Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which performance claims and verifiable evidence from Federated Data Platform pilot sites were used to inform the decision to award the national FDP contract to Palantir.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Experience from managing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) to bring together data from multiple different systems in one secure place to help NHS staff make better decisions about patient care and service planning. This identified need included learning from the Elective Care Coordination for Patients Programme and National Platform programmes.
NHS England did not commission a formal independent evaluation of “pilot sites”, as these early deployments were not structured as a national pilot programme. They acted as proof-of-concept implementations, confirming that a federated data platform model was viable, scalable, and aligned with National Health Service operational needs.
The specification for the contract was developed by an NHS programme team with substantial review by experienced data specialists in the health systems, national security advisors and data privacy experts.
The platform was procured via a rigorous, competitive procurement process in line with government procurement legislation. The procurement route was inclusive and open to all potential suppliers to bid, subject to meeting NHS England’s minimum criteria. Any organisation had the opportunity to respond to the advertised Contract Notice, request and download the procurement documents and submit a tender. The suppliers were required to demonstrate their financial, commercial, security and technical capability to meet contractual requirements. The procurement process also required suppliers to evidence their commitment to sustainability and social value.
The selection was made by multiple assessors against clear criteria. A consortium led by Palantir was awarded the contract in November 2023 based on their ability to meet the specific needs defined by NHS England for the NHS FDP.
Assurance of the overall programme direction and investment case was provided through formal Government Major Projects Portfolio processes, including independent Gateway Reviews conducted by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, formerly the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. These reviews consider the strategic case, delivery confidence, commercial approach and readiness to proceed to procurement. The NHS FDP is one of only 14% of Government major programmes to receive a ‘Green’ rating in July 2025, indicating that the FDP is on track. In addition, the NHS FDP and its contract is subject to significant ongoing parliamentary scrutiny.
The NHS FDP is already making a difference for patients and staff across the country. Early users are already seeing real results, including reduced admin, faster patient pathways, and more time for care.
Since March 2024, more than 100,000 additional patients have been supported to undergo procedures in theatres partly by increasing theatre utilisation. Nearly 94,000 people have been supported on their cancer journey, with 7% seeing a reduction in the time it took to diagnose their cancer. There has been a 14% decrease in delays discharging patients staying in hospital for more than seven days, freeing up beds for those who need them most. NHS England publishes quarterly information on benefits realised from the FDP, which is available at the following link:
To date 24 integrated care board (ICB) clusters and 168 NHS trusts have signed up to the NHS FDP, including Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. As more trusts and ICBs come on board, the platform is proving how smart use of data can transform healthcare.
NHS England proactively manages the NHS FDP contract in line with the NHS England Contract Management Framework which is aligned with the principles of the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Playbook and is subject to NHS England corporate policies and procedures.
NHS England official statistics are produced in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, which is available at the following link:
https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/
This means the statistics are analytically led products under the accountability of the Head of Profession for Statistics. NHS England has policies to ensure Code compliance, which is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/code-compliance/
Production of statistics and other management information or public dashboard releases is currently devolved across a range of analytical teams within NHS England’s Data and Analytics function who each support specific programme areas. A lead analyst is assigned to each statistical publication who is responsible for assuring the quality of the output, highlighting any concerns to the Head of Profession for Statistics.
Current methods used in relation to the benefits being delivered by the NHS FDP is available at the following link:
Two independent evaluations of the use of NHS FDP products in NHS trusts have been published and confirm the benefits that the FDP programme has reported. Imperial College London and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have verified that the introduction of the FDP Inpatient theatre module was associated with improved theatre utilisation. The paper is available at the following link:
Imperial College Projects has now been commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation. The evaluation will assess the programme’s impact, effectiveness and value for money and help ensure the programme’s aims are being achieved.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance NHS England applies when assessing the robustness of statistical methodologies used to evaluate digital health pilots; and whether Federated Data Platform pilot evaluations were subjected to peer review or methodological assurance before publishing performance claims.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Experience from managing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) to bring together data from multiple different systems in one secure place to help NHS staff make better decisions about patient care and service planning. This identified need included learning from the Elective Care Coordination for Patients Programme and National Platform programmes.
NHS England did not commission a formal independent evaluation of “pilot sites”, as these early deployments were not structured as a national pilot programme. They acted as proof-of-concept implementations, confirming that a federated data platform model was viable, scalable, and aligned with National Health Service operational needs.
The specification for the contract was developed by an NHS programme team with substantial review by experienced data specialists in the health systems, national security advisors and data privacy experts.
The platform was procured via a rigorous, competitive procurement process in line with government procurement legislation. The procurement route was inclusive and open to all potential suppliers to bid, subject to meeting NHS England’s minimum criteria. Any organisation had the opportunity to respond to the advertised Contract Notice, request and download the procurement documents and submit a tender. The suppliers were required to demonstrate their financial, commercial, security and technical capability to meet contractual requirements. The procurement process also required suppliers to evidence their commitment to sustainability and social value.
The selection was made by multiple assessors against clear criteria. A consortium led by Palantir was awarded the contract in November 2023 based on their ability to meet the specific needs defined by NHS England for the NHS FDP.
Assurance of the overall programme direction and investment case was provided through formal Government Major Projects Portfolio processes, including independent Gateway Reviews conducted by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, formerly the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. These reviews consider the strategic case, delivery confidence, commercial approach and readiness to proceed to procurement. The NHS FDP is one of only 14% of Government major programmes to receive a ‘Green’ rating in July 2025, indicating that the FDP is on track. In addition, the NHS FDP and its contract is subject to significant ongoing parliamentary scrutiny.
The NHS FDP is already making a difference for patients and staff across the country. Early users are already seeing real results, including reduced admin, faster patient pathways, and more time for care.
Since March 2024, more than 100,000 additional patients have been supported to undergo procedures in theatres partly by increasing theatre utilisation. Nearly 94,000 people have been supported on their cancer journey, with 7% seeing a reduction in the time it took to diagnose their cancer. There has been a 14% decrease in delays discharging patients staying in hospital for more than seven days, freeing up beds for those who need them most. NHS England publishes quarterly information on benefits realised from the FDP, which is available at the following link:
To date 24 integrated care board (ICB) clusters and 168 NHS trusts have signed up to the NHS FDP, including Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. As more trusts and ICBs come on board, the platform is proving how smart use of data can transform healthcare.
NHS England proactively manages the NHS FDP contract in line with the NHS England Contract Management Framework which is aligned with the principles of the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Playbook and is subject to NHS England corporate policies and procedures.
NHS England official statistics are produced in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, which is available at the following link:
https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/
This means the statistics are analytically led products under the accountability of the Head of Profession for Statistics. NHS England has policies to ensure Code compliance, which is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/code-compliance/
Production of statistics and other management information or public dashboard releases is currently devolved across a range of analytical teams within NHS England’s Data and Analytics function who each support specific programme areas. A lead analyst is assigned to each statistical publication who is responsible for assuring the quality of the output, highlighting any concerns to the Head of Profession for Statistics.
Current methods used in relation to the benefits being delivered by the NHS FDP is available at the following link:
Two independent evaluations of the use of NHS FDP products in NHS trusts have been published and confirm the benefits that the FDP programme has reported. Imperial College London and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have verified that the introduction of the FDP Inpatient theatre module was associated with improved theatre utilisation. The paper is available at the following link:
Imperial College Projects has now been commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation. The evaluation will assess the programme’s impact, effectiveness and value for money and help ensure the programme’s aims are being achieved.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make a statement to the House on the evidential basis and oversight of the Federated Data Platform contract.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Experience from managing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) to bring together data from multiple different systems in one secure place to help NHS staff make better decisions about patient care and service planning. This identified need included learning from the Elective Care Coordination for Patients Programme and National Platform programmes.
NHS England did not commission a formal independent evaluation of “pilot sites”, as these early deployments were not structured as a national pilot programme. They acted as proof-of-concept implementations, confirming that a federated data platform model was viable, scalable, and aligned with National Health Service operational needs.
The specification for the contract was developed by an NHS programme team with substantial review by experienced data specialists in the health systems, national security advisors and data privacy experts.
The platform was procured via a rigorous, competitive procurement process in line with government procurement legislation. The procurement route was inclusive and open to all potential suppliers to bid, subject to meeting NHS England’s minimum criteria. Any organisation had the opportunity to respond to the advertised Contract Notice, request and download the procurement documents and submit a tender. The suppliers were required to demonstrate their financial, commercial, security and technical capability to meet contractual requirements. The procurement process also required suppliers to evidence their commitment to sustainability and social value.
The selection was made by multiple assessors against clear criteria. A consortium led by Palantir was awarded the contract in November 2023 based on their ability to meet the specific needs defined by NHS England for the NHS FDP.
Assurance of the overall programme direction and investment case was provided through formal Government Major Projects Portfolio processes, including independent Gateway Reviews conducted by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, formerly the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. These reviews consider the strategic case, delivery confidence, commercial approach and readiness to proceed to procurement. The NHS FDP is one of only 14% of Government major programmes to receive a ‘Green’ rating in July 2025, indicating that the FDP is on track. In addition, the NHS FDP and its contract is subject to significant ongoing parliamentary scrutiny.
The NHS FDP is already making a difference for patients and staff across the country. Early users are already seeing real results, including reduced admin, faster patient pathways, and more time for care.
Since March 2024, more than 100,000 additional patients have been supported to undergo procedures in theatres partly by increasing theatre utilisation. Nearly 94,000 people have been supported on their cancer journey, with 7% seeing a reduction in the time it took to diagnose their cancer. There has been a 14% decrease in delays discharging patients staying in hospital for more than seven days, freeing up beds for those who need them most. NHS England publishes quarterly information on benefits realised from the FDP, which is available at the following link:
To date 24 integrated care board (ICB) clusters and 168 NHS trusts have signed up to the NHS FDP, including Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. As more trusts and ICBs come on board, the platform is proving how smart use of data can transform healthcare.
NHS England proactively manages the NHS FDP contract in line with the NHS England Contract Management Framework which is aligned with the principles of the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Playbook and is subject to NHS England corporate policies and procedures.
NHS England official statistics are produced in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, which is available at the following link:
https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/
This means the statistics are analytically led products under the accountability of the Head of Profession for Statistics. NHS England has policies to ensure Code compliance, which is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/code-compliance/
Production of statistics and other management information or public dashboard releases is currently devolved across a range of analytical teams within NHS England’s Data and Analytics function who each support specific programme areas. A lead analyst is assigned to each statistical publication who is responsible for assuring the quality of the output, highlighting any concerns to the Head of Profession for Statistics.
Current methods used in relation to the benefits being delivered by the NHS FDP is available at the following link:
Two independent evaluations of the use of NHS FDP products in NHS trusts have been published and confirm the benefits that the FDP programme has reported. Imperial College London and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have verified that the introduction of the FDP Inpatient theatre module was associated with improved theatre utilisation. The paper is available at the following link:
Imperial College Projects has now been commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation. The evaluation will assess the programme’s impact, effectiveness and value for money and help ensure the programme’s aims are being achieved.
Asked by: Iqbal Mohamed (Independent - Dewsbury and Batley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England commissioned any independent evaluation of Federation Data Platform pilot outcomes prior to procurement of the national contract.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Experience from managing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for an NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) to bring together data from multiple different systems in one secure place to help NHS staff make better decisions about patient care and service planning. This identified need included learning from the Elective Care Coordination for Patients Programme and National Platform programmes.
NHS England did not commission a formal independent evaluation of “pilot sites”, as these early deployments were not structured as a national pilot programme. They acted as proof-of-concept implementations, confirming that a federated data platform model was viable, scalable, and aligned with National Health Service operational needs.
The specification for the contract was developed by an NHS programme team with substantial review by experienced data specialists in the health systems, national security advisors and data privacy experts.
