Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on reducing trial approval times to under 150 days.

The Department is committed to cutting the current time it takes to get a clinical trial set up, to under 150 days by March 2026 with the aim of making the United Kingdom a world leader in clinical trials. We are streamlining the set-up and delivery of clinical research through the UK Clinical Research Delivery (UKCRD) programme as set out in our recent publication, Transforming the UK clinical research system: August 2025 update, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-the-uk-clinical-research-system-august-2025-updateThe UKCRD programme has rapidly implemented a Study Set-Up Plan, co-led by the Department and NHS England to address the delays affecting clinical research set-up through reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, by standardising commercial contracts and removing duplicative steps at sites to create a standardised pathway, for example in pharmacy set-up, to free up workforce capacity. The second phase of the Plan was completed in June 2025, with mandatory use of the new processes and templates for commercial trials by October 2025. The successful implementation of the Plan will be closely monitored for impact.

With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on doubling commercial interventional trial participants by the end of 2025.

The Department is monitoring progress on commercial interventional trial participation via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The number of participants recruited to commercial interventional trials in the United Kingdom was 21,108 in 2024/25 and 4,635 in the first quarter of 2025/26.To ensure the UK’s international competitiveness and to attract more commercial interventional trials to the UK, the Government has implemented a Study Set-Up Plan through the 4-nation UK Clinical Research Delivery (UKCRD) programme. The second and final phase of the UKCRD Study Set-Up Plan was completed in June 2025, as part of efforts to cut clinical trials study set up times to 150 days by March 2026.The NIHR is also supporting increased participation in clinical trials with the online service 'Be Part of Research', making it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research and for researchers to recruit suitable participants.

What the total cost to the public purse is for (a) clinical negligence and (b) other claims against the National Health Service in England paid out by NHS Resolution in the (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25 financial year, broken down by speciality.

NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.The attached tables show the total payments for clinical negligence claims and non-clinical negligence claims between 2023/24 and 2024/25, broken down by year and primary specialty. NHS Resolution has included all specialties as listed in the published Annual Reports and Accounts.It has also suppressed low figures given the sensitive and confidential nature of the information held. In some instances, with the low numbers of claims, namely fewer than five, in each category, the likelihood exists that individuals who are the subject of this information may be identified either from this information alone, or in combination with other available information.

How many instances of clinical negligence in which NHS Resolution paid damages there were in each clinical speciality in the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 financial year.

NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.The attached tables show the number of clinical negligence claims where at least one payment has been incurred between 2023/24 and 2024/25, broken down by year and primary specialty. Payments cover damages, claimant costs, and defence costs, while low figures have been supressed to protect claimant identity.

How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.

Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns, is published annually, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absenceThe next update will be for the year ending 31 March 2025.

For which financial year will the updated Carr-Hill formula be applied from.

The review of the Carr-Hill formula will draw on a range of evidence and advice from experts. Decisions about implementation will need to be taken following consideration of the recommendations of the Carr-Hill review and cannot be pre-empted. Further detail on the review will be confirmed in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 56675 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what discussions he has had with North-West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust on issues delaying construction of the new Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

There are currently no delays to the construction for the scheme commencing as set out in the New Hospital Programme Plan for Implementation, which is between 2027 to 2028. The final construction dates will be confirmed once the main scheme’s Full Business Case is reviewed and approved.The New Hospital Programme team in the Department and NHS England continue to support the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust in the development of its scheme, including support with discussions the trust is having with the Cambridge Constabulary on the potential acquisition of land for a new access road.

What estimate he has made of the level of the increase in the NHS backlog at Hinchingbrooke Hospital following strike action by resident doctors in July 2025.

The Department of Health and Social Care has not made a formal estimate of the level of increases in NHS waiting lists at individual hospital site level.NHS England regularly publishes its Referral to Treatment Waiting Times every month, which are available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/rtt-data-2025-26/. This data goes down to provider level, but not individual hospital site level.

What recent progress has been made in digitising patient records systems in North-West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.

The North-West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust is collaborating urgently with NHS England regional and national colleagues on an investment case for the procurement of a modern, enterprise-wide electronic patient record system, to advance the organisation's digital maturity in line with the national Digital Capability Framework and the requirements of the 10-Year Health Plan.

How many of the 44 double-vehicle electrical chargepoints planned by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust will be in Huntingdon constituency.

62 National Health Service trusts were awarded funding from the £8 million NHS Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme to install electric vehicle chargepoints across over 200 NHS sites.The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust was awarded £219,332 to install chargepoints across nine sites. None were in the Huntingdon constituency.Sites were put forward by trusts according to clinical and operational decisions on the roll out of electric vehicles within their fleet, and factors such as cost and feasibility of installation.

What estimate he has made of the level of available resource within the NHS of (a) resident doctors, (b) consultants and (c) nurses in the event of strike action.

