Written questions by Morgan.

What steps he is taking to help support people waiting for joint replacement surgery.

Cutting waiting lists is a key priority for the Government. We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029, including patients waiting for joint replacement surgery.We also want to improve patients’ experience while waiting, to ensure their experience of planned National Health Service care is as supportive and convenient as possible. In our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, we committed to giving patients more choice and control, including choice of their provider, and whether they want routine follow up appointments. We are upgrading the NHS app, so patients can book and rearrange appointments, choose which hospital to be treated at, receive test results, and choose if they want to be seen in person or remotely. We will also work with patients and carers to establish minimum standards for experience.The My Planned Care app gives people advice and support while they wait and helps them to prepare for their hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving people information about waiting times at their hospital and other supporting and local services. There has been no formal assessment on the correlation between body mass index levels and referrals for joint replacement surgery.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of surgical hubs on (a) waiting times for (i) trauma and (ii) orthopaedic treatment and (b) equity in access to treatment.

No formal assessment has been specifically made on the potential impact of surgical hubs on clinical speciality waiting times or equity in access to treatment.A mixed methods evaluation of the surgical hub programme is currently underway, led by the University of York, and is expected to complete in 2027.Surgical hubs transform the way the National Health Service provides elective care by focusing on providing high volume low complexity surgery, as recommended by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Hubs separate elective care facilities from urgent and emergency care, improving outcomes for patients and reducing pressures on hospitals.

What assessment he made of the correlation between BMI levels and referrals for joint replacement surgery.

Cutting waiting lists is a key priority for the Government. We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029, including patients waiting for joint replacement surgery.We also want to improve patients’ experience while waiting, to ensure their experience of planned National Health Service care is as supportive and convenient as possible. In our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, we committed to giving patients more choice and control, including choice of their provider, and whether they want routine follow up appointments. We are upgrading the NHS app, so patients can book and rearrange appointments, choose which hospital to be treated at, receive test results, and choose if they want to be seen in person or remotely. We will also work with patients and carers to establish minimum standards for experience.The My Planned Care app gives people advice and support while they wait and helps them to prepare for their hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving people information about waiting times at their hospital and other supporting and local services. There has been no formal assessment on the correlation between body mass index levels and referrals for joint replacement surgery.

If he will publish his Department's risk assessments of (a) the abolition of NHS England and (b) the 50% cost reductions required by Integrated Care Boards.

It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. These assessments will inform our programme as appropriate. Furthermore, the Government is committed to transparency and will consider how best to ensure the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcomes and impact of both the abolition of NHS England and the reduction in workforce.NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure, with the expectation of achieving a reduction in their running cost allowance.NHS England has shared a draft of the Model ICB Blueprint to help ICBs shape future plans. An update on the development of the Model ICB Blueprint, and the draft Model ICB Blueprint are available, respectively, at the following two links: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/update-on-the-draft-model-icb-blueprint-and-progress-on-the-future-nhs-operating-model/ https://www.digitalhealth.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Model-Integrated-Care-Board-%E2%80%93-Blueprint-v1.0.pdf The blueprint confirms their critical role as strategic commissioner, with their core functions centred in population health management, including understanding local context, developing a long-term strategy, allocating resources, and evaluating impact. Ministers and the Department will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to ensure ICBs continue to fulfil their future functions effectively within the running costs cap and unlock the benefit of working at scale to deliver better care for patients.

What steps the government is taking to implement the provisions agreed in the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in May 2025.

After three years of negotiations, the Government welcomes the historic adoption of the Pandemic Agreement by the World Health Assembly (WHA), the World Health Organization’s (WHO) main decision-making body. The agreement should ensure that member states of the WHO take comprehensive action, together, to better prevent pandemics and improve disease surveillance so we can detect and respond to emerging pandemic threats promptly. The Government has worked hard to secure it. The sovereignty of member states is one of the guiding principles of the Pandemic Agreement. It does not include any provisions that would give the WHO powers to impose domestic public health decisions on the United Kingdom, such as potential lockdowns.The Pandemic Agreement will not be binding on the UK as a matter of international law until the Government has ratified it in accordance with our own constitutional process. This would involve laying the agreement as a treaty before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual way. As part of that process, the Government would consider what domestic implementation is required ahead of ratification. The Pandemic Agreement will not be open for signature and ratification until follow-up negotiations on the annex to the agreement, on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system, have successfully concluded and it has been adopted by the WHA. These negotiations will soon begin and member states of the WHO have agreed to report on the outcome within one year.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58289 on Planning: Bank Services and Postal Services, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local planning authorities consistently apply National Planning Policy Framework guidance relating to access to (a) banking and (b) postal services.

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions. Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

How many homes occupied by families from (a) RAF Shawbury, (b) RAF Cosford and (c) Clive Barracks do not have up to date gas safety certificates.

The number of occupied Service Family Accommodation (SFA) homes at RAF Shawbury, RAF Cosford and Clive Barracks (Ternhill) that do not have up to date gas safety certificates or electrical safety certificates as at 18 June 2025, is shown in the following table: Number of occupied SFA with Expired Gas Safety CertificatesNumber of occupied SFA with Expired Electrical Safety CertificatesShawbury00Cosford40Ternhill (Clive Barracks)01 The safety of Service personnel and their families is the Departments highest priority, and it is unacceptable for any family to be living in a home without the necessary checks. It remains a top priority to gain access to these homes to carry out this work. Access has been attempted to all of these properties at least three times, and the Chain of Command has been asked to assist.

How many homes occupied by families from (a) RAF Shawbury, (b) RAF Cosford and (c) Clive Barracks do not have up to date electrical safety certificates.

The number of occupied Service Family Accommodation (SFA) homes at RAF Shawbury, RAF Cosford and Clive Barracks (Ternhill) that do not have up to date gas safety certificates or electrical safety certificates as at 18 June 2025, is shown in the following table: Number of occupied SFA with Expired Gas Safety CertificatesNumber of occupied SFA with Expired Electrical Safety CertificatesShawbury00Cosford40Ternhill (Clive Barracks)01 The safety of Service personnel and their families is the Departments highest priority, and it is unacceptable for any family to be living in a home without the necessary checks. It remains a top priority to gain access to these homes to carry out this work. Access has been attempted to all of these properties at least three times, and the Chain of Command has been asked to assist.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58289 on Planning: Bank Services and Postal Services, how her Department monitors whether planning decisions have adequately protected access to (a) banking and (b) post offices in rural communities.

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions. Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58289 on Planning: Bank Services and Postal Services, what data her Department holds on the accessibility to banking and postal services in planning applications approved in each of the last five years.

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions. Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) local communities and (b) town and parish councils can shape development and growth in their local areas.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Locality were informed of the decision and set it out on the official neighbourhood planning website, where announcements regarding the availability neighbourhood planning support have historically been made, thereby ensuring that neighbourhood planning groups and local planning authorities were made aware.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.We will ensure that local planning authorities continue to be appropriately funded for their neighbourhood planning function, including funding for neighbourhood planning examinations.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests.

Communities and Local Government, what support her Department plans to provide local authorities for the examination of neighbourhood plans.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Locality were informed of the decision and set it out on the official neighbourhood planning website, where announcements regarding the availability neighbourhood planning support have historically been made, thereby ensuring that neighbourhood planning groups and local planning authorities were made aware.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.We will ensure that local planning authorities continue to be appropriately funded for their neighbourhood planning function, including funding for neighbourhood planning examinations.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she has taken to inform local authorities of changes to (a) neighbourhood planning support and (b) associated funding.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Locality were informed of the decision and set it out on the official neighbourhood planning website, where announcements regarding the availability neighbourhood planning support have historically been made, thereby ensuring that neighbourhood planning groups and local planning authorities were made aware.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.We will ensure that local planning authorities continue to be appropriately funded for their neighbourhood planning function, including funding for neighbourhood planning examinations.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests.

What steps she is taking to reduce rural business crime in North Shropshire constituency.

