Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

If he will make an assessment of the equity of access to the shingles vaccine.

Previously, the shingles vaccine was available to people turning 65 and 70 years old, up until their 80th birthday, and to severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 50 years old and over.As of 1 September 2025, approximately 300,000 more people have become eligible for shingles vaccination, with all severely immunosuppressed individuals aged 18 years old and over now being eligible for the shingles vaccine. Individuals who are severely immunosuppressed are most at risk of serious illness and complications from shingles, and so the decision has been made to follow the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), to lower the age of eligibility to protect the most vulnerable.For immunocompetent individuals, the current offering to adults aged 65 and 70 years old was agreed by the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England. This decision was made following the JCVI’s advice, an assessment of the effective use of National Health Service resources, and careful consideration of individual risk and population benefit.Analysis shows that the difference in risk and vaccine effectiveness between an individual aged 66 to 69 years old and a 70-year-old is likely to be marginal. This was taken into consideration when planning the expansion of the vaccination programme for immunocompetent adults, which maintains the original offer for those turning 70 years old while also providing another cohort with the opportunity for vaccination.

If he will ensure that the National Cancer Plan for England includes targets to improve the diagnosis times of myeloma.

It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers such as myeloma, as well as other unstageable cancers, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, in order to improve outcomes.To tackle late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.We will get the NHS diagnosing blood cancer earlier and treating it faster, and we will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment, including for magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately drive up this country’s cancer survival rates.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of funding (a) ICBs and (b) NHS trusts to purchase private hospitals.

The Government is committed to delivering an NHS that is fit for the future through our 10-Year Health Plan. We recognise that delivering high quality NHS healthcare services requires safe, sustainable, and effective infrastructure. That is why we prioritised investment in healthcare at the recent Spending Review, delivering the largest ever health capital budget.The New Hospital Programme is transforming the design and delivery of new hospital infrastructure and there are no plans for other national programmes of new hospital development or acquisition at this time. At a local level, integrated care boards (ICBs) and NHS Trusts are responsible for infrastructure planning, managing the operational capital allocations for their respective local areas, and acquiring new facilities.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the views of (a) patients and (b) the public continue to be heard when the responsibilities of Healthwatch are moved to Integrated Care Boards.

The Department has accepted the recommendation of the Dash review of patient safety across the health and care landscape, to abolish Local Healthwatch.In future, integrated care boards will be responsible for seeking patient, user and wider community input for health along with their existing duties of patient involvement, and local authorities for social care, where it can feed directly into overall strategic planning and be more closely aligned with the commissioning and provision of care.The Dash review recommends that the strategic functions of Healthwatch England are transferred into a new patient experience directorate of the Department.The abolition of Healthwatch England and the transfer of its functions and the changes to Local Healthwatch will require primary legislation. Timing of this is subject to the will of parliament and will happen when parliamentary time allows.

What steps his Department is taking to promote the benefits of breast feeding to new mothers.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and to giving every child the best start in life. We want every parent to understand the benefits of breastfeeding so that they can make informed decisions about how to feed their baby. Through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, we are investing £18.5 million in 2025/26 to improve infant feeding support across 75 local authorities in England. This includes promoting the benefits of breastfeeding and supporting families to achieve their infant feeding goals. The Start for Life communications programme also promotes the benefits of breastfeeding via a website, email, and public awareness campaign.Most families will receive advice on the benefits of breastfeeding and support from midwives and health visitors. We are committed to strengthening these services and are already making progress.

What assessment he has made of the merits of allowing the adoption of Limited Liability Partnerships for GPs.

Currently, Limited Liability Partnerships cannot hold General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services contracts. However, general practice (GP) partners can take steps to reduce their personal liability and financial risk. For example, limited companies can be used to manage risks in the partnership. GP partnerships can also manage different liabilities through indemnities and different forms of insurance. As independent contractors and small business owners, these are decisions that GP partners make, with legal and accounting advice.

Whether he plans to issue new guidance to NHS Trusts advising them not to set up wholly owned subsidiary companies to avoid paying VAT.

The current NHS England guidance dated February 2024, titled Guidance for assuring and supporting complex change – subsidiaries guidance for trusts forming or changing a subsidiary, sets out the VAT position of wholly owned subsidiaries and confirms that “the commercial rationale is not dependent on the subsidiary enabling a VAT treatment that differs from the trust’s current arrangements”.There are no plans for this guidance to be updated.

Whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of NHS Trusts setting up wholly owned subsidiary companies to avoid paying VAT.

The current NHS England guidance dated February 2024, titled Guidance for assuring and supporting complex change – subsidiaries guidance for trusts forming or changing a subsidiary, confirms that the Department “reminded all NHS provider finance directors in September 2017 of their responsibilities around tax, advising that tax avoidance arrangements should not be entered into under any circumstances. We expect all NHS providers to follow this guidance when considering any new arrangements or different ways of working”A perceived VAT advantage of setting up a wholly owned subsidiary cannot be the only reason for its creation. Subsidiary proposals should be driven by a robust commercial strategy that delivers clear financial, operational, and patient benefits.No assessment is planned or deemed necessary.

Whether he plans to review the rules that allow private companies working in the NHS to avoid paying VAT.

HM Treasury is committed to implementing the Public Sector Value Added Tax (VAT) reform which will remove the current disparity for VAT recovery between National Health Service trusts and private companies working in the NHS.

Whether he plans to deliver a new National Carers Strategy in the next 12 months.

We have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will start a national conversation about what care and support working age adults, older people, and their families expect from adult social care, including exploring the needs of unpaid carers who provide vital care and support.I also chair a regular cross-Government meeting made up of ministers from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Education to consider how we can provide unpaid carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

Whether NHS England plans to commission selective internal radiation therapy for patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

Radiotherapy treatment for cancer is highly individualised and decisions about cancer treatment are typically made by clinicians and multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. They consider all aspects of a patient's health and circumstances when recommending treatment options. While certain treatments may not be advised for some patients, these decisions are based on medical assessments and what is best for the individual's overall health and well-being. For this reason, NHS England has not made an assessment on the potential impact of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) on survival outcome and quality of life for neuroendocrine tumour patients. However, the Department recognises the need to offer patients who need it the most suitable treatment, including SIRT.NHS England commissions SIRT for chemotherapy refractory/intolerant metastatic colorectal cancer in adults in accordance with the criteria outlined at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Selective-internal-radiation-therapy-for-chemotherapy-refractory-intolerant-metastatic-colorectal-cancer.pdf

Whether NHS England has made an assessment of the potential merits of commissioning selective internal radiation therapy for patients with neuroendocrine tumours.

Radiotherapy treatment for cancer is highly individualised and decisions about cancer treatment are typically made by clinicians and multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. They consider all aspects of a patient's health and circumstances when recommending treatment options. While certain treatments may not be advised for some patients, these decisions are based on medical assessments and what is best for the individual's overall health and well-being. For this reason, NHS England has not made an assessment on the potential impact of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) on survival outcome and quality of life for neuroendocrine tumour patients. However, the Department recognises the need to offer patients who need it the most suitable treatment, including SIRT.NHS England commissions SIRT for chemotherapy refractory/intolerant metastatic colorectal cancer in adults in accordance with the criteria outlined at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Selective-internal-radiation-therapy-for-chemotherapy-refractory-intolerant-metastatic-colorectal-cancer.pdf

How many overseas social care workers have been successful in finding a new sponsor through the redeployment pool since 9 April 2025.

According to the latest available data, between 1 April and 30 April 2025, 165 overseas care workers were successfully supported into new employment by the regional partnerships funded by the Department. This data is self-reported by the regional partnerships and has not been independently verified by the Department or UK Visas and Immigration. Overseas workers are also not obliged to report their employment outcomes. Data for May 2025 and beyond is not yet available.Between July 2024 and April 2025, a total of 940 overseas care workers have been successfully supported into new employment. In addition, thousands more are being supported through the regional partnerships with CV writing, interview techniques, employability skills support, support to better understand workplace culture in the United Kingdom, and signposting.

What the reasons are for the higher level of NICE Health Technology Assessments of new blood cancer treatments that have been terminated compared to Health Technology Assessments for other forms of cancer treatment.

In the last 10 years, where the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been able to make a recommendation, 92% of blood cancer treatment recommendations were positive. This is significantly higher than the overall rate for cancer treatments (80%).NICE has made 97 positive recommendations for blood cancer treatments over the last decade, five times more than in the previous ten years. NICE can only recommend treatments when the evidence shows that they provide benefits for patients and value for money to the taxpayer.NICE cannot evaluate treatments without information from the companies. If a company withdraws from the evaluation process, the assessment is terminated. For blood cancers, the majority of terminated appraisals were because the company did not provide an evidence submission or the technology was unlikely to be a cost-effective use of National Health Service resources.

