Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Palliative Care Strategy

Tuesday 25 November 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gregory Stafford questioned the Minister about the impact of the national insurance rise on hospices in his constituency.
  • The Minister responded by highlighting a 100 million capital funding boost and 80 million in revenue funding for children's hospices over three years.
  • Alistair Strathern raised concerns about the financial challenges faced by Garden House Hospice in his constituency, which is struggling with a funding shortfall.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Stafford Con Farnham and Bordon
NHS Taxation
Context

Campaigners from across political parties and charities have been advocating for a national palliative care strategy. Hospices are facing financial difficulties due to the increase in National Insurance contributions.

Question

I welcome the fact that the Minister has announced the development of a palliative care and end-of-life care modern service framework for England. However, hospices across the country, especially in my constituency, tell me their biggest problem is the national insurance rise. For example, a children's hospice covering my constituency tells me that the £90,000 extra it has to pay in national insurance could have funded three nurses. What discussions has the Minister had with the Chancellor ahead of tomorrow’s Budget to ensure that hospices, and indeed other health and social care organisations, are exempt from any national insurance rises, either in the past or in the future?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

I notice he did not welcome the fact that we are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost and £80 million in revenue funding for children’s hospices over three years. We also notice that Conservative Members do like to welcome the additional investment generated from the last Budget, but they do not seem to welcome the means by which it was generated, so I would say to them: what would they cut or what taxes would they put up to pay for what we are doing to get our NHS back on its feet and fit for the future?

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address discussions with the Chancellor about National Insurance rises.

How: Not Addressing The Specific Question, Redirecting Focus

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Q2 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
NHS
Context

Garden House Hospice in Alistair Strathern's constituency is facing a crucial funding shortfall despite receiving capital funding from the Government. The financial support received earlier this year has not been enough to cover the cash-flow gap needed to secure operations.

Question

I welcome the Government’s commitment to a strategy for palliative care, which is as overdue as it is important, but it will mean nothing for hospices that are not able to last out until it comes into effect. Garden House Hospice in my constituency is facing a crucial funding shortfall, and although the capital funding from the Government that came through earlier this year is incredibly welcome, it is still just short of filling the cash-flow gap it needs to fill to secure its operations. Would the Minister meet me to see what further work the integrated care board may be able to do to protect this vital hospice serving my constituents?

Answer from The Minister for Care (Stephen Kinnock)

I am very pleased that the measures we have taken have provided financial support. I absolutely recognise the challenging financial position, and I would of course be more than happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss that further.

Answered
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