Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to para 5.59 of the Autumn Statement, CP 751, published on 17 November, whether the independently verified workforce forecasts will include the projected costs of workforce expansion.

The Government has committed to publishing a workforce plan next year, which will include independently verified forecasts for the number of healthcare professionals required in future years, taking account of improvements in retention and productivity. The plan will inform how we can meet the needs of patients and the National Health Service workforce. Funding plans beyond the current Spending Review period will be subject to the outcome of future Spending Reviews.