House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Health and Social Care Update
13 October 2025 · Department of Health and Social Care
Proposed by Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government has established the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare to advise MHRA on developing a regulatory framework for AI by 2026.
- Department is creating the AI Research Screening Platform (AIR-SP) to facilitate the evaluation and deployment of AI tools.
- Public consultation is open until January 16, 2026, regarding the Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers, with implementation expected in 2028.
Issue summary
The Minister is updating the House on several initiatives related to AI in healthcare, screening infrastructure, fair pay agreements for adult social care workers, and a new digital hospital model called NHS Online.
Action requested
The government has established the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare, which will advise MHRA on developing a regulatory framework for AI by 2026. The Department is also creating the AI Research Screening Platform (AIR-SP) to facilitate the evaluation and deployment of AI tools. Additionally, a public consultation is open until January 16, 2026, regarding the Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers, with implementation expected in 2028.
Key facts
- The National Commission will advise MHRA on developing a regulatory framework for AI and software as medical devices to be published by 2026.
- AIR-SP is being developed through a partnership between the Department of Health and Social Care, NIHR, and NHS England.
- £500 million funding is available in 2028/29 to improve pay and terms for adult social care workers.
- A public consultation on Fair Pay Agreement design will run until January 16, 2026.
- NHS Online aims to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million appointments and assessments by its third year.