Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jenny Riddell-Carpenter and Fleur Anderson

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Suffolk Coastal) (Lab)]

6. What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on best practice for public sector reform.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Fleur Anderson)]

Public sector reform is a priority for this Government, and I regularly meet with Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, unions and public service providers. Most recently, the Government and Executive agreed £129 million of funding for public service transformation for health, special educational needs, justice and waste water.

[Jenny Riddell-Carpenter]

I welcome what the Minister said about public service reform being a shared challenge. Does she agree that it is in the interests of patients and people in Northern Ireland and England for the Executive and the Government to share knowledge and best practice?

[Fleur Anderson]

I absolutely agree. Public service transformation is not just about funding; it is about how to spend the money that the Northern Ireland Executive has with the record £18.2 billion settlement. Health is devolved, but we work together to share best practice and expertise, as well as recently agreeing £61 million of funding for multidisciplinary teams in GP surgeries. We will work together to create an NHS fit for the future, and I will be meeting the Health Minister again in Northern Ireland this week.