a resolution to this issue. The UK Government has committed to consult on an updated methodology and guidance for the management of seismic interference, and we will also update the policy and regulations to ensure effective delivery. This consultation, which we intend to publish by the end of 2025, will also include consideration of whether legislation is required.

The UK Government is currently working closely with the Scottish Government and Wind Industry developers and supply chain companies to deliver these commitments, via the Eskdalemuir Working Group.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62348o n EHRC: Public Appointments, whether he will announce to appointment on conclusion of the competition on the Public Appointments website. \p Olivia Bailey: Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson was confirmed as the next Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission on 31 July 2025. This was announced in a press release which you can view here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-confirms-dr-mary-ann-stephenson-as-the-next-ehrc-chair

On 31 July 2025, the announcement was posted on the Public Appointments website on a separate webpage here:https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/announcements?titleSearch=+Equality+and+Human+Rights+Commission+%28EHRC%29+Chair&body=&regulated=&bodyJustice=&sort=announcementDate%3Adesc#search-results
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62348 on EHRC: Public Appointments, what interests of regulated appointees by the Governance Code on Public Appointments are required to be published. \p Olivia Bailey: Section 9.1 of the Governance Code for Public Appointments states “candidates must be asked to declare potential conflicts of interest in their application.”.

The EHRC publishes the declarations of interests of its Chair and Commissioners on their website: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/how-we-operate/our-commissioners/commissioner-declarations-interests
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Kate Osborne:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether her Department plans to respond to the submission by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights to her and to parliamentary committees on the human rights situation of trans people in the UK; and what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that the (a) principles and (b) practicalities of the human rights of trans people are protected. \p Olivia Bailey: This Government supports dignity and respect for everyone. We are clear that there are laws in place to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment, and we proudly uphold a robust legislative framework, including the Gender Recognition Act and the Equality Act. We are considering the letter sent by the Commissioner, and we will follow up with his office on the points raised.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to respond to Question 74810 on Members: Correspondence, tabled on 3 September 2025. \p Olivia Bailey: A response has been issued here.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has undertaken a human rights impact assessment of the draft guidance by the Equality and Human Rights Commission entitled Code of practice for services, public functions and associations. \p Olivia Bailey: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the six week consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

The parliamentary process for laying the Code is set out in the Equality Act 2006. We will ensure the correct process for considering the Code is followed.
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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to implement the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers Supreme Court judgment. \p Olivia Bailey: The For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers Supreme Court judgment has a range of implications.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission - Britain’s independent equality watchdog - has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations (the Code) following a six-week consultation. The Code includes practical guidance for service providers, associations and those delivering public functions on how they should comply with the Equality Act 2010, following the Supreme Court ruling.

The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament. Parliament will then have a period of 40 days to consider the Code.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 16 July 2025 from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot. \p Olivia Bailey: The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your correspondence to the Minister for Women & Equalities dated 16 July has been passed to me, as the new Minister responsible for LGBT+ policy. The response was issued on the 14th October.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timeline is for the opening of new Fracture Liaison Services in (a) Somerset and (b) the South West. \p Ashley Dalton: Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) are a globally recognised care model and can reduce the risk of refracture for people at risk of osteoporosis by up to 40%.

FLS are commissioned by integrated care boards (ICBs), which make decisions according to local need. This is the case for all ICBs in the South West, including the NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB and the NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB. We remain committed to rolling out FLS across every part of the country by 2030.

In the meantime, we are investing in 14 high-tech DEXA scanners, which are expected to provide an extra 29,000 scans to ensure that people with bone conditions get diagnosed earlier.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to fund a financial incentives scheme to help pregnant women to stop smoking during this Parliament. \p Ashley Dalton: Health is a devolved matter. In England, the Government is funding a broad package of measures to support current smokers to quit, including the National Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentives Scheme. The future settlement for the scheme will be confirmed in due course.
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Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what tribunal decisions have been used by the NHS Business Services Authority to assess claims relating to Covid-19 vaccinations under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme. \p Ashley Dalton: Since taking over administration of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme on 1 November 2021, all decisions taken by the NHS Business Services Authority that have been appealed to tribunal have been upheld.

Decisions in first tier tribunals do not set a precedent for other cases. All claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme are assessed on a case-by-case basis, using the latest available medical evidence. Medical assessors will consider the claim form, medical records from the vaccinated person’s healthcare providers, clinical research, epidemiological evidence, and the current consensus of expert medical opinion.
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Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the planned increase in meat inspection charges by the Food Standards Agency on smaller abattoirs. \p Ashley Dalton: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has calculated annual charge rates for controls conducted in meat premises in 2025/26 for England and Wales and has indicated that charges will continue to be offset by a taxpayer-funded discount scheme in that financial year. As in previous years it is the FSA’s intention that the discount for 2025/26 will provide the greatest proportional support to smaller businesses. The FSA is engaging with industry representative bodies on the charge rates and full details of these will be communicated to stakeholders and published on the FSA website at the end of February 2025. A separate exercise is being conducted in relation to Northern Ireland.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the response by Integrated Care Boards to long Covid. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England has recently completed a long COVID stocktake, aiming to provide a nationwide overview of service delivery in commissioning and contracting, assessing access, activity, and outcomes. Executive NHS England board members were updated on the current provision of long COVID, noting challenges and significant variation. Discussions where held considered service prioritisation and potential inquiry recommendations. It was agreed that long COVID services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which have responsibility for ensuring coverage for their population.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

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Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care what discussions he has had with NICE on the potential impact of its approval of medicines for use in the NHS on (a) economic productivity, (b) health outcomes and (c) reducing the burden of disease on (i) patients and (ii) caregivers. \p Karin Smyth: Departmental officials regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including the impact of its recommendations.

