Written questions by Evans.

What assessment his Department has made of trends in the amount of money used for primary care expansion from Section 106 agreements.

The Department for Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to extend our collective interactions in the planning process, from local plan making to negotiating developer contributions through updates to national guidance. This is alongside determining how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.Integrated care boards have been building their capacity and capability, and in some areas working with expertise in NHS Property Services (NHSPS) to support health systems to navigate the planning system, to secure and use monies and other mitigations from developers as part of Section 106 (S106) agreements. The health ask will be considered alongside other priorities that local authorities are responsible for delivering in their area.National data on the collection and spending of S106 data is limited, with no comprehensive findings published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government since 2020, which makes assessing the trends difficult. The Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHSPS continue to work together to look at how we negotiate for S106 contributions and ensure that any secured contributions are spent in a timely manner.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have also been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate needs into account when considering how best to deliver local services when interacting with local planning authorities on all aspects of the planning process.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the amount of money used for primary care expansion from Section 106 agreements.

The Department for Health and Social Care is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to extend our collective interactions in the planning process, from local plan making to negotiating developer contributions through updates to national guidance. This is alongside determining how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.Integrated care boards have been building their capacity and capability, and in some areas working with expertise in NHS Property Services (NHSPS) to support health systems to navigate the planning system, to secure and use monies and other mitigations from developers as part of Section 106 (S106) agreements. The health ask will be considered alongside other priorities that local authorities are responsible for delivering in their area.National data on the collection and spending of S106 data is limited, with no comprehensive findings published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government since 2020, which makes assessing the trends difficult. The Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England, and NHSPS continue to work together to look at how we negotiate for S106 contributions and ensure that any secured contributions are spent in a timely manner.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have also been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate needs into account when considering how best to deliver local services when interacting with local planning authorities on all aspects of the planning process.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 8 April 2025, HCWS586, how many full-time equivalent GPs have been recruited since 1 October 2024.

Between 1 October 2024 and 28 February 2025, 851 fully qualified, full-time equivalent (FTE) general practitioners (GPs) have been recruited through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. Between 30 September 2024 and 28 February 2025, the number of fully qualified, FTE GPs employed directly by practices has increased by 282. In total, the number of fully qualified, FTE GPs has increased by 1,134 over this period.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 8 April 2025, HCWS586, what proportion of the 1,500 extra GPs were employed through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme.

Between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, 908 fully qualified, full-time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) have been recruited through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). Although more recent data is available, it is provisional and subject to revision.Last year, the Department added GPs to the ARRS and provided an extra £82 million in funding, meaning that GPs could be recruited more quickly by primary care networks. All the 1,500 GPs referenced in the Written Ministerial Statement were recruited through the scheme.

With reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 8 April 2025. HCWS586, what proportion of the 1,500 extra GPs are full-time equivalent.

Between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, 908 fully qualified, full-time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) have been recruited through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). Although more recent data is available, it is provisional and subject to revision.Last year, the Department added GPs to the ARRS and provided an extra £82 million in funding, meaning that GPs could be recruited more quickly by primary care networks. All the 1,500 GPs referenced in the Written Ministerial Statement were recruited through the scheme.

With reference to her Oral Statement of 26 March 2025 on the Spring Statement, Official Report, column 945, what proportion of the £150 million included in the transformation fund will be spent on the abolition of NHS England.

As announced at Spring Statement the government has allocated £150 million for government employee exit schemes. Information can be found in the Spring Statement supporting documentation here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e3ec2df356a2dc0e39b488/E03274109_HMT_Spring_Statement_Mar_25_Web_Accessible_.pdf. This will be match-funded by a further £150 million from Departments. On 13 March, the Prime Minister announced that NHS England will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care to form a new joint centre. Exit schemes will enable delivery of leaner, smarter, more efficient government, whilst delivering savings over the medium term. Departments will bid for funding from this central pot in order to run exit schemes, and therefore the exact details of which Departments will benefit from this and how this will be spent is not yet known.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on patient outcomes.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation. This reform is about devolving resources and responsibility to the frontline, empowering staff to focus on delivering better care for patients.We will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds, and will work collaboratively to put plans in place to ensure continuity of care, so that there are no risks to patient safety.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on healthcare delivery.