The National Health Service makes every effort through rigorous contingency planning to minimise disruption as a result of industrial action and its impact on patients and the public. Assessments are made by local Trusts about the level of resourcing, and they can escalate via regions and nationally, where appropriate.NHS staff are not obliged to inform their employer that they will be taking part in strike action ahead of strike action taking place.

With reference to page 26 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, who will be responsible for the creation of a National Action Plan on confronting Antimicrobial Resistance.

A cross-government National Action Plan (NAP) to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exists. The NAP, covering 2024 to 2029, was published on 8 May 2024, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029/confronting-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029It is the second of four five-year NAPs that the United Kingdom Government committed to developing in order to deliver its 20-year vision that AMR is contained, controlled, and mitigated by 2040.The content of this NAP was developed by the Department in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders across different sectors and the four UK nations. This allowed the NAP to take a One Health approach, encompassing cross-sector activity to drive collaborative and innovative action.Organisations responsible for delivery provide regular updates to the Department, and the appropriate governance structures ensure delivery is kept on track and that progress is being made on the NAP’s commitments and targets.

With reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The Government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split, in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of banning the advertising of alcohol products on the alcohol industry.

The Department has made no formal assessment of the impact of banning the advertising of alcohol products on the alcohol industry. As part of the Plan for Change, the Government is committed to five missions. We will continue to work across Government to ensure all policies under consideration are assessed in order to understand the range of potential impacts both on public health and the health system, and on industry.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56675 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what support the New Hospital Programme team in his Department has given to the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust in relation to that Trust's discussions with Cambridgeshire Constabulary on the potential acquisition of land for a new access road.

Pursuant to our answer for Question 56675 on 6 June 2025, the New Hospital Programme (NHP) team in the Department are not involved in the negotiations to acquire the land with either the trust, the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, or National Highways. However, the NHP team has met with the trust to discuss the progress they have made with the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and has also met with the National Highways team to discuss the issue. Furthermore, the trust team is supported by the NHP delivery team in NHS England, who are providing technical advice and guidance.

What his planned timetable is for establishing a fair pay agreement process in the adult social care sector.

The Government is committed to consulting on the design of the Fair Pay Agreement process and aims to begin the public consultation after the bill receives Royal Assent later this year. Secondary legislation and the establishing of the Negotiating Body will follow. The body will then negotiate the first Fair Pay Agreement. The Government is committed to establishing the first Fair Pay Agreement, and to doing so within this Parliament.

Pursuant to the Answer of 29 May 2025 to Question 52925 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Cambridgeshire Constabulary and (b) Hinchingbrooke Hospital on resolving the land ownership dispute.

Pursuant to our answer to Question 52026 on 15 May 2025, the Department is not directly involved in the negotiations over ownership of the land that is proposed for the new access road to Hinchingbrooke Hospital. The New Hospital Programme team in the Department is engaging with the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust and supporting them in their discussions with the Cambridgeshire Constabulary on the potential acquisition of this land for the new access road.

How the NHS deflator works in relation to the General Dental Service.

The NHS Cost Inflation Index (NHSCII) is a measure of inflation that is used in productivity calculations, and is produced annually in conjunction with NHS England, the Centre for Health Economics at the University of York, and the Office for National Statistics.National Health Service dentists are typically employed under General Dental Services (GDS) contracts. The NHSCII plays no role in determining the value of GDS contracts.GDS contract uplifts comprise of pay and non-pay elements. The non-pay element is uplifted by a measure of inflation. Since the 2022/23 financial year, this measure has been the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator. The GDP deflator has been taken from the rates published as part of the Autumn Statement, and is consistent with the GDP deflator rate used in other areas of primary care.The Government has accepted the recommendation of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration to increase the pay of doctors and dentists by 4%. The uplift to the value of GDS contracts will be net of pay and expenses.

What his Department's timetable is for publishing the 10-Year Health Plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service will make it fit for the future. It will describe a shared vision for the health and care system in 2035, drawing directly from the extensive engagement we have undertaken with the public, patients and staff. We are in the final stages of working on the plan and will publish it in summer 2025.

What recent progress he has made toward meeting the NHS standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to start consultant-led treatment of non-urgent health conditions.

As of March 2025, performance against the 18-week standard was at 59.8%, a 2.6 percentage point improvement on March 2024 when it stood at 57.2%. The national referral to treatment waiting list is published monthly, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/As set out in the Plan for Change, we have committed to returning to the 18-week constitutional standard by the end of March 2029. Planning Guidance for 2025/26 set a target that 65% of patients wait for 18 weeks or less by March 2026, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum five percentage point improvement on current performance over that period.As an important first step to delivering on this commitment, we have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an additional 2 million appointments, tests and operations, having delivered 3.6 million more since July. We have reduced the waiting list by more than 200,000, so that patients get the care they need as soon as possible.Our Elective Reform Plan sets out the productivity and reform efforts needed to return to this standard and includes measures such as widening the opening hours of Community Diagnostic Centres and launching and expanding 17 new surgical hubs so that patients are diagnosed and treated more quickly.