Written questions by Evans.

Whether his Department plans to produce an impact assessment of the planned 50% reduction in integrated care board running costs.

NHS England has asked the integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and to reduce the duplication of responsibilities within their structure to achieve a 50% cost reduction in their running cost allowance. NHS England provided additional guidance to ICBs, National Health Service trusts, and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025, where ICBs were tasked with developing plans by the end of May setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities.NHS England will be working closely with the ICBs to support the development of these plans, ensuring that their implementation reduces duplication and supports patient care. Further details are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/In his letter to ICBs, Sir Jim Mackey committed to greater transparency and moving back to a fair shares allocation policy over time. The Department has not conducted an impact assessment of NHS decision to reduce ICB running costs.

What steps he plans to take to support integrated care boards through the closure of NHS England.

The Prime Minister announced that NHS England will be brought back into the Department. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services. Detailed guidance has been provided to ICBs, National Health Service trusts, and NHS foundation trusts on 1 April 2025, where ICBs were tasked with developing plans by the end of May setting out how they will manage their resources to deliver across their priorities. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/working-together-in-2025-26-to-lay-the-foundations-for-reform/

If he will undertake a review of overprescribing.

The National Health Service and its partner organisations are responding to the challenge of overprescribing, as set out in the Government’s review of overprescribing, Good for you, good for us, good for everybody, in September 2021. There are currently no plans to undertake a further review. Progress has been made to implement the recommendations of that review, for example:- implementing the national medicines optimisation opportunities for integrated care boards (ICBs), or recommendations three and 13;- addressing problematic polypharmacy, when there is potential harm associated with taking multiple medicines, or recommendations eight and nine;- delivering structured medication reviews, or recommendation eight; and- publication of a repeat prescribing toolkit and oversupply dashboard to support general practices to identify oversupply and improve repeat prescribing processes, or recommendation seven. Offering treatments that are not medicines is also key to addressing overprescribing. Many other initiatives delivered across the NHS contribute towards this. These include delivery of personalised care and shared decision-making, NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, and social prescribing. We are continuing to address issues with the prescribing of medicines in line with the NHS’ 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance. It is not possible to quantify the overall cost of overprescribing.

With reference to FOI 02629, if he will undertake a review into the work of (a) Capita and (b) NHS Business Service Authority.

Capita operates the Primary Care Support England (PCSE) service under contract to NHS England. NHS England tracks PCSE’s performance on a monthly basis against contractual performance targets. NHS England works with PCSE, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), and general practice (GP) representative bodies to rectify historical gaps in GP records. The Department, NHS England, and the NHSBSA are working together to facilitate GP updates to records at the earliest opportunity.The NHSBSA underwent an independent review in 2023 as part of the Cabinet Office-led Public Body Review programme and was assessed as ‘a high performing arm's length body’. The review is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-business-services-authority-review-report/independent-review-of-the-nhs-business-services-authority-final-report-and-recommendations#:~:text=NHSBSA%20meets%20the%20Cabinet%20Office,brought%20into%20the%20departmentAs a Special Health Authority and arm’s-length body of the Department, the NHSBSA’s performance is also reviewed regularly by departmental policy teams who sponsor individual services, and a quarterly accountability meeting is held to assess the NHSBSA’s performance across all its services.

If he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of overprescribing.

The National Health Service and its partner organisations are responding to the challenge of overprescribing, as set out in the Government’s review of overprescribing, Good for you, good for us, good for everybody, in September 2021. There are currently no plans to undertake a further review. Progress has been made to implement the recommendations of that review, for example:- implementing the national medicines optimisation opportunities for integrated care boards (ICBs), or recommendations three and 13;- addressing problematic polypharmacy, when there is potential harm associated with taking multiple medicines, or recommendations eight and nine;- delivering structured medication reviews, or recommendation eight; and- publication of a repeat prescribing toolkit and oversupply dashboard to support general practices to identify oversupply and improve repeat prescribing processes, or recommendation seven. Offering treatments that are not medicines is also key to addressing overprescribing. Many other initiatives delivered across the NHS contribute towards this. These include delivery of personalised care and shared decision-making, NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, and social prescribing. We are continuing to address issues with the prescribing of medicines in line with the NHS’ 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance. It is not possible to quantify the overall cost of overprescribing.

How many new mental health staff have been recruited to the NHS since 1 July 2024.

Mental Health workforce data is published quarterly by NHS England as part of their NHS Workforce statistics, and is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics#past-publications

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of the Care Quality Commission’s Community mental health survey 2024, published on 3 April 2025.

We welcome the Care Quality Commission’s survey. The evidence from this survey will feed into our plans to improve community mental health services through the 10 year plan. Too many people with mental health issues are not getting the care they need, and we know that waits for mental health services are too long. As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government will recruit 8,500 mental health workers to help ease pressure on busy mental health services.

What his planned timetable is for recruiting new mental health workers in (a) child and (b) adult mental health services.

Too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need and waits for mental health services are too long.As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government will recruit 8,500 mental health workers to help ease pressure on busy mental health services.We are working with NHS England to consider options to deliver this commitment alongside the refresh of the Long Term Workforce Plan.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 42805 on Private Education, if she will list the private schools she has visited since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth to the answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 46839.

What his planned timetable is for the conclusion of a review of the final cost information to develop a new STEM building at Hinckley School.

Officials are currently working through costs, and I will provide an update to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth in due course.

What active funding streams are focused on research into endometriosis.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR supports research with a focus on endometriosis through a range of funding streams. For example, the Health Technology Assessment Programme is currently considering applications submitted to a call for research into pain management programmes for endometriosis. Details of successful funding awards will be published on the NIHR website later this year.In addition, the NIHR is currently funding two doctoral fellowships with relevance to endometriosis, thus supporting the pipeline of researchers with expertise in women’s health issues.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any area of women’s health, including endometriosis.

What recent discussions she had had with stakeholders on proposals to reform the business rates system in the 2026-2027 financial year.

HM Treasury releases a quarterly record of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations. This can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel At the Autumn Budget, the Government published the Transforming Business Rates Discussion Paper, which sets out priority areas for reform. This paper invited stakeholders to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. On 17 February the Government published a ‘forward look’ of the expected timeline for reforms announced at Autumn Budget 2024, and how stakeholders should engage the Government. This will be updated when further information is available. In the summer, the Government will publish an interim report that sets out a clear direction of travel for the business rates system, with further policy detail to follow at Autumn Budget 2025.

If she will undertake a review of the potential impact of increases in National Insurance contributions on the availability of SEND home-to-school transport provision.

I refer the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26397.

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the final cost of developing a new STEM building at Hinckley School.

Officials are currently working through costs, and I will provide an update to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth in due course.

What discussions the Health and Safety Executive has had with representatives of the hairdressing and beauty industry on ensuring that health and safety practices are followed when using hair dye.

Businesses in the hairdressing and beauty sector, which includes barber shops, hairdressers and beauty salons are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, which place duties on businesses to assess the risk of infection for employees and others affected by their work including members of the public. While Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for the hair and beauty sector, responsibility for enforcing health and safety legislation at individual businesses rests with the local authority where the premises are located. HSE is not currently engaged in discussions with the industry about the use of hair dye, however it’s use and the precautions necessary when using it are captured by the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended). Where there is evidence that risks are not being properly managed, local authorities are able to intervene and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure that employees and customers are protected.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility fees on the hospitality sector; and whether hospitality businesses are required to pay fees when a closed-loop waste and recycling system is in place.

In October 2024 the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme on packaging recycling rates. The impact assessment did not look at the specific impacts of the pEPR scheme on individual sectors, such as hospitality. We are considering further improvements to the scheme, including how to treat businesses which run closed loop recycling systems that support the environmental outcomes of the scheme. My officials are reviewing options to bring forward an offset where obligated producers are operating closed loop recycling systems for food-grade plastic at the earliest opportunity.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a long term funding model for (a) adopted and (b) special guardianship children previously in care.

All funding after March 2026 is subject to the next spending review. However, we recognise and value the positive impact of the adoption and special guardianship support fund in supporting adoptive and kinship families and its importance to many. Therefore, we will be discussing the best approach to the management of funds in future years with key stakeholders. We will announce next steps as soon as possible.

Which representative bodies she intends to meet to hold preparatory discussions with on proposals to reform the business rates system in the 2026-2027 financial year.

HM Treasury releases a quarterly record of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations. This can be found online: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel At the Autumn Budget, the Government published the Transforming Business Rates Discussion Paper, which sets out priority areas for reform. This paper invited stakeholders to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. On 17 February the Government published a ‘forward look’ of the expected timeline for reforms announced at Autumn Budget 2024, and how stakeholders should engage the Government. This will be updated when further information is available. In the summer, the Government will publish an interim report that sets out a clear direction of travel for the business rates system, with further policy detail to follow at Autumn Budget 2025.

How many funding awards under consideration focus on the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (c) treatment of endometriosis.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR supports research with a focus on endometriosis through a range of funding streams. For example, the Health Technology Assessment Programme is currently considering applications submitted to a call for research into pain management programmes for endometriosis. Details of successful funding awards will be published on the NIHR website later this year.In addition, the NIHR is currently funding two doctoral fellowships with relevance to endometriosis, thus supporting the pipeline of researchers with expertise in women’s health issues.The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any area of women’s health, including endometriosis.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Midlands Rail Hub on economic growth in Hinckley and Bosworth constituency.

Midlands Rail Hub would unlock thousands of homes and drive economic growth, with better connections regionally and nationally and more reliable trains. This means more opportunities for the people of Hinckley.In December the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a ‘zero-based’ review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers.