Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jess Brown-Fuller this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 370 · this parliament
What estimate he has made of the percentage of cases in the overall Crown Court backlog are either way cases that would be no longer eligible for jury trial under the government’s proposed reforms.
As is usual practice, detailed impact assessments will be provided alongside the necessary legislation for these reforms. The Government will bring forward this legislation when parliamentary time allows.
What assessment he has made of the percentage of the current Crown Court backlog would be sent for judge alone trials under the government’s proposed court reforms.
As is usual practice, detailed impact assessments will be provided alongside the necessary legislation for these reforms. The Government will bring forward this legislation when parliamentary time allows.
What assessment he has made of the current number of either-way cases in the present Crown Court backlog that have yet to elect mode of trial.
The Ministry of Justice publishes information about cases in the open caseload at both the magistrates’ courts and at the Crown Court. This includes breakdowns of volumes and durations as part of the Crown Court open caseload published as part of Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly: Criminal court statistics quarterly. The Ministry of Justice does not publish data relating to the progression of cases or mode of trial in the open caseload.
What assessment he has made of the proportion of cases in the backlog are still pending the decision of the defendant to elect mode of trial.
The Ministry of Justice publishes information about cases in the open caseload at both the magistrates’ courts and at the Crown Court. This includes breakdowns of volumes and durations as part of the Crown Court open caseload published as part of Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly: Criminal court statistics quarterly. The Ministry of Justice does not publish data relating to the progression of cases or mode of trial in the open caseload.
What steps he is taking to reduce diagnostic waiting times for endometriosis in (a) England and (b) Chichester constituency.
Patients waiting for an endometriosis diagnosis may receive diagnostic tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, though the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopic procedure. The laparoscopy is also used to treat endometriosis.To improve diagnosis times, we are transforming diagnostic services and taking steps to increase diagnostic capacity. This includes expanding existing community diagnostic centres (CDCs), building up to five new ones as part of £600 million capital funding for diagnostics in 2025/26 and opening more CDCs 12 hours per day, seven days a week.NHS Sussex ICB have increased diagnostic capacity by setting up a well-established CDC programme. Seven CDCs operate across Sussex, including University of Chichester Bognor CDC, and are expected to deliver an additional 460,000 diagnostic tests in 2025/26, including 40,000 MRI scans, and nearly 90,000 ultrasound scans.
What guidance his Department has issued on the age at which clinical guidance recommends that speech and language intervention should begin for children with Down syndrome; and whether that guidance includes supporting assistance with speech sounds in infancy.
National Health Service guidance sets out information on how to help children and young people with Down syndrome, including that they may need the support of a Speech and Language Therapist. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/downs-syndrome/how-to-help-children-and-young-people/ Through implementation of the Down Syndrome Act 2022, we want to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. Under the Down Syndrome Act, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is required to give guidance to relevant authorities in health, social care, education, and housing services on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.We considered a range of evidence from our Call for Evidence and engagement when developing the draft Down syndrome guidance, currently out for public consultation, including research on speech and language therapy (SLT). The draft guidance highlights that people with Down syndrome are likely to have communication needs and sets out support that can be provided, including that people with Down syndrome should be able to access speech and language assessment and support in a timely manner. The draft guidance is clear that NHS commissioners and providers may offer people with Down syndrome and their families and carers a range of SLT services and interventions to support their communication, tailored to their specific needs. This should include early intervention services starting from birth, continuing through early years to support a good start in life, and then into primary and secondary school and beyond. The draft guidance is also clear that support should be tailored to individual needs, and it is also important that local systems have the discretion to determine how best to meet the needs of their local communities.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that speech and language therapy for children with Down syndrome is delivered on a preventative basis from infancy.
National Health Service guidance sets out information on how to help children and young people with Down syndrome, including that they may need the support of a Speech and Language Therapist. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/downs-syndrome/how-to-help-children-and-young-people/ Through implementation of the Down Syndrome Act 2022, we want to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. Under the Down Syndrome Act, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is required to give guidance to relevant authorities in health, social care, education, and housing services on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.We considered a range of evidence from our Call for Evidence and engagement when developing the draft Down syndrome guidance, currently out for public consultation, including research on speech and language therapy (SLT). The draft guidance highlights that people with Down syndrome are likely to have communication needs and sets out support that can be provided, including that people with Down syndrome should be able to access speech and language assessment and support in a timely manner. The draft guidance is clear that NHS commissioners and providers may offer people with Down syndrome and their families and carers a range of SLT services and interventions to support their communication, tailored to their specific needs. This should include early intervention services starting from birth, continuing through early years to support a good start in life, and then into primary and secondary school and beyond. The draft guidance is also clear that support should be tailored to individual needs, and it is also important that local systems have the discretion to determine how best to meet the needs of their local communities.
Whether his Department has reviewed research indicating that speech and language intervention for children with Down syndrome should begin in the first year of life.
