Public Services 2026-02-11
2026-02-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland Executive faces challenges in improving public services.
What discussions have you had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving public services?
Public services in Northern Ireland can and should be better. The Government are backing the Northern Ireland Executive every step of the way, starting with a record £19.3 billion settlement. Of course there is more to do and we will continue to work with the Executive to do it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details of discussions or actions taken beyond general backing and funding figures.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Government promised to cut NHS waiting lists.
Does the Minister agree that it is crucial for the Executive and this Government to work collaboratively to share knowledge and best practice so that we improve outcomes for patients?
I agree with my hon. Friend. He is right to highlight that, just recently, England had the second best monthly fall in waiting lists for 15 years. In Northern Ireland, the 70,000-appointments target has been surpassed and we have hit 200,000 additional appointments. I am pleased with the work of the Northern Ireland Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on that. The UK Government are committed to sharing best practice with those in the Northern Ireland Executive to continue that work.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Health is a devolved matter, but the fight against cancer isn't.
Will the Minister join me in praising the work of the All-Island Cancer Research Institute and ensure that our efforts to address cancer are done not just in Northern Ireland or the four nations, but between these islands?
It was my privilege to see some of the work being done there. Any efforts to bring down waiting times for cancer patients should be adopted. I will encourage this Government to do anything they can to share best practice from their own 10-year cancer plan.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly join in praising the Cancer Research Institute but committed to sharing best practices.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Revelations about the procurement of services and goods during Peter Mandelson's time as a Government Minister.
Can the Minister assure the House that his Department will comb its records to identify any possible wrongdoing?
I can absolutely give the shadow Secretary of State that assurance. That work is under way and we will update the House on anything that may emerge.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Investigation into Peter Mandelson's time as a Government Minister.
Will he also commit to return to this House before Easter to update Members on the work that his Department has done and what it has found?
I believe that work will be published by the Cabinet Office. I will ensure that, through that, the House will receive an update on the records.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to returning before Easter but committed to publishing findings through the Cabinet Office.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Northern Ireland Audit Office reported frailty within the civil service.
Does he believe that it is sustainable for the Northern Ireland civil service to ignore such changes for reform if we want to see the delivery of good public services?
This Government are committed to civil service reform here. We have said that we wish to move fast and fix things. We will share our learnings with the Northern Ireland civil service. The right hon. Member also mentioned the reserve claim. He will have seen in yesterday's supplementary estimates that £400 million has been given to the Northern Ireland Executive. That is exceptional. It will be repayable over three years and accompanied by an open-book exercise looking at the Executive budget.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address sustainability of ignoring changes but committed to civil service reform and additional funding.
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
EU regulation could impose an additional requirement of 60,000 GP appointments.
Can he update the House on engaging with this to ensure that Northern Ireland is not a casualty as a result of the imposition of EU regulation?
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for raising this matter powerfully last month and again this month. We raised his concerns with the European Union, and I am pleased—I hope he is, too—that the latest draft of the EU regulations includes a full exemption for Northern Ireland regarding the prescription status of antimicrobial-resistant medicines. That shows the benefits of a grown-up working relationship with the European Union, so that we can address issues as and when they arise.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy