Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) mental health and (b) financial impact of losing entitlement to Personal Independence Payment due to the 20-metre walking rule on claimants; and if she will review this criterion in light of concern from disabled groups.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
For those with physical restrictions, the enhanced rate of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) mobility component is for those "unable" or "virtually unable" to walk. The 20 metre distance distinguishes between those whose mobility is significantly more limited than others and who face the greater barriers on a day-to-day basis, (those who have the highest need).
Distance is not the only factor considered when applying a descriptor for the ‘moving around’ activity, and the ‘reliability’ criteria also apply. This means individuals who can walk more than 20 metres can still receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component if they cannot do so safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly or in a reasonable time.
Whilst claimants can only reach an enhanced mobility award in activity 12 if they cannot reliably walk more than 20 metres, they may still qualify for a standard award should they satisfy another descriptor scoring a minimum of 8 points. Claimants can also reach a standard or enhanced mobility award by scoring 8, or 12 points respectively across activities 11 and 12 combined.
No assessment has been made of the potential mental health impact of losing entitlement to PIP due to the 20 metre distance in the criteria. It would be extremely difficult to objectively separate the specific impact of this on mental health from other contributory factors.
I have launched a review of the PIP assessment, including the descriptors, which I am leading. The first phase of this work has now begun, which includes speaking to stakeholders to gather views on how best to approach the review, and the terms of reference will be published in due course.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to NHS staffing levels on the economy of local communities.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within the health and care structure. To deliver on this commitment, ICBs have drafted and shared their delivery and resource plan including staffing management in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April 2025 and the Model ICB framework. NHS England is working with ICBs to review and implement these plans.
NHS England is also working closely with ICBs to ensure these changes do not compromise quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs. We expect ICBs to consider how these changes impact on staff and take the necessary steps to protect frontline staff. No specific assessment has been made in regard to the impact on the economy of the local communities.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding has been delivered through the UK Seafood Fund; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK's exit from the EU leads to investment in small-scale British fishing communities.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Since 2021, over £76 million has been delivered through the UK Seafood Fund. This Government remains committed to supporting the fishing industry and small-scale coastal communities. On 19 May 2025, we announced the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund will help invest in the next generation of fishermen, while on 9 June we reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, two schemes that will support this part of the industry.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has a long-term strategy for the fishing sector.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We recognise the calls from across the industry for a long-term strategy for the fisheries sector. We are keen to engage with stakeholders to explore this further and shape a strategic approach that supports the industry's future. Nonetheless, our investment in the industry shows our long-term support for the sector: we have reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme on 9 June 2025, allocating around £6 million to create a sustainable and resilient seafood sector. This is in addition to the recently announced £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, which will provide investment over the next 12 years to support sustainable fisheries and coastal communities.
Asked by: Charlie Dewhirst (Conservative - Bridlington and The Wolds)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed NHS workforce reductions on (a) East Yorkshire and (b) other (i) rural and (ii) coastal communities.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within the health and care structure. All ICBs, including Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and other ICBs covering rural and coastal areas, have drafted and shared their delivery and resource plan in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April 2025 and the Model ICB framework. NHS England is working with ICBs to review and implement these plans.
NHS England is working closely with ICBs to ensure these changes do not compromise quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs. We expect ICBs to consider how these changes impact on staff and take the necessary steps to protect frontline staff. No specific assessment of impact has been made for rural and coastal communities.