National Health Service guidance sets out information on how to help children and young people with Down syndrome, including that they may need the support of a Speech and Language Therapist. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/downs-syndrome/how-to-help-children-and-young-people/ Through implementation of the Down Syndrome Act 2022, we want to improve the lives of people with Down syndrome. Under the Down Syndrome Act, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is required to give guidance to relevant authorities in health, social care, education, and housing services on what they should be doing to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.We considered a range of evidence from our Call for Evidence and engagement when developing the draft Down syndrome guidance, currently out for public consultation, including research on speech and language therapy (SLT). The draft guidance highlights that people with Down syndrome are likely to have communication needs and sets out support that can be provided, including that people with Down syndrome should be able to access speech and language assessment and support in a timely manner. The draft guidance is clear that NHS commissioners and providers may offer people with Down syndrome and their families and carers a range of SLT services and interventions to support their communication, tailored to their specific needs. This should include early intervention services starting from birth, continuing through early years to support a good start in life, and then into primary and secondary school and beyond. The draft guidance is also clear that support should be tailored to individual needs, and it is also important that local systems have the discretion to determine how best to meet the needs of their local communities.
What his planned timetable is for the removal of the requirement for foundation trusts to have governors.
The Council of Governors at National Health Service foundation trusts have a range of statutory roles and powers including representing the views of local populations, staff, and other stakeholders to the foundation trusts’ board. The removal of the Council of Governors forms part of the wider 10-Year Health Plan’s aim to ensure that hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some foundation trusts, we now need to move to a more dynamic model of drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight. The removal of the Council of Governors will require primary legislation which the Government will bring forward when Parliamentary time allows.
Whether foundation trusts will retain the option to have councils of governors under the 10‑Year Health Plan for England.
The Council of Governors at National Health Service foundation trusts have a range of statutory roles and powers including representing the views of local populations, staff, and other stakeholders to the foundation trusts’ board. The removal of the Council of Governors forms part of the wider 10-Year Health Plan’s aim to ensure that hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some foundation trusts, we now need to move to a more dynamic model of drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight. The removal of the Council of Governors will require primary legislation which the Government will bring forward when Parliamentary time allows.
Whether foundation trusts will retain the option to maintain councils of governors under the 10 Year Health Plan for England.
The Council of Governors at National Health Service foundation trusts have a range of statutory roles and powers including representing the views of local populations, staff, and other stakeholders to the foundation trusts’ board. The removal of the Council of Governors forms part of the wider 10-Year Health Plan’s aim to ensure that hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some foundation trusts, we now need to move to a more dynamic model of drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight. The removal of the Council of Governors will require primary legislation which the Government will bring forward when Parliamentary time allows.
If he will undertake a review of publicly funded fellowship programmes for training overseas doctors.
There are currently no plans to review publicly funded fellowship programmes for training overseas doctors. A range of international postgraduate medical training schemes operate across the National Health Service. These are governed by individual NHS trusts, medical royal colleges, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, and indirectly, NHS England, and the General Medical Council. These programmes are expected to be properly governed, provide value for money, and ensure fair treatment for all participants. We expect all NHS organisations to operate in line with these principles.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 84161 on Teachers Pensions, what her updated planned timetable is for issuing cash equivalent transfer value details from Teachers’ Pensions.
As of the end of December 2025, 402 cash equivalent transfer value (CETV) cases were outstanding. There will always be a number of CETV cases in progress at any given time, as new CETV applications are made. Capita, the scheme administrator, is continuing to work through the most complex cases for members who have retired. Due to the level of complexity, 329 of these cases can only be processed clerically and the estimated average calculation times are between 20 and 30 hours per processed case. The scheme administrator is working as quickly as possible to complete all outstanding cases. This issue remains a top priority for the department and the scheme administrator.
What steps she is taking to reduce delays for members of the Teachers Pension who have submitted their remedial service statement.
Recalculating benefits for retired members is a complex process. For those members retiring, these cases are relatively straightforward as no benefits are already in payment. For retired members, additional complications around tax, interest rules and system functionality required extensive consultation.Capita, as the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme (TPS) administrator, are processing Remediable Service Statement (RSS) choices and aim to complete payments as quickly as possible.The issuing and payment of members’ RSS choices is a high priority and the department is continually exploring ways to improve payment times with Capita, which includes recruiting additional staff and automating functions wherever possible. Members’ original pension benefits will continue to be paid until their choice has been implemented.In summer 2026, administration of the TPS will become the responsibility of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The department is working with TCS to finalise the timeline for issuing all RSSs and any subsequent payments.
Food and Rural Affairs, if she will update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 to safeguard swans and other protected species from dogs.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 (as amended) protects “livestock” from worrying or attacks by dogs. The definition of livestock in the Act includes cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, poultry and camelids. The Government has no plans to further change this Act.
Whether the Government has considered writing to every pension-age person to inform them they can phone or go in-person to book a GP appointment following the introduction of the online booking system on 1 October 2025.
The contractual change made on 1 October 2025 required general practices to keep their existing online systems open during core hours, allowing patients to contact the practice online between 8am and 6.30pm. Telephone and in-person routes continue to operate as before. As non-digital routes remain available, a separate assessment of the impact on digitally excluded patients was not required.It is not a standard practice to write to citizens where services remain unchanged.National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged not to discriminate. Although digital first services are encouraged for those who choose to use them, a non‑digital solution must be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally. The GP contract is clear that telephone and face to face access must remain in place, and online tools can only be provided in addition to not instead of other routes.These requirements apply across all NHS services. We recognise that not all patients can or want to use online services. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. We have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards (ICBs) and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive.Based on the data currently available, the time between booking and attending a GP appointment has remained stable following the introduction of the 1 October 2025 contractual requirement for online consultation systems to operate throughout core hours.Data for October to December 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025 show only marginal variation. 37.9% to 46% of appointments were booked on the same day in 2024 compared with 38.7% to 46% in 2025, and 74.9% to 82.7% were seen within two weeks in 2024 compared with 75% to 82.8% in 2025. This is consistent with the fact that many practices were already operating their systems in this way prior to the contractual change. Access to general practice has continued to improve. In December 2025, 88.8% of appointments not usually booked in advance were seen within 14 days, the highest proportion in 2025. Nationally, patient satisfaction with GP access has also improved, rising from 61% in July 2024 to 75.2% in December 2025.
Whether his Department has assessed the impact of the online GP booking system introduced on 1 October 2025 on (a) patient access to GPs and (b) appointment waiting times.
The contractual change made on 1 October 2025 required general practices to keep their existing online systems open during core hours, allowing patients to contact the practice online between 8am and 6.30pm. Telephone and in-person routes continue to operate as before. As non-digital routes remain available, a separate assessment of the impact on digitally excluded patients was not required.It is not a standard practice to write to citizens where services remain unchanged.National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged not to discriminate. Although digital first services are encouraged for those who choose to use them, a non‑digital solution must be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally. The GP contract is clear that telephone and face to face access must remain in place, and online tools can only be provided in addition to not instead of other routes.These requirements apply across all NHS services. We recognise that not all patients can or want to use online services. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. We have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards (ICBs) and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive.Based on the data currently available, the time between booking and attending a GP appointment has remained stable following the introduction of the 1 October 2025 contractual requirement for online consultation systems to operate throughout core hours.Data for October to December 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025 show only marginal variation. 37.9% to 46% of appointments were booked on the same day in 2024 compared with 38.7% to 46% in 2025, and 74.9% to 82.7% were seen within two weeks in 2024 compared with 75% to 82.8% in 2025. This is consistent with the fact that many practices were already operating their systems in this way prior to the contractual change. Access to general practice has continued to improve. In December 2025, 88.8% of appointments not usually booked in advance were seen within 14 days, the highest proportion in 2025. Nationally, patient satisfaction with GP access has also improved, rising from 61% in July 2024 to 75.2% in December 2025.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the online GP booking system introduced on 1 October 2025 on the digitally excluded.
The contractual change made on 1 October 2025 required general practices to keep their existing online systems open during core hours, allowing patients to contact the practice online between 8am and 6.30pm. Telephone and in-person routes continue to operate as before. As non-digital routes remain available, a separate assessment of the impact on digitally excluded patients was not required.It is not a standard practice to write to citizens where services remain unchanged.National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged not to discriminate. Although digital first services are encouraged for those who choose to use them, a non‑digital solution must be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally. The GP contract is clear that telephone and face to face access must remain in place, and online tools can only be provided in addition to not instead of other routes.These requirements apply across all NHS services. We recognise that not all patients can or want to use online services. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. We have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards (ICBs) and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive.Based on the data currently available, the time between booking and attending a GP appointment has remained stable following the introduction of the 1 October 2025 contractual requirement for online consultation systems to operate throughout core hours.Data for October to December 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025 show only marginal variation. 37.9% to 46% of appointments were booked on the same day in 2024 compared with 38.7% to 46% in 2025, and 74.9% to 82.7% were seen within two weeks in 2024 compared with 75% to 82.8% in 2025. This is consistent with the fact that many practices were already operating their systems in this way prior to the contractual change. Access to general practice has continued to improve. In December 2025, 88.8% of appointments not usually booked in advance were seen within 14 days, the highest proportion in 2025. Nationally, patient satisfaction with GP access has also improved, rising from 61% in July 2024 to 75.2% in December 2025.
What steps his Department is taking to provide consistent funding for fertility treatment across all NHS Trusts.
Access to NHS-funded fertility services varies across England, which is unacceptable.Revised National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guidelines are due this Spring.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), based on their population’s clinical needs. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services consistent with these new guidelines, ensuring equal access to treatment across England.
Pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 80890 on Electric Vehicles, whether public EV charging infrastructure funded through the Local EV Infrastructure Fund will offer rates comparable to domestic overnight electricity tariffs available to residents with off-street parking.
The Government recognises that public charging is more expensive than charging at home. To keep charging costs down for users, the Local EV Infrastructure Fund primarily supports lower powered local charging infrastructure, which tends to be cheaper than rapid charging. The Government has also launched a review into the cost of public electric vehicle charging, looking at the impact of energy prices, wider cost contributors, and options for lowering these costs for consumers.