Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Service Reform

Wednesday 3 June 2026 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announced a 42 million package to digitize prescriptions in Northern Ireland.
  • Government funding for Northern Ireland's Executive exceeds historical levels.
  • Discussions are ongoing with Northern Ireland party leaders to reform Stormont.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about the need for public service reform, especially regarding the digitisation of prescriptions.

Question

What steps he is taking to support public service reform in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

Public service reform is needed, and that is exactly what we are doing. Just last week we announced a £42 million package to be invested in the digitising of prescriptions. With 45 million prescriptions issued every year, the service is inefficient and expensive, and we are changing that.

Answered
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Q2 Kevin Bonavia Lab Stevenage
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP acknowledges the record funding settlement given to Northern Ireland but seeks clarity on whether this will lead to necessary changes in public services.

Question

Given that settlement and the extra transformation funding, does my hon. Friend agree that it is now up to the Executive in Northern Ireland to deliver the changes in public services that are so clearly needed?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

Yes, but, as I have always said, it is not just a question of cutting a cheque and walking away. Of course we have given more money to the Executive than has ever been received before in the history of devolution—[Hon. Members: “Hear, hear!”] I am glad that that is welcomed on our Benches, but we also bring partnership working to ensure that public services can turn the corner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific commitment or concrete action regarding transformation in Northern Ireland's public services beyond general statements about partnership working.

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Q3 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

The MP believes that all parts of the UK can learn from each other's successes in public health, particularly in improving patient outcomes.

Question

Does the Minister agree that when it comes to public health all parts of the UK can learn something from each other, and can he update the House on conversations between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on their respective successes in improving patient outcomes?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

My hon. Friend is right: no person has a monopoly on good ideas, and no Government do either. I want the best for the whole United Kingdom. Where Northern Ireland leads the way, we can try to roll that out across the rest of the UK, but where it needs support—for instance on the digitising of prescriptions—we will provide that too. This is about working with the Executive to improve patient outcomes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not include specific details or commitments related to improving patient outcomes through inter-regional learning but acknowledged the concept generally.

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Q4 Sorcha Eastwood Alliance Lagan Valley
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP raises concerns that the current political speed in Northern Ireland hinders effective governance, particularly regarding reforms.

Question

With three parties in Northern Ireland supporting reform proposals in the last number of weeks, when will the Government get serious about giving Northern Ireland the means to govern itself, and when will they get round the table to start discussions about the reform of Stormont?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

Those conversations are ongoing. We had a recent Westminster Hall debate about those issues, and we will have further conversations with party leaders. I will gently say, however, that those conservations cannot be a substitute for improving services now. Improvements can be made. The hon. Member and I have talked about cancer waiting times; we can do those things now, and they do not have to wait for conversations about reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific timeline or commitment regarding reforming Stormont but acknowledged ongoing discussions while emphasizing immediate service improvements.

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Q5 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Northern Ireland
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of a recurrent budget in Northern Ireland, which affects its ability to govern effectively.

Question

Transformation needs to be embedded through a recurrent budget. We are three months into this financial year, at Northern Ireland political speed, and we still do not have a recurrent budget. What steps is the Northern Ireland Office taking to bring about such a financial budget in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Matthew Patrick

Not only have we given a record settlement—more than ever before in the Executive's history since devolution—but we are supporting the Executive, having discussions with them and encouraging them to set a budget, so that the people of Northern Ireland can see the improvement in public services that they really need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or concrete actions towards establishing a recurrent budget but highlighted support for the Executive's efforts.

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