Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to support UK businesses that supply the NHS with medical devices, medical equipment and services impacted by additional costs relating to (a) production, (b) distribution and (c) energy.

NHS Supply Chain (NHSSC) has robust measures in place to monitor supply chains and works closely with markets to ensure continuity of supply, so that the National Health Service has the medical devices and clinical consumables it needs to deliver care. Given the economic environment and global inflationary pressures, NHS Supply Chain recognises the challenges that suppliers are facing and is committed to working with them within the bounds of contractual agreements, to secure value for money for taxpayers and maintain availability.

An established process exists for all price increase requests. These are evaluated by NHSSC on a case-by-case basis in line with the terms and conditions of awarded framework agreements. In order for an increase to be accepted, it needs to be justified and evidenced, and suppliers are expected to play their part in mitigating their cost pressures.

With specific reference to energy costs, the Government remains committed to supporting businesses via the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which provides a discount on the wholesale element of gas and electricity bills to ensure that eligible non-domestic customers are protected from excessively high energy costs over the winter period. Following an HM Treasury led review, the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April until March 2024 and continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers.