Written questions by Glover.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the (a) structure and (b) responsibilities of Integrated Care Boards on the (i) commissioning and (ii) delivery of multiple sclerosis services.

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, with the expectation of achieving a reduction in their running cost allowance. NHS England has shared a draft of The Model ICB Blueprint to help ICBs shape future plans. The blueprint confirms their critical role as strategic commissioners, with their core functions centred in population health management, including understanding local context, developing a long-term strategy, allocating resources, and evaluating impact. The Government is focused on improving health, and as part of that has produced a 10-Year Health Plan in order to reform the health system. The Government will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to ensure that the expected hundreds of millions of pounds of savings made will be reinvested into frontline services and to unlock the benefit of working at scale to deliver better care for patients, including those with multiple sclerosis.

What steps she has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that people with multiple sclerosis are supported to remain in employment through (a) flexible working arrangements and (b) effective symptom management closer to home.

Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Disabled people and people with health conditions, including multiple sclerosis, are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care. Building on our WorkWell, Employment Advisers in Talking Therapies and Connect to Work programmes, we will ensure people with a health condition have access to the holistic support they need. In the Government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper, we further committed to developing a support guarantee, so that disabled people and those with a health condition get the work, health and skills support they need to access and thrive in employment. And we are delivering the biggest investment in support for disabled people and people with health conditions in at least a generation. Our support guarantee announced as part of the Green Paper is backed up by £2.2bn over four years, including £200m in 2026/27 when our benefit changes begin to take effect and, as announced in the statement on Welfare Reform (30 June) by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, an additional £300m over the next 3 years. This brings our total investment in employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions to £3.8 billion over this Parliament. We will further pilot the integration of employment advisers and work coaches into the neighbourhood health service, so that working age people with long term health conditions have an integrated public service offer. A patient’s employment goals will be part of care plans, to support more joined up service provision. The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care have worked together on the 10 Year Health Plan. The 10 Year Health Plan will ensure a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area. The Plan sets out the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of health and care needs, including for disabled people. Backed by £240m investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched in November 2024, will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate. In recognition of the key role employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent review, considering how best to support and enable employers to recruit and retain more people with health conditions and disabilities, promote healthy workplaces, and support more people to stay in or return to work from periods of sickness absence. Sir Charlie will deliver his final report in the autumn. Employers are crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and those with health conditions to thrive in the workforce. Our support to employers includes increasing access to Occupational Health, a digital information service for employers and the Disability Confident scheme. Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website.

If she will publish an equalities impact assessment of the proposed Personal Independence Payment reforms with specific reference to people with progressive neurological conditions.

As I set out in the House of Commons on 1 July 2025, the Government has listened to the concerns raised by Members from across the House about the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would have amended the legal framework underpinning PIP assessments, specifically by implementing a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. In light of the concerns raised, I confirmed during the debate that clause 5 would be removed from the Bill in Committee.(Hansard, 1 July, col 219) Any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit which I shall lead, co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the effectiveness of the right to be forgotten in the Data Protection Act 2018, in the context of people acquitted of crimes.

We have made no assessment of the effectiveness of the provisions in the Data Protection Act 2018 in respect of people acquitted of crimes. The ‘right to be forgotten’ is not an absolute right and whether there is a need for an organisation to retain data about a person’s acquittal is likely to be context specific.Organisations in the UK that process personal data must comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). Oversight and enforcement of these data protection laws, including the ‘right to be forgotten’, is carried out independently of the government by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO, as the UK’s independent data protection regulator, provides comprehensive guidance on its website.

Whether he plans to consult health professionals as part of the changes to the Carr-Hill formula funding model for GP practices.

The review of the Carr-Hill formula will draw on a range of evidence and advice from experts, such as the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, and will involve consultation with the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association. Further detail on the review will be confirmed in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase funding for parks and green spaces.

