Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks from Marburg virus, following the Ministry for Health in Ethiopia confirming an outbreak and three deaths in Ethiopia.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

The Ministry of Health in Ethiopia confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus in Jinka, southwestern Ethiopia on 14 November. On 19 November, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to Jinka and an area within 5km of the town. Those travelling to Ethiopia should monitor FCDO travel advice and follow guidance from local authorities. The UK Health Security Agency has carried out a rapid assessment of the risk to the UK public, assessing the overall risk as "very low". We continue to monitor the situation closely.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what support they are providing with international partners to Ethiopia, following the Ministry for Health in Ethiopia confirming an outbreak of Marburg virus and three deaths.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

We are monitoring the Marburg virus outbreak in southern Ethiopia very closely. Close engagement is underway with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, and international partners to assess the situation and identify where partnership with Ethiopian authorities would be most effective.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 24 November (HL11931), whether the report into young people and work will also examine reasons for the increase in the number of young people with disabilities and health conditions, and if not, what plans they have to investigate the reasons for this increase.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The rising number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a crisis of opportunity that demands more action to give them the chance to learn or earn.

To truly address the root causes of youth inactivity, we need a deeper understanding of the barriers that disabled young people and those with health conditions face. The Report will examine the drivers behind the rise in NEET rates and economic inactivity among young disabled people and those with health conditions.

On the 4^th of December my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department for Health and Social Care launched an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism.

The review will look to understand the similarities and differences between mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. It will look at prevalence, early intervention and treatment, and the current challenges facing clinical services.

The review will also seek to identify opportunities to provide different models of support and pathways, within and beyond the NHS, that promote prevention and early intervention, supplementing clinical support.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 27 November (HL11874), whether the forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will set out specific forecasts for the number of staff the NHS needs over those 10 years; whether they will publish the assumptions used to produce that plan; and whether the National Audit Office will make an assessment of that plan.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. It will include modelling of the potential size and shape of the future workforce and implications for major professions.

The updated workforce modelling, and its underlying assumptions, will be set out in and alongside the plan when published in spring 2026. It will be supported by external independent scrutiny. A decision on whether the National Audit Office will be asked to make an assessment of the plan has not yet been made.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government (1) what the Civil Service headcount was in (a) 2023–24 and (b) 2024–2025; and; (2) what is the expected headcount for (a) 2025–26, (b) 2026–27, (c) 2027–28, (d) 2028–29, and (e) 2029–2030.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Please see the table below for 2024, 2025 and latest available figures on Civil Service employment sourced from ONS Public Sector Employment Statistics.

*latest available

Each department will take a decision on its future size and shape as per the financial settlements that were agreed with HM Treasury in the Spending Review. These plans will take a whole workforce approach based on the cost of civil servants, Contingent Labour, Consultancy and Managed Services, and will be finalised through the business planning process that is currently underway.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what work they plan to undertake to make arm's-length bodies and the arm's-length body landscape more effective, efficient and accountable.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

As announced on 6th April 2025, the Government is conducting a full-scale review of arm's-length bodies in order to reduce the duplication of work by public bodies, improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs, and improve transparency. This review is ongoing, but some changes have already been announced such as the closure of NHS England to reduce bureaucracy, make savings and empower NHS staff to deliver better care for patients.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the timeframe is for the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s review of value for money as announced in the Budget, and whether the terms of reference for this review will be published.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Budget confirmed that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury will lead a review of value for money across government spending. This work will build evidence and outline potential solutions for consideration at the next spending review.

The government is currently considering what further information it would be appropriate to publish and will provide an update in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the timeframe is for reviewing the public sector asset portfolio as announced in the Budget; who will be conducting the review; and whether the terms of reference for this review will be published.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Strategic Asset Review led by the Treasury, working closely with government departments, will be conducted ahead of the next spending review. As set out at Budget, it will cover opportunities to monetise assets and address barriers to disposal and commercialisation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the review of arm’s length bodies will conclude; whether they have begun to implement its recommendations; and when the expect the implementation of recommendations to be completed.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Arm's Length Body Review, formally launched on 7th April 2025 is ongoing, its outcomes will be communicated in due course. Some changes have already been announced such as the closure of NHS England to reduce bureaucracy, make savings and empower NHS staff to deliver better care for patients. Additionally, closures of some ALBs such as the UK Space Agency and its repatriation into DSIT are already underway..

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the timeframe is for the Department of Education’s review of childcare provision as announced in the Budget, and whether the terms of reference for this review will be published.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As announced in the Autumn Budget 2025, the department will lead a review of childcare provision. This review aims to simplify the system for providers and families, improving access and strengthening the impact of government support. The review is expected to take place in 2026, and we will share more information in due course.