Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Services Reform

Thursday 5 December 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister agrees on the need to test and refine policies for public services effectiveness.
  • Budget announced a public sector reform and innovation fund to support testing and learning.
  • Minister expressed surprise at concerns over additional funding for the NHS without reform commitments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
NHS Social Care Education Transport
Context

The MP criticises the Conservative party for wasting taxpayers' money on ineffective projects and schemes, highlighting the need for effective policies in healthcare, education, social services, transport provision, and public safety.

Question

Under the Conservative party, too much taxpayers' money was wasted on projects and schemes that simply did not work. Does the Minister agree with me that it is vital to continue testing and refining policies to ensure effectiveness in improving healthcare, educational opportunities, social services, transport provision, and public safety?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I wholeheartedly agree. I heard too often from those on the frontline that they are fed up with policy being made in a closed room in Whitehall, not with real experience of the frontline. The Budget announced the introduction of a public sector reform and innovation fund to support testing and learning around the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on effectiveness tests and refining policies requested by the questioner were not provided

How: Agreement Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
NHS Social Care Education Transport
Context

The MP questions the government's commitment to reforming public services effectively, referencing previous Conservative policies that did not work.

Question

Under the Conservative party, too much taxpayers' money was wasted on projects and schemes that simply did not work. Does the Minister agree with me that it is vital to continue testing and refining policies to ensure effectiveness in improving healthcare, educational opportunities, social services, transport provision, and public safety?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I wholeheartedly agree. I heard too often from those on the frontline that they are fed up with policy being made in a closed room in Whitehall, not with real experience of the frontline. The Budget announced the introduction of a public sector reform and innovation fund to support testing and learning around the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on effectiveness tests and refining policies requested by the questioner were not provided

How: Agreement Without Specifics

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
NHS
Context

The MP criticises the government for not securing NHS reforms before providing additional funding, questioning whether this will lead to improved productivity or just increased spending.

Question

Under the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care's pledge that there would be no additional money going into the NHS without securing reform was broken. Now vast increases in public expenditure have been announced without reform commitments. Will the Minister give an undertaking today that never again will we see vast increases in public expenditure without reform to improve productivity?

Answer from Georgia Gould

I am surprised to hear concern about desperately needed money going into our NHS. The Secretary of State has set out an ambitious reform agenda for the NHS, moving resources into prevention and taking advantage of digital technology opportunities.

Not addressed: The specific ask about future funding being tied to reforms was not addressed

How: Criticising Questioner

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)