Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 24 February 2026 · 19 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 15 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Harriet Cross asked about the impact of National Insurance contributions rise on GP practices, and the Secretary of State confirmed regular meetings with the Chancellor to discuss NHS investment.
  • Harriet Cross inquired about reviewing the impact of gambling advertising on public health, including children, and the Secretary of State committed to discussing the matter with the Minister for Gambling.
  • Tessa Munt questioned the Secretary of State about difficulties faced by paramedic science students in securing jobs, and the response acknowledged the challenge and highlighted efforts to address it through the workforce plan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
NHS
Context

Inverurie medical practice faced a £75,000 increase in national insurance contributions. The practice serves 3,000 patients with one GP, three times higher than recommended by the BMA.

Question

Inverurie medical practice saw its national insurance bill rise by £75,000 thanks to this Government. This has put huge pressure on a practice already operating with one GP for 3,000 patients. When did the Secretary of State last meet the Chancellor to discuss the impact of NICs rise on GP practices, and what are he and his Department doing about the pressure?

Answer from Wes Streeting

I see the Chancellor most weeks. That is why record investment is going into our NHS, which is improving patient satisfaction with access to general practice, cutting waiting lists, and improving ambulance response times—all to fix the mess that the Conservatives left behind.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address when the Secretary of State last met the Chancellor regarding the NICs rise or specific actions about GP practices.

How: Criticising Opposition, Stating General Investment

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Q2 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Department has new responsibilities for the treatment and prevention of gambling harms as part of the gambling White Paper. Public health evidence suggests potential negative impacts of gambling advertising.

Question

Will the Secretary of State commit to undertake a review of the impact of gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship on public health, including on the health and wellbeing of children and young people?

Answer from Ashley Dalton

We acknowledge the issue of potential negative impacts that gambling advertising may have on children's health. My officials continue to work closely with DCMS officials, and I will discuss this with the Minister for Gambling who is responsible for gambling advertising policy. We continue to keep public health evidence under review and consider suitable action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment to conduct a review was given.

How: Keeping Issue Under Review

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Q3 Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen
NHS
Context

The Government committed to meet the 18-week standard for routine operations. Recent data suggests they are not on track to achieve this by the end of Parliament.

Question

In December, fewer people were treated within 18 weeks than in the previous month. Will the Secretary of State accept that patients are experiencing difficulties and acknowledge that the Government will not deliver their commitment on the key milestone to deliver the 18-week standard?

Answer from Wes Streeting

We have cut waiting lists by 330,000 since we came to office; they are now at their lowest level in three years. Despite strikes and winter pressures, progress has been made despite opposition from the Conservatives.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not acknowledge challenges or accept that the Government will not meet the 18-week standard.

How: Criticising Opposition, Stating Progress

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Q4 Stuart Andrew Con Daventry
NHS
Context

The Lobular Moon Shot Project aims to expedite research into lobular breast cancer. Previous Government committed support, but there is no clarity on funding.

Question

I wrote regarding the late Dr Susan Michaelis's campaign for better research into lobular breast cancer. Despite meeting the Secretary of State, representatives from the project still have no clarity on how the project and research will be expedited. Will the Secretary of State confirm Government approval for the funding required for this research?

Answer from Wes Streeting

There is no disagreement on the substance of the issue. I am supportive and want to fund the research, but the proposal needs to meet standards and have confidence from our funders. We are working with the team to get the proposal over the line.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No clear commitment to approve funding was given.

How: Stating Support But No Concrete Action

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Q5 Stuart Andrew Con Daventry
NHS
Context

Many people in Falkirk face barriers to accessing treatment due to conflicting appointment papers across different health boards. The Scottish Government is pursuing a healthcare strategy.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of this Government's NHS digital transformation strategy for improving treatment, compared with the strategy being pursued by the Scottish Government?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

The UK Labour Government is spending billions upgrading the digital architecture of the NHS in England. Over 90% of GPs now offer online appointments, and by 2029 a single patient record will be available for patients and clinicians.

Answered
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Q6 Tessa Munt Lib Dem Wells and Mendip Hills
NHS Employment
Context

Local paramedic science students struggle to find jobs despite promises of employment. The South Western Ambulance Service has not advertised any job positions in the past six months.

Question

I joined South Western Ambulance Service for a shift and met paramedic science students who are finding it almost impossible to get jobs, with only eight out of 120 last year securing positions despite university assurances. What is the Minister doing about this?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The hon. Member highlights a real challenge we have inherited: the disconnection between undergraduate education and training, and the jobs that are available. We are addressing this through our workforce plan. I want to place on the record my thanks to South Western Ambulance Service which in December improved ambulance response times by just under 30 minutes for category 2 calls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific employment challenges and actions not addressed

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Q7 Sarah Edwards Lab Tamworth
NHS Transport
Context

Constituents face long travel distances for NHS treatments, up to 30 miles with limited public transportation options.

Question

My constituents are forced to travel far for their NHS treatment at the community diagnostic centre in Burton, Derby, or Sutton Coldfield. What is the Minister doing to deliver healthcare investment locally and improve transport links between NHS sites?

Answer from Karin Smyth

My hon. Friend highlights an important point about further roll-outs of CDCs, particularly for communities such as hers. We are expanding those and access through the front door via the NHS app and digital. Our new online hospital service will improve the sorts of issues that she mentions so that we bring services closer to her patients.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific local investment and transport measures not detailed

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Q8 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
NHS
Context

Local doctors from Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals raised concerns about a potential rundown of services due to a series of interim chief executives.

Question

A letter from around 100 doctors at the hospital in Grimsby expressed concern over a possible rundown of services. What assurance can the Minister give that Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals will not see any service reductions?

Answer from Karin Smyth

I understand the issues raised by the hon. Gentleman and others about the clinical mapping for new services which must be supported by clinicians and local people, I am happy to continue talking to him and others about progress with that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assurances not provided

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Q9 Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay
NHS
Context

A constituent suffered lasting harm after being denied a DEXA scan for osteoporosis treatment, leading to prolonged hospital stays.

Question

My constituent Wendy fractured three vertebrae due to osteoporosis without a timely DEXA scan. Will the Minister review DEXA eligibility and expand local access to prevent future incidents?

Answer from Karin Smyth

My hon. Friend makes an important point about how crucial DEXA scans are for osteoporosis, particularly for women. We have expanded DEXA scans across the country this year and allocated more capital funding for such investment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific review details not provided

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Q10 Luke Taylor Lib Dem Sutton and Cheam
NHS
Context

Concerns about the provision of a teaching space for children undergoing cancer treatment during hospital service transitions.

Question

The Royal Marsden's children's cancer services are moving to Evelina hospital next year. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this and confirm that high-quality school facilities will be provided at both sites during transition?

Answer from Ashley Dalton

As the hon. Gentleman is probably aware, our cancer plan launched last week has a section on children and young people with cancer committing to supporting them holistically throughout their journey.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting commitment not confirmed

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Q11 Julie Minns Lab Carlisle
NHS
Context

A resident registered with a Scottish GP had to travel nearly 200 miles for medical treatment in Glasgow, due to cross-border service agreements.

Question

Can the Minister tell us what progress is being made in reviewing and updating cross-border healthcare guidance?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

My hon. Friend and I have had many discussions on this topic, and I am very glad to continue those discussions. Treatment along the border is subject to service-level agreements in both English trusts and Scottish health boards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific updates not detailed

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Q12 Victoria Collins Lib Dem Harpenden and Berkhamsted
NHS Housing
Context

Villagers face long waits for GP appointments due to population increases from speculative developments without securing necessary healthcare services.

Question

Catherine in Redbourn faces weeks-long waits for GP appointments despite an increase of up to 70% residents. Should councils have powers to ensure planning approvals are contingent on securing healthcare? Will NHS planning cycles align with housing developments?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

On GP access, I am delighted that 75% of patients say it is easy to contact their GP now. Turning to planning, the integrated care board, council, and developers need to be joined up together.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific alignment measures not detailed

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Q13 Peter Swallow Lab Bracknell
Mental Health
Context

Two mental health support teams are already in Bracknell Forest, assisting nearly four-fifths of local pupils.

Question

I am delighted that two mental health support teams are already at work in Bracknell Forest. There is a lot more to do to fix the child and adolescent mental health services system. Could the Minister set out how school-based interventions are beginning to deliver change?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

Mental health support teams provide innovative early support for children and young people in schools and colleges. Up to 900,000 additional pupils will have access to that support by the spring, and we are accelerating the roll-out to reach full national coverage by 2029.

Answered
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Q14 Bradley Thomas Con Bromsgrove
NHS
Context

A local Bromsgrove GP reported that a 10-month-old child nearly died due to ambulance delays, and another patient suffered cardiac arrest and died.

Question

My constituents demand a better service and better response times. What are the Government going to do about this? Will the Secretary of State meet me and the concerned GP who wrote to me to address this issue?

Answer from Wes Streeting

Ambulance response times are improving, but they are not good enough. We have done a lot, but there is a lot more to do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Will the Secretary of State meet me and the concerned GP?

How: We Have Done A Lot, There Is A Lot More To Do

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Q15 Peter Lamb Lab Crawley
Context

A 24-hour urgent treatment centre was committed but the trust is now breaking that commitment.

Question

Can the Minister meet me to discuss how local services can be preserved and improved?

Answer from Karin Smyth

I am happy to discuss that issue with my hon. Friend.

Partly answered

Not addressed: How local services can be preserved and improved

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Q16 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
NHS
Context

A 160-year-old charity serving people with visual disabilities faces imminent closure due to a lack of funds.

Question

Will the Minister meet me and other local MPs, as well as representatives of University Hospitals of Leicester, to discuss what we can do to save Vista?

Answer from Stephen Kinnock

I would be more than happy if the hon. Gentleman wrote to me so that we can look at the issue he has raised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Saving Vista

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Q17 Paul Waugh Labour (Co-op) Rochdale
NHS
Context

There is a need for more midwives to provide safe staffing levels.

Question

In Rochdale, we need more midwives. Can the Minister explain exactly when the NHS workforce plan is due?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The NHS workforce plan will be published in the spring.

Answered
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Q18 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
NHS Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Minor injuries units are being phased out in urgent treatment centres.

Question

What will Ministers do to ensure that those services are reinforced rather than reduced?

Answer from Wes Streeting

Decisions about local configurations are matters for local leaders, but we keep these things under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reinforcing or reducing the services

How: Local Configurations, Under Review

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Q19 Lola McEvoy Lab Darlington
NHS
Context

The County Durham and Darlington NHS foundation trust has been affected by over-operation in breast services.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to ensure that our trust has all the resources it needs to learn the lessons necessary?

Answer from Zubir Ahmed

I am happy to meet her to discuss this further at a ministerial surgery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Ensuring the trust has all the necessary resources

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