Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Plan for Change

Thursday 10 July 2025 · 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Elaine Stewart asked about the lack of an NHS app in Scotland compared to England.
  • Wera Hobhouse inquired about energy trading between the EU and the UK and the progress made.
  • Alex Burghart questioned the Government's pledge for G7 growth and mentioned international analyses.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elaine Stewart Lab Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
NHS
Context

The Health Secretary recently announced plans to improve the NHS by giving patients more control over their treatment through an app. In Scotland, there is no equivalent app.

Question

Last week, the Health Secretary shared his plans to improve the NHS by giving patients more control over their treatment. Patients in England are now able to book appointments and order their prescriptions on the NHS app. With the lack of an NHS app in Scotland being described as a “national embarrassment”, does the Minister agree with me that people living in Scotland are being left behind?

Answer from Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)

My hon. Friend makes an important point. Under this Labour Government, NHS waiting lists are falling and we have an ambitious plan for the future of the NHS. Under the SNP, Scotland has an analogue Government in a digital age, and Scotland’s patients are missing out. Scotland needs a new direction, which I hope it will take with Anas Sarwar’s Scottish Labour party next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the lack of NHS app in Scotland

How: Changing Subject To Overall Government Performance

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Brexit Energy
Context

There are issues with energy trading between the EU and the UK, affecting residents on both sides of the channel.

Question

Yesterday, I met members of the Spanish Senate, with whom I discussed energy security and how to bring down energy bills for our residents on either side of the channel. It is clear that energy trading between the EU and the UK does not work properly. What can we do, and what progress has been made, to improve the interconnectors and make the investment that is so necessary?

Answer from Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)

It is in the common understanding, and we want a deeper relationship with our partners in the EU on this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific progress or actions taken

How: Vague Response About Wanting Deeper Relationships

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Q3 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Economy
Context

The Government pledged to achieve the highest sustained G7 growth, but international analysis suggests otherwise.

Question

In their plan for change, the Government pledged to get the country the highest sustained growth in the G7—or back to where the Conservative Government left it. However, it seems that this Government are on course to fail. All respected international analysis—by the OECD, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and so on—suggests that over the next four years, the UK economy will grow nothing like as fast as the United States or Canada. What analysis can the Minister point to that suggests otherwise?

Answer from Ellie Reeves (Minister without Portfolio)

Since coming into government a year ago, we have taken measures to fix the mess left behind by the Conservatives. That is why, in the first quarter of this year, we were the fastest growing economy in the G7; interests rates have gone down four times, meaning people are paying less on their mortgages; and wages are rising faster than prices. That is the difference that a Labour Government make.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific analysis supporting growth targets

How: Referencing Recent Positive Economic Indicators

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