It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. Evidence from these ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate. The Government is committed to transparency, and will consider how best to ensure the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcomes.We will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds and will work collaboratively to put plans in place to ensure continuity of care and that there are no risks to patient safety.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on the (a) roles and (b) responsibilities of regional NHS bodies.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation.It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. Evidence from these ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate.

What steps he is taking to manage the integration of NHS England's IT systems into his Department.

Ministers and senior Departmental officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead this transformation. As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds and where this may have a direct impact for patients, we will work collaboratively to put plans in place to ensure continuity of care and that there are no risks to patient safety.We will put plans in place to ensure a smooth integration of IT systems; it is essential that information relating to people’s identifiable health and care is shared appropriately, lawfully and in line with their reasonable expectations.

What consultation he undertook prior to the decision to abolish NHS England.

Through our public consultation on the 10 Year Plan, the Government has shown that we are committed to engaging with the public, patients, and clinicians.We have heard that those within the system believe it to be broken and in need of reform. Lord Darzi’s independent investigation said that the Government inherited a broken National Health Service. The report stated that the impact of the 2012 reorganisation was ‘disastrous…a calamity without international precedent’. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has also heard from frontline NHS leaders that they are overwhelmed by micromanagement from the top.The Government is committed to transparency, and once the necessary evaluations are finalised, we will ensure that all relevant information is made accessible to the public.

How the abolition of NHS England will impact the management of (a) national and (b) regional NHS budgets.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation.It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. Evidence from these ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate.

What steps he is taking to maintain (a) transparency and (b) accountability in NHS operations after the abolition of NHS England.

The announcement to bring NHS England into the Department and create a new joint centre will allow the national centre to operate very differently to the current arrangements. The change will drive our reform agenda by removing layers of bureaucracy and empowering leaders within the service, and will end the duplication of work across the organisations. We are committed to transparency throughout this process.

What steps his Department plans to take to communicate changes in relation to the abolition of NHS England to the (a) public and (b) NHS staff.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to ensure that the details of the changes are communicated to staff and the public as quickly and clearly as possible.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care also appeared in front of the Health and Social Care Committee on 8 April to communicate these plans. The Department is also committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with trade unions and partners throughout this period of change, and updating them as often as is possible.

What steps his Department plans to take to manage existing (a) litigation and (b) other disputes involving NHS England after its abolition.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation. As we work to bring the two organisations together, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

How many staff will form the leadership team to coordinate the transfer of NHS England into his Department.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to determine the leadership, structure and requirements needed to support the creation of a new centre for health and care.

What estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse following the abolition of NHS England.

We recognise that there may be some short-term upfront costs as we undertake the integration of NHS England and the Department, but these costs and more will be recouped in future years because of a smaller and leaner centre. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services.As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the effective continuation of existing contracts and agreements currently held by NHS England after it is abolished.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation. As we work to bring the two organisations together, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds, and will put plans in place to ensure continuity of care.The abolition of NHS England will strip out the unnecessary bureaucracy and cut the duplication that comes from having two organisations doing the same job. We will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, driving productivity up, and getting waiting times down.

With reference to the Spring Statement 2025, whether the abolition of NHS England will be entirely funded by the £150 million included in the transformation fund.

As announced at Spring Statement the government has allocated £150 million for government employee exit schemes. Information can be found in the Spring Statement supporting documentation here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e3ec2df356a2dc0e39b488/E03274109_HMT_Spring_Statement_Mar_25_Web_Accessible_.pdf. This will be match-funded by a further £150 million from Departments. On 13 March, the Prime Minister announced that NHS England will be brought back into the Department of Health and Social Care to form a new joint centre. Exit schemes will enable delivery of leaner, smarter, more efficient government, whilst delivering savings over the medium term. Departments will bid for funding from this central pot in order to run exit schemes, and therefore the exact details of which Departments will benefit from this and how this will be spent is not yet known.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the abolition of NHS England does not lead to a loss of institutional knowledge critical to NHS operations.

Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to jointly lead this transformation.There are talented, dedicated public servants working across the country, and at every level, of NHS England and the Department. The transition team will be working at pace to develop plans for the future to give certainty to those with the talent and skills needed for the future and ensure they are retained.As we work to return many of NHS England’s current functions to the Department, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.As we work through the next steps on merging the two organisations, we will be putting in place plans to ensure there are no risks to patient safety and that critical information and systems are effectively transferred.