To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Scheduled Event - 25 Feb 2026, 2:30 p.m. - Add to calendar
View Source
Commons - Westminster Hall debate - Westminster Hall
Potential merits of appointing a Minister for Men and Boys
MP: Luke Evans
Written Question
Health Services
Friday 13th February 2026

Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment for the reasons for the difference in the number of additional NHS appointments that were provided between (a) July 2024 and June 2025 and (b) the preceding 12 months.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Between July 2024 and June 2025, we delivered over 5.2 million additional appointments compared to the previous year, more than double our pledge of two million. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/recovery-of-elective_activity-mi/

Consequently, between the start of July 2024 and the end of June 2025, the waiting list decreased by over 250,000 (252,128) despite over 21 million (21,004,977) new referrals. This comes against the backdrop of 2024/25 Planning Guidance which signalled a reduction in elective activity compared to the 2023/24 financial year.

Thanks to an additional £2.1 billion invested, the Government not only avoided a reduction, but delivered a significant increase in elective activity, as part of the first step commitment to ensuring patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks. Further information is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ea4faf085277e9961b207b/dhsc-revised-financial-directions-to-NHS-England-2024-to-2025-print-ready.pdf

Jul-22 to Jun-23

Jul-23 to Jun-24

Jul-24 to Jun-25

Working Days

251

252

253

Total Appointments

63,175,223

69,945,972

75,435,185

Standardised baseline (253 Days)1

63,678,611

70,223,535

75,435,185

Additional Appointments (compared to previous 12 months)

-

6,544,924

5,211,650

  1. Data standardised to 253 working days to ensure comparability
Written Question
Health Services
Friday 13th February 2026

Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the number of additional NHS appointments delivered between (a) July 2024 and June 2025 and (b) July 2023 and June 2024.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Between July 2024 and June 2025, we delivered over 5.2 million additional appointments compared to the previous year, more than double our pledge of two million. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/recovery-of-elective_activity-mi/

Consequently, between the start of July 2024 and the end of June 2025, the waiting list decreased by over 250,000 (252,128) despite over 21 million (21,004,977) new referrals. This comes against the backdrop of 2024/25 Planning Guidance which signalled a reduction in elective activity compared to the 2023/24 financial year.

Thanks to an additional £2.1 billion invested, the Government not only avoided a reduction, but delivered a significant increase in elective activity, as part of the first step commitment to ensuring patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks. Further information is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ea4faf085277e9961b207b/dhsc-revised-financial-directions-to-NHS-England-2024-to-2025-print-ready.pdf

Jul-22 to Jun-23

Jul-23 to Jun-24

Jul-24 to Jun-25

Working Days

251

252

253

Total Appointments

63,175,223

69,945,972

75,435,185

Standardised baseline (253 Days)1

63,678,611

70,223,535

75,435,185

Additional Appointments (compared to previous 12 months)

-

6,544,924

5,211,650

  1. Data standardised to 253 working days to ensure comparability
Scheduled Event - Thursday 12th February - Add to calendar
View Source
Commons - Urgent question - Main Chamber
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care if he will make a statement on the withholding of Pharmacy First payments to pharmacies
MP: Luke Evans
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion

"Further to the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow East (Bob Blackman) about the WhatsApps, the Minister seemed to suggest that it was not an orderly process. First, is there to be any reprimand for the Health Secretary? Secondly, will the WhatsApps between all Ministers and Peter …..."
Luke Evans - View Speech

View all Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) contributions to the debate on: Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Business of the House

"May I ask the Leader of the House for his help? I have recently learned that the £10 million day case unit in Hinckley is potentially in jeopardy and might get cancelled. This follows a series of delays by the NHS and the local council and, unbelievably, a last-minute plea …..."
Luke Evans - View Speech

View all Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) contributions to the debate on: Business of the House
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion

"And the WhatsApps?..."
Luke Evans - View Speech

View all Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) contributions to the debate on: Lord Mandelson: Government Response to Humble Address Motion
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments

"(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care if he will make a statement on the withholding of Pharmacy First payments to pharmacies...."
Luke Evans - View Speech

View all Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) contributions to the debate on: Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments

"It is a regret that I have had to summon the Minister here to answer questions, and surprise, surprise—..."
Luke Evans - View Speech

View all Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) contributions to the debate on: Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 12 Feb 2026
Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments

"I of course withdraw that remark, Mr Speaker, and I thank you for summoning the Minister on my behalf. It seems to have had the desired effect, because the outstanding parliamentary questions have, strangely enough, been answered this morning. I hope to get some clarity as this is really important.

…..."
Luke Evans - View Speech

View all Luke Evans (Con - Hinckley and Bosworth) contributions to the debate on: Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments