Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Lord Crisp, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
A Bill to make provision for the delivery of healthy homes and neighbourhoods; to set out the principles that define a “healthy home”; to establish the office of the Healthy Homes Commissioner; and for connected purposes
A Bill to make provision about the targets, plans and policies for the delivery of healthy homes and neighbourhoods; to set out the principles that define a “healthy home”; to make provision for statements and reports about healthy homes; to establish the office of the Healthy Homes Commissioner; to make provisions to ensure local housing needs are met; and for connected purposes
Lord Crisp has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Government appreciates there is a huge appetite across the country to recognise all those on the frontline, particularly the NHS, who have been contributing so much through these extraordinary times.
The Government is carefully considering the appropriate way to remember, reward and recognise those involved in the COVID-19 response. We will ensure that any recognition is both timely and appropriate, and takes into account key workers and volunteers across all critical sectors.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis officials and ministers have been in even more regular contact to understand the impact of the pandemic and the measures the Government has taken to fight it. And to understand what support museums and heritage organisations need and how best to get it to them.
The Government has also announced unprecedented support for business and workers, to protect them against the current economic emergency. Officials have been in regular contact with the Florence Nightingale Museum and are pleased that it has been able to benefit from measures such as the the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme
We recognise the importance of the Florence Nightingale Museum and were pleased to collaborate with them to support their wonderful proposal to project a message of thanks to NHS and care staff onto the walls of the Houses of Parliament, to mark the bicentenary of Nightingale’s birth on 12th May and International Nurses’ Day. Furthermore, the Florence Nightingale Museum Trust was awarded £50,000 through the Heritage Emergency Fund so that they can continue their important work.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis officials and ministers have been in even more regular contact to understand the impact of the pandemic and the measures the Government has taken to fight it. And to understand what support museums and heritage organisations need and how best to get it to them.
In response to this information, DCMS arms’ length bodies have created sector specific support. The National Lottery Heritage Fund launched the £50 million Heritage Emergency Fund, and Historic England launched a £2 million Emergency Fund. This emergency short-term funding will help address pressures over the next 3-6 months for those organisations most in immediate need.
It is also worth noting that a fund has been set up for certain small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs, previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme, including small charity properties.
The Government continues to monitor the impact of these and other measures.
The Department does not collect data on the cost of administering NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) or undertaking CHC assessments.
The cost of NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) to NHS England was £4.42 billion in 2022/23 and £4.27 billion in 2021/22. This includes Standard and Fast Track CHC, and the personal health budgets relating to these costs. These figures do not include costs for joint funded packages of care, children’s continuing care, assessments and support, or any other CHC related costs.
The Department is responsible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) policy and legislation, which includes the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. We work with partners to ensure that the core principles and values of CHC are upheld as set out in the framework, a copy of which is attached.
Operational delivery of CHC is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) with oversight from NHS England. NHS England holds ICBs accountable, engages with them to ensure that they discharge their functions, and monitors performance through well-established assurance mechanisms.
Standard NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of National Health Service funded ongoing care for adults with the highest levels of complex, intense or unpredictable needs, who have been assessed as having a primary health need. Fast Track CHC is for adults who have a primary health need resulting from a rapidly deteriorating condition, who are nearing the end of their life. This aims to put an appropriate care and support package in place as soon as possible. The following table shows the number of new referrals for both Standard and Fast Track CHC, and the percentage of those found eligible, for each quarter over the last two financial years in England:
Period | Standard CHC | Fast Track | Standard CHC | Fast Track | |
2022/23 | Q4 | 16,578 | 28,797 | 16% | 96% |
Q3 | 15,383 | 27,727 | 18% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,062 | 26,683 | 17% | 95% | |
Q1 | 15,498 | 25,936 | 18% | 96% | |
2021/22 | Q4 | 14,653 | 25,910 | 17% | 95% |
Q3 | 14,636 | 25,793 | 17% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,178 | 25,746 | 20% | 96% | |
Q1 | 16,001 | 24,664 | 19% | 96% |
Note: the number of new referrals does not include referrals for assessments of previously unassessed periods of care.
Standard NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is a package of National Health Service funded ongoing care for adults with the highest levels of complex, intense or unpredictable needs, who have been assessed as having a primary health need. Fast Track CHC is for adults who have a primary health need resulting from a rapidly deteriorating condition, who are nearing the end of their life. This aims to put an appropriate care and support package in place as soon as possible. The following table shows the number of new referrals for both Standard and Fast Track CHC, and the percentage of those found eligible, for each quarter over the last two financial years in England:
Period | Standard CHC | Fast Track | Standard CHC | Fast Track | |
2022/23 | Q4 | 16,578 | 28,797 | 16% | 96% |
Q3 | 15,383 | 27,727 | 18% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,062 | 26,683 | 17% | 95% | |
Q1 | 15,498 | 25,936 | 18% | 96% | |
2021/22 | Q4 | 14,653 | 25,910 | 17% | 95% |
Q3 | 14,636 | 25,793 | 17% | 95% | |
Q2 | 15,178 | 25,746 | 20% | 96% | |
Q1 | 16,001 | 24,664 | 19% | 96% |
Note: the number of new referrals does not include referrals for assessments of previously unassessed periods of care.
Many of the principles of ‘health creation’ align with the proposals for integrated care systems (ICS) we have set out in the Health and Care White Paper Bill, in particular by improving the role of community and place-based working by ensuring that health and social care services are delivered in a way that works best for a local area and their population. ICSs will strengthen partnerships between the National Health Service and local authorities and with local partners, including groups representing the public and patient perspective, the voluntary sector and wider public service provision.
We welcome the key messages set out by the Health Creation Alliance and their view that 'health creation' is a route to wellbeing through local partnership working. At the core of the 10 key messages are principles of community level engagement with health and social care, ensuring a voice and a role for the community for the benefit of wider population health. These principles align closely with the proposals for integrated care systems (ICS) we have set out in the upcoming Health and Care Bill.
By placing ICS on a statutory footing, we are embedding more power and autonomy in the hands of local systems, to deliver seamless person-centred health and social care services. This will enable more joined up planning and provision, both within the National Health Service and with local authorities, enhancing the services people receive.
No assessment has been made. However, the Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement continue to work with key stakeholders to consider the best ways to tackle health inequalities.
The five-year framework for the General Practitioner Contract included a commitment to introduce a service specification through which Primary Care Networks will identify and address the most pressing health inequalities in their local area. This will be supported by new members of staff employed under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This scheme includes roles such as social prescribing link workers, whose focus includes identifying and supporting local voluntary and community groups to become sustainable and that community assets are nurtured.
No assessment has been made. However, the Department and NHS England and NHS Improvement continue to work with key stakeholders to consider the best ways to tackle health inequalities.
The five-year framework for the General Practitioner Contract included a commitment to introduce a service specification through which Primary Care Networks will identify and address the most pressing health inequalities in their local area. This will be supported by new members of staff employed under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This scheme includes roles such as social prescribing link workers, whose focus includes identifying and supporting local voluntary and community groups to become sustainable and that community assets are nurtured.
We have not made a formal assessment. However, the community and place-based approach aligns with our priorities in promoting integrated care and provisions through integrated care systems in the forthcoming Health and Care Bill.
NHS England and NHS Improvement are considering a 12 hour measure in emergency departments as part of its clinically-led review of standards. It has undertaken a public consultation and will respond in due course.
In 2018 we announced £40 million over five years to accelerate progress in brain tumour research. This was highlighted within the research community with workshops to support high quality brain tumour research applications.
The findings of brain tumour research will be disseminated via the planned network of Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence, presentations at conferences, publications in journals and through the National Institute for Health Research and its Centre for Engagement and Dissemination.
A 2018 review of evidence suggested about 2.5% of brain and central nervous system cancers are attributable to modifiable causes. This equates to approximately 119 cancers that year. The majority of these are attributed to excess weight.
Public Health England supports local authorities and the National Health Service to commission weight management services that are based on and align with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance for weight management. These types of activities may help prevent brain tumours attributable to modifiable causes.
Treatment decisions for brain tumours should always be made by doctors based on a patient’s individual clinical needs and preferences. Brain tumours can be treated using a number of treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as appropriate to the tumour type, size and position. These treatments fall within the scope of NHS England direct commissioning responsibilities for specialised services.
More research is needed on brain cancer. This is a challenging area as the research community is relatively small. We announced £40 million over five years as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission. The planned designation of Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence will be a major step forwards in enhancing both treatment and research for people with brain cancer.
The Government will consult with a range of sectors, including the financial services industry, when considering social care reforms.
The Government’s priority for adult social care is for everyone who relies on care to get the care they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that this does not reduce the need for a long-term action plan for social care. Putting social care on a sustainable footing, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, is one of the biggest challenges that we face as a society.
There are complex questions to address, which is why we have invited cross-party talks. These will take place at the earliest opportunity in light of the current circumstances. The Government will then bring forward a plan for social care for the longer term.
The Department has prioritised prevention and through the Care Act 2014 it has required local authorities to have measures in place to identify people in their area who would benefit from services to help reduce, delay or prevent needs for care and support.
