Every parliamentary written question tabled by Julia Lopez this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 124 · this parliament
Whether he plans to transfer any NHS England functions to other arm's-length bodies.
Work is progressing at pace to map functions, appraise options, and inform decision making on where NHS England’s functions will best sit. There are important choices to be made here, and ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation.
Whether Mr Alan Milburn has consulted his Department on taking on any new work that involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.
The usual process of declarations of interest and agreement of appropriate mitigations for non-executive board member (NEBM) appointments was carried out, overseen by the Permanent Secretary, when Mr Milburn was initially appointed. NEBMs’ contract terms state that they must alert the Department to any new interests. Mr Milburn will consult with the Department before taking on any new work which involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.NEBM declarations of interest are published each year in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and are also be published on the GOV.UK website, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025
What the cost to the public purse was of correspondence to inform pensioners about changes to the winter fuel payment.
This winter, during a six-week period, the Department communicated with pensioners regarding the change in eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment and also included an update on its Scottish equivalent. Around 13 million letters were issued to individuals who may have previously had entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment, and who may have been expecting to receive a letter about the Payment this winter. The letter informed recipients of the qualifying benefits for receipt of a Winter Fuel Payment and encouraged pensioners to check if they may be eligible for Pension Credit and how to make a claim. Additionally, the letter emphasised other benefits that becoming eligible for Pension Credit may offer, such as assistance with housing costs, energy bills, and a free TV licence for those over 75. The cost of the exercise was £7.5 million; similar to the cost of sending out letters in previous years, where the Department has written to pensioners about the Winter Fuel Payment.
How many asylum seekers have been sent from the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom in each month since 4 July 2024.
None.
Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April to Question 43180 on Metropolitan Police: Finance, whether ministers in her Department have (a) met with and (b) corresponded with the (i) Mayor of London and (ii) Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss increasing investment into the Metropolitan Police Estate.
It is the role of Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners (including Mayors with PCC responsibilities) to make decisions about their resources and estates, based on their local knowledge and expertise.This Government is committed to supporting the Metropolitan Police by providing them with £3.8 billion of funding in the 2025-26 police settlement. This is a £262.1 million increase when compared with the 2024-25 settlement, equating to a 7.4% cash increase.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42886 on NHS England: Redundancy Pay, whether he is making provision to reclaim redundancy payments for any staff subsequently reemployed by a public health body during the payout period.
At this stage, while we are scoping the transformation programme, it is too early to share details of any redundancy programmes and what any terms will be regarding the clawback of redundancy payments.The leadership of the Department and NHS England will communicate information about these reforms to staff at the earliest opportunity, and are committed to a culture of transparency.
What discussions she has had with the (a) Mayor of London and (b) Metropolitan Police Commissioner on increasing investment in the Metropolitan Police Estate.
The Metropolitan Police will receive up to £3.8 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £262.1 million compared to the 2024-25 funding settlement. This represents a 7.4% cash increase and 4.9% real terms increase in funding.
Whether his Department has ring-fenced a sum for the cost of redundancy payments associated with the abolition of NHS England.
As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds. At this stage it is too early to say what the upfront costs of integration are, including any redundancy payments, while we are scoping the programme.
What discussions he has had with the Leader of the House on the timetable for bringing forward legislative proposals to abolish NHS England.
Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to determine the structure and requirements needed to support the creation of a new centre for health and care.Primary legislation will be required, and we intend to bring this forward when Parliamentary time allows.
When guidance will be issued to ICBs on where the expected 50% cuts in running costs should come from.
As part of the necessary changes to support the National Health Service to recover, NHS England has indicated that integrated care boards (ICBs) should reduce in size. NHS England and the Department are working in close collaboration with ICBs to ensure implementation is carried out effectively and at a pace, to support the work to get the NHS back on its feet. Further detail on the future of ICBs was provided in a letter issued to all ICBs and NHS trusts and foundation trusts on 1 April 2025.This letter is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/
Whether he has conducted an equality impact assessment on the decision to abolish NHS England.
Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation.As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds, including equality impacts.
What progress she has made on completing feasibility studies to provide step-free access to platform six at Upminster Station.
