Written questions by Stephenson.

With reference to p.81 of the 10 Year Health Plan, published on 3 July 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure the accuracy of triage using AI on the NHS App for each patient.

We are currently developing our plans in response to the 10-Year Health Plan commitments to support artificial intelligence (AI) assisted triage. We will do so following stringent clinical safety standards as outlined in the NHS Service Standard, as well as rigorous evaluations of health outcomes and operational impact.When developed, AI triage within the NHS App will use artificial intelligence to assess symptoms and guide patients to the most appropriate care, whether it's self-care, booking an appointment, or seeking other help.The NHS operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI, underpinned by rigorous standards established by bodies including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Health Research Authority, and Care Quality Commission. These agencies ensure that AI technologies are deployed safely and effectively within healthcare settings. Additionally, continuous monitoring after deployment is essential to ensure long-term safety of AI solutions, so we are working closely with regulators to identify new measures for mitigating risk and providing assurance. We are also leading on shaping a regulatory landscape that ensures AI technologies are safe, transparent and work for everyone.

With reference to page 34 of his Department's policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, what the outcome will be if a patient needs to spend more than their Personal Health Budget on care.

Personal health budget holders should have regular contact with their local integrated care board (ICB) so that if their situation changes, including in relation to costs, their personalised care and support plan can be reviewed. A personal health budget review can also be requested at any time by an individual or their local ICB if circumstances have changed.

How many languages the NHS app will be available in by 2035.

The 10-Year Health Plan recently committed to offering services in the NHS App in multiple languages to reach people who have difficulty with English where it is not their first language. Scoping has started to understand how to deliver this in a safe and cost-effective way, so that translations are reliable, consistent across patient journeys, accessible by those that they are intended for, and are making good use of public funds. The NHS App is currently available in English and Welsh.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 June to Written Question 61630 on Investment, what steps she is taking to talking to support retail participation in UK capital markets following the cancellation of the retail sale of NatWest shares.

The Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms will give more people the confidence to invest in our world-leading capital markets, benefitting both consumers and the UK economy. In particular, the Treasury is working closely with the FCA to roll out a system of targeted support in time for ISA season next year. This represents the biggest reform of the financial advice and guidance landscape in more than a decade, and will be a step change in the support available to consumers. The Government will also move Long-Term Asset Funds from the Innovative Finance ISA to the Stocks & Shares ISA from April 2026. This should give more consumers access to the higher returns available from less liquid assets, while directing investment into productive assets that will drive economic growth. In addition, the Government welcomes the industry-led initiatives to promote the benefits of investing to the public, and to reform how firms talk about the risks and benefits of investing.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Rooftop solar for new builds to save people money, published on 6 June 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of these measures on the time it will take to build a new home.

As part of the consultation on the Future Homes Standard, the proposed net zero-ready standard for new build homes, we published a consultation-stage impact assessment estimating the costs and wider impacts of the proposals, including rooftop solar. In developing this assessment, we worked with specialist energy and construction cost consultants to gather evidence on typical capital costs of installing solar panels on different house types, and how these costs are expected to change over the course of the policy. Consultees were invited to offer their views on this assessment. On build time, any impact on new homes will vary by site circumstances and design. Through the consultation process, we sought views on implementation, including the length of the transitional period for industry to adopt the new standards. This transitional period will provide time for industry to adapt and prepare, minimising any disruption to housebuilding. We are carefully considering the response to the consultation. We intend to publish the Future Homes Standard this Autumn, and will publish an updated impact assessment alongside it.

With reference to page 12 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, what incentives will be provided for healthier choices.

The Department will shortly launch a market engagement process with business to inform the creation of the newly announced NHS Points digital scheme. This will include inviting views and evidence as to what types of incentives could be provided in return for healthier choices. The Department will consider what types of incentives are evidenced to have the greatest impact on driving positive behaviour change.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Government completes exit from NatWest, published on 30 May 2025, what estimate her Department has made of the potential income from the retail model of sale.

On 30 May 2025, the government sold its remaining shares in NatWest Group, bringing to an end the public ownership of banks resulting from the 2007-2009 global financial crisis. The government focused on ensuring sales of NatWest shares were delivered in a way that achieved value for money for taxpayers. This included undertaking sales via Directed Buybacks and the Trading Plan, whereby any sales were undertaken at market price. UK Government Investments regularly conducted fair value assessments of the bank, with support from advisors, to determine a price per share above which it represented value for money for the government to sell at that point in time. Further details of the sales, including amounts raised, were included in the Economic Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement of 3 June 2025. As the Chancellor set out in the July 2024 Spending Audit, the government does not believe that a retail offer represented value for money for taxpayers, given the likely incentives needed, which precedent suggests could have cost the public hundreds of millions more than selling via established disposal methods.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Rooftop solar for new builds to save people money, published on 6 June 2025, if she has made an estimate of the potential impact of the change in costs on the construction costs for a new build house.

As part of the consultation on the Future Homes Standard, the proposed net zero-ready standard for new build homes, we published a consultation-stage impact assessment estimating the costs and wider impacts of the proposals, including rooftop solar. In developing this assessment, we worked with specialist energy and construction cost consultants to gather evidence on typical capital costs of installing solar panels on different house types, and how these costs are expected to change over the course of the policy. Consultees were invited to offer their views on this assessment. On build time, any impact on new homes will vary by site circumstances and design. Through the consultation process, we sought views on implementation, including the length of the transitional period for industry to adopt the new standards. This transitional period will provide time for industry to adapt and prepare, minimising any disruption to housebuilding. We are carefully considering the response to the consultation. We intend to publish the Future Homes Standard this Autumn, and will publish an updated impact assessment alongside it.

