Written questions by Robertson.

Whether the guidance on meal deals in his Department’s publication entitled Restricting promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt by location and by volume price: implementation guidance, updated on 29 September 2023, remains his policy.

The Government has committed to tackling the childhood obesity crisis and raising the healthiest generation of children ever. Under the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 laid during the previous Parliament, restrictions on the promotion of less healthy food or drinks in prominent places in retail stores, for instance entrances, check-outs and aisle ends, and their equivalent places online, came into force in England in 2022. Under the same legislation, restrictions on volume price promotions of less healthy food or drinks, such as three for the price of two offers, are due to come into force in England on 1 October 2025. Section 5 (3) of the legislation states that volume price promotions do not include relevant special offers such as meal deals.

Whether the guidance on free refills in his Department’s publication entitled Restricting promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt by location and by volume price: implementation guidance, updated on 29 September 2023, remains his policy.

The Government has committed to tackling the childhood obesity crisis and raising the healthiest generation of children ever.Under the Food (Promotion and Placement) (England) Regulations 2021 laid during the previous Parliament, restrictions on the promotion of less healthy food or drinks in prominent places in retail stores, for instance entrances, check-outs, and aisle ends, and their equivalent places online, came into force in England in 2022.Under the same legislation, restrictions on volume price promotions of less healthy food or drinks, such as three for the price of two offers and free refills of sugary drinks in the out of home sector, are due to come into force in England on 1 October 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2024 to Question 2316 on Public Appointments and Special Advisers: Equality, what discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on whether the socio-economic duty will apply to (a) NHS and (b) GP waiting lists.

There have been no meetings to date between my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and the Minister for Women and Equalities on the socio-economic duty. The Government will enact the duty which will require public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to actively consider how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage.

Whether (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisers from his Department have had discussions with the Mayor of London on smoking outside (i) nightclubs and (ii) pubs since 5 July 2024.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced to Parliament on 5 November 2024, and passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 25 November 2024. The bill will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom, helping to reduce 80,000 preventable deaths, reduce the burden on the National Health Service, and reduce the burden on the taxpayer. Ministers, officials, and special advisers from the Department have not met with the Mayor of London to discuss smoking outside nightclubs and pubs since 5 July 2024.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2024, to Question 13469, on Low Alcoholic Drinks: Labelling, if his Department will publish a formal response to the consultation.

The Government is committed to building a National Health Service fit for the future, with a greater emphasis on the prevention of avoidable health harms, supporting people to live well for longer. The Government is currently considering how best to address alcohol related harms.

How many contracts with management consultants have been awarded by (a) his Department and (b) NHS England since 4 July 2024.

The Department categorises its contracts based on the products and/or services supplied, not the type of supplier. Since 4 July 2024, the Department has awarded two contracts for ‘management consultancy’ services, providing expert advice in the areas of Medical Technology and Medicine Pricing. NHS England has not awarded any similar contracts since 4 July 2024.

What his Department's budget is for NHS public engagement roadshows in the 2024-25 financial year; and what steps his Department is taking to help prevent over-spends on roadshows.

The promise that the National Health Service will be there for you when you need it has been broken for too many people. That is why we have launched the biggest ever national conversation on the future of the NHS.Despite consensus from health experts and charities that we need to make three shifts, from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, to ensure that the NHS is fit for the future, this hasn't happened. We need to do things differently, and that is why instead of writing a plan in London and asking people what they think of it, we're starting by asking the public and staff what is most important to them. We want their fingerprints to be all over the 10-Year Health Plan, as we want them to feel the positive impact in their lives.To do this, we are running a series of regional deliberative events with the public and staff. Deliberative engagement is a widely respected methodology that involves communities in decision-making, to understand their needs and hopes for the services which affect their lives. The approach ensures we hear from a variety of perspectives and encourages free, fair, and open discussion.The events are being delivered within the Department's budget as part of its responsibility to promote the health and wellbeing of everyone in England. We are determined to do this in a way that gives everyone the chance to get involved, while also ensuring value for money. At this point in time, we are not able to provide accurate costs for the deliberative events, because they are still ongoing.Our engagement exercise will help us to develop the 10-Year Health Plan. We will work closely with charities and national organisations, health and care providers, local government, and others to help us do this. All the insight we receive, whether at an organisational or individual level, will be considered alongside a wide range of data points to shape the development of the plan.To support this work, we have also established 11 policy working groups which will consider the future vision for the NHS, and the areas of the NHS that will need to change to achieve this.

What objectives his Department has identified for its public engagement roadshow on the future of the NHS; and if he will make an assessment of the value for money provided by the programme.

The promise that the National Health Service will be there for you when you need it has been broken for too many people. That is why we have launched the biggest ever national conversation on the future of the NHS.Despite consensus from health experts and charities that we need to make three shifts, from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, to ensure that the NHS is fit for the future, this hasn't happened. We need to do things differently, and that is why instead of writing a plan in London and asking people what they think of it, we're starting by asking the public and staff what is most important to them. We want their fingerprints to be all over the 10-Year Health Plan, as we want them to feel the positive impact in their lives.To do this, we are running a series of regional deliberative events with the public and staff. Deliberative engagement is a widely respected methodology that involves communities in decision-making, to understand their needs and hopes for the services which affect their lives. The approach ensures we hear from a variety of perspectives and encourages free, fair, and open discussion.The events are being delivered within the Department's budget as part of its responsibility to promote the health and wellbeing of everyone in England. We are determined to do this in a way that gives everyone the chance to get involved, while also ensuring value for money. At this point in time, we are not able to provide accurate costs for the deliberative events, because they are still ongoing.Our engagement exercise will help us to develop the 10-Year Health Plan. We will work closely with charities and national organisations, health and care providers, local government, and others to help us do this. All the insight we receive, whether at an organisational or individual level, will be considered alongside a wide range of data points to shape the development of the plan.To support this work, we have also established 11 policy working groups which will consider the future vision for the NHS, and the areas of the NHS that will need to change to achieve this.

What process his Department plans to use for incorporating feedback from its public engagement roadshow on the future of the NHS into NHS (a) planning and (b) reforms.

The promise that the National Health Service will be there for you when you need it has been broken for too many people. That is why we have launched the biggest ever national conversation on the future of the NHS.Despite consensus from health experts and charities that we need to make three shifts, from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, to ensure that the NHS is fit for the future, this hasn't happened. We need to do things differently, and that is why instead of writing a plan in London and asking people what they think of it, we're starting by asking the public and staff what is most important to them. We want their fingerprints to be all over the 10-Year Health Plan, as we want them to feel the positive impact in their lives.To do this, we are running a series of regional deliberative events with the public and staff. Deliberative engagement is a widely respected methodology that involves communities in decision-making, to understand their needs and hopes for the services which affect their lives. The approach ensures we hear from a variety of perspectives and encourages free, fair, and open discussion.The events are being delivered within the Department's budget as part of its responsibility to promote the health and wellbeing of everyone in England. We are determined to do this in a way that gives everyone the chance to get involved, while also ensuring value for money. At this point in time, we are not able to provide accurate costs for the deliberative events, because they are still ongoing.Our engagement exercise will help us to develop the 10-Year Health Plan. We will work closely with charities and national organisations, health and care providers, local government, and others to help us do this. All the insight we receive, whether at an organisational or individual level, will be considered alongside a wide range of data points to shape the development of the plan.To support this work, we have also established 11 policy working groups which will consider the future vision for the NHS, and the areas of the NHS that will need to change to achieve this.

What the cost to the public purse has been of NHS public engagement roadshows by (a) attendee payments, (b) travel costs, (c) accommodation costs, (d) staff overtime costs and (e) administrative expenses.

The promise that the National Health Service will be there for you when you need it has been broken for too many people. That is why we have launched the biggest ever national conversation on the future of the NHS.Despite consensus from health experts and charities that we need to make three shifts, from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, to ensure that the NHS is fit for the future, this hasn't happened. We need to do things differently, and that is why instead of writing a plan in London and asking people what they think of it, we're starting by asking the public and staff what is most important to them. We want their fingerprints to be all over the 10-Year Health Plan, as we want them to feel the positive impact in their lives.To do this, we are running a series of regional deliberative events with the public and staff. Deliberative engagement is a widely respected methodology that involves communities in decision-making, to understand their needs and hopes for the services which affect their lives. The approach ensures we hear from a variety of perspectives and encourages free, fair, and open discussion.The events are being delivered within the Department's budget as part of its responsibility to promote the health and wellbeing of everyone in England. We are determined to do this in a way that gives everyone the chance to get involved, while also ensuring value for money. At this point in time, we are not able to provide accurate costs for the deliberative events, because they are still ongoing.Our engagement exercise will help us to develop the 10-Year Health Plan. We will work closely with charities and national organisations, health and care providers, local government, and others to help us do this. All the insight we receive, whether at an organisational or individual level, will be considered alongside a wide range of data points to shape the development of the plan.To support this work, we have also established 11 policy working groups which will consider the future vision for the NHS, and the areas of the NHS that will need to change to achieve this.

What information his Department holds on the number of people employed by private ambulance services.

The Department does not hold information on the number of people employed by private ambulance services.

What information his Department holds on the number of people employed by private ambulance services that have provided services to the NHS in the last 12 months.

The Department does not hold information on the number of people employed by private ambulance services.

If he will take steps to ensure that medical treatment is only provided in appropriate medical settings.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care provision in England.Providers carrying on regulated activities must provide information about the locations from which these regulated activities will be managed from or delivered at, when registering with the CQC. If agreed, these locations are subsequently listed on the providers certificate of registration as conditions of their registration. The CQC can act on any breach of information relating to a provider's registration.Any services, care or treatment being offered outside of the regulated activities would be beyond the CQC’s remit.

