Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Services Reform

Thursday 23 January 2025 · 2 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

  • Dr Beccy Cooper inquired about ensuring health inequalities are addressed in public service reforms.
  • Mr Lee Dillon mentioned a pilot program using Microsoft Copilot that showed improvements in departmental efficiency.
  • The Minister highlighted the importance of improving living standards and opportunities for all, touching on health service challenges.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Beccy Cooper Lab Worthing West
NHS Social Care Women & Equalities
Context

The Minister had previously outlined plans for reforming public services, focusing on user needs and technological advancements. Dr Cooper sought further clarification on how these reforms would address health inequalities.

Question

I thank the Minister for those comments. How will he ensure that tackling health inequalities is baked into public service reforms, devolution agreements and local growth plans?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

At the heart of what we want to do is improving living standards, outcomes and opportunities for all. One of the consequences of the long waiting times and waiting lists in the NHS in recent years is that it has been tougher on those who simply cannot afford to pay. It is therefore in the interests of good health and equal access to put in the investment that was announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, which is being taken forward in the plans announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details on how health inequality will be addressed in public service reforms, devolution agreements, or local growth plans.

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Q2 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Science & Technology Environment
Context

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had piloted the Microsoft Copilot program but suspended funding until 2026. Mr Dillon wanted to know if this suspension could be lifted.

Question

The reform of public services and the reliance on artificial intelligence to deliver that led the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to pilot the Microsoft Copilot program. That pilot ended after six months, yet it demonstrated transformative improvements in departmental efficiency and was particularly beneficial for disabled and neurodivergent staff. Will the Minister confirm whether funding for that tool, which has been suspended until 2026, could be released so that staff could benefit from its application?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)

The hon. Gentleman is quite right to point out the advantages that can come from these things. I am reluctant to make specific announcements about funding for specific projects. However, the Government are determined not only to make the UK a good home for investment in AI, which will be huge around the world in the coming years, but to make the best possible use of AI in the delivery of public services, which we believe can get good value for money and better outcomes for the public.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm whether funding could be released for the Microsoft Copilot program despite acknowledging its benefits.

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