Every parliamentary written question tabled by Peter Bedford this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 341–360 of 549 · this parliament
What steps his Department is taking to improve the effectiveness of the NHS Triage system.
Triage is used across the National Health Service, for example in urgent and emergency care and mental health services, and is an effective way of prioritising patient need. The NHS pathways, a clinical decision support tool, used by NHS 111, is continuously reviewed to ensure it remains effective, safe, and that it adequately responds to patients’ clinical needs
What steps his Department is taking to help support General Practitioners to use new technologies.
The national General Practice Improvement Programme provides tailored support to general practices to make changes and improvements. This includes supporting practices to make the best use of technology to implement the modern general practice model, to address the challenges of rising demand and increasing complexity. In addition, many practices have implemented online consultation and triage systems, enhancing patient access and experience.The Department is also in the process of updating Part IX of the Drug Tariff. The intention is to increase comparison between medical technology products prescribed in primary care, and therefore increase meaningful choice for clinicians and patients, as well as reducing the administrative burden on health and social care professionals. These updates will also support the adoption of new innovative devices in primary care.
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the NHS Triage system.
Triage is used across the National Health Service, for example in urgent and emergency care and mental health services, and is an effective way of prioritising patient need. The NHS pathways, a clinical decision support tool, used by NHS 111, is continuously reviewed to ensure it remains effective, safe, and that it adequately responds to patients’ clinical needs
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision for people discharged from mental health units.
The statutory guidance on discharge from mental health inpatient settings makes clear that National Health Service mental health trusts should have a clear plan in place for the ongoing care and support that a patient requires after discharge from a mental health inpatient setting. This should cover their pharmacological, psychological, social, cultural, and physical health, their education, housing, and finances, and any other individual needs or wishes.Alongside this, NHS England is also developing new core standards of care for community mental health services to support the continued improvement of care received by people with serious mental illness who require intensive community treatment and follow-up, but where engagement is a challenge.As part of our mission to build an NHS that is fit for the future and shift care from hospitals into the community by improving community and crisis services, NHS England is piloting new models of care in the community for those with the most serious mental illnesses. New mental health centres will open in six neighbourhood areas from this spring, and will provide people and their families with support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if they are in crisis, without needing to book an appointment, as well as providing housing and employment advice to support them to stay well.The Mental Health Bill, currently before Parliament, also aims to strengthen discharge arrangements for people detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act.
Communities and Local Government, if she will issue guidance to local authorities on allowing homeless people with pets into sheltered accommodation.
If a household is in Temporary Accommodation, local authorities must ensure it is suitable in relation to the applicant and to all members of their household who normally reside with them, or who might reasonably be expected to reside with them and there is a right of appeal. Although it will not always be possible to make provision for pets in temporary accommodation, housing authorities should give careful consideration to this aspect when making provision for applicants who wish to retain their pet. The Renters’ Rights Bill will overhaul the private rented sector, giving tenants the right to request a pet, which landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords will be able to request insurance to cover potential damage from pets if needed.
What steps her Department is taking to help promote the uptake of hydrogen powered cars.
Government policy on the transition to zero emissions is technology neutral. The ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicles) Mandate credits hydrogen fuel cell cars and vans as fully zero emission. ZEVs benefit from favourable tax rates compared to the most polluting vehicles, such as the lowest first year rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) at £10. Company Car Tax rates continue to support the uptake of ZEVs, with preferential rates currently at 2%, rising to 3% in April 2025. 100% First Year Allowances (FYA) have also been extended into financial year 2025/26 for qualifying expenditure on zero emission cars.
Whether he plans to establish national (a) testing and (b) screening for prostate cancer.
In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises Ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries.The UK NSC review for prostate cancer screening is currently underway. The evidence review is due to conclude later in 2025. After this, the UK NSC will make a recommendation. Ministers will then consider whether to accept the recommendation.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on increasing the number of days British citizens with property can stay in Spain without a residence permit.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office officials and Ministers regularly engage Spanish counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals, including on visa matters. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. Applications for visas to visit or stay for longer periods of time would be processed according to the rules of individual Member States.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Inheritance Tax at the Autumn Budget 2024 on costs to pension scheme administrators.
