Written questions by Khan.

With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, how much and what proportion of the additional funding for the NHS will be spent on (a) physiotherapy and (b) other community services for people with musculoskeletal conditions.

The Government recognises the importance of improving health for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with musculoskeletal condition. This forms a key part of the Government’s mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.Financial allocations will be confirmed through NHS Planning Guidance. In the meantime, we are working with NHS England and other stakeholders to explore options to increase access to, and improve support for, those living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.We will publish a 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS in the spring which will focus on increasing productivity and ensuring that every pound of taxpayer money is spent wisely, by reforming how healthcare is delivered.

With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, how much and what proportion of the additional funding for the NHS will be spent on support for people with (a) arthritis and (b) other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Government recognises the importance of improving health for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with a musculoskeletal condition. This forms a key part of the Government’s mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.Financial allocations will be confirmed through NHS Planning Guidance. In the meantime, we are working with NHS England and other stakeholders to explore options to increase access to, and improve support for, those living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.We will publish a 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS in the spring which will focus on increasing productivity and ensuring that every pound of taxpayer money is spent wisely, by reforming how healthcare is delivered.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department plans to provide for research into musculoskeletal treatments in each of the next five years.

The Government does not generally ringfence funding for particular areas of research. In line with the Haldane principle, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other Government funders award grants to the best proposals that are submitted through a process of expert peer review. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects spanning understanding musculoskeletal biology through to the development of therapies for arthritis, pain, neuromuscular disease, and osteoporosis. The recent Budget set out DSIT’s overall R&D funding, of £13.9bn for 2025/26. Further details regarding this funding allocation will be announced in due course, and before the start of the financial year.

Whether the Connect to Work scheme will include provisions to support people living with arthritis to remain in employment.

Connect to Work will be a new, locally led, voluntary Supported Employment programme in England and Wales which in 26/27 will support around 100,000 disabled people, people with health conditions (such as arthritis) and those with complex barriers to employment to get into as well as remain in work.Local Authorities are designing their own local Connect to Work programmes, working within national guidance. There will be a phased roll out, led by Local Authorities’ own timetables. We expect to see local areas opening for Connect to Work referrals in the spring and summer of 2025.

With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, whether any of the new surgical hubs will focus solely on orthopaedic procedures.

The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, will outline details of the funding allocation for surgical hubs at the earliest opportunity. This will include the number of hubs to be established, and their specialty focus. Each hub will be developed based on the needs of patients and the current waiting list pressures in the areas that they cover.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of surgical hubs on waiting times for (a) trauma and (b) orthopaedic treatment.

No formal assessment has been made on the impact of surgical hubs on waiting times for trauma and orthopaedic treatment.Surgical hubs enable trusts to increase resilience for elective procedures and minimise cancellations during periods of high pressure. This can reduce uncertainty for patients around last-minute cancellations, maximise the use of available capacity, and helps to reduce waiting times. In the Budget, we committed additional funding to set up new surgical hubs to help with our commitment to get the waiting lists down.

Whether the new Get Britain Working Trailblazers will help support people with musculoskeletal conditions to remain in employment.

We plan to publish the Get Britain Working White Paper shortly that will set out how we are investing £240 million to trial new ways of getting people back into work. The government will test new approaches and collect robust evidence on how to tackle the root causes of ill-health related inactivity, support young people who are ‘not in education, employment or training’ and help people to develop their careers. In at least three areas the NHS will also receiving funding to develop evidence of the impact of targeted action on those top health conditions most associated with economic inactivity including musculoskeletal conditions, mental health and cardiovascular disease. Once established, the government will work closely with local areas to develop the support they will provide to local communities.

What steps she is taking to reduce wealth inequality in the UK.

The Government is committed to making sure everyone pays their fair share of tax, which helps to fund our vital public services. The UK taxes wealth across many different economic activities, helping to ensure that the most well-off in our society make a fair contribution.

What the Government's policy is on whether private asset management companies can play a role in the delivery of key public services.

The Government is determined to rebuild public services so that they deliver high standards and good outcomes for users and value for money for the taxpayer.In the Budget, the Chancellor announced significant additional investment in key public services, such as the NHS. Our reform agenda is also central to improving public services going forward, including to drive greater efficiency and productivity.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section (a), point 7 of Flying flags: a plain English guide, updated on 20 July 2021, what guidance her Department issues on the flying of the Jammu and Kashmir flag for their National Day on 24 October.

The department does not publish guidance relating to flag flying for specific national days.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce legislation to end retail sales of horticultural peat.

I refer the hon. Member to the response given to PQ 4272 on 12 September 2024.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to encourage the expansion of SME housebuilders.

Small and medium sized housebuilders are essential to meeting the government’s housing ambitions and supporting local economies. Our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework included proposals to support the SME housebuilding sector to grow by strengthening small site policy. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.The Government published its response to the CMA Housebuilding Study on 22 October. Officials spoke to the CMA on a range of issues during their market study.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to emphasise the importance of delivery of affordable housing in her proposals for planning reform.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 8302 on 18 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to negotiate a long-term rent settlement with housing associations.

As set out in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Written Ministerial Statement on Monday 28th October (HCWS169), the government will consult on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement to provide the sector with the certainty it needs to invest in new social housing. The intention would be for this to increase with Consumer Price Index inflation figures and an additional 1%. The consultation will also seek views on other potential options to give greater certainty, such as providing a 10-year settlement.

Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that people on the housing waiting list are included in planning consultation.

The Government are exploring new ways to increase and enhance community engagement in the planning process, including by improving access to planning data through its digitisation drawing on provisions in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This will help remove barriers to participation in the planning process, including among those on housing waiting lists.

Communities and Local Government, if she will require councils to identify sites suitable for fewer than 100 dwellings to support SME construction.

Small and medium sized housebuilders are essential to meeting the government’s housing ambitions and supporting local economies. Our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework included proposals to support the SME housebuilding sector to grow by strengthening small site policy. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.The Government published its response to the CMA Housebuilding Study on 22 October. Officials spoke to the CMA on a range of issues during their market study.

Communities and Local Government, when the consultation on the implementation of the new supported housing licencing regime and national supported housing standards will be launched.

The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on providing interim guidance to local authorities pending implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an estimate of the number of people made homeless by the consultation on the new powers introduced by the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the decision to means test the winter fuel payment on the expected number of excess deaths in winter 2024-25.

This Government is committed to pensioners. Everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. We will do this through protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our Warm Homes Plan, and bringing real stability to people’s lives. However, given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. The Government is committed to a preventative approach to public health. Keeping people warm and well at home and improving the quality of new and existing homes will play an essential part in enabling people to live longer, healthier lives and reducing pressures on the NHS. The Household Support Fund (HSF) is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual. We are supporting consumers, including pensioners, through our Warm Homes Plan which will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run. The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. Additionally, there are multiple targeted schemes in place to deliver energy efficiency measures to low income and fuel poor households. Schemes include the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). Pensioners if eligible may also receive the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 annual rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households until 2025/26. Guidance to help people stay safe in cold weather has been published by UKHSA. This will help ensure that organisations and staff are prompted to signpost those vulnerable to cold weather to sources of support for keeping their home warm, with cost of living support, including help to manage energy bills, as needed. As well as advice on simple measures to improve home energy efficiency and safety to reduce risks that may increase in cold weather (for example from carbon monoxide exposure). Details of excess winter deaths in England and Wales can be found at: Winter mortality in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk).