Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what review his Department has undertaken of the (a) business cases for primary care infrastructure improvements planned as new Local Improvement Finance Trust projects and (b) their eligibility for funding through the Government's Health Infrastructure Plan published 30 September 2019.

Following the Chancellor’s commitment that new off-balance sheet public private partnership funded infrastructure projects, where the taxpayer ultimately bears the financial risk, will not be taken forward, the two active Local Improvement Finance Trust projects (Heston and West Hull) were informed in June that they could not be delivered through that contract.

The Department has not undertaken a review of their business cases as they were below its delegated limit, with such reviews undertaken by NHS England and NHS Improvement.

All National Health Service providers are encouraged to continue developing their schemes and discussing their proposals with the regional NHS England and NHS Improvement team, to help them be ready for future opportunities. The full shape of investment opportunities under the Health Infrastructure Plan programme will be confirmed when the Department receives a multiyear capital settlement at the next capital review.