Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations he has received from the hospice movement on the effect of the proposed pay increases for NHS staff; and if he will make a statement.

My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received two written representations from the hospice sector; raising concerns about the potential increase in their costs if they choose to increase pay in line with the proposed Agenda for Change pay rates.

The Secretary of State has received one letter from a group of Chief Executives representing Hospice UK, Marie Curie and Together for Short Lives. He has also received representation from St John’s Hospice, Lancaster.