Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to implement mandatory health targets for large food businesses.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, by the end of this Parliament, we will introduce mandatory healthier food sales reporting for all large companies in the sector. The plan also committed to introduce new targets to increase the healthiness of sales, and to engage the Food Strategy Advisory Board on sequencing.
We intend to launch a full public consultation soon to gather a wide range of views on our policy proposals. Final decisions on policy design and implementation will be taken following consultation.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which national experts will provide support to the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust as part of the NHS Intensive Recovery Support Programme; what their areas of expertise are; and what assessment his Department has made of their track records for supporting NHS Trust recovery.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Intensive Recovery Programme is focused on bringing decisive action to address longstanding issues, structural constraints and financial imbalance, in a small number of trusts with significant challenges. The first wave of trusts in the programme will include:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
This programme marks a clear shift in approach, namely moving away from a one size fits all approach, with individual trust boards taking ownership of a clear plan to make their organisation sustainable going forward. Each organisation will be engaged with a tailored and time-limited improvement approach, designed jointly between local leadership and NHS England regional and national teams.
NHS England is currently working with Mid and South Essex to pinpoint the key constraints and barriers to sustainable change and improvement, and to develop a plan to improve performance. As part of the Intensive Recovery Programme, NHS England national and regional teams have met with the new Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex, to begin developing a recovery compact that focuses on stabilising performance in-year across quality, finance and operational performance, and to develop a turnaround plan that addresses longstanding issues.
The East of England NHS regional team continue to lead day-to-day oversight of provider and integrated care board delivery, with escalation to the Regional Executive Team and Regional Support Group where required. The region takes a holistic view of how well the organisation is delivering its statutory duties and agreed priorities, and this determines the level of scrutiny and how NHS England directs incentives, resources, support and interventions. Mid and South Essex is currently in Segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, meaning the organisation is subject to the most intensive level of scrutiny until its delivery and/or capability improves and it can demonstrate that this improvement can be sustained.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to publish the 10-point plan being implemented as part of the NHS Intensive Recovery Support Programme for the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Intensive Recovery Programme is focused on bringing decisive action to address longstanding issues, structural constraints and financial imbalance, in a small number of trusts with significant challenges. The first wave of trusts in the programme will include:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
This programme marks a clear shift in approach, namely moving away from a one size fits all approach, with individual trust boards taking ownership of a clear plan to make their organisation sustainable going forward. Each organisation will be engaged with a tailored and time-limited improvement approach, designed jointly between local leadership and NHS England regional and national teams.
NHS England is currently working with Mid and South Essex to pinpoint the key constraints and barriers to sustainable change and improvement, and to develop a plan to improve performance. As part of the Intensive Recovery Programme, NHS England national and regional teams have met with the new Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex, to begin developing a recovery compact that focuses on stabilising performance in-year across quality, finance and operational performance, and to develop a turnaround plan that addresses longstanding issues.
The East of England NHS regional team continue to lead day-to-day oversight of provider and integrated care board delivery, with escalation to the Regional Executive Team and Regional Support Group where required. The region takes a holistic view of how well the organisation is delivering its statutory duties and agreed priorities, and this determines the level of scrutiny and how NHS England directs incentives, resources, support and interventions. Mid and South Essex is currently in Segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, meaning the organisation is subject to the most intensive level of scrutiny until its delivery and/or capability improves and it can demonstrate that this improvement can be sustained.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the NHS Intensive Recovery Support Programme on the performance of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Intensive Recovery Programme is focused on bringing decisive action to address longstanding issues, structural constraints and financial imbalance, in a small number of trusts with significant challenges. The first wave of trusts in the programme will include:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
This programme marks a clear shift in approach, namely moving away from a one size fits all approach, with individual trust boards taking ownership of a clear plan to make their organisation sustainable going forward. Each organisation will be engaged with a tailored and time-limited improvement approach, designed jointly between local leadership and NHS England regional and national teams.
NHS England is currently working with Mid and South Essex to pinpoint the key constraints and barriers to sustainable change and improvement, and to develop a plan to improve performance. As part of the Intensive Recovery Programme, NHS England national and regional teams have met with the new Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex, to begin developing a recovery compact that focuses on stabilising performance in-year across quality, finance and operational performance, and to develop a turnaround plan that addresses longstanding issues.
The East of England NHS regional team continue to lead day-to-day oversight of provider and integrated care board delivery, with escalation to the Regional Executive Team and Regional Support Group where required. The region takes a holistic view of how well the organisation is delivering its statutory duties and agreed priorities, and this determines the level of scrutiny and how NHS England directs incentives, resources, support and interventions. Mid and South Essex is currently in Segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, meaning the organisation is subject to the most intensive level of scrutiny until its delivery and/or capability improves and it can demonstrate that this improvement can be sustained.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust meets the objectives set out under the NHS Intensive Recovery Programme; what criteria will the NHS East of England Regional Team use to (a) assess monthly performance and (b) produce quality reviews; and what situations would warrant an escalation to (i) the Regional Executive Team or (ii) the Regional Support Group.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Intensive Recovery Programme is focused on bringing decisive action to address longstanding issues, structural constraints and financial imbalance, in a small number of trusts with significant challenges. The first wave of trusts in the programme will include:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
This programme marks a clear shift in approach, namely moving away from a one size fits all approach, with individual trust boards taking ownership of a clear plan to make their organisation sustainable going forward. Each organisation will be engaged with a tailored and time-limited improvement approach, designed jointly between local leadership and NHS England regional and national teams.
NHS England is currently working with Mid and South Essex to pinpoint the key constraints and barriers to sustainable change and improvement, and to develop a plan to improve performance. As part of the Intensive Recovery Programme, NHS England national and regional teams have met with the new Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex, to begin developing a recovery compact that focuses on stabilising performance in-year across quality, finance and operational performance, and to develop a turnaround plan that addresses longstanding issues.
The East of England NHS regional team continue to lead day-to-day oversight of provider and integrated care board delivery, with escalation to the Regional Executive Team and Regional Support Group where required. The region takes a holistic view of how well the organisation is delivering its statutory duties and agreed priorities, and this determines the level of scrutiny and how NHS England directs incentives, resources, support and interventions. Mid and South Essex is currently in Segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, meaning the organisation is subject to the most intensive level of scrutiny until its delivery and/or capability improves and it can demonstrate that this improvement can be sustained.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the NHS Intensive Recovery Support Programme on waiting times for patients served by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Intensive Recovery Programme is focused on bringing decisive action to address longstanding issues, structural constraints and financial imbalance, in a small number of trusts with significant challenges. The first wave of trusts in the programme will include:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
This programme marks a clear shift in approach, namely moving away from a one size fits all approach, with individual trust boards taking ownership of a clear plan to make their organisation sustainable going forward. Each organisation will be engaged with a tailored and time-limited improvement approach, designed jointly between local leadership and NHS England regional and national teams.
NHS England is currently working with Mid and South Essex to pinpoint the key constraints and barriers to sustainable change and improvement, and to develop a plan to improve performance. As part of the Intensive Recovery Programme, NHS England national and regional teams have met with the new Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex, to begin developing a recovery compact that focuses on stabilising performance in-year across quality, finance and operational performance, and to develop a turnaround plan that addresses longstanding issues.
The East of England NHS regional team continue to lead day-to-day oversight of provider and integrated care board delivery, with escalation to the Regional Executive Team and Regional Support Group where required. The region takes a holistic view of how well the organisation is delivering its statutory duties and agreed priorities, and this determines the level of scrutiny and how NHS England directs incentives, resources, support and interventions. Mid and South Essex is currently in Segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, meaning the organisation is subject to the most intensive level of scrutiny until its delivery and/or capability improves and it can demonstrate that this improvement can be sustained.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether financial support is included in the NHS Intensive Recovery Support Programme for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Intensive Recovery Programme is focused on bringing decisive action to address longstanding issues, structural constraints and financial imbalance, in a small number of trusts with significant challenges. The first wave of trusts in the programme will include:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust;
Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust.
This programme marks a clear shift in approach, namely moving away from a one size fits all approach, with individual trust boards taking ownership of a clear plan to make their organisation sustainable going forward. Each organisation will be engaged with a tailored and time-limited improvement approach, designed jointly between local leadership and NHS England regional and national teams.
NHS England is currently working with Mid and South Essex to pinpoint the key constraints and barriers to sustainable change and improvement, and to develop a plan to improve performance. As part of the Intensive Recovery Programme, NHS England national and regional teams have met with the new Chief Executive of Mid and South Essex, to begin developing a recovery compact that focuses on stabilising performance in-year across quality, finance and operational performance, and to develop a turnaround plan that addresses longstanding issues.
The East of England NHS regional team continue to lead day-to-day oversight of provider and integrated care board delivery, with escalation to the Regional Executive Team and Regional Support Group where required. The region takes a holistic view of how well the organisation is delivering its statutory duties and agreed priorities, and this determines the level of scrutiny and how NHS England directs incentives, resources, support and interventions. Mid and South Essex is currently in Segment 4 of the NHS Oversight Framework, meaning the organisation is subject to the most intensive level of scrutiny until its delivery and/or capability improves and it can demonstrate that this improvement can be sustained.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce pupils’ access to sugary drinks and (b) support provision of healthier drink options throughout the school day.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The School Food Standards set the mandatory nutritional framework for food and drink provided in state‑funded schools in England. Since the Standards were introduced in 2014, the dietary recommendations on free sugar, fibre and sweeteners have changed and the proportion of children living with obesity is high.
The department is committed to raising the healthiest generation ever, so we are consulting on proposed updates to the School Food Standards in England to ensure that all food served at school better reflects current nutritional guidance and supports children’s health, wellbeing and learning.
The consultation is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/school-food-standards-updating-the-legislative-framework.
As part of our proposals, we are consulting on removing fruit juice and combination drinks from school meal services. We are also proposing to limit available drinks to water, semi-skimmed or skimmed milk, lactose free milk and certain plant-based drinks, with a restricted range of low or no sugar drinks permitted in secondary schools.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to undertake the statutory ten‑year review of the NHS Constitution.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
A consultation on the NHS Constitution as part of a 10-year review was in May 2024 and was superseded by the General Election in July 2024. For this reason, the 10-year review is now closed.
Asked by: Marie Goldman (Liberal Democrat - Chelmsford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to address the rising rates in severe absence among girls in schools.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
Absence remains a major barrier to children’s opportunity. To achieve and thrive, pupils need to be in school regularly. Thanks to the efforts of schools, trusts, local authorities and wider partners, attendance improved significantly in 2024/25, with children attending over 5 million more days than the previous year and 147,000 fewer children persistently absent. However, further progress is needed, particularly for severely absent pupils where barriers to attendance are often more complex due to intersecting needs and where girls have slightly higher absence than boys.
Our statutory ‘Working Together to Improve School Attendance’ guidance requires schools to appoint an attendance champion, publish an attendance policy, and work closely with local authorities to identify and reduce barriers. The department guidance also recognises that for cohorts more at risk of severe absence, schools and local authorities should ensure targeted support is in place.
The department supports this through real-time attendance data tools and practical toolkits, helping schools, trusts and local authorities understand absence and act early. New regional improvements for standards and excellence (RISE) attendance and behaviour hubs will support over 3,000 schools, including enhanced support for up to 500 schools needing targeted intervention.