Written questions by Hayes.

What steps he is taking to increase the availability of mental health services in (a) Bournemouth and (b) Dorset.

The NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board is responsible for commissioning National Health Service mental health services to meet the needs of its local populations in Bournemouth and Dorset.At national level, we will fulfil our commitments to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers by the end of the Parliament to help cut waiting times and to expand mental health support teams to cover all schools in England by 2029/30. We will also expand NHS Talking Therapies and individual placement and support schemes, so more people can access the support they need.The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. We are transforming mental health services into 24 hours a day, seven days a week neighbourhood mental health centres, improving assertive outreach and increasing access to evidence based digital interventions. People will get better access to mental health support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week directly through the NHS App, including through self-referral for talking therapies, without needing a general practice appointment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of health inequalities on the (a) demand for and (b) cost of delivering NHS services in Bournemouth.

The National Health Service is responsible for determining allocations to the integrated care boards (ICBs). In allocating budgets, they have two aims: equal opportunity of access for equal need; and reducing health inequalities that are amenable to NHS healthcare. There are a range of adjustments made in the core ICB allocations formula that account for the fact that the costs of providing health care may vary in coastal areas like Bournemouth.The NHS South West Regional Team, whose area includes Bournemouth, provides assurance and support on inequalities, system performance, and productivity. Engagement with key stakeholders in the region is undertaken through the Regional Reducing Inequalities Group.In response to the NHS’s Statement on Information on Health Inequalities, NHS Dorset publishes an annual report on health inequalities which includes comprehensive information relating to the 24 health inequality indicators by ICBs as a whole, and where relevant by the NHS trust specifically. Further information on the NHS’s Statement on Information on Health Inequalities and the latest annual report on health inequalities is available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/nhs-englands-statement-on-information-on-health-inequalities/https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Health-Inequalities-annual-report-2024.pdf

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) increasing the soft drinks industry levy and (b) lowering the threshold for drinks to be subject to the levy.

HM Treasury is the department responsible for taxation policy. The Department of Health and Social Care provides input and support as appropriate.Indicative analysis has been conducted by the Department to estimate the calorie reduction through reformulation and substitution to alternative drinks, and the subsequent health and economic benefits as a result of the proposed changes to the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL). This includes lowering the standard sugar threshold from 5 grams to 4 grams total sugar per 100 millilitres, and removing the current exemption for pre-packaged milk based and milk substitute drinks.Where the proposed changes to the SDIL are successful in influencing behaviour and lowering consumption of high sugar drinks, positive health and economic outcomes are expected from reduced calorie intake in diets. The indicative analysis estimates per person per day calorie reductions of 0.9 kcal in five to 10 year olds, 2.1 kcal in 11 to 18 year olds, 1.2 kcal in 19 to 64 year olds, and 0.5 kcal in those aged 65 years old and over. This is the equivalent to approximately 15 million kcals per day in children and 46 million kcals per day in adults on a population level in England. The contribution to the calorie reduction from the two proposed changes to the SDIL varies by age group, however, as an example for those aged 19 to 64 years old, the contribution is 85% for reducing the lower sugar threshold and 15% for removing the previous exemptions for milk-based and milk substitute drinks.These calorie reductions could achieve health and economic benefits of approximately £4.2 billion over 25 years, including:- reduced morbidity, which could result in reduced cost pressures to the National Health Service, resulting in NHS savings of £100 million;- wider health benefits to the population through improved quality of life, leading to reduced mortality and premature morbidity, which are estimated to be worth approximately £3.1 billion;- social care savings that could amount to £100 million; and- reduced morbidity and premature mortality, which could be expected to deliver approximately £800 million in economic output through additional labour force participation.The Department has not done an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the SDIL.

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle mental health barriers to employment in Bournemouth.

The Department of Health and Social Care is committed to cutting mental health waiting lists and intervening earlier with more timely mental health support, to help people stay in work or return to work to grow the economy and support people to thrive.Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies services bring together employment advice and support within local services, including those available to people in Bournemouth. Therapists and employment advisors support people with common mental health conditions who are in work but who are struggling or facing difficulties in the workplace, off work sick, or who are looking for work.In addition, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced a £1 billion employment support package to support more people with health conditions, including mental ill health, back into work, unlocking opportunity and growing the economy as part of the Plan for Change.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the voluntary NHS free parking concession for carers.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of including carers in the provision of providing free car parking for those in greatest need.All National Health Service trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking those in greatest need, which includes NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesNHS organisations decide locally on the provision, management, and charging for their car parking within the policy set out by the Department, and therefore can provide additional free parking concession for carers. The four free groups are defined as:disabled people, where a disabled person is a holder of a valid Blue Badge and is attending hospital as a patient or visitor or is a disabled person employed by the hospital trust. Disabled patients and visitors receive free parking for the duration of their attendance at, or visit to, the hospital. Disabled employees receive free parking while at the hospital for purposes relating to their employment;frequent outpatient attenders, where parking will be provided free to all outpatients who attend hospital for an appointment at least three times within a month and for an overall period of at least three months. A ‘month’ is defined as a period of 30 days;the parents of sick children staying overnight. The parent of a child in hospital overnight is a parent or guardian of a child or young person, under 18 years old, who is admitted as an inpatient at hospital overnight. They receive free parking between the hours of 7.30pm and 8.00am while visiting the child. This would apply to a maximum of two vehicles; andstaff working night shifts, specifically members of staff with a shift starting after 7.30pm and ending before 8.00am. They receive free parking for the duration of their shift.

What steps he is taking to the reduce the financial pressures of long-term care for people ineligible for state support.

Fee rates are set by providers of adult social care, the majority of which are in the independent sector. The Department does not have powers to set or recommend the level of fees that private care homes can charge. However, all businesses are required to comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by ensuring that they use fair and clear terms in their standard agreements with customers.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 deliver recommendations for the transformation of adult social care including how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.

What discussions he has had with (a) Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, (b) University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust and (c) Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust on their proposals to create a subsidiary company.

Contract award decisions in the National Health Service fall directly to individual NHS bodies, who are responsible for running their own procurement exercises. Ministers at the Department do not have general powers in legislation to direct trusts in relation to the exercise of any of their functions, including in relation to specific contractual decisions. The NHS has established governance processes, in line with Government procurement policy and best practice, to ensure that appropriate contractual decisions are made that represent value for money.The three NHS Dorset foundation trusts have undertaken two months of engagement concerning proposals to establish a wholly owned subsidiary company to deliver estates and facilities management services. Relevant papers concerning the proposal were placed in the public domain in June 2025 for board meetings held in that month. Under the proposals, the trusts have advised NHS England that there will be no job reductions, and that transferred staff will keep their pay and terms and conditions exactly aligned with the NHS. This covers both current and new staff. NHS England will review the level of assurance around the trust boards’ self-certification as to their readiness to proceed to the next formal consultation stage, which will involve staff and unions.The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations allow for terms and conditions of service to be protected or frozen as they stand on the date of transfer to a new employer, like a wholly owned subsidiary. NHS trust wholly owned subsidiaries can apply for access to the NHS Pension Scheme for compulsorily transferring staff, and new starters.The Government expects that any outsourced services are delivered by trusts in a way that improves quality, ensures greater stability and longer-term investment in the workforce, and delivers better value for money, as part of the broader commitments on procurement, as set out in the Make Work Pay programme, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/make-work-payNHS staff continue to work incredibly hard on delivering the best possible care for patients, and wherever they work across the health service, we expect the highest standards and good terms and conditions.

Whether he has had discussions with UNISON in relation to proposals by NHS Trusts in Dorset to create a subsidiary company.

Contract award decisions in the National Health Service fall directly to individual NHS bodies, who are responsible for running their own procurement exercises. Ministers at the Department do not have general powers in legislation to direct trusts in relation to the exercise of any of their functions, including in relation to specific contractual decisions. The NHS has established governance processes, in line with Government procurement policy and best practice, to ensure that appropriate contractual decisions are made that represent value for money.The three NHS Dorset foundation trusts have undertaken two months of engagement concerning proposals to establish a wholly owned subsidiary company to deliver estates and facilities management services. Relevant papers concerning the proposal were placed in the public domain in June 2025 for board meetings held in that month. Under the proposals, the trusts have advised NHS England that there will be no job reductions, and that transferred staff will keep their pay and terms and conditions exactly aligned with the NHS. This covers both current and new staff. NHS England will review the level of assurance around the trust boards’ self-certification as to their readiness to proceed to the next formal consultation stage, which will involve staff and unions.The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations allow for terms and conditions of service to be protected or frozen as they stand on the date of transfer to a new employer, like a wholly owned subsidiary. NHS trust wholly owned subsidiaries can apply for access to the NHS Pension Scheme for compulsorily transferring staff, and new starters.The Government expects that any outsourced services are delivered by trusts in a way that improves quality, ensures greater stability and longer-term investment in the workforce, and delivers better value for money, as part of the broader commitments on procurement, as set out in the Make Work Pay programme, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/make-work-payNHS staff continue to work incredibly hard on delivering the best possible care for patients, and wherever they work across the health service, we expect the highest standards and good terms and conditions.

Whether he is taking steps to retain (a) job numbers and (b) existing terms and conditions when NHS trusts create subsidiary companies.

Contract award decisions in the National Health Service fall directly to individual NHS bodies, who are responsible for running their own procurement exercises. Ministers at the Department do not have general powers in legislation to direct trusts in relation to the exercise of any of their functions, including in relation to specific contractual decisions. The NHS has established governance processes, in line with Government procurement policy and best practice, to ensure that appropriate contractual decisions are made that represent value for money.The three NHS Dorset foundation trusts have undertaken two months of engagement concerning proposals to establish a wholly owned subsidiary company to deliver estates and facilities management services. Relevant papers concerning the proposal were placed in the public domain in June 2025 for board meetings held in that month. Under the proposals, the trusts have advised NHS England that there will be no job reductions, and that transferred staff will keep their pay and terms and conditions exactly aligned with the NHS. This covers both current and new staff. NHS England will review the level of assurance around the trust boards’ self-certification as to their readiness to proceed to the next formal consultation stage, which will involve staff and unions.The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations allow for terms and conditions of service to be protected or frozen as they stand on the date of transfer to a new employer, like a wholly owned subsidiary. NHS trust wholly owned subsidiaries can apply for access to the NHS Pension Scheme for compulsorily transferring staff, and new starters.The Government expects that any outsourced services are delivered by trusts in a way that improves quality, ensures greater stability and longer-term investment in the workforce, and delivers better value for money, as part of the broader commitments on procurement, as set out in the Make Work Pay programme, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/make-work-payNHS staff continue to work incredibly hard on delivering the best possible care for patients, and wherever they work across the health service, we expect the highest standards and good terms and conditions.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposals to create a subsidiary company by NHS trusts in Dorset on (a) jobs and (b) existing terms and conditions.

Contract award decisions in the National Health Service fall directly to individual NHS bodies, who are responsible for running their own procurement exercises. Ministers at the Department do not have general powers in legislation to direct trusts in relation to the exercise of any of their functions, including in relation to specific contractual decisions. The NHS has established governance processes, in line with Government procurement policy and best practice, to ensure that appropriate contractual decisions are made that represent value for money.The three NHS Dorset foundation trusts have undertaken two months of engagement concerning proposals to establish a wholly owned subsidiary company to deliver estates and facilities management services. Relevant papers concerning the proposal were placed in the public domain in June 2025 for board meetings held in that month. Under the proposals, the trusts have advised NHS England that there will be no job reductions, and that transferred staff will keep their pay and terms and conditions exactly aligned with the NHS. This covers both current and new staff. NHS England will review the level of assurance around the trust boards’ self-certification as to their readiness to proceed to the next formal consultation stage, which will involve staff and unions.The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations allow for terms and conditions of service to be protected or frozen as they stand on the date of transfer to a new employer, like a wholly owned subsidiary. NHS trust wholly owned subsidiaries can apply for access to the NHS Pension Scheme for compulsorily transferring staff, and new starters.The Government expects that any outsourced services are delivered by trusts in a way that improves quality, ensures greater stability and longer-term investment in the workforce, and delivers better value for money, as part of the broader commitments on procurement, as set out in the Make Work Pay programme, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/make-work-payNHS staff continue to work incredibly hard on delivering the best possible care for patients, and wherever they work across the health service, we expect the highest standards and good terms and conditions.

What steps the NHS is taking to help ensure that Dorset Police are able to refer convicted stalkers for mental health interventions.

NHS Liaison and Diversion services in Dorset work closely with the police and other parts of the criminal justice system to identify people who have mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, or other issues when they first come into contact with the criminal justice system as suspects, defendants, or convicted offenders. The aim is to improve overall health outcomes and to reduce re-offending through early identification of possible need, putting in place the right support from the start, including mental health support, and reducing the likelihood that they will reach a crisis point. The service can then support them through the criminal system pathway, refer them for appropriate health or social care support, or enable them to be diverted away from the criminal justice system, where appropriate.

What discussions he has had with (a) social care providers and (b) local authorities on ensuring (i) choice, (ii) control and (ii) flexibility in the provision of care as enshrined in the Care Act 2014.

We are committed to working in partnership with social care professionals and providers, local authorities, and crucially the people who draw on care and support, to give people more choice and control over their care.Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population. That is why, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes encouraging a wide range of service provision to ensure that people have a choice of appropriate services.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is assessing local authorities' delivery of their adult social care duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014. The assessments undertaken by CQC identify local authorities’ strengths and areas for improvement, helping us to target support where it is most needed. If CQC identifies a local authority has failed or is failing to discharge its duties under the Care Act to an acceptable standard, my rt. Hon Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has powers to intervene.

When will the allocation of GP funding for 2025-26 be published.

In December 2024 we announced a proposed funding uplift for general practices (GPs) in 2025/26 of £889 million, representing a 7.2% cash growth, estimated to be an approximately 4.8% real terms growth. This is the largest uplift to GP funding since 2019 and means that we are reversing the recent trend, with a rising share of total National Health Service resources going to GPs.We started consulting with the General Practitioners Committee in England, of the British Medical Association, on the 2025/26 GP Contract on 19 December 2024, and will consider all proposed policy changes alongside the funding uplift. The final changes will be announced in the usual way following the close of the consultation in 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of evictions from care homes on vulnerable people in need of care.

Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority clearly states that the resident, their representatives, and any other relevant independent professional should be consulted, and that eviction should only occur after efforts have been made to meet the resident’s care needs. The reasons for the consultation should be fully discussed, together with possible solutions, before any final decision is made on the resident’s continued stay in the care home.Clauses about evictions should be clearly set out in the contracts that residents sign on entering the care homes. The legal minimum notice period is 28 days. This is set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the independent complaints lead and works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), sharing information with the CQC to identify poor practice.

If he will take steps to increase the role of patients in decision making around care home placements.

The Health and Care Act 2022 contains a duty for National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts to involve both patients and carers, including young carers, at the earliest opportunity in discharge planning for adult patients who are likely to need care and support after their hospital discharge, where they consider it appropriate to do so.The statutory discharge guidance sets out how local areas can plan and implement hospital discharge services that cater to individual patients’ needs. This is aimed at senior leaders in NHS commissioning bodies, local authorities, and relevant sectors such as care providers.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent care homes from evicting vulnerable residents.

Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority clearly states that the resident, their representatives, and any other relevant independent professional should be consulted, and that eviction should only occur after efforts have been made to meet the resident’s care needs. The reasons for the consultation should be fully discussed, together with possible solutions, before any final decision is made on the resident’s continued stay in the care home.Clauses about evictions should be clearly set out in the contracts that residents sign on entering the care homes. The legal minimum notice period is 28 days. This is set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the independent complaints lead and works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), sharing information with the CQC to identify poor practice.

What steps his Department is taking to financially support (a) GP practices and (b) third-sector organisations delivering commissioned services with employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, and this enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented from April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year at the earliest opportunity, including through NHS Planning Guidance, and the usual consultations, for instance the general practice contract.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the powers of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman on decision making around evictions from care homes.

Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.Guidance on complying with the Consumer Protection Act issued by the Competition and Markets Authority clearly states that the resident, their representatives, and any other relevant independent professional should be consulted, and that eviction should only occur after efforts have been made to meet the resident’s care needs. The reasons for the consultation should be fully discussed, together with possible solutions, before any final decision is made on the resident’s continued stay in the care home.Clauses about evictions should be clearly set out in the contracts that residents sign on entering the care homes. The legal minimum notice period is 28 days. This is set out in the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman is the independent complaints lead and works closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), sharing information with the CQC to identify poor practice.

If his Department will take steps to reallocate funding from acute care to (a) primary care and (b) the third-sector.

In spring, we will publish a 10-Year Health Plan, which will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from hospitals to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. This is a long-term challenge and will take time to deliver, and so the plan will consider both what immediate actions are needed to get the National Health Service back on its feet and bring waiting lists down, as well as the longer-term changes needed to make the health service fit for the future.

Whether his Department plans to restore the Government's Sexwise website.

The Department has no plans to restore the Government’s Sexwise website. Extensive sexual and reproductive health information is readily available from other sources, which provide quality up-to-date information for the general public and healthcare professionals. These include, but are not limited to:the National Health Service website, which is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/;the Contraception Choices website, which is available at the following link: https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/;the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV website, which is available at the following website: https://www.bashh.org/;the British HIV Association website, which is available at the following link: https://www.bhiva.org/;the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare website, which is available at the following link: https://www.fsrh.org/;the Terrence Higgins Trust website, which is available at the following link: https://www.tht.org.uk/;the Brook website, which is available at the following link: https://www.brook.org.uk/; andthe Sexual health service finder, which is available on the NHS.UK website, at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services/find-a-sexual-health-clinic/.