Most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. A technical consultation was published at Autumn Budget 2024 on the proposal for pension scheme administrators to become liable for reporting and paying any inheritance tax due on pensions. The consultation concluded on 22 January 2025 and the responses are being considered. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
What estimate her Department has made of the potential cost to the public purse of overlap between the Motability scheme and claimants entitled to free school transport provided by local authorities.
The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the disability benefits that act as a gateway to the Motability Scheme and facilitates the transfer of eligible benefits to Motability. Whilst an eligible benefit allowance provides access to the Scheme, the recipient can also choose not to join the Scheme, and to spend the allowance however they see fit for their individual circumstances.We do not hold information that could identify those who may qualify for the Motability Scheme and who are also entitled to free school transport provided by local authorities.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill on student discipline in educational settings.
Good behaviour in schools is essential to ensure that all pupils, no matter their background, can achieve and thrive.Every pupil deserves to learn in a safe, calm classroom and the government will always support our hard-working and dedicated teachers to make this happen.A Child Rights Impact Assessment has been published assessing the impact of all measures in the Bill on children and young people, including any impact on pupil behaviour in schools.
What discussions his Department has had with the Department for Education on promoting careers in the armed forces in (a) schools and (b) other educational settings.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 November 2024, to Question 14894.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to introduce local referenda on local government reorganisation in Leicestershire.
We do not have any plans to introduce local referenda as part of the local government reorganisation process. As per our invitation letter guidance we expect councils to engage locally when developing proposals. We expect local leaders to engage their MPs and to ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents and businesses. This engagement should both inform the development of robust proposals and build a shared understanding of the improvements they expect to deliver through reorganisation.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether she has made an estimate of the potential savings to the public purse of abolishing diversity, equality and inclusion roles.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) does not employ any people who work solely in diversity, equality, and inclusion roles.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of abolishing non-departmental public bodies on (a) her Department's costs and (b) democratic accountability.
We keep all bodies sponsored and funded by the Home Office under review, to ensure they are delivering public outcomes efficiently and effectively.
Whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs.
The Department for Transport has not estimated the potential impact on annual staff costs in the department of abolishing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion roles.
Whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs.
The Ministry of Defence has no current plans to make an estimate of the kind described. In a competitive age, our advantage derives from the talent and skills of our people. Attracting, recruiting, and retaining the best people drawn from the broadest diversity of thought, skills and background is mission critical to our operational effectiveness. People that think differently provide alternative solutions to complex problems and reduce the risk of groupthink and lack of challenge. The reason we seek to increase our diversity levels is to make us more effective at closing with and defeating the enemy, should we be required to do so.
Whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs.
No such estimate has been made, but I would refer the Hon Member to the Cabinet Office guidance on the Civil Service Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Expenditure, published under the previous government in May 2024, which states:Internal Efficiency Measures18. Internal measures are important to promote efficient and effective EDI practice, which aligns to Government priorities. To ensure EDI spend in the Civil Service is commensurate with agreed organisational priorities the following measures must be considered:c. Incorporate standalone EDI staffing roles into broader HR: The responsibility for EDI delivery should be embedded into HR professionals’ broader accountabilities. The CS D&I Strategy frames an approach where diversity and inclusion is not an end in itself, but an integral means of delivering better outcomes for our citizens. To deliver this, and move away from tokenistic, albeit well-intentioned actions, to produce truly transformative delivery our HR professionals are required to take ownership of EDI and focus the approach against the key areas of an employee lifecycle that make the biggest impact for all our people: recruitment, talent management, learning & development, leadership, culture and tackling bullying harassment and discrimination when it occurs.
Whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is committed to being an inclusive place to work, in line with our DESNZ Values, and we value all colleagues whose work helps to achieve this. We have not explored the cost impacts of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles. In line with the Civil Service Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Expenditure guidance, published in May 2024, we value internal efficiency as part of promoting efficient and effective EDI practice.
If he will list the non-departmental public bodies overseen by his Department he plans to abolish.
The Prime Minister announced the abolition of NHS England, the largest arm’s length body in England, on 13 March 2025, and my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, followed this with a statement to Parliament.