The feasibility work for Upminster station is underway and we expect all 50 of the feasibility studies announced last year to be complete in the spring. We expect to be able to confirm which stations will move forward over the summer. The Access for All programme continues to be heavily oversubscribed. We remain committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the valuable social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
With reference to the findings by the National Prostate Cancer Audit in their publication entitled the State of the Nation Report published in January 2025, what steps he plans to take to tackle age-related disparities in (a) prostate cancer diagnosis and (b) care for older populations in Havering.
The NHS England Cancer Programme has commissioned clinical cancer audits, including for prostate cancer, which provide timely evidence for cancer service providers of where patterns of care in England may vary. These audits will help NHS England understand where to increase the consistency of access to treatments and help stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients. The audits are ongoing and will act on their findings in due course.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including for those living with prostate cancer. The plan will highlight how we aim to improve diagnosis rates for people across England, including in Havering.The NHS Long Term Plan states that, where appropriate, every person diagnosed with cancer will have access to personalised care, including needs assessment, a care plan, and health and wellbeing information and support. This includes provision of information, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer. We are committed to ensuring that all cancer patients get access to these interventions, ensuring care is focused on what matters most to each person, including for older people in Havering.
Whether he has had discussions with the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Authority on the regulation of surrogacy.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy met with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority senior team, where this issue was discussed as part of a broader introductory discussion.
Whether her Department has made any revision to the process of notifying hon. Members before asylum hotels are established within their constituency.
No new hotels have been commissioned to accommodate asylum seekers in the London Borough of Havering since 10 October 2024.When a hotel has been identified for use as contingency accommodation, Home Office officials will write to the local authority Chief Executive and the constituency MP to inform them of plans to accommodate asylum seekers there.
Whether her Department has commissioned the use of hotel accommodation in the London Borough of Havering for the purpose of housing asylum seekers since 10 October 2024.
No new hotels have been commissioned to accommodate asylum seekers in the London Borough of Havering since 10 October 2024.When a hotel has been identified for use as contingency accommodation, Home Office officials will write to the local authority Chief Executive and the constituency MP to inform them of plans to accommodate asylum seekers there.
Whether he plans to reinstate funding for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Bioresource project providing infrastructure for the development of novel non-CFTR treatments for cystic fibrosis.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to establish the Cystic Fibrosis BioResource project, which began recruiting participants in 2021. In October 2024, the NIHR BioResource altered its participant recruitment strategy to focus on two cohorts, and to put greater resources towards its recall strategy.1,358 participants have been recruited to the Cystic Fibrosis BioResource to date, all of whom will continue to be approached, via recall, to research studies. The NIHR BioResource plans to re-open recruitment to other cohorts, including the cystic fibrosis project, if additional funding can be sourced, for example from industry or charity partners.The Department does not fund specific disease cohorts within the NIHR BioResource. The Department will be working closely with the NIHR BioResource as they develop their future strategies for participant engagement, recruitment, and retention, to ensure this is appropriate for each cohort and supports the best science.
Communities and Local Government, whether (a) fire risk appraisals and (b) EWS1 assessments carried out by an engineer who has been suspended by the Institution of Fire Engineers must be reassessed.
Robust auditing processes are in place to ensure that all Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs) for buildings in the Government’s remediation funding programmes meet appropriate standards before the associated funding application can progress. Where required, feedback is given to allow assessors to make appropriate changes to the FRAEW to address any deficiencies identified. Reassessments of appraisals are not therefore necessary.EWS1s are not a legal or regulatory requirement. Their use is a commercial decision by lenders and subject to their individual lending criteria. If residents have concerns about the fire safety of their building they should raise this with the building owner or person responsible for fire safety.The Institution of Fire Engineers is an independent organisation following bespoke reporting and investigation processes. Following the publication of the Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry Report, the Department is reviewing the findings and recommendations in relation to the fire engineering sector.
What proportion of asylum claims have been approved since 4 July 2024.
The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on initial decisions on asylum claims by nationality is published in table Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement detailed datasets’. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks. The latest data relates to year ending September 2024.
If she will publish a breakdown of approved asylum claims by country of origin since 4 July 2024.
The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on initial decisions on asylum claims by nationality is published in table Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement detailed datasets’. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks. The latest data relates to year ending September 2024.