Whether his Department has had discussions with the Department for Education on (a) the impact of university debt on nursing degree graduates and (b) a student loan forgiveness model for those graduates.

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Education on a wide range of matters to ensure the education system is supporting healthcare students, while delivering value for money for taxpayers. Student funding arrangements are reviewed annually ahead of the start of each academic year. The Government currently has no plans to introduce a student loan forgiveness model for nursing degree graduates.

With reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, whether he has made an estimate of the overall cost to GP practices of the proposed increase to employer National Insurance contributions.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented in April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year at the earliest opportunity.Primary care providers, including general practice, dentistry, pharmacy, and eye care, are valued independent contractors who provide nearly £20 billion worth of services in the National Health Service. Every year we consult with each sector both about what services they provide, and the money providers are entitled to in return under their contract. As in previous years, this issue will be dealt with as part of that process.

If he will hold discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the potential merits of considering the potential impact of new treatments on caregivers when determining the cost-effectiveness of those treatments.

We have no plans to hold such discussions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) develops its guidance independently and in line with its established methods and processes, which have been developed through extensive engagement with interested parties to ensure that they reflect best practice and societal preferences.In its evaluations of new medicines, the NICE considers National Health Service and publicly funded personal social services (PSS) costs and, when relevant, the health impact of treatments on carers. Any changes to the NICE’s methods to include a wider economic perspective to, for example, account for productivity benefits to carers, would be methodologically and ethically challenging and could have unintended consequences. There is a risk that such a change could result in fewer treatments being recommended for populations that are disproportionately older, economically inactive, or have greater care needs. It is crucial that the NICE’s methods remain fair, consistent, and provide the most health benefit for society.

Whether he has had recent discussions with (a) NHS England, (b) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and (c) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on access for patients to licensed treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Ministers have had a number of recent discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and NHS England, about patient access to new, licensed treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.Recommendations on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service are made independently by the NICE on the basis of an assessment of their costs and benefits. The methods and processes that the NICE uses are internationally respected and have been developed through extensive engagement with academics, industry, patients, and clinicians, to ensure that they reflect best practice and societal preferences. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended in a NICE appraisal, usually within three months of final guidance.The Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme aims to speed up the development of new treatments for dementia and neurodegenerative conditions, and is working with the relevant partners to develop solutions around access for patients to licensed treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the removal of funding for children’s hospices.

We want a society where every person receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life. Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications to support ICBs in this duty.2023/24 was the final year of the Children’s Hospice Grant. In 2024/25, however, NHS England provided an additional £25 million of funding for children and young people’s hospices, maintaining the level of grant funding from 2023/24. This funding was distributed, for the first time, via ICBs, in line with National Health Service devolution.We understand that, financially, times are difficult for many voluntary and charitable organisations, including children’s hospices, due to the increased cost of living. We want a society where these costs are manageable for both voluntary organisations, like hospices, and the people whom they serve.I recently met NHS England, Together for Short Lives, and one of the chairs of the Children Who Need Palliative Care All Party Parliamentary Group to discuss children’s palliative and end of life care, and this funding stream was discussed at length at that meeting.  NHS England is currently considering the future of this important funding stream beyond 2024/25.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for children’s hospices in line with (a) inflationary pressures and (b) operational costs in future financial years.

We want a society where every person receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life. Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications to support ICBs in this duty.2023/24 was the final year of the Children’s Hospice Grant. In 2024/25, however, NHS England provided an additional £25 million of funding for children and young people’s hospices, maintaining the level of grant funding from 2023/24. This funding was distributed, for the first time, via ICBs, in line with National Health Service devolution.We understand that, financially, times are difficult for many voluntary and charitable organisations, including children’s hospices, due to the increased cost of living. We want a society where these costs are manageable for both voluntary organisations, like hospices, and the people whom they serve.I recently met NHS England, Together for Short Lives, and one of the chairs of the Children Who Need Palliative Care All Party Parliamentary Group to discuss children’s palliative and end of life care, and this funding stream was discussed at length at that meeting.  NHS England is currently considering the future of this important funding stream beyond 2024/25.

How many Integrated Care Systems do not have an open Women's Health Hub.

The Department has invested £25 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support the establishment of at least one pilot women’s health hub in every integrated care system. The National Health Services’ Priorities and operational planning guidance 2024/25 asks integrated care boards (ICBs) to establish and develop at least one women’s health hub in every ICB by December 2024, working in partnership with local authorities.NHS England has asked the ICBs to report regularly on their progress in implementing the funding. As of September 2024, six of the 42 ICBs had not provided a recent update or had reported to NHS England that their women’s health hub was not yet open.