The Challenge on Dementia 2020 commitments included action on risk reduction, and messaging has been incorporated in the NHS Health Check for all eligible adults in England aged 40-74 to increase dementia awareness and motivate people in midlife to make positive changes.
The Government will continue to ensure support is available for those who need it for as long as people are advised to follow shielding guidance. We know this is challenging guidance to follow and we want to ensure that people who are shielding continue to receive the right advice for them at a time.
From 1 June those shielding may wish to spend time outdoors once a day. This can be beneficial for mental and physical wellbeing for people of all ages, particularly those shielding alone. The advice is for people who are shielding to spend time outdoors alone or with members of their own household or, for those shielding alone, with one person from another household.
To ensure vulnerable individuals, including those shielding and the over 70s, we have put a core support offer in place to help them stay at home where they wished to follow this advice, including delivering over 2 million free food boxes, providing priority supermarket delivery services, providing care, ensuring people can get medicines delivered to their homes and enlisting the help of National Health Service volunteer responders in delivering shopping and calling people for a ‘check in and chat’.
We have also announced £5 million of funding for mental health charities to support adults and children and a further £4.2 million is being awarded to mental health charities as part of the Government’s £750 million package of support for the voluntary sector during the pandemic.
Ambulance services have operated with Community First Responders (CFRs) for many years in mainly rural areas and they play a vital role in responding to the highest priority 999 calls whilst paramedics are en-route.
West Midland Ambulance Service (WMAS) recognise that Community First Responders (CFRs) play a key role in protecting local communities and they want to enhance that by increasing the number of CFRs, using a consistent model of response, so that even more lives can be saved.
Since the introduction of the Ambulance Response Programme, ambulance services have a clearer indication of the severity of each 999 call and so can assign the most appropriate response to that call, which may include the dispatch of a CFR, to ensure that each patient receives the right response for their clinical need.
WMAS plan to use their CFRs to target the most seriously ill patients, in the way that CFR schemes were originally set up.
The Government are content with the approach WMAS are taking regarding CFRs and have no concerns regarding their future plans.
In 2015, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published a document on the use of CFRs. The document seeks to reduce national variation in the governance of CFR schemes and aims to addresses the deployment of CFRs across all categories of calls. A copy of Volunteer Responders Governance Framework is attached.
Ambulance services have operated with Community First Responders (CFRs) for many years in mainly rural areas and they play a vital role in responding to the highest priority 999 calls whilst paramedics are en-route.
West Midland Ambulance Service (WMAS) recognise that Community First Responders (CFRs) play a key role in protecting local communities and they want to enhance that by increasing the number of CFRs, using a consistent model of response, so that even more lives can be saved.
Since the introduction of the Ambulance Response Programme, ambulance services have a clearer indication of the severity of each 999 call and so can assign the most appropriate response to that call, which may include the dispatch of a CFR, to ensure that each patient receives the right response for their clinical need.
WMAS plan to use their CFRs to target the most seriously ill patients, in the way that CFR schemes were originally set up.
The Government are content with the approach WMAS are taking regarding CFRs and have no concerns regarding their future plans.
In 2015, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published a document on the use of CFRs. The document seeks to reduce national variation in the governance of CFR schemes and aims to addresses the deployment of CFRs across all categories of calls. A copy of Volunteer Responders Governance Framework is attached.
Ambulance services have operated with Community First Responders (CFRs) for many years in mainly rural areas and they play a vital role in responding to the highest priority 999 calls whilst paramedics are en-route.
West Midland Ambulance Service (WMAS) recognise that Community First Responders (CFRs) play a key role in protecting local communities and they want to enhance that by increasing the number of CFRs, using a consistent model of response, so that even more lives can be saved.
Since the introduction of the Ambulance Response Programme, ambulance services have a clearer indication of the severity of each 999 call and so can assign the most appropriate response to that call, which may include the dispatch of a CFR, to ensure that each patient receives the right response for their clinical need.
WMAS plan to use their CFRs to target the most seriously ill patients, in the way that CFR schemes were originally set up.
The Government are content with the approach WMAS are taking regarding CFRs and have no concerns regarding their future plans.
In 2015, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published a document on the use of CFRs. The document seeks to reduce national variation in the governance of CFR schemes and aims to addresses the deployment of CFRs across all categories of calls. A copy of Volunteer Responders Governance Framework is attached.
Ambulance services have operated with Community First Responders (CFRs) for many years in mainly rural areas and they play a vital role in responding to the highest priority 999 calls whilst paramedics are en-route.
West Midland Ambulance Service (WMAS) recognise that Community First Responders (CFRs) play a key role in protecting local communities and they want to enhance that by increasing the number of CFRs, using a consistent model of response, so that even more lives can be saved.
Since the introduction of the Ambulance Response Programme, ambulance services have a clearer indication of the severity of each 999 call and so can assign the most appropriate response to that call, which may include the dispatch of a CFR, to ensure that each patient receives the right response for their clinical need.
WMAS plan to use their CFRs to target the most seriously ill patients, in the way that CFR schemes were originally set up.
The Government are content with the approach WMAS are taking regarding CFRs and have no concerns regarding their future plans.
In 2015, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published a document on the use of CFRs. The document seeks to reduce national variation in the governance of CFR schemes and aims to addresses the deployment of CFRs across all categories of calls. A copy of Volunteer Responders Governance Framework is attached.
Ambulance services have operated with Community First Responders (CFRs) for many years in mainly rural areas and they play a vital role in responding to the highest priority 999 calls whilst paramedics are en-route.
West Midland Ambulance Service (WMAS) recognise that Community First Responders (CFRs) play a key role in protecting local communities and they want to enhance that by increasing the number of CFRs, using a consistent model of response, so that even more lives can be saved.
Since the introduction of the Ambulance Response Programme, ambulance services have a clearer indication of the severity of each 999 call and so can assign the most appropriate response to that call, which may include the dispatch of a CFR, to ensure that each patient receives the right response for their clinical need.
WMAS plan to use their CFRs to target the most seriously ill patients, in the way that CFR schemes were originally set up.
The Government are content with the approach WMAS are taking regarding CFRs and have no concerns regarding their future plans.
In 2015, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published a document on the use of CFRs. The document seeks to reduce national variation in the governance of CFR schemes and aims to addresses the deployment of CFRs across all categories of calls. A copy of Volunteer Responders Governance Framework is attached.
The government remains extremely grateful to those who served in the Hong Kong Military Service Corps.
Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme, introduced in 1990 and run until 1 July 1997, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as British citizens.
We give careful consideration to representations made on behalf of those former Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel.
Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who hold British National (Overseas) status, or are an immediate family member of someone who holds this status, may be eligible for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route which was launched on 31 January 2021.
The government remains extremely grateful to those who served in the Hong Kong Military Service Corps.
Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme, introduced in 1990 and run until 1 July 1997, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as British citizens.
We give careful consideration to representations made on behalf of those former Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel.
Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who hold British National (Overseas) status, or are an immediate family member of someone who holds this status, may be eligible for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route which was launched on 31 January 2021.
The government remains extremely grateful to those who served in the Hong Kong Military Service Corps.
Under the British Nationality Selection Scheme, introduced in 1990 and run until 1 July 1997, a limited number of Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who were settled in Hong Kong could apply to register as British citizens.
We give careful consideration to representations made on behalf of those former Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel.
Hong Kong Military Service Corps personnel who hold British National (Overseas) status, or are an immediate family member of someone who holds this status, may be eligible for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route which was launched on 31 January 2021.
I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to PQHL12277 and note that the draft National Model Design Code was published on 30 January 2021, and we are seeking views on its content.
We agree that ensuring a good standard and quality of internal space is important to achieving well-designed homes for all, as emphasised in our National Design Guide.
Space standards are an optional technical standard in our national planning policies and local authorities can choose to adopt them locally, if they can demonstrate need and that there will be no negative impact on viability.
As my Noble Lord is aware, we announced last year that all new homes in England delivered through any Permitted Development Right must meet this space standard as a minimum. This will apply to proposals from 6 April 2021.
Looking to the future, as noted above we recently published the draft National Model Design Code, in which we intend to emphasise the ingredients for well-designed homes, including the application of the Nationally Described Space Standard that can be included in local design codes, guides and policies.
We agree that ensuring a good standard and quality of internal space is important to achieving well-designed homes for all, as emphasised in our National Design Guide.
Space standards are an optional technical standard in our national planning policies and local authorities can choose to adopt them locally, if they can demonstrate need and that there will be no negative impact on viability.
As my noble Lord is aware, we announced last year that all new homes in England delivered through any Permitted Development Right must meet this space standard as a minimum. This will apply to proposals from 6 April 2021.
Looking to the future, in the forthcoming National Model Design Code we intend to emphasise the ingredients for well-designed homes, including the application of the Nationally Described Space Standard that can be included in local design codes, guides and policies.
We agree that the provision of adequate living space is vital to delivering healthy housing. The importance of this has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We recognise in our National Design Guide the need for well-designed, healthy homes to provide a good standard and quality of internal space. And within national planning policy and guidance we set out that local authorities have the option to include the Nationally Described Space Standard in local planning policies, subject to demonstrating viability and need.
Looking to the future, the forthcoming National Model Design Code will emphasise the ingredients for well-designed homes, including good space standards, that can be included in local design guides.