Rural crime has devastating consequences on countryside communities and the agricultural sector. Through our Safer Streets Mission, rural businesses will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent equipment theft and fly-tipping.Rural communities can also be assured that visible, neighbourhood policing is returning to our communities. On 10 April, the Prime Minister outlined further details about our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, including that by July, every community, including rural communities, will have named and contactable officers dedicated to addressing their issues.This financial year we are providing the first Home Office funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit, a national policing unit which help forces tackle rural crime priorities and is a great example of farmers and police working together at national and local level.As one part of efforts to help tackle theft of agricultural equipment, we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to tackle the theft and re-sale of high-value agricultural equipment.In addition, we are providing over £7 million over the next three years to support the police is tackling retail crime. This includes continuing to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime – in partnership with the retail sector – to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify organised retail crime offenders in every area of the county.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has informed Locality that the Government will not be commissioning new neighbourhood planning support services in the current financial year.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Locality were informed of the decision and set it out on the official neighbourhood planning website, where announcements regarding the availability neighbourhood planning support have historically been made, thereby ensuring that neighbourhood planning groups and local planning authorities were made aware.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.We will ensure that local planning authorities continue to be appropriately funded for their neighbourhood planning function, including funding for neighbourhood planning examinations.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests.

How many families subject to No Recourse to Public Funds are (a) in receipt of Healthy Start and (b) have had their application for Healthy Start rejected.

The Department transferred the Healthy Start Extension Scheme to the NHS Business Services Authority at the beginning of April 2025.As of the 19 June 2025, the number of those subject to no recourse to public funds, with a British child aged under four years old, in receipt of the Healthy Start Extension Scheme is 75.Since April 2025 and as of the 19 June 2025, the number of applications for the Healthy Start Extension scheme that have been rejected is 51.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish a breakdown of the sources of the funding increase for social care in 2028-29.

The government is committed to transforming social care and making tangible improvements in the short term. The Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion available for adult social care in 2028–29 compared to 2025–26. This includes additional grant funding, growth in other sources of income available to support adult social care, and an increase to the NHS’s contribution to adult social care via the Better Care Fund, in line with DHSC’s Spending Review settlement. We will set out further details at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year. The provisional Settlement will be subject to consultation, as in previous years

With reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, how the savings in the NHS were calculated.

Details of the efficiency plan were published alongside the Spending Review, and are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departmental-efficiency-delivery-plansThe savings are derived by applying the productivity target for each sector to the level of associated spending. Improving National Health Service productivity is backed by a nearly 50% increase to NHS technology and transformation spend since 2025/26, with a total investment of up to £10 billion by 2028/29.The plan will deliver efficiencies across all healthcare services, such as electives, urgent and emergency care, community health, mental health, primary care, and other services, primarily through the combined impact of operational and clinical improvements, technology and digital transformation, and workforce initiatives.These efficiencies will be reinvested back into the NHS and will support the transformation in the 10-Year Health Plan.

Communities and Local Government, how much and what proportion of the increased funding for social care in 2028-29 will come from council tax increases.

The government is committed to transforming social care and making tangible improvements in the short term. The Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion available for adult social care in 2028–29 compared to 2025–26. This includes additional grant funding, growth in other sources of income available to support adult social care such as council tax, and an increase to the NHS’s contribution to adult social care via the Better Care Fund, in line with DHSC’s Spending Review settlement. We will set out further details at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement. Council tax levels and the resulting income for services are decided by local authorities each year. The government maintains a referendum threshold so that voters can have the final say over excessive increases. The Spending Review confirmed the government intends to maintain a 3% referendum threshold, with an additional 2% for the adult social care precept, continuing the policy of the previous government. This will be subject to the annual approval of the House of Commons.

What assessment her Department has made on rural bus accessibility to identify communities underserved by public transport in North Shropshire constituency.

The government recognises the importance of accessible, frequent and affordable bus services in keeping communities connected. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in North Shropshire. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, of which Shropshire Council has been allocated £4.4 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to bus services in this Spending Review by confirming around £900 million each year from 26/27 to maintain and improve vital bus services.