Written questions by Morgan.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of NHS spending on pharmaceutical products on NHS service provision in the context of the UK-US trade deal.

By increasing the standard National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) cost-effectiveness threshold, we are increasing the value that we place on innovations that deliver improvements to patient health. Alongside the changes that we announced in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, this will increase both the speed and breadth of patient access to innovative medicines and encourage growth in United Kingdom-based clinical trials.Costs will start smaller but will increase over time as the NICE approves more life improving and lifesaving medicines. Total costs over the Spending Review period are expected to be approximately £1 billion. But the final costs will depend on which medicines NICE decides to approve and the actual uptake of these.This deal is a vital investment that builds on the strength of our National Health Service and world leading life sciences sector to increase access to life-changing medicines without taking essential funding from our frontline NHS services. We will always prioritise the needs of NHS patients and at the Spending Review we delivered a record real terms increase for day-to-day spending for the NHS in England up to April 2029.This deal will be funded by allocations made at the Spending Review, where front line services will remain protected through the record funding secured. Future year funding will be settled at the next Spending Review.

When he expects fax machines to be phased out of use in Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has instructed National Health Service trusts to stop using fax machines for anything other than business continuity. The trust has informed NHS England that they currently only use fax machines for administrative tasks.NHS England will be meeting with the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust to work with them on their decommissioning plans. As such, there is currently no date set for when fax machines will be phased out.

What recent assessment he has made of the use of fax machines by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has instructed National Health Service trusts to stop using fax machines for anything other than business continuity. The trust has informed NHS England that they currently only use fax machines for administrative tasks.NHS England will be meeting with the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust to work with them on their decommissioning plans. As such, there is currently no date set for when fax machines will be phased out.

What assessment his Department has made of the National Audit Office recommendations in its analysis of the 2023 Long Term Workforce Plan (a) in general and (b) specifically the recommendation that assumptions should be generated in transparent and systematic consultation with external stakeholders.

The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.To address the National Audit Office’s recommendations regarding the 2023 Long Term Workforce Plan, updated workforce modelling and its underlying assumptions will be set out in and alongside the new plan when published in spring 2026. It will be supported by external independent scrutiny.We are committed to engagement with external stakeholders. On the 26 September 2025 we launched a formal call for evidence, which provided stakeholders the opportunity to contribute directly to the plan’s development. This closed on 7 November 2025. The submissions to our call for evidence are being analysed to inform the development of the plan.

What steps he is taking to incorporate the National Audit Office recommendations regarding the 2023 Long Term Workforce Plan into the development of the 10 Year Workforce Plan.

The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.To address the National Audit Office’s recommendations regarding the 2023 Long Term Workforce Plan, updated workforce modelling and its underlying assumptions will be set out in and alongside the new plan when published in spring 2026. It will be supported by external independent scrutiny.We are committed to engagement with external stakeholders. On the 26 September 2025 we launched a formal call for evidence, which provided stakeholders the opportunity to contribute directly to the plan’s development. This closed on 7 November 2025. The submissions to our call for evidence are being analysed to inform the development of the plan.

What steps he is taking to help reduce the potential impact of chronic respiratory conditions on the NHS this winter.

NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter. This includes robust, consistent Infection Prevention and Control measures, and a campaign to encourage eligible people to get their winter vaccinations. Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

What steps he is taking to help (a) increase capacity for and (b) reduce inequalities in access to respiratory diagnosis.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are increasing capacity and access to respiratory diagnostic tests such as spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and will continue to do so as more sites come online. For example, the first five months of 2025/26 saw an increase in CDC spirometry testing of approximately 2,000 tests per month more than in the previous year.In addition, 101 CDCs across the country now offer out-of-hours services 12 hours a day, seven days a week, meaning patients across the country can access vital diagnostic tests around busy working lives.

If his Department will take steps to help ensure that health boards and trusts collect and publish data on the provision of respiratory diagnostics.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Chelmsford on 27 October 2025 to Question 83430.

If he will outline the criteria used to decide which conditions should receive a modern service framework; and whether respiratory health meets these criteria.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes on 27 October 2025 to Question 82544.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of commissioning neighbourhood level respiratory diagnostic hubs.

Respiratory diagnostic hubs have been piloted and developed in many parts of England and this learning will inform the development of more neighbourhood health services.Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) are also supporting the shift to neighbourhood health, with 170 CDCs now being operational across England. All standard model CDCs are required to offer a range of diagnostic tests that support diagnosis of respiratory conditions, including spirometry and lung function tests.CDCs offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are undertaken, reducing the need for hospital visits and speeding up diagnosis, whilst also reducing pressure on hospitals.We are continuing to invest in expanding diagnostic capacity in the National Health Service, including through increasing CDC capacity. As set out in the Elective reform Plan, we plan to build up to five more CDCs, as part of £600 million capital funding for diagnostics in 2025/26. We are also increasing the operating hours of existing sites so that more offer services 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

If he will take steps to support educators, supervisors, mentors and trainers in the 10 Year Workforce Plan and work with employers to increase capacity for medical education and training.

On 8 December, the Government put an offer in writing to the British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee (BMA RDC) which was rejected. The offer would have increased the number of specialty training posts over the next three years from the 1,000 announced in the 10-Year Health Plan to 4,000, bringing forward 1,000 of these specialty training posts to start in 2026. The BMA have rejected the Government's offer, so that is not going ahead. Our door remains open, and this Government is determined to put an end to these damaging cycles of disruption. On 8 January 2026, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met with the BMA RDC to kick off a series of talks to resolve the dispute.The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. It will include modelling of the potential size and shape of the future workforce and implications for major professions.We are engaging with partners throughout this process, including universities and higher education institutes. A number of organisations with expertise in higher education were invited to and attended a ministerially led partner event on 5 November. As we continue the open and wide-ranging conversations we’ve been having with staff, patients and organisations across the country, we will ensure that the engagement is robust and representative of different stakeholder groups.

If the 10 Year Workforce Plan will expand the number of medical specialty training places to meet population demand, beyond the 1,000 proposed in the 10 Year Health Plan.

On 8 December, the Government put an offer in writing to the British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee (BMA RDC) which was rejected. The offer would have increased the number of specialty training posts over the next three years from the 1,000 announced in the 10-Year Health Plan to 4,000, bringing forward 1,000 of these specialty training posts to start in 2026. The BMA have rejected the Government's offer, so that is not going ahead. Our door remains open, and this Government is determined to put an end to these damaging cycles of disruption. On 8 January 2026, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met with the BMA RDC to kick off a series of talks to resolve the dispute.The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. It will include modelling of the potential size and shape of the future workforce and implications for major professions.We are engaging with partners throughout this process, including universities and higher education institutes. A number of organisations with expertise in higher education were invited to and attended a ministerially led partner event on 5 November. As we continue the open and wide-ranging conversations we’ve been having with staff, patients and organisations across the country, we will ensure that the engagement is robust and representative of different stakeholder groups.

What steps she is taking to support charities providing community transport.

The Government recognises the vital role community transport operators play in connecting people with their communities, enabling access to employment, education and other essential services such as healthcare. The Department makes available up to £3.8 million each year through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to community transport operators. An uplift of 60% has been added to BSOG claims for community transport operators until 31 March 2026. This means community transport operators will receive £1.60 for every £1 claimed, reflecting the increased costs faced by the sector.

If she will take steps to reduce the (a) regulatory and (b) administrative requirements placed on transport-focused charities.

The Department is committed to reducing unnecessary administrative burdens across the transport sector, both in our own work and in our engagement with other parties. The Charities Commission (and its counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland) often explore ways to reduce the administrative burdens faced by charities and simplify the regulatory landscape in which they operate. The Department is also supporting the government’s Regulatory Action Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to reclassify equine germinal products imported from the EU as medium risk.

Equine germinal products are a high-risk commodity and require 100% documentary and identity checks upon import from the EU under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19th May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of germinal product, including animal health conditions governing imports. We are aiming to conclude negotiations and have legislative arrangements in place no later than 2027, subject to discussion with the EU. Regarding the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), we have been clear that compliance with the existing BTOM controls must continue until further notice, because the UK’s biosecurity and public health must continue to be protected.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on access to banking services of Lloyds Banking Group’s decision to discontinue cheque deposit services at Post Offices from 31 December 2025.

The Government recognises the important role the Post Office plays in providing essential banking services, particularly in rural areas. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at thousands of Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Post Office is required by the Department for Business & Trade to ensure that 95% of the total rural population across the UK is within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. Customers continue to have other options for paying in cheques, whether at local bank branches, by post, or digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. I have discussed this with Lloyds, who assure me customers are able to use freepost to deposit cheques without needing to travel, where branch or digital options are not suitable.

What discussions her Department has held with Lloyds Banking Group regarding its decision to remove cheque deposit services from Post Offices under Banking Framework 4.

The Government recognises the important role the Post Office plays in providing essential banking services, particularly in rural areas. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at thousands of Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Post Office is required by the Department for Business & Trade to ensure that 95% of the total rural population across the UK is within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. Customers continue to have other options for paying in cheques, whether at local bank branches, by post, or digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. I have discussed this with Lloyds, who assure me customers are able to use freepost to deposit cheques without needing to travel, where branch or digital options are not suitable.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure access to cheque deposit services in rural areas.

The Government recognises the important role the Post Office plays in providing essential banking services, particularly in rural areas. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance and pay bills at thousands of Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Post Office is required by the Department for Business & Trade to ensure that 95% of the total rural population across the UK is within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office. Decisions about what services are available at the Post Office, such as cheque deposits, are made by the banks as part of their commercial arrangements. Customers continue to have other options for paying in cheques, whether at local bank branches, by post, or digitally via mobile apps using cheque imaging technology. I have discussed this with Lloyds, who assure me customers are able to use freepost to deposit cheques without needing to travel, where branch or digital options are not suitable.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to speed up the processing of (a) equines and (b) equine semen at border control points.

To protect GB biosecurity, official import controls are undertaken at Border Control Posts (BCP) on consignments of equine semen from all countries and equines from countries other than EU and EFTA. Import controls on equines from EU and EFTA countries take place at destination. Regular APHA audits of these import controls ensures that they are completed in an effective, considerate of animal welfare and timely manner. In recognition of the logistical challenges associated with the importation and official import controls at a Border Control Post (BCP), specifically chilled equine semen, a facilitation scheme was introduced by Defra and has been operating for the 2024 and 2025 breeding seasons allowing unimpeded movement of these consignments through the BCP.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will assess the merits of suspending mandatory border control point checks for consignments of equine semen sent from approved EU centres.

All consignments of equine germinal products imported into GB from the EU and EFTA countries are required to undergo import controls at a designated Border Control Post. A facilitation scheme remains in place to address logistical issues associated with the import of chilled equine germinal products. The SPS agreement, currently being negotiated between GB and the EU, will largely supersede the current import requirements and significantly reduce the burden on GB industry.