Written questions by Robertson.

What steps he is taking to support the (a) health and (b) wellbeing of the NHS workforce (i) on the Isle of Wight and (ii) in Hampshire.

The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is a top priority. Local employers across the NHS have in place existing arrangements for supporting staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and a focus on healthy working environments. At a national level NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, at a national level, we will roll out Staff Treatment hubs to ensure all staff have access to enhanced occupational health support, with a focus on mental health and musculoskeletal services.To further support this ambition, we are working with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals, support to work healthily and flexibly, and tackling violence, racism, and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 October, to Question 75034, on Trade Union: Equality, which civil service diversity networks in (a) his department and (b) NHS England are eligible for network time; and whether individual staff can claim both network time and trade union facility time.

Within the Department, paid facility time is provided for accredited trade union representatives to carry out duties in line with legislation and the trade union partnership framework, but not for participation in staff networks.Chairs and committee members of the Department’s internal diversity networks are permitted to use up to 10% of their work time for network activity.Whilst NHS England will be abolished and its functions integrated into the Department in the coming years, they are not a Civil Service employer. Therefore, NHS England has no Civil Service diversity networks.

What steps he is taking to help tackle increases in legal costs for clinical negligence.

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last 10 years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.As announced in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC will be providing expert policy advice on the rising legal costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims, ahead of a review by the Department in the autumn.The results of David Lock’s work will inform future policy making in this area. No decisions on policy have been taken at this point, and the Government will provide an update on the work done and next steps in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 77546 on NHS: Strikes, whether NHS staff who are on strike may be paid by another NHS trust for undertaking (a) agency and (b) locum during the strike.

Regulation 7 of the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 stipulates that striking National Health Service staff can work for another NHS trust on days of industrial action as long as they do not do so via an employment business to cover the work of striking workers. Some employment contracts may require employees to either declare to or seek permission from their primary employer before working with another employer, and further guidance for employers can be found on the NHS Employers website. In addition, doctors should refer to the Good Medical Practice Guide issued by the General Medical Council (GMC) when making decisions about working during periods of strike action. The GMC advises that doctors who are due to work but are not attending because of strike action should remain prepared and available during their scheduled hours in case circumstances change.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2025 to Question 77546 on NHS: Strikes, whether (a) paid and (b) unpaid trade union facility time can be used for NHS staff who are trade union representatives to take part in campaigning on (i) ballots and (ii) industrial action.

It is for each National Health Service employer and representatives of locally recognised trades unions to agree in partnership to local arrangements and procedures on time off and facilities that are appropriate in local circumstances and whether that time off is paid or unpaid. Local arrangements should also specify the circumstances when time off may be refused for either representatives or members and are expected to be consistent with the principles set out in Section 25 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities. Section 25 specifies that trade union representatives should make a request to their employer in advance when seeking time off for unpaid trade union activities. The request should include details such as the purpose of the absence, the timing, and the expected duration so the employer can give fair and due consideration of the request. The employer should not unreasonably refuse such requests, but the granting of time off should always be balanced against the needs of the service and what would be considered reasonable in the circumstances.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2024 to Question 73326 on NHS: Strikes, if he will take steps to amend NHS contracts to ban the practice of NHS employees who are on strike from being paid by other parts of the NHS on strike days.

There are no current plans to prohibit National Health Service employees in England who undertake strike action from being paid for work by other NHS bodies on strike days.NHS staff who are on strike are not prevented by law from working for non-NHS bodies or other NHS organisations, including NHS trusts, on days of industrial action, as long as they are not provided by an employment business to cover the work of striking workers. Before the British Medical Association Resident Doctors Committee (BMA RDC) strike action in July 2025, NHS England set out in guidance that resident doctors who have chosen to take industrial action should not undertake a locum or bank shift elsewhere during the period of action. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Industrial%20action%20FAQs%20-%20training%20progression.pdfDuring the BMA RDC strike action in December 2025, NHS England issued additional communications to Trusts to reaffirm the existing guidance.NHS staff should consider the guidance published by the relevant professional bodies before undertaking additional work during strike days. The Department continues to monitor the impact of industrial action on NHS services and staffing arrangements.

What estimate she has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the planned geographical expansion of Start for Life services from 2025–26.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

What estimate his Department has made of the total funding required for Start for Life services over the next Spending Review period; and of how much funding will be required to support (a) geographical and (b) age-range expansion.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year-olds’ health and children’s services in communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children and their families and delivering on Neighbourhood Health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children and their families.

When his Department plans to confirm funding allocations for the Start for Life programme beyond 1 April 2026.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

What plans his Department has to ensure continued funding for Start for Life (a) infant feeding support, (b) parent–infant relationships, (c) perinatal mental health care and (d) other services.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of extending Start for Life services to a wider age range on costs to the public purse.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda to improve the nation’s health. As part of this, we will expand Start for Life services and integrate zero- to five-year olds’ health and children’s services into communities, with a strong focus on the critical first 1,001 days. The integration of health services in Best Start Family Hubs is fundamental to improving outcomes for babies, children, and their families and for delivering on neighbourhood health. This is why the Government will prioritise funding the continuation of existing Start for Life services including for infant feeding, perinatal mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Provisional funding allocations have been shared with local authorities. The Government remains committed to supporting all local areas to strengthen and join up health services for babies, children, and their families.

Whether his Department plans to review the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access before the 2025 rebate increase takes effect.

The Government will always prioritise the needs of National Health Service patients and understands that delivering access to medicines is an important part of delivering frontline services. The pharmaceutical sector, and the innovative medicines it produces, are critical to our NHS and the Plan for Change.The voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth (VPAG) saw the headline payment rate for newer medicines increase significantly, taking effect in January 2025. This led to bringing forward the mid-scheme review of VPAG from autumn 2025 to earlier in the year. This review was carried out jointly with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to ensure that it continues to deliver for both the industry and NHS. Despite the Government putting forward an unprecedented offer, no agreement was reached as part of this review, however our door has remained open to engagement with industry on all matters relating to life sciences investment and development.The Government is also delivering the Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, a 10-year vision backed by over £2 billion in investment and 33 actions, to support every stage of the life sciences value chain. This includes boosting UK manufacturing capacity and launching new research and development initiatives to accelerate innovation, ensuring the UK remains an attractive destination for pharmaceutical development and the launch of new medicines.

What recent discussions he has had with the pharmaceutical industry on reforming the NHS branded medicines pricing and access scheme.

The Government will always prioritise the needs of National Health Service patients and understands that delivering access to medicines is an important part of delivering frontline services. The pharmaceutical sector, and the innovative medicines it produces, are critical to our NHS and the Plan for Change.The voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth (VPAG) saw the headline payment rate for newer medicines increase significantly, taking effect in January 2025. This led to bringing forward the mid-scheme review of VPAG from autumn 2025 to earlier in the year. This review was carried out jointly with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to ensure that it continues to deliver for both the industry and NHS. Despite the Government putting forward an unprecedented offer, no agreement was reached as part of this review, however our door has remained open to engagement with industry on all matters relating to life sciences investment and development.The Government is also delivering the Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, a 10-year vision backed by over £2 billion in investment and 33 actions, to support every stage of the life sciences value chain. This includes boosting UK manufacturing capacity and launching new research and development initiatives to accelerate innovation, ensuring the UK remains an attractive destination for pharmaceutical development and the launch of new medicines.

What steps he is taking to balance value for money for the NHS with maintaining the UK’s competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical market.

The Government will always prioritise the needs of National Health Service patients and understands that delivering access to medicines is an important part of delivering frontline services. The pharmaceutical sector, and the innovative medicines it produces, are critical to our NHS and the Plan for Change.The voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth (VPAG) saw the headline payment rate for newer medicines increase significantly, taking effect in January 2025. This led to bringing forward the mid-scheme review of VPAG from autumn 2025 to earlier in the year. This review was carried out jointly with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to ensure that it continues to deliver for both the industry and NHS. Despite the Government putting forward an unprecedented offer, no agreement was reached as part of this review, however our door has remained open to engagement with industry on all matters relating to life sciences investment and development.The Government is also delivering the Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Health Plan, a 10-year vision backed by over £2 billion in investment and 33 actions, to support every stage of the life sciences value chain. This includes boosting UK manufacturing capacity and launching new research and development initiatives to accelerate innovation, ensuring the UK remains an attractive destination for pharmaceutical development and the launch of new medicines.

If his Department will take steps to introduce (a) league tables and (b) audits to show which NHS Trusts have the lowest collection rates for charges for overseas visitors.

The Department sets policy, guidance, and legislation through the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 and works with NHS England to support the consistent application of these rules through oversight, guidance, and engagement with providers. The Department and NHS England actively engage with the National Health Service to support the improvement of cost recovery through routine engagement with trusts around cost recovery, monitoring of data and activity, sharing of best practice and guidance, targeted follow-ups with trusts where issues are identified, and close working with the Home Office to improve data quality and reporting consistency.The Department has no plans at present to introduce league tables and audits to show the NHS trusts that have the lowest collection rates for charges to overseas visitors.

If he will take steps to encourage NHS Trusts to increase (a) the number of bills issued and (b) collections made for treatment charges for overseas visitors.

The Department sets policy, guidance, and legislation through the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 and works with NHS England to support the consistent application of these rules through oversight, guidance, and engagement with providers. The Department and NHS England actively engage with the National Health Service to support the improvement of cost recovery through routine engagement with trusts around cost recovery, monitoring of data and activity, sharing of best practice and guidance, targeted follow-ups with trusts where issues are identified, and close working with the Home Office to improve data quality and reporting consistency.The Department has no plans at present to introduce league tables and audits to show the NHS trusts that have the lowest collection rates for charges to overseas visitors.

If he will publish details of what the deliverables were for the contract awarded to Thinks Insight, Kaleidoscope Health and Care and the Institute for Public Policy Research in relation to the engagement exercise for the 10 Year Health Plan.

To develop the 10-Year Health Plan, we had the biggest ever conversation on the future of the National Health Service with over a quarter of a million contributions from the public, staff, and partners including charities and patient groups.Full information on the deliverables of the initial contract is available at the following link, on pages 172-174:https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/80963989-c4d6-4a16-8e12-c31b43a81ddaIn summary, the deliverables were to:design and run deliberative events;open and operate an online portal;develop and disseminate assets for local organisations to run engagement events;design an analytical framework for data collection;report interim findings every three weeks;co-design the engagement plan with the Department; andproduce an engagement exercise report.We committed to co-designing the engagement exercise with our delivery partners following the awarding of the contract, therefore, the scope and requirements were reviewed and adjusted during the contract.A detailed 10-Year Health Plan engagement report will be published shortly, which will set out the methodology and results of this engagement exercise.

Which organisations are represented in each Workshop in a Box for the development of the 10 Year Health Plan.

To develop the 10-Year Health Plan, we had the biggest ever conversation on the future of the National Health Service with over a quarter of a million contributions from the public, staff, and partners including charities and patient groups.A detailed 10-Year Health Plan engagement report will be published in due course, which will set out the methodology and results of this engagement exercise.

What criteria his Department used to define which participants in the engagement process for the 10 Year Health Plan were sex workers.

To develop the 10-Year Health Plan, we had the biggest ever conversation on the future of the National Health Service with over a quarter of a million contributions from the public, staff, and partners including charities and patient groups.A detailed 10-Year Health Plan engagement report will be published in due course, which will set out the methodology and results of this engagement exercise.

Which charities received funding from the supplementary fund to support engagement with seldom heard groups as part of the 10 Year Health Plan consultation; and how much funding each organisation received.

National Voices, Friends, Families and Travellers, Homeless Link, and the Race Equality Foundation, carried out these engagement sessions. The total sum of funding provided was £81,311.00. The following table shows the total funding and the amount of funding each charity received: CharityFunding receivedNational Voices£21,070.00Friends, Families and Travellers£14,998.00Homeless Link£6,673.00Race Equality Foundation£11,550.00Maternity Consortium£27,020.00Total£81,311.00