The platform was procured via a rigorous, competitive procurement process in line with government procurement legislation. The procurement route was inclusive and open to all potential suppliers to bid, subject to meeting NHS England’s minimum criteria. Any organisation had the opportunity to respond to the advertised Contract Notice, request and download the procurement documents and submit a tender. The suppliers were required to demonstrate their financial, commercial, security and technical capability to meet contractual requirements. The procurement process also required suppliers to evidence their commitment to sustainability and social value.
The selection was made by multiple assessors against clear criteria. A consortium led by Palantir was awarded the contract in November 2023 based on their ability to meet the specific needs defined by NHS England for the NHS FDP.
Assurance of the overall programme direction and investment case was provided through formal Government Major Projects Portfolio processes, including independent Gateway Reviews conducted by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, formerly the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. These reviews consider the strategic case, delivery confidence, commercial approach and readiness to proceed to procurement. The NHS FDP is one of only 14% of Government major programmes to receive a ‘Green’ rating in July 2025, indicating that the FDP is on track. In addition, the NHS FDP and its contract is subject to significant ongoing parliamentary scrutiny.
The NHS FDP is already making a difference for patients and staff across the country. Early users are already seeing real results, including reduced admin, faster patient pathways, and more time for care.
Since March 2024, more than 100,000 additional patients have been supported to undergo procedures in theatres partly by increasing theatre utilisation. Nearly 94,000 people have been supported on their cancer journey, with 7% seeing a reduction in the time it took to diagnose their cancer. There has been a 14% decrease in delays discharging patients staying in hospital for more than seven days, freeing up beds for those who need them most. NHS England publishes quarterly information on benefits realised from the FDP, which is available at the following link:
To date 24 integrated care board (ICB) clusters and 168 NHS trusts have signed up to the NHS FDP, including Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. As more trusts and ICBs come on board, the platform is proving how smart use of data can transform healthcare.
NHS England proactively manages the NHS FDP contract in line with the NHS England Contract Management Framework which is aligned with the principles of the Government Commercial Function Contract Management Playbook and is subject to NHS England corporate policies and procedures.
NHS England official statistics are produced in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, which is available at the following link:
https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/
This means the statistics are analytically led products under the accountability of the Head of Profession for Statistics. NHS England has policies to ensure Code compliance, which is available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/code-compliance/
Production of statistics and other management information or public dashboard releases is currently devolved across a range of analytical teams within NHS England’s Data and Analytics function who each support specific programme areas. A lead analyst is assigned to each statistical publication who is responsible for assuring the quality of the output, highlighting any concerns to the Head of Profession for Statistics.
Current methods used in relation to the benefits being delivered by the NHS FDP is available at the following link:
Two independent evaluations of the use of NHS FDP products in NHS trusts have been published and confirm the benefits that the FDP programme has reported. Imperial College London and Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have verified that the introduction of the FDP Inpatient theatre module was associated with improved theatre utilisation. The paper is available at the following link:
Imperial College Projects has now been commissioned to conduct an independent evaluation. The evaluation will assess the programme’s impact, effectiveness and value for money and help ensure the programme’s aims are being achieved.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 77988 on Department for Education: Social Media, how much has been spent on influencers in aggregate since 4 July 2024; and on which campaigns and programmes.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
Influencer marketing is a credible paid communications channel used in government advertising campaigns to reach target audiences, particularly those that traditional channels find hard to reach. The department works with influencers across a range of activities, including paid partnerships, PR activity and content creation, to support its campaigns
In the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, the department has spent £708,971 on influencer marketing in aggregate across its campaigns and programmes. This comprises £119,300 in 2024/25 and £589,671 in 2025/26. These totals reflect the full costs attributed to influencer activity for each campaign, which may include fees, production and paid-media costs, depending on how each campaign was procured and delivered and held by financial year
This spend covered the following campaigns:
All spend in these areas is subject to standard value for money assessments.
Asked by: Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat - Eastbourne)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to help strengthen complaints and whistleblowing processes with respect to the Teachers Regulation Authority.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), acting on behalf of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, is responsible for considering allegations of serious teacher misconduct. Lower-level complaints and concerns should be considered at the local level by schools and employers. Where concerns are raised through whistleblowing, these are ordinarily considered at the local level in the first instance, or through the department’s wider whistleblowing arrangements. Where such concerns relate to potential serious misconduct, they may subsequently be referred into the TRA’s misconduct process and considered in line with its statutory role. The TRA has published clear guidance on how referrals of serious misconduct can be raised.
In 2025, TRA introduced a triage process to strengthen how referrals are handled. This ensures that matters which clearly do not relate to serious teacher misconduct, and which are outside of the role and remit of TRA, are signposted to appropriate local or departmental complaints processes rather than being progressed as referrals to the TRA. This approach supports proportionate use of the misconduct regime while ensuring concerns are directed to the correct route and that teachers are not inappropriately drawn into regulatory proceedings.
These measures help ensure that safeguarding concerns continue to be identified and addressed effectively, while maintaining public confidence in the teaching profession and the fairness of the regulatory system.
Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many teachers left the profession within five years of qualifying in the most recent year for which data is available.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.
Information on the school workforce in England, including the vacancy rate for teaching posts and the retention rate for teachers in state-funded schools, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024.
The teacher vacancy rate for full and part-time posts in secondary schools decreased to 6 per 1,000 teachers in service in November 2024, the latest figures available, from a peak of 8 per 1,000 teachers in November 2023.
Over two thirds (67.7%) of teachers who qualified in 2019/20 were still teaching five years later in 2024/25.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has she made as to the suitability of the teachers' contractual obligation to work for a maximum of 1265 hours over 195 days in a year.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
Directed and undirected time is a contractual provision unique to teaching, and we know that many teachers work significantly more than 1265 hours; so, this year’s remit asked for the School Teachers Review Body’s (STRB) views on the benefits and drawbacks of the current working hours arrangements within the ‘School teachers pay and conditions’ document, to gather information as part of work to reduce working hours and make teaching a more attractive profession.
To be clear, the department has not proposed the removal, or a specific change, to the current 1265 directed hours limit, which is a key teacher protection. We will take into account the Review Body’s views and evidence from statutory consultees, including unions, before considering whether to pursue any change to the provision for teachers or leaders. No policy change is being recommended or decided upon at this stage.
Asked by: Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour - Poole)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to review teachers' contractual obligation to work for a maximum of 1265 hours over 195 days in a year.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
Directed and undirected time is a contractual provision unique to teaching, and we know that many teachers work significantly more than 1265 hours; so, this year’s remit asked for the School Teachers Review Body’s (STRB) views on the benefits and drawbacks of the current working hours arrangements within the ‘School teachers pay and conditions’ document, to gather information as part of work to reduce working hours and make teaching a more attractive profession.
To be clear, the department has not proposed the removal, or a specific change, to the current 1265 directed hours limit, which is a key teacher protection. We will take into account the Review Body’s views and evidence from statutory consultees, including unions, before considering whether to pursue any change to the provision for teachers or leaders. No policy change is being recommended or decided upon at this stage.
Asked by: Caroline Johnson (Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of school initial teacher training providers sending trainee teachers to conferences and work shops promoting the concept of white privilege on schools' ability to comply with sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
All Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses leading to QTS must incorporate the Initial Teacher Training Early Career Framework (ITTECF) in full. The ITTECF is based on the best available evidence of what makes high-quality teaching and sets out the critical core content that new teachers need to be successful as they join the teaching profession.
The framework does not require ITT courses to include content on white privilege theory and/or schools' ability to comply with sections 406 and 407 of the Education Act 1996.
ITT courses must be designed so that trainees can demonstrate that they meet all the Teachers' Standards at the appropriate level. Part two of the Teachers’ Standards sets clear standards for teachers’ personal and professional conduct, including not undermining British values and promoting mutual respect and tolerance of different views. Regular Ofsted inspection of ITT providers considers their training content and how providers prepare trainees to meet all expected professional behaviours.