If he will make an estimate of the size of the maintenance backlog in the NHS at the end of the 10 Year Health Plan.

Alongside the 10-Year Health Plan detailing our ambition to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future, the Government recently published a 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy setting out 10-year maintenance budgets for the public estate, with £6 billion per year for maintenance and repair of the NHS estate up to 2034-35.Investment will be targeted to address critical infrastructure risk and eradicate reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), starting to reverse the underinvestment of the previous 15 years.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release entitled New drainage standards tackle pollution in England’s communities, published on 19 June 2025, if he will list the stakeholders that were consulted on the development of the new standards.

A range of stakeholders including expert consultants, devolved administrations, local authorities, arms length bodies, water companies, drainage experts, environmental groups and developers were consulted.

With reference to page 14 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, if he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on his plans for the NHS workforce.

The Employment Rights Bill is the first stage of Make Work Pay, which is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all. The approach is designed to help more people to stay in work, support workers’ productivity and improve living standards. Once implemented, the Bill will represent the biggest upgrade in employment rights for a generation. The measures contained in the Bill support the 10-Year Health Plan’s ambition to make the National Health Service the country’s best employer.

Which areas he plans to designate as integrated health organisations in 2026; and what criteria he will use to identify those areas.

As outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, National Health Service foundation trusts that have shown an ability to meet core standards, improve population health, form partnerships with others, and remain financially sustainable over time will be eligible for designation as integrated health organisations (IHOs).We expect to designate a small number of IHOs in 2026 following a rigorous authorisation process. The process and criteria for assessment are currently in development.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Personal Independence Payments Bill on public finances.

As I set out in the House of Commons on 1 July 2025, this Government has listened to the concerns raised by Members from across the House regarding the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would have amended the legal framework underpinning PIP assessments, specifically by implementing a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. In light of the concerns raised, we have removed clause 5 from the Bill in Committee. Any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, led by myself and co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doctors’ strikes on the measures in his 10 Year Health Plan.

Whilst the Department has not made a specific assessment, there is data which demonstrates the number of appointments rescheduled because of strike action. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/08/nhs-publishes-strike-impact-data-following-a-record-june-for-treatments/Any resident doctor strike action will undeniably have a damaging effect on patient safety, hospital care, and some of the measures in the 10-Year Health Plan. Strikes are in nobody’s interest and ongoing action puts additional pressure on the National Health Service and staff who continue to work hard to keep services running and provide much needed care to the public.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislation on the treatment of flooding in the planning system before the end of the current Session.

The government has no plans to bring forward primary legislation concerning the treatment of flooding in the planning system, given the strong safeguards which already exist in national planning policy.

If he will make an estimate of the percentage of NHS services provided by private healthcare providers (a) on 6 September 2025 and (b) at the end of the 10 Year Health Plan period.

The 10-Year Health Plan builds on the Elective Reform Plan and the Independent Sector Partnership Agreement, published in January 2025. It reinforces the commitment to use available capacity in the independent sector to treat National Health Service patients, driving choice and empowerment for more patients, and further commits enter discussions to expand NHS provision in the most disadvantaged areas to tackle health inequalities.The overall proportion of health spending on independent sector providers has not increased significantly over recent years. In 2013/14, 6.1% or £6.5 billion of total health spending was spent on purchase of healthcare from independent sector providers. In 2023/24, this was 6.8% or £12.4 billion. No estimate has been made of the percentage of NHS services provided by independent sector providers or private companies on 6 September 2025. In the recently published data for NHS elective care activity, covering activity in June 2025, independent sector providers delivered 8% of activity.No forecasting has been undertaken of the expected volumes of activity undertaken by independent sector providers or private companies at the end of the 10-Year Health Plan period.

With reference to page 12 of policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the headcount of Integrated Care Boards on their capacity.

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within the health and care structure. All ICBs shared their delivery plan in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April 2025 and the Model ICB framework.NHS England is working closely with ICBs to ensure the changes do not compromise quality of care. The Government expects ICBs to continue to deliver on all of their statutory responsibility relating to commission of health services and protect frontline medical staff from cuts.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release New drainage standards tackle pollution in England’s communities, published on 19 June 2025, if he will list the (a) flooding and (b) drainage experts that were consulted prior to the development of the new standards.

A range of stakeholders including expert consultants, devolved administrations, local authorities, arms length bodies, water companies, drainage experts, environmental groups and developers were consulted.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Chancellor announces record investment to rebuild National Health Service, published on 11 June 2025, when he plans to confirm the 350 deprived communities in receipt of funding.

At Spending Review 2025, the Chancellor announced that up to 350 of the most deprived places will receive support from government. Full profiles and detailed guidance will be published in due course.The programme will adopt a flexible approach offering areas a broad range of options to address the unique challenges in their local area. Youth clubs, libraries, parks, cultural venues, and health and wellbeing services will all be in scope of the programme.

Whether patients will be able to access private healthcare services provided through the NHS on the NHS app.

We estimate there are around 450 independent sector providers that are providing National Health Service services via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). There is no classification of private healthcare or independent sector in the e-RS Directory of Services. Patients can already access referrals to these private healthcare providers via the NHS App where they have been shortlisted by their GP.