Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sarah Green this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 102 · this parliament
What steps her Department is taking to prevent the child maintenance system being used as a tool of financial abuse.
The Government have recently consulted on proposed reforms to manage all CMS cases in one service allowing the CMS to automatically identify missed, late and partial payments. This will provide greater protection from financial abuse. Responses to consultation are currently under consideration.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the requirement to apply for a licence to install electric car charging units in leasehold properties on the number of applications for such installations.
The Government remains committed to making it easier, cheaper, and quicker to install chargepoints. To support the transition for those living and working in leasehold properties, grants are available towards the purchase and installation of chargepoint grants. We continue to monitor and assess how leaseholders can be best supported to install home chargers.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to business property relief on family-owned property development companies.
The Government published information about the reforms to business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that involve AIM shares.BPR is not available to businesses consisting wholly or mainly of dealing in land or buildings. Whether or not a particular property development company will qualify for relief depends on the nature of the business.In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
What steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of early symptoms of Parkinson's disease amongst GPs.
General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including of Parkinson’s disease, remains up-to-date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. This activity should include taking account of new research and developments in guidance, such as that produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, to ensure that they can continue to provide high quality care to all patients. All doctors registered in the United Kingdom are expected to meet the professional standards set out in the General Medical Council’s (GMC’s) Good Medical Practice. In 2012, the GMC introduced revalidation, which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice, giving patients confidence that doctors are up to date with their practice, and promoting improved quality of care by driving improvements in clinical governance.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors, set by the Royal College of General Practitioners, has to meet the standards set by the GMC. Whilst curricula do not necessarily highlight specific conditions for doctors to be aware of, they do emphasise the skills and approaches that a doctor must develop to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients.
With reference to his strategy for NHS workforce planning, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of shortages in the number of clinicians specialising in neurology on the adequacy of care for patients with (a) Parkinson's Disease and (b) other neurological conditions.
Currently, there are no specific plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of shortages in the number of clinicians specialising in neurology on the adequacy of care for patients with Parkinson's disease or other neurological conditions.As of July 2024, there were over 1,800 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology in National Health Service trusts and other organisations in England. This includes over 900 FTE consultant neurologists. In 2023, the fill rate for recruitment into the specialty of neurology in England was 94%.The NHS workforce has been overworked for years, leading to staff becoming burnt out and demoralised. We must be honest about the challenges we are facing. The NHS is broken but not beaten and together we will turn it around.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention. A central and core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.There are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with Parkinson’s disease in England, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP).The GIRFT National Specialty Report made recommendations designed to improve services nationally and to support the NHS to deliver care more equitably across the country. In addition, the NTP has developed a model of integrated care for neurology services to support integrated care boards to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including providing care closer to home.
What estimate he has made of the number of consultants specialising in the treatment of Parkinson's disease required to meet current needs of patients.
We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. A central and core part of the plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.No such estimate has been made. We are committed to training the staff we need, including neurologists and consultants specialising in treating Parkinson’s Disease, to ensure that patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.As of August 2024, there are 1,917 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology in NHS trusts and integrated care boards in England, which is 146, or 8.2%, more than a year ago, and 473, or 32.7%, more than five years ago. Of these, there are 975 FTE consultants, which is 47, or 5%, more than a year ago, and 179, or 22.5%, more than five years ago. In 2024, there are 367 doctors in the NHS in England in postgraduate specialty training for neurology. This is 44, or 13.6%, more than five years ago.
If his Department will take steps to encourage students to take up careers in neurology.
We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. A central and core part of the plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.No such estimate has been made. We are committed to training the staff we need, including neurologists and consultants specialising in treating Parkinson’s Disease, to ensure that patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.As of August 2024, there are 1,917 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology in NHS trusts and integrated care boards in England, which is 146, or 8.2%, more than a year ago, and 473, or 32.7%, more than five years ago. Of these, there are 975 FTE consultants, which is 47, or 5%, more than a year ago, and 179, or 22.5%, more than five years ago. In 2024, there are 367 doctors in the NHS in England in postgraduate specialty training for neurology. This is 44, or 13.6%, more than five years ago.
What funding the Government provides for research into a cure for Parkinson's disease.
The Government’s responsibility for delivering Parkinson’s disease research is shared between the Department of Health and Social Care, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation. The Government spent a total of £79.06 million on research into Parkinson’s disease between the financial years 2019/20 and 2023/24.As well as funding research itself, the NIHR invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England. Collectively, this forms the NIHR’s infrastructure. The NIHR’s infrastructure enables the country’s leading experts to develop and deliver high-quality translational, clinical, and applied research into Parkinson’s disease. For example, in the financial year 2022/23, the NIHR Clinical Research Network enabled 114 studies related to Parkinson’s disease.
What data his Department currently holds on waiting lists for treatment for Parkinson's Disease in England.
