Written questions by Morgan.

How many nursing shifts went unfilled at acute NHS trusts in each month since January 2020.

The Department does not hold the information requested. The Government is committed to ensuring that the National Health Service has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.In summer 2025, we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26911 on Dental Services: Contracts, how many NHS dental providers have had to return their contracts in each month since January 2020.

The following table shows the total number of general dental practice contracts that were terminated by contractors each financial quarter since the first financial quarter of 2020, to September 2021:QuarterNumber of contractor terminationsApril to June 20201July to September 20201October to December 20207January to March 20210April to June 202111July to September 202118 The data collection period changed from quarterly to monthly from October 2021. Therefore, the following table shows the total number of general dental practice contracts that were terminated by contractors in each month from October 2021 to December 2024:MonthNumber of contractor terminationsOctober 20219November 20216December 20216January 20223February 20225March 202222April 202210May 20222June 20227July 20227August 20226September 202210October 20223November 20228December 20220January 20235February 20236March 202320April 20237May 20234June 202328July 20234August 20239September 202317October 20239November 20237December 20239January 202415February 20242March 202412April 20244May 20247June 20247July 20246August 20245September 20245October 20244November 20243December 20241Notes:the data for November and December 2022 has been combined, as there were eight contract terminations between the 1 November and the 31 December; anddata for December 2024 is incomplete and only includes contracts terminated between 1 and 28 December.

Whether public health monies under section 7A of the National Health Service Act 2006 will be ringfenced in 2025.

Currently, there is no ring-fence funding for public health functions delegated by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to NHS England, known as section 7A services. Funding for section 7A services is allocated as part of NHS England’s Mandate funding total.

What the annual (a) budget and (b) spend was for public health monies under section 7A of the National Health Service Act 2006 in each year since 2022.

Funding for public health functions delegated by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to NHS England, known as section 7A services, is allocated as part of NHS England’s mandate funding total. The following table shows the allocation for section 7A services set by NHS England, and the spend for the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24, as well as the allocation set for 2024/25:Total NHS England section 7A funding2022/232023/242024/25Allocation£1,804,000£1,675,100£1,650,900Expenditure including COVID-19 vaccinations£1,768,200£1,639,200 Source: NHS England’s validated but unpublished data on section 7A expenditure.Notes:for 2024/25, the allocation figure includes assumptions for demand-led spending on COVID-19 vaccinations so this figure may change; andactual expenditure for 2024/25 will be available after the publication of the 2024/25 NHS England annual report and accounts.

What steps she is taking to tackle illegal drug (a) use and (b) dealing in market towns.

The Government recognises the considerable impact of drug use and dealing on individuals, families and communities across the country, and tackling this is a vital part of our missions to deliver safer streets and improve health outcomes.That is why we are taking a collaborative, cross-government approach to drugs at a national level. We are dedicated to driving down drug-related harms through prevention and treatment, while acting quickly to stop the criminals peddling these harmful substances.Local drugs partnerships across England provide a whole-system, multi-agency response from police, probation, public health, the NHS and other local partners.

When he plans to announce the unit of dental activity rate for 2025-26; and from what date dentists will receive payments at that rate.

From 1 April 2024, the Department raised the minimum Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) rate to £28 to support practices with historically low UDA rates. Minimum UDA rates are not uplifted annually by the Department, however overall contract values are uplifted annually following the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration. Integrated care boards have the flexibility to influence the UDA rate locally, which may help to support local interventions, and there are differential UDA rates across England. Differential UDA rates allow providers to use differing pay rates to reflect local market rates.

How many NHS dental providers have had to return their contracts in each month since April 2024.

The following table shows the total number of general dental practice contracts that were terminated by contractors each month from April to December 2024:MonthNumber of contractor terminationsApril4May7June7July6August5September5October4November3December1Source: data for December is incomplete, as it only includes contracts terminated between 1 and 28 December.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of delays to 2024-25 dental payments on NHS dental provision.

The independent pay review body for doctors and dentists recommended a 6% pay uplift for 2024/25. The Government accepted the recommendation and has uplifted National Health Service primary care dentistry contract values by 4.64%, net of pay and expenses elements.We have also increased payments for training practices for the first time in more than a decade. The Government implemented the overall uplift to contract values on 29 January. Uplifted payments will be made in March, backdated to 1 April 2024.

If she will take steps to introduce a national strategy to deal with the prevalence of illegal drug (a) use and (b) dealing.

The Government recognises the considerable impact of drug use and dealing on individuals, families and communities across the country, and tackling this is a vital part of our missions to deliver safer streets and improve health outcomes.That is why we are taking a collaborative, cross-government approach to drugs at a national level. We are dedicated to driving down drug-related harms through prevention and treatment, while acting quickly to stop the criminals peddling these harmful substances.Local drugs partnerships across England provide a whole-system, multi-agency response from police, probation, public health, the NHS and other local partners.

When NHS dentists will receive payment for the 2024-25 unit of dental activity rate increase.

The independent pay review body for doctors and dentists recommended a 6% pay uplift for 2024/25. The Government accepted the recommendation and has uplifted National Health Service primary care dentistry contract values by 4.64%, net of pay and expenses elements.We have also increased payments for training practices for the first time in more than a decade. The Government implemented the overall uplift to contract values on 29 January. Uplifted payments will be made in March, backdated to 1 April 2024.

If she will take steps to introduce a national strategy to reduce the exploitation of children in county lines drug trafficking.

A crucial part of our Safer Streets mission is tackling the gangs that entice children and young people into crime. That includes those who run county lines through violence and exploitation.An estimated 14,000 children are identified as at risk or involved in child criminal exploitation. That is why this Government’s manifesto included a commitment to introduce a new offence of child criminal exploitation, which we will bring forward as part of the Crime and Policing Bill.Through the County Lines Programme, the Home Office is also targeting exploitative drug dealing gangs whilst breaking the organised crime groups behind this vile trade.The Programme provides specialist support for children and young people to escape county lines and child criminal exploitation and we will deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment to roll out further support through prevention partnerships to deliver interventions to support children when and where they need it most.Policing activity delivered through the Programme has resulted in over 400 deal lines being closed, the arrest and charge of over 200 deal line holders, and 800 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people.

What estimate he has made of the (a) capital and (b) non-capital spend on the New Hospital Programme by hospital trusts that are part of waves 2 and 3.

As set out in our New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation, the exact profile of funding for the New Hospital Programme will be confirmed in rolling five-year waves at regular Spending Reviews. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-plan-for-implementationUp to and including December 2024, the Department’s spend on the New Hospital Programme was £1.808 billion for capital expenditure, and £268 million for non-capital expenditure. This includes the year-to-date position for 2024/25, and as such remains provisional and subject to final audit.The current future estimates of costs for schemes in waves two and three were published in the plan for implementation. The previous budget allocated to trusts in the New Hospital Programme was published in the annual Financial assistance under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006, and is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676161a094c0d990c1ef3953/dhsc-financial-assistance-under-section-40-of-the-national-health-service-act-2006-report-2023-2024.pdfAll spend allocated to hospital trusts in the New Hospital Programme is capitalised, and as such we do not record any non-capital spend.

What his Department's projected completion dates are for each project delivered by the New Hospital Programme.

Expected completion dates for schemes in the New Hospital Programme will be confirmed following the approval of a Full Business Case, as set out in HM Treasury’s Green Book, and as is usual for large infrastructure projects.

How many people employed by his Department have worked on (a) the review into the New Hospital Programme and (b) the New Hospital Programme in each year since 2019.

The review into the New Hospital Programme (NHP) was led by a Director from the NHP team in the Department of Health and Social Care. They were supported by several officials from within the NHP sponsor team in the Department of Health and Social Care along with officials in NHS England, with input from officials in HM Treasury.The following table shows the figures for the number of people employed by the Department of Health and Social Care to work on the NHP Sponsor Team at the end of each financial year up to March 2024 and then until December 2024:DateHeadcount31 March 2019Prior to the Programme being established31 March 2020Prior to the Programme being established31 March 20212131 March 20226031 March 20234531 March 20241831 December 202422 Notes:The NHP was established in October 2020 and comprises of staff in the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. In July 2023, the NHP moved to a Sponsor and Delivery Model with numerous Departmental roles being transferred to NHS England.The table only shows the number of people employed in the Department of Health and Social Care working in the NHP Sponsor Team and does not include any individuals on loan in and not on Departmental payroll or contingent labour.

If he will publish (a) a year by year forecast of expected investment in the New Hospitals Programme and (b) the projected total budget for that programme.

As set out in our New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation, the exact profile of funding for the New Hospital Programme will be confirmed in rolling five-year waves at regular Spending Reviews. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-plan-for-implementationUp to and including December 2024, the Department’s spend on the New Hospital Programme was £1.808 billion for capital expenditure, and £268 million for non-capital expenditure. This includes the year-to-date position for 2024/25, and as such remains provisional and subject to final audit.The current future estimates of costs for schemes in waves two and three were published in the plan for implementation. The previous budget allocated to trusts in the New Hospital Programme was published in the annual Financial assistance under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006, and is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676161a094c0d990c1ef3953/dhsc-financial-assistance-under-section-40-of-the-national-health-service-act-2006-report-2023-2024.pdfAll spend allocated to hospital trusts in the New Hospital Programme is capitalised, and as such we do not record any non-capital spend.

What his Department's (a) capital and (b) non-capital spend is on the New Hospitals Programme.

As set out in our New Hospital Programme: plan for implementation, the exact profile of funding for the New Hospital Programme will be confirmed in rolling five-year waves at regular Spending Reviews. Further information on the plan for implementation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcome/new-hospital-programme-plan-for-implementationUp to and including December 2024, the Department’s spend on the New Hospital Programme was £1.808 billion for capital expenditure, and £268 million for non-capital expenditure. This includes the year-to-date position for 2024/25, and as such remains provisional and subject to final audit.The current future estimates of costs for schemes in waves two and three were published in the plan for implementation. The previous budget allocated to trusts in the New Hospital Programme was published in the annual Financial assistance under section 40 of the National Health Service Act 2006, and is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676161a094c0d990c1ef3953/dhsc-financial-assistance-under-section-40-of-the-national-health-service-act-2006-report-2023-2024.pdfAll spend allocated to hospital trusts in the New Hospital Programme is capitalised, and as such we do not record any non-capital spend.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of compensation protocols for birds culled to control avian influenza.

Compensation paid for birds culled by HM Government for disease control purposes is designed to promote prompt reporting of suspicion of disease and is only payable for healthy birds as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat. In response to the unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza in October 2022 Defra’s approach to compensation was updated to involve earlier assessment of the number of healthy birds and swifter calculation of compensation. This allows Defra to provide earlier certainty about entitlement to compensation; better reflects the impact of outbreaks on premises; and leads to swifter payments to help stem any cash flow pressures. Defra’s approach to compensation was recently subject to a judicial review, and was found to be lawful on appeal. Compensation policy will continue to be kept under regular review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help farmers insure against the risk of avian influenza outbreaks.

The UK poultry sector is highly resilient and adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products in spite of the many challenges it has faced in recent years including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and avian influenza outbreaks. Following difficult avian influenza seasons in 2021/22 and 2022/23, poultry and egg producers have made the department aware of the challenges that some have faced in both obtaining suitable insurance products and the increased cost of such insurance. Defra has been working with both producers and the insurance industry to seek market-based solutions to this situation. In addition, the department continues to remind producers that they are responsible for the on-farm management of their flocks and should take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of an outbreak occurring. Having strong biosecurity measures in place, and maintaining them year-round, significantly reduces the risk of infection on site.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support businesses impacted by outbreaks of avian influenza.

The UK poultry sector is highly resilient, adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products in spite of the many challenges it has faced in recent years including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and Avian Influenza outbreaks. In autumn 2024 Defra announced a package of measures to help farmers to deal with the impact of any future avian influenza outbreaks and to provide certainty and stability to farmers in the UK’s poultry and egg sectors. These included: - The introduction of legislation to allow free-range eggs to continue to be labelled as such for the duration of mandatory housing measures, reducing costs on producers and enabling them to continue to trade fairly with imported eggs. This came into force on 23 January 2025.- A consultation on introducing similar measures for the labelling of free-range poultry meat during mandatory housing measures. The consultation closed on 16 December 2024. Responses are currently being analysed and a summary of responses will be published in due course. We continue to work closely with the poultry and egg sectors and to monitor these markets for any supply issues that may arise as a result of avian influenza outbreaks.

Communities and Local Government, what proportion of Homes England's Affordable Homes Programme was invested in new affordable homes in rural settlements with a population of 3,000 or fewer in each of the last three years.

Homes England publish allocations data for the 2021-2026 Affordable Homes Programme. This can be found on gov.uk here.With regard to their Continuous Market Engagement (CME) activity to the end of March 2023, Homes England made allocations for 1,862 homes in areas with a population of less than 3,000 (10% of all CME allocations).Further updates on allocations, including those with Strategic Partners, which make up a large proportion of programme delivery, will be released in due course.