NICE develops its guidance independently and based on an assessment of the available evidence, considering all health-related costs and benefits for patients and caregivers, including health outcomes, in line with its established methods and processes.

NICE does not take account of economic productivity in its assessments. It would involve valuing interventions differently based on the working status of the recipient population, which would be methodologically and ethically challenging and could systematically disadvantage certain groups including children, long-term sick and unemployed people, and result in fewer treatments being recommended for these populations.
wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_7

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the risk of using hospital buildings containing RAAC beyond their maximum lifespan. \p Karin Smyth: The Secretary of State has commissioned a comprehensive report into the seven predominantly RAAC hospitals being replaced through the New Hospital Programme, including Hinchingbrooke hospital. The last report was undertaken in Autumn 2022 and covered the five hospitals not at that time within the New Hospital Programme.

The site-by-site report on the seven predominantly RAAC hospitals will help inform individual development plans, which continue to progress at pace. The report objectives include assessing the clinical and operational impacts of the running of the existing hospital beyond the estimated life of the current hospital site or 2030, whichever is sooner.

Keeping capacity open but being scrupulous about RAAC monitoring and mitigation until the RAAC can be removed is fully in line with the current evidence and recommendations of the Institution of Structural Engineers.
wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_8

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what purpose his Department has provided funding from the critical infrastructure risk fund to Stepping Hill Hospital. \p Karin Smyth: Repairing and rebuilding our hospital estate is a vital part of our ambition to create a National Health Service that is fit for the future.

In this context, Stockport Foundation NHS Trust has been provided with £11.5 million in 2024/25 to facilitate the restoration of outpatient capacity at Stepping Hill Hospital. In December 2024, construction work began on the new outpatient building, which will deliver much needed improvements to capacity as well as patient and staff safety.
wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_9

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 27118 on NHS England: Pay, what the difference is between (a) operational max and (b) max exception zones in NHS Executive Senior Manager pay bands. \p Karin Smyth: The operational maximum is the maximum salary rate NHS England can appoint without seeking permission from the Department. Salaries above the operational maximum require as a minimum approval from the Department’s Renumeration Committee, and depending on the amount, may also require approval from ministers and HM Treasury. Any salary above £150,000 requires approval from the Department’s ministers.

The exception zone max is the highest figure that the Department has been delegated from HM Treasury, and appointing a salary above the exception zone requires HM Treasury’s approval. It is also important to note that there are different operational and exception zone maximums depending on the grade of the NHS Executive Senior Manager role being appointed.
wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_10

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to (a) the minimum wage and (b) employer's National Insurance contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024 on NHS wage costs. \p Karin Smyth: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.

The Employer National Insurance rise will be implemented from April 2025. The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance contributions costs only, and the level of funding will be confirmed at main estimates shortly.

As the 2025/26 pay round will not have concluded by 1 April 2025, it will be necessary to implement an increase to Agenda for Change (AfC) entry pay from 1 April 2025 to maintain compliance with the National Minimum Wage. This will be an advance payment of the 2025/26 pay recommendations, and the final pay award will be given following the conclusion of the Pay Review Body process.

This advance will apply to approximately 250,000 AfC staff across band 1 (closed grade), both pay points in band 2 and the entry point of band 3 to ensure National Health Service pay sits above the National Living Wage. These pay points will receive an advance pay uplift of 28p per hour, representing a temporary 2.3% pay uplift.
wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_11

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 26430 on NHS England: Staff, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by NHS East of England Headquarters in (a) 2021, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024; and what was the total salary for those employees in each of those years. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_12

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 27117 on Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust: Finance, what guidance his Department issues on the management steps that NHS Acute Trusts should take when they overspend their allocated budgets. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care 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/answers2025-02-13 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_13

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment his Department has made of blood cancer outcomes in (a) the UK and (b) international comparator countries for the four most common cancers. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care 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/answers2025-02-13 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_14

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding her Department has provided to the Lobular Moonshot Project. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care 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/answers2025-02-13 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_15

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he is having with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on improving the coordination of (a) the Local Government Finance Settlement and (b) Public Health Grant allocations. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_16

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the 2025-26 Public Health Grant allocations will be published. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_17

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the average body mass index of pregnant women in the (a) most recent period for which data is available and (b) five years before the most recent period for which data is available. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care 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/answers2025-02-13 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_18

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that future announcements on provisional local government finance settlements and public health grants to local authorities are published within a week of each other. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care 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/answers2025-02-13 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-13 conversation_19

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of national purchasing of NHS England equipment. \p Karin Smyth: NHS Supply Chain is responsible for procuring products, warehousing and delivering consumables and medical equipment on behalf of the National Health Service. It became fully operational in April 2019, under the ownership of my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care; since 2021, NHS Supply Chain has been owned by NHS England.

The merits of NHS Supply Chain are that it leverages the collective buying power of the NHS to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured quality products at the best value. NHS Supply Chain manages more than eight million orders per year across more than 129,000 order points and over 16,000 locations, delivering over 35 million lines of ordered goods to the NHS annually.