Every parliamentary written question tabled by Josh Fenton-Glynn this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 188 · this parliament
What plans he has to measure the cost to the public purse of NHS expenditure on treating complications arising from cosmetic procedures undertaken abroad.
The Department does not have data on the overall costs to the National Health Service for treating complications from cosmetic procedures conducted overseas. We are exploring ways to improve our understanding of the scale of the cost to the NHS.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing funding for (a) vaccines and (b) the wider medtech sector in the context of the US Government’s decision on mRNA vaccine research.
Vaccines are an important tool for preventing and lessening the impacts of disease. The Department invests in vaccine research through several routes, targeting interventions in areas essential for health resilience, such as mRNA vaccine technology. For instance, the Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which includes the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway to support the rapid set up and delivery of clinical trials in the United Kingdom, including the UK’s first norovirus mRNA vaccine trial. The Department also established the Official Development Assistance-funded UK Vaccine Network Project in 2015 and has funded the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations since 2018.More widely, the Government is partnering with industry to drive forward mRNA vaccine research and development. Through its ten-year strategic partnership with the Government, signed in 2022, Moderna will invest over £1 billion in mRNA research and development in the UK, strengthening the UK's vaccine manufacturing capacity through construction of the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre. Additionally, the Government's strategic partnership with BioNTech will see 10,000 National Health Service patients provided with personalised cancer immunotherapies, including mRNA cancer vaccines, by 2030, ensuring that UK patients have early access to these innovative new treatments.Supporting research into vaccines is critical to improving pandemic preparedness and delivering the global 100 Days Mission, which the UK has supported since its establishment. The mission aims to have safe and effective diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines available and equitably accessible in the first 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified. The £520 million Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund backs UK manufacturing and will bring globally mobile manufacturing investments, including vaccines and medical technology (MedTech), to the UK, strengthening the UK’s economy and generating high-skill, high-wage jobs.The Government is also committed to supporting the MedTech industry, which is a central pillar in the UK’s life sciences sector and will help build an NHS that is fit for the future. The Government has recently set out its plans for life sciences in the 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which includes enhancing support for MedTech small and medium-sized enterprises through UK Research and Innovation and NIHR.
Whether he plans to publish guidance for (a) local authorities and (b) health services on working together to deliver local neighbourhood hubs.
The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.That is why over the course of our 10 Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a neighbourhood health centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health.Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, using public capital to update and refurbish existing, under-used buildings, targeting places where healthy life expectancy is lowest and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most. More details will be confirmed in due course.
Whether his Department plans to publish formal terms of reference for the review of the Carr-Hill formula.
The review of the Carr-Hill formula will consider how health needs are reflected in the distribution of funding through the GP contract, drawing on a range of evidence and advice from experts.Arrangements for the Carr-Hill review are being finalised. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
Whether he plans to publish a strategy for delivering the 250-300 neighbourhood hubs by 2035.
The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.That is why over the course of our 10 Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a neighbourhood health centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health.Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, using public capital to update and refurbish existing, under-used buildings, targeting places where healthy life expectancy is lowest and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most. More details will be confirmed in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department’s policies of the level of harvest yields in 2025.
Our fantastic British farmers are world-leaders and carefully plan their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. We continue to engage and work closely with industry and to monitor domestic food production, including harvest. The UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (UKAMMG), which was established under the Devolution Framework, brings Defra and Devolved Governments together to monitor the UK market across all key agricultural commodities.
When he plans to publish the final report of the review into the Carr-Hill formula.
Arrangements for the Carr-Hill review are being finalised. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
What steps his Department is taking to (a) maximise the output of existing wind turbines and (b) avoid payments for curtailment of generation.
The Reformed National Pricing package will ensure a more strategic approach to the energy system which improves operational efficiency, including how existing wind turbines are utilised. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating Great Britain’s electricity system and managing curtailment payments. Curtailment payments are part of operating an efficient electricity system. Government is working to reduce these costs by accelerating build of electricity network infrastructure to increase system capacity. The Reformed National Pricing package will also address these costs through improved strategic planning and market reforms. An update on these reforms will be published later this year.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of cardiovascular disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:Respiratory diseasesMusculoskeletal diseases (general)Musculoskeletal diseases (regional)Cardiovascular diseasesMalignant diseasesNeurological diseases The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress. Source: DWP Administrative Data Notes:Data only includes claimants living in regions under DWP policy ownership (England, Wales and Abroad).Figures are for assessments from both initial decisions and award reviews, with the date of assessment decision and clearance in 2024.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Data only includes working age claimants.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Values greater than 0 but below 5 have been replaced with a dash.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of malignant disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:Respiratory diseasesMusculoskeletal diseases (general)Musculoskeletal diseases (regional)Cardiovascular diseasesMalignant diseasesNeurological diseases The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress. Source: DWP Administrative Data Notes:Data only includes claimants living in regions under DWP policy ownership (England, Wales and Abroad).Figures are for assessments from both initial decisions and award reviews, with the date of assessment decision and clearance in 2024.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Data only includes working age claimants.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Values greater than 0 but below 5 have been replaced with a dash.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup with (a) musculoskeletal disease (general) and (b) musculoskeletal disease (regional) recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were awarded a score of at least two in (i) six, (ii) seven, (iii) eight, (iv) nine and (v) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:Respiratory diseasesMusculoskeletal diseases (general)Musculoskeletal diseases (regional)Cardiovascular diseasesMalignant diseasesNeurological diseases The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress. Source: DWP Administrative Data Notes:Data only includes claimants living in regions under DWP policy ownership (England, Wales and Abroad).Figures are for assessments from both initial decisions and award reviews, with the date of assessment decision and clearance in 2024.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Data only includes working age claimants.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Values greater than 0 but below 5 have been replaced with a dash.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of respiratory disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:Respiratory diseasesMusculoskeletal diseases (general)Musculoskeletal diseases (regional)Cardiovascular diseasesMalignant diseasesNeurological diseases The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress. Source: DWP Administrative Data Notes:Data only includes claimants living in regions under DWP policy ownership (England, Wales and Abroad).Figures are for assessments from both initial decisions and award reviews, with the date of assessment decision and clearance in 2024.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Data only includes working age claimants.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Values greater than 0 but below 5 have been replaced with a dash.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of neurological disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024.
The information requested is provided in the excel workbook attached. A content of the tables provided in the attached workbook is below:The number of PIP claimants awarded Enhanced Daily Living who scored fewer than 4 point in all Daily Living activities and scored at least 2 points in six, seven, eight, nine or ten Daily Living activities in 2024 by primary medical condition:Respiratory diseasesMusculoskeletal diseases (general)Musculoskeletal diseases (regional)Cardiovascular diseasesMalignant diseasesNeurological diseases The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to not to be awarded the daily living component of PIP in future. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, people already in receipt of PIP will continue to be treated under the current rules, with only new claimants having the new criterion applied. As a result of behavioural responses to the change, we expect that a higher proportion of new claimants will score 4 points against at least one activity than happens currently. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress. Source: DWP Administrative Data Notes:Data only includes claimants living in regions under DWP policy ownership (England, Wales and Abroad).Figures are for assessments from both initial decisions and award reviews, with the date of assessment decision and clearance in 2024.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Data only includes working age claimants.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Values greater than 0 but below 5 have been replaced with a dash.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
How many PIP claimants who were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the daily living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the daily living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were recorded as being in (i) part-time employment working fewer than 35 hours per week and (ii) full-time employment working 35 or more hours per week on 23 June 2025.
We only hold data on whether a claimant was employed or self-employed for each month up to March 2024. We do not hold any data on full-time or part-time work. Therefore, Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in employment in March 2024 who scored less than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in employment at the end of March 2024 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Primary medical conditionEnhanced Daily LivingStandard Daily LivingAll conditions25,680267,200All psychiatric disorders7,90047,920Anxiety disorders2902,530Autistic spectrum disorders6903,130Cognitive disorders40170Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder)-10Eating disorders20110Enuresis--Faecal soiling (encopresis)--Hyperkinetic disorder5102,890Learning disability global170400Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders3,28020,510Mood disorders1,3208,780Obsessive compulsive disorder70600Other psychiatric disorders of childhood-20Personality disorder3602,390Psychotic disorders2702,170Somatoform and dissociative disorders1040Specific learning disorder160610Stress reactions6503,240Substance (mis) use disorders60330 Notes:Figures for England and Wales.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, ‘-‘ refers to fewer than 5 cases in this category.Figures include both employed and self-employed PIP claimants.PIP claimants scoring between 8 and 11 points across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Standard Daily Living.PIP claimants scoring 12 points or more across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Enhanced Daily Living.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were recorded as being in (i) part-time employment working fewer than 35 hours per week and (ii) full-time employment working 35 or more hours per week on 23 June 2025.
We only hold data on whether a claimant was employed or self-employed for each month up to March 2024. We do not hold any data on full-time or part-time work. Therefore, Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in employment in March 2024 who scored less than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in employment at the end of March 2024 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Primary medical conditionEnhanced Daily LivingStandard Daily LivingAll conditions25,680267,200All psychiatric disorders7,90047,920Anxiety disorders2902,530Autistic spectrum disorders6903,130Cognitive disorders40170Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder)-10Eating disorders20110Enuresis--Faecal soiling (encopresis)--Hyperkinetic disorder5102,890Learning disability global170400Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders3,28020,510Mood disorders1,3208,780Obsessive compulsive disorder70600Other psychiatric disorders of childhood-20Personality disorder3602,390Psychotic disorders2702,170Somatoform and dissociative disorders1040Specific learning disorder160610Stress reactions6503,240Substance (mis) use disorders60330 Notes:Figures for England and Wales.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, ‘-‘ refers to fewer than 5 cases in this category.Figures include both employed and self-employed PIP claimants.PIP claimants scoring between 8 and 11 points across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Standard Daily Living.PIP claimants scoring 12 points or more across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Enhanced Daily Living.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were (i) in receipt of and (ii) eligible for out-of-work benefits as of 23 June 2025.
We only hold data on PIP claimants who are also in receipt of out of work benefits. We do not hold data on their eligibility for benefits they are not in receipt of. Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits in February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits as of February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Primary medical conditionEnhanced Daily LivingStandard Daily LivingAll main medical conditions168,380791,140All psychiatric disorders66,490243,070Anxiety disorders2,54012,420Autistic spectrum disorders1,6406,330Cognitive disorders320800Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder)1050Eating disorders110380Enuresis-10Factitious disorder--Faecal soiling (encopresis)-20Hyperkinetic disorder1,6907,380Learning disability global9601,820Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders32,970119,900Mood disorders11,44039,870Obsessive compulsive disorder4602,050Other psychiatric disorders of childhood2070Personality disorder3,52011,770Psychotic disorders4,22019,930Somatoform and dissociative disorders70270Specific learning disorder7701,480Stress reactions4,65014,470 Notes:Figures for England and Wales.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, ‘-‘ refers to fewer than 5 cases in this category.Figures for all claimants in receipt of PIP and out of work benefits, this includes claimants with suspended payments.PIP claimants scoring between 8 and 11 points across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Standard Daily Living.PIP claimants scoring 12 points or more across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Enhanced Daily Living.Information on out of work benefits can be found here: Benefit Combinations - Data from May 2019 for England and Wales.
How many PIP claimants awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the daily living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the daily living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were (i) in receipt of and (ii) eligible for out-of-work benefits as of 23 June 2025.
