Health & Social Security Questions

The most publicly-viewed, and least productive, part of the Parliamentarian's day when Ministers of the Crown are brought in front of the opposition and summarily raked over the coals. Of course, nothing is ever really asked and nothing is ever really answered, but it makes for good theatre.
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Alexander 'Alec' Dundas
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Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Alexander 'Alec' Dundas »

Order! Questions to the Secretary of State for Health & Social Security
Rt Hon. Alexander 'Alec' Dundas QC MP
Secretary of State for the Union (2019-Present)
Member of Parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire (2017-Present)
Owain Jones
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Owain Jones »

Madame Speaker

Our nations pensioners have long lost out due to the ending of link of pension rises to national earnings. Will the minister look to reverse this and give pensioners a fair deal?
Owain Jones
Conservative MP for Monmouth 1997 - Present
Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
Tory Reform Group
Dame Patricia
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Dame Patricia »

Madam Speaker,

Could the Secretary of State outline the government’s plans for the NHS?
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Gary Woodley
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Gary Woodley »

Madam Speaker,

My Rt Hon Friend can rest assured that the Government will keep to its manifesto commitment to restore the link between the state pension and earnings, to tackle the blight of pensioner poverty left by the party opposite.



Madam Speaker,

The Government's plans for the NHS are for ensuring fast, convenient, high-quality care in all parts of the country. This will be delivered through both investