Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2024 to Question 901298 on leases for GP premises, if he will review the decision to delegate the authority to hold GP leases to integrated care boards.

The GP (General Medical Services) Contract terms ordinarily require the contractor to hold the premises liability.

NHS England also holds the right to hold operational estate and has delegated the power to hold leases to integrated care boards (ICBs). However, bringing ICBs into any formal leasing structure creates capital accounting liabilities, and these would need to be considered in the context of any request to directly hold operational estate.

NHS England currently accepts ICBs holding leases only as a last resort or by exception due to the significant capital required. Whilst we know this not the most effective use of ICB resources, it is an important safeguard.

Given where the liabilities lie within contracts and the power already held by ICBs to provide exceptional support, it is not deemed necessary to seek to amend any rules or guidance.

We are committed to fixing the front door of the National Health Service by supporting GPs and ICBs through, for example, the £102 million of capital funding announced at the Budget for GP estate upgrades.