The government is firmly committed to creating better access to parks and green spaces for all sections of society. They are an essential part of local social infrastructure which supports more connected, stronger communities.Whilst responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining urban parks lies mainly with local authorities, the government is committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to manage parks and green spaces.The new £1.5 billon Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK, this will include creating and improving green spaces and community gardens.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing non-cash incentives for voluntary blood donors on donation volumes.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has a Donor Recognition Scheme (DRS) that thanks donors, using personalised emails at various milestones, digital badges, and for higher donation thresholds, distributes pin badges and formal certificates. Further information on the DRS is available at the following link:https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/recognising-donors/NHSBT’s strategic objective is to grow and diversify the donor base to meet evolving hospital needs, and to reduce health inequalities. To support this, the DRS is being reviewed. The new approach will shift the emphasis from recognition alone to retention, with a stronger focus on engaging newer donors. In the coming year, a series of pilots will shape a new donor recognition and retention proposition that will improve access and engagement of donors, and build a more sustainable donor base. These pilots will play a critical role in shaping a scheme that supports NHSBT’s goals of equitable access, long-term engagement, and sustainability in blood donation.

What steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS Blood and Transplant are taking to increase the number of blood donations.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has been using several initiatives to increase blood donations and in turn improve blood stocks.For instance, the Department provided seed-funding to support NHSBT’s work to increase collection capacity and resilience, including the new Brixton Donor Centre which opened in December 2024. Additionally, the newly re-opened donor centre in Southampton and the Brighton donor centre that will open later in the year will increase NHSBT’s capacity to collect more blood.National Blood Week, between 9 and 13 June 2025, saw campaigns seeking to recruit donors, particularly for blood groups where demand is high, and to increase the number of bookings. Messaging included a strong call to action for a million people to become regular donors.NHSBT has a hotline to enable priority donors, which are currently O negative, B negative, and Ro donors, to find an available appointment. This function will be available for online and app bookings later in June 2025.A Marketing Automation Tool was launched in September 2024 that will enable NHSBT to personalise the messages it sends to donors so that over the coming year, more of the communication donors receive will be relevant to them, making it easier for them to book an appointment at a time and place that suits them.

Whether he has considered launching a time-limited regional pilot of a blood-donor loyalty programme that awards perks to donors.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood services in England. NHSBT has a Donor Recognition Scheme (DRS) that thanks donors, using personalised emails at various milestones, digital badges, and for higher donation thresholds, distributes pin badges and formal certificates. Further information on the DRS is available at the following link:https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/recognising-donors/NHSBT’s strategic objective is to grow and diversify the donor base to meet evolving hospital needs, and to reduce health inequalities. To support this, the DRS is being reviewed. The new approach will shift the emphasis from recognition alone to retention, with a stronger focus on engaging newer donors. In the coming year, a series of pilots will shape a new donor recognition and retention proposition that will improve access and engagement of donors, and build a more sustainable donor base. These pilots will play a critical role in shaping a scheme that supports NHSBT’s goals of equitable access, long-term engagement, and sustainability in blood donation.

What steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that companies using self-employed food delivery riders comply with (a) their legal obligations as clients under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and (b) the duty to ensure the (i) competence of contractors and (ii) safety of systems of work involving (A) fire and (B) road risk.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks. Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work. Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.

Whether the Health and Safety Executive has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the application of client duties by food delivery platforms who contract (a) self-employed riders and (b) self-employed riders who use (i) modified and (ii) potentially unsafe e-bikes.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks. Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work. Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.

What discussions her Department has had with app-based delivery companies on ensuring that health and safety protections in their workers' contracts are not undermined by the use of (a) substitution clauses and (b) accounts sublet by workers with no (i) formal agreement with and (ii) training from that company.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks. Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work. Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.

Whether the Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the contractual right to substitution in gig economy delivery work on the Health and Safety Executive’s ability to monitor and enforce safe working conditions.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks. Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work. Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of shipping biofuel for use in bus fleets from Saudi Arabia on carbon emissions.

The UK’s main scheme for supporting the use of low carbon fuels (LCF), such as biofuels, in surface transport is the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The RTFO delivers greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings by mandating the supply of renewable and LCF for use in UK transport, including relevant public transport modes such as buses and diesel trains. The market for LCF is global and allows suppliers to meet their obligation with LCF from countries such as Saudi Arabia, providing it meets strict sustainability criteria. LCFs must deliver GHG savings relative to fossil fuels of at least 55 to 65%, depending on when the production installation started operating, to be eligible. Suppliers must provide independent third-party verification that the biofuel meets these criteria.

What steps she is taking to promote UK-sourced renewable fuels in public transport.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) supports the use of low carbon alternatives to petrol and diesel in surface transport and covers relevant public transport modes such as buses and diesel trains. The market for renewable fuels is competitive and global. The RTFO scheme allows suppliers to fully embrace the global market by supporting renewable fuels produced from UK feedstocks and also those from outside the UK to minimise the costs passed on to end users of fuel.

Whether the Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of importing biofuels for public transport from Saudi Arabia on the environment.

The UK’s main scheme for supporting the use of low carbon fuels (LCF), such as biofuels, in surface transport is the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The RTFO delivers greenhouse gas (GHG) emission savings by mandating the supply of renewable and LCF for use in UK transport, including relevant public transport modes such as buses and diesel trains. The market for LCF is global and allows suppliers to meet their obligation with LCF from countries such as Saudi Arabia, providing it meets strict sustainability criteria. LCFs must deliver GHG savings relative to fossil fuels of at least 55 to 65%, depending on when the production installation started operating, to be eligible. Suppliers must provide independent third-party verification that the biofuel meets these criteria.

Whether she has made a comparative assessment of the acceleration capability of trains powered by (a) batteries, (b) overhead catenary systems and (c) contact rail systems for operating speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.

The Secretary of State has not made an assessment of the acceleration of different types of traction for operating at speeds up to 125mph. It is a matter for operators, when procuring rolling stock, to ensure that the characteristics of their fleet can meet their timetable requirements and best use of the infrastructure.

Whether she has made a comparative assessment of the whole-life costs of (a) full and (b) partial railway electrification taking into account (i) infrastructure and (ii) rolling stock including (A) fully electric (B) battery, (C) battery/electric, (D) bi-mode and (E) tri-mode trains.

The department is working closely with Network Rail to develop updated plans for where and when electrification is required to deliver a fully decarbonised railway, that considers both track and train, as well as the recent development of battery technology on the railway. As part of this process, the Department is assessing whole-life costs of both full and partial electrification with regard toall rolling stock traction types in order to decarbonise in the most cost-effective way.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) discontinuous electrification and (b) battery locomotives on (i) the decarbonisation of rail freight and (ii) increasing the use of rail freight.

The department will consider all options, including battery locomotives and discontinuous electrification, when deciding on the best solution for decarbonising freight. Currently, it is unclear what role batteries will play in freight in the short term due to range and weight considerations; however, the technology is constantly improving. The department will continue to monitor developments in battery technology, although it is expected that most decarbonisation in rail freight will come from full electrification and fuel changes. Discontinuous electrification could also play a role decarbonising freight on lines which have lower volumes of freight traffic. Additionally, electric traction has advantages of more pulling power and speed compared to diesel traction and therefore could aid rail freight growth as well as contributing to decarbonisation.

Which railways are planned for (a) full and (b) partial electrification; whether these proposals are funded; what the target delivery dates are; and whether this information is published in tabular format.

The railway is already a green form of transport and the Department want to develop an integrated strategy that joins up infrastructure investment and rolling stock plans to decarbonise rail travel effectively and efficiently for as many people as possible, which is likely to include a combination of full and partial electrification, and use of new, more efficient, technologies such as battery trains. The Department is assessing all investment plans as part of the ongoing Spending Review and will continue to announce details of schemes as decisions are taken, as was done for the major investments in East West Rail and Transpennine Route Upgrade following the Budget.