We only hold data on PIP claimants who are also in receipt of out of work benefits. We do not hold data on their eligibility for benefits they are not in receipt of. Table 1 shows the number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits in February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Table 1. The number of PIP claimants in receipt of out of work benefits as of February 2025 who scored fewer than 4 points in all Daily Living activities, by Standard and Enhanced PIP Daily Living and primary medical condition.Primary medical conditionEnhanced Daily LivingStandard Daily LivingAll main medical conditions168,380791,140All psychiatric disorders66,490243,070Anxiety disorders2,54012,420Autistic spectrum disorders1,6406,330Cognitive disorders320800Conduct disorder (including oppositional defiant disorder)1050Eating disorders110380Enuresis-10Factitious disorder--Faecal soiling (encopresis)-20Hyperkinetic disorder1,6907,380Learning disability global9601,820Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders32,970119,900Mood disorders11,44039,870Obsessive compulsive disorder4602,050Other psychiatric disorders of childhood2070Personality disorder3,52011,770Psychotic disorders4,22019,930Somatoform and dissociative disorders70270Specific learning disorder7701,480Stress reactions4,65014,470 Notes:Figures for England and Wales.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, ‘-‘ refers to fewer than 5 cases in this category.Figures for all claimants in receipt of PIP and out of work benefits, this includes claimants with suspended payments.PIP claimants scoring between 8 and 11 points across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Standard Daily Living.PIP claimants scoring 12 points or more across all ten Daily Living activities are awarded Enhanced Daily Living.Information on out of work benefits can be found here: Benefit Combinations - Data from May 2019 for England and Wales.
How many PIP claimants in each subgroup of psychiatric disorders recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded (a) at least eight but fewer than 12 points in the living component and fewer than four points in a single daily living category and (b) at least 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were (i) waiting for and (ii) receiving treatment for a (A) physical and (B) mental health condition as of 23 June 2025.
The Department does not hold data on whether Personal Independence Payment claimants are waiting for or receiving treatment for their primary medical condition.
What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving childcare provision in Northern Ireland.
This Labour government’s mission is to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage across the UK.Earlier this month, the Minister for Early Education and I met with NI Education Minister Givan in Belfast to discuss childcare and areas of shared learning between the two governments.The NI Education Minister recently announced £55m for measures which will include an extension of the Childcare Subsidy Scheme to cover school-age children in Northern Ireland, which I welcome.
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 60400 on Mental Health Services, how many referrals were made to mental health services in (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23 and (c) 2023-24 by primary reason for referral by (i) NHS Trust, (ii) Integrated Care Board and (iii) NHS England region.
A document containing two tables showing the number of referrals received for mental health services, excluding NHS Talking Therapies, by primary reason for referral, and the number of referrals received for NHS Talking Therapies services by presenting complaint, sorted by provider, integrated care board (ICB), and NHS England region, from 2021/22 to 2023/24, is attached. We do not hold information on presenting conditions for people referred to NHS Talking Therapies who are waiting for a first contact. This is because the first contact will involve an initial assessment which includes, amongst other activity: discussing the patient’s view of the current main problem(s) and the impact on their life; exploring the patient's history of mental health problems; an exploration of any psychological processes that are likely to maintain the patient’s presenting problems; an exploration of any adverse circumstances that maintain a patient’s presenting symptoms; identification of the appropriate problem descriptor(s); and the completion of the NHS Talking Therapies Data Set. Until this initial assessment contact has taken place, any presenting conditions are not recorded. Unlike the Mental Health Services Data Set, within NHS Talking Therapies a 'reason for referral' accompanying the initial referral to the service is not separately recorded. Caution should be used when interpreting this data. Comparisons at low levels and between providers may not be reflective of the performance of the provider due to high levels of suppressed values due to small numbers. Primary reason for referral is not a mandatory field and completeness levels can be relatively low and vary between providers. Furthermore, if a provider has a small number of people in a specific category, a seemingly large difference between two providers might not be statistically significant and could be due to random chance. Comparisons over time should also be interpreted with caution, as completeness in the dataset has improved over time, with the numbers of providers increasing year on year, which will impact comparisons.