If he will publish monthly reports from each of the 15 local partnerships on re-matching social care workers to new employers.

There are no plans to publish monthly reports on the international recruitment regional fund.

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on the employment of overseas workers in the social care sector.

The immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, was collectively agreed across Government, and is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821f334ced319d02c906103/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-web-optimised.pdf(opens in a new tab)In the technical annex, published alongside the White Paper, the Home Office has estimated an annual reduction of approximately 7,000 main applicants as a result of ending overseas recruitment for care workers and senior care workers. This is based on their internal management information for entry visas granted covering the period March 2024 to February 2025. This estimate reflects that there was a drop in visa grants of more than 90% compared with the 12 months ending in March 2024, when more than 83,000 entry visas were granted to care workers and senior care workers. The analysis in the technical annex will be refined and included within the relevant impact assessments accompanying the rule changes, as appropriate. The technical annex is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821b49bdb6463b14cd8189c/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdf(opens in a new tab)As set out in the immigration White Paper, visa extensions and in-country switching for those already in the country and with working rights will be permitted for a transition period until 2028. This will be kept under review.DHSC are providing up to £12.5m to regional partnerships in 2025/26 to respond to unethical international recruitment practices in the adult social care sector. This includes supporting international recruits impacted by sponsor licence revocations to find alternative employment.Care workers are essential to those who draw on care and support, helping them to maintain their quality of life, independence, and connection to the things that matter to them. In England, as per the Care Act 2014, it is the responsibility of local government to develop a market that delivers a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, that will be available to their communities. English local authorities have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to meet social care needs, and statutory guidance directs them to ensure there is sufficient workforce in adult social care.The Department continues to monitor adult social care workforce capacity, bringing together national data sets from Skills for Care’s monthly tracking data, the Capacity Tracker tool, and intelligence from key sector partners.

What the success rate was of each local partnership using the International Recruitment Fund in re-matching social care workers to new employers in the last 12 months.

In 2025/26, up to £12.5 million has been made available through the adult social care international recruitment fund for 15 regional and sub-regional partnerships to prevent and respond to exploitative practices of internationally recruited care staff. This builds on the £16 million made available in 2024/25. Between July 2024 and April 2025, approximately 16,700 people contacted the regional partnerships for support. To date, approximately 940 of these individuals have been supported into new employment, according to self-reported data provided by the regional partnerships. This data has not been independently verified by the Department or UK Visas and Immigration.We have commissioned the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce to undertake an independent evaluation of the 2024/25 international recruitment regional fund. We expect the final report of this evaluation to be published by King's College London in 2026.

What steps he is taking to help support people with axial spondyloarthritis to (a) remain in employment or (b) return to the workforce.

The Government and NHS England recognise the significant burden of disease associated with axial spondyloarthritis, particularly where diagnosis is delayed. We recognise the work of the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society in promoting early diagnosis and good access to effective treatment. Time from referral to diagnosis is included in the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit which covers National Health Service rheumatology services in England and Wales, and we have prioritised reducing waiting times for services through the Elective Recovery Programme and the Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme. We also have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, joining up health and employment support around the individual through programmes like WorkWell, as well as the mobilisation of eight place-based trailblazers to reduce economic inactivity.

What steps he is planning to take to protect responsibilities for musculoskeletal conditions that currently sit within NHS England.

Over 17 million people in England live with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition and improving their health and work outcomes will help deliver this government's missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future and kickstart economic growth. On 13 March 2025, it was announced that NHS England will be brought into the Department to form a new joint centre. We are assessing the full range of current functions across both organisations and options for future allocation. At this stage, it is too early to say what precise changes in personnel and organisational design will be. As we progress due process will be followed, including a comprehensive assessment of any impacts and risks associated with the reforms. We will ensure our decisions are guided by evidence, and above all, focused on improving care for all patients including those with a MSK condition.

What steps he is planning to take to improve the delivery of joined-up care for people affected by (a) axial spondyloarthritis and (b) other musculoskeletal health conditions following the abolition of NHS England.

As we bring together the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to form a new joint centre, we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, including for people with axial spondyloarthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, driving productivity up, and getting waiting times down. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.We continue to take forward the Government’s ambitious reform agenda as set out in the health mission, with more details to come when the 10-Year Health Plan is published. The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts the National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving MSK care for people in all parts of the country. More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all support people to manage their long-term conditions, including MSK conditions, closer to home.