Written questions by Robertson.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on community pharmacies.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, and this enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. Now that the Budget for Government has been set, we will shortly be resuming our consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding funding arrangements.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024 on children's hospices.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, 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 rise in employer National Insurance contributions (ENICs) will be implemented in April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, like hospices, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of businesses with ENIC liabilities either gain, or see no change next year. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim ENIC reliefs, including those for under 21 and under 25 year old apprentices, where eligible.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16662 on NHS: Public Consultation, what the budget is for deliberative engagement by type of spend in the 2024-25 financial year.

The public and staff must be at the centre of the development of the plan to make the National Health Service fit for the future, so that it makes a positive impact on their day-to-day lives. That is why we are running as series of in-depth deliberative events and have launched an open platform to hear from members of the public, and those who work in health and care.Following an invitation to tender the competition process, we appointed Thinks Insight, Kaleidoscope Health and Care, and the Institute for Public Policy Research to support us to run this engagement exercise. A breakdown by type of spend is not available, for commercial confidentiality reasons.

If he will publish a learning disability strategy that includes measures on (a) health, (b) housing, (c) social care and (d) employment.

The 10-Year Health Plan will set the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of complex health and care needs, such as people with a learning disability. It will set out how to support and enable health and social care services, and wider services, to work together better to provide joined-up care.Everyone should have the support they need to live an independent, dignified life. We want people with a learning disability to have fair access to locally delivered services, that start at home, to support them to live independently for as long as possible, with the dignity and respect they deserve. Over the next decade, the Government is committed to building consensus on the long-term reform needed to create a National Care Service based on consistent national standards, including engaging cross-party, and with people with lived experience of care and unpaid carers.

If he will have discussions with representatives of (a) NHS England and (b) other departmental bodies on the use of the term global majority in departmental (i) publications and (ii) internal documents.

This is not a term the Department, NHS England, or other departmental bodies would use officially.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential risks of omitting people with learning disabilities from the (a) 2025 and (b) spring 2026 covid-19 booster vaccination programme.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme covering vaccination in 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026The Government is considering this advice carefully and will respond in due course.

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 (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.

Food and Rural Affairs, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of flood defence agencies in other countries; and what account his Department takes of such an assessment in consideration of a potential Flood Defence Agency.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Defra has recently established a Flood Resilience Taskforce which brings together local, regional and national government and organisations including from the voluntary and insurance sectors to improve resilience and preparedness in England. The role of the EA, Local Authorities and other flood risk management authorities in incident management is set out in the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. Defra has not assessed the adequacy of international flood defence agencies. It is not the role of Defra to assess the effectiveness of agencies of other countries.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential (a) merits of establishing a Flood Defence Agency as a standalone arms-length body and (b) implications for (i) budget allocations and (ii) operational efficiency of such a body.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Defra has recently established a Flood Resilience Taskforce which brings together local, regional and national government and organisations including from the voluntary and insurance sectors to improve resilience and preparedness in England. The role of the EA, Local Authorities and other flood risk management authorities in incident management is set out in the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. Defra has not assessed the adequacy of international flood defence agencies. It is not the role of Defra to assess the effectiveness of agencies of other countries.

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.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Environment Agency in managing flood defences in the last five years; and if he will make made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing (a) a dedicated flood defence agency and (b) other models of flood management oversight.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Defra has recently established a Flood Resilience Taskforce which brings together local, regional and national government and organisations including from the voluntary and insurance sectors to improve resilience and preparedness in England. The role of the EA, Local Authorities and other flood risk management authorities in incident management is set out in the Flood & Water Management Act 2010. Defra has not assessed the adequacy of international flood defence agencies. It is not the role of Defra to assess the effectiveness of agencies of other countries.

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 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 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 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 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.

If she will launch a public consultation on the proposed changes to business property relief.

The Government published information about the reforms to business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. The Government will publish a technical consultation in early 2025. This will focus on the detailed application of the allowance to lifetime transfers into trusts and charges on trust property. This will inform the legislation to be included in a future Finance Bill.