Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Services

Wednesday 11 February 2026 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Public services in Northern Ireland are receiving a record 19.3 billion settlement from the Government.
  • England and Northern Ireland are sharing knowledge and best practices to improve outcomes for patients.
  • The Minister praised the All-Island Cancer Research Institute and committed to sharing best practices from the 10-year cancer plan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
Northern Ireland
Context

The Northern Ireland Executive faces challenges in improving public services.

Question

What discussions have you had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving public services?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details of discussions or actions taken beyond general backing and funding figures.

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Q2 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The Government promised to cut NHS waiting lists.

Question

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?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Answered
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Q3 Sorcha Eastwood Alliance Lagan Valley
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

Health is a devolved matter, but the fight against cancer isn't.

Question

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?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly join in praising the Cancer Research Institute but committed to sharing best practices.

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Q4 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Standards & Ethics
Context

Revelations about the procurement of services and goods during Peter Mandelson's time as a Government Minister.

Question

Can the Minister assure the House that his Department will comb its records to identify any possible wrongdoing?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Answered
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Q5 Alex Burghart Con Brentwood and Ongar
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Investigation into Peter Mandelson's time as a Government Minister.

Question

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?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to returning before Easter but committed to publishing findings through the Cabinet Office.

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Q6 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

The Northern Ireland Audit Office reported frailty within the civil service.

Question

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?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address sustainability of ignoring changes but committed to civil service reform and additional funding.

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Q7 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

EU regulation could impose an additional requirement of 60,000 GP appointments.

Question

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?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

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.

Answered
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