The Department does not hold data specifically on the number of people waiting for treatment for Parkinson’s disease in England. The Department does hold data on waiting times for neurology, but not broken down by specific conditions. The latest data for referral to treatment waiting times in England, from September 2024, shows there were over 234,000 patients waiting for a neurology appointment, and that 54% of patients were seen by a neurologist within 18 weeks.There are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with Parkinson’s disease in England, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP).The GIRFT National Specialty Report made recommendations designed to improve services nationally, and to support the National Health Service to deliver care more equitably across the country. The report highlighted differences in how services are delivered, and provided the opportunity to share successful initiatives between trusts to improve patient services nationally. In addition, the NTP has developed a model of integrated care for neurology services to support integrated care boards to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including providing care closer to home.Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy in place, the majority of people with Parkinson’s can be cared for through routine access to primary and secondary care. NHS England commissions the specialised elements of Parkinson’s care that patients may receive from 27 neurology centres across England. Within specialised centres, neurological multidisciplinary teams ensure patients can access a range of health professionals, including Parkinson’s disease nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals such as dieticians and speech and language therapists, and that they can receive specialised treatment and support according to their needs.No specific assessment has been made of the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses required to meet the current need of patients in England. While the Department does not hold data specifically on the number of Parkinson’s specialist staff in England, we do hold data on the numbers working in the wider speciality of neurology. As of July 2024, there were over 1,800 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology in NHS trusts and other organisations in England. This includes over 900 FTE consultant neurologists. In 2023, the fill rate for recruitment into the specialty of neurology in England was 94%.The NHS workforce has been overworked for years, leading to staff becoming burnt out and demoralised. We must be honest about the challenges we are facing. The NHS is broken but not beaten and together we will turn it around.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed to move healthcare from hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.A central and core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.
What assessment he has made of the number of specialist Parkinson's Nurses required to meet the current needs of patients.
The Department does not hold data specifically on the number of people waiting for treatment for Parkinson’s disease in England. The Department does hold data on waiting times for neurology, but not broken down by specific conditions. The latest data for referral to treatment waiting times in England, from September 2024, shows there were over 234,000 patients waiting for a neurology appointment, and that 54% of patients were seen by a neurologist within 18 weeks.There are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with Parkinson’s disease in England, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology, the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, and the Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP).The GIRFT National Specialty Report made recommendations designed to improve services nationally, and to support the National Health Service to deliver care more equitably across the country. The report highlighted differences in how services are delivered, and provided the opportunity to share successful initiatives between trusts to improve patient services nationally. In addition, the NTP has developed a model of integrated care for neurology services to support integrated care boards to deliver the right service, at the right time for all neurology patients, including providing care closer to home.Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy in place, the majority of people with Parkinson’s can be cared for through routine access to primary and secondary care. NHS England commissions the specialised elements of Parkinson’s care that patients may receive from 27 neurology centres across England. Within specialised centres, neurological multidisciplinary teams ensure patients can access a range of health professionals, including Parkinson’s disease nurses, psychologists, and allied health professionals such as dieticians and speech and language therapists, and that they can receive specialised treatment and support according to their needs.No specific assessment has been made of the number of specialist Parkinson’s nurses required to meet the current need of patients in England. While the Department does not hold data specifically on the number of Parkinson’s specialist staff in England, we do hold data on the numbers working in the wider speciality of neurology. As of July 2024, there were over 1,800 full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors working in the specialty of neurology in NHS trusts and other organisations in England. This includes over 900 FTE consultant neurologists. In 2023, the fill rate for recruitment into the specialty of neurology in England was 94%.The NHS workforce has been overworked for years, leading to staff becoming burnt out and demoralised. We must be honest about the challenges we are facing. The NHS is broken but not beaten and together we will turn it around.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed to move healthcare from hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention.A central and core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of setting statutory limits on increases to car parking charges at stations in line with the cap on annual rail fare rises.
Car parking charges are not regulated and it is a commercial decision for the Train Operators. Local decision-makers have a better understanding of their passengers and will have a greater knowledge of other factors such as demand and the availability of other nearby car parking facilities. The Code of Practice for Accessible Stations sets out guidance on Blue Badge provision and ensuring that parking payment facilities are accessible
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the time period for exemption from Council Tax for retirement properties left vacant after death of their owner.
Where a dwelling is left empty following the passing of the occupant, the dwelling will be exempt from council tax until probate is granted or letters of administration are signed. A further six months exemption is available so long as the dwelling remains empty and has not been transferred or sold to a new owner. The government does not have any plans to change this exemption.
Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of funding for further education colleges to meet staffing costs in the light of (a) increased employer National Insurance contributions and (b) sector pay agreements.
As a part of the public sector, further education (FE) colleges will be compensated for the increased employer National Insurance contributions. Details about this compensation will be announced in the future. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £300 million in 2025/26 for FE at the Autumn Budget 2024, to ensure young people are developing the skills they need to succeed. The department will set out in due course how this is distributed. The government does not set pay or conditions within FE. This remains the responsibility of individual providers. To boost the recruitment and retention of teachers, the department has extended targeted retention incentive payments of up to £6,000 after tax to eligible early-career FE teachers in key subject areas.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of guidance provided to people on (a) the process and (b) timelines in relation to the admissibility of any complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman publishes guidance on what it can and cannot investigate, timescales and what those making complaints can expect. The Ombudsman is independent of Government, so it is for the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee to consider whether the guidance is adequate.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the requirement for under 18s to retake (a) English and (b) Maths GCSE on children with complex SEND.
The department knows that English and mathematics brings significant gains to all students, including children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by improving their employment prospects and access to qualifications at Level 3 and beyond. The mathematics and English condition of funding supports students who do not attain Level 2 English and mathematics qualifications at 16 by requiring them to continue to study these subjects as part of their 16-19 study programme or T Level. Where a student is not able to study GCSE or Functional Skills, they should be supported to achieve a stepping-stone qualification at an appropriate lower level. As the mathematics and English condition of funding is a study requirement, the focus is on supporting students to continue studying and learning these skills.If a student wishes to re-take their Level 2 English and/or mathematics exam, they should do so when they and their institution think they are ready. The department will continue to assess the impacts of the condition of funding policy to understand where improvements can be made, including talking to lead sector bodies to understand the impacts on students with SEND. In parallel, the Curriculum and Assessment Review will look at ensuring all young people aged 16-19 have an excellent foundation in English and mathematics and how best to support 16 to 19 year olds who currently do not achieve a Level 2 qualification in these subjects by 16.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing parents to retrospectively claim National Insurance credits if they were eligible for child benefit but did not claim them.
The Government keeps all tax policy under review.
What steps his Department is taking to help improve the treatment of long covid in the NHS.
Since 2020, the National Health Service in England has invested significantly in supporting people with long COVID. This includes setting up specialist post-COVID services nationwide for adults, and children and young people, as well as investing in ensuring general practice (GP) teams are equipped to support people affected by the condition.As of 1 April 2024, there are over 90 adult post-COVID services across England, along with an additional 10 children and young people’s hubs. These services assess people with long COVID and direct them into care pathways which provide appropriate support and treatment. GPs will assess patients that have COVID-19 symptoms lasting longer than four weeks, and refer them into a long COVID service where appropriate. Referral should be via a single point of access, which is managed by clinician-led triage.The Government has invested £58 million in research through two specific funding calls to better understand long COVID and how to treat it. The projects funded aim to improve our understanding of the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of the disease and the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and interventions, as well as to evaluate clinical care. The NHS and scientific community are working at pace to progress long COVID research.
If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations contained in the Health Services Safety Investigations Body's report entitled Digital tools for online consultation in general practice.
While patient safety incidents related to online consultation tools are very rare, even one is too many, and the Government takes these very seriously. NHS England produced guidance on the implementation of digital services in May 2024. The guidance provides key rules to help guide practices on how best to implement services to reduce risks and improve patient safety, in line with the recommendations made in the Health Services Safety Investigations Body's (HSSIBs) report. The Government welcomes the HSSIB’s work to support patient safety in primary care.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce risks to patient safety from the use of online consultation tools in general practice.
Although patient safety incidents related to online consultation tools are extremely rare, even a single incident is one too many, and the Government takes them very seriously. NHS England published the Primary Care Patient Safety Strategy (PCPSS) on 26 September 2024 which builds on the 2019 Patient Safety Strategy, and outlines how the National Health Service will continue to enhance patient safety in primary care.Commissioners and primary care providers can purchase digital tools from approved suppliers in the Digital Care Services catalogue. These suppliers must ensure they show compliance with clinical risk management standards. Integrated care boards should involve general practice staff and patients in the procurement process, and provide support for safe and effective tool implementation. Only services that meet required standards, including patient safety, can be procured. The PCPSS sets out additional safety requirements for suppliers to meet in future procurements.
What steps his Department is taking to help increase public awareness of the symptoms of thoracic endometriosis.
The Government recognises the significant challenges faced by women with endometriosis, and is committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service. Information for the public on endometriosis symptoms and treatments can be found on the NHS YouTube channel and the NHS website, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABi1ncHorBYhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/Although at present thoracic endometriosis is not specifically mentioned on these pages, the NHS website’s endometriosis page links to further resources, including the Endometriosis UK website. The Endometriosis UK website includes information on endometriosis outside the pelvis and highlights questions that a patient can ask in secondary care, as well as the option of referral for a second opinion. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/getting-diagnosed-0The Endometriosis UK website also includes an informational video on thoracic endometriosis, which is available at the following link:https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/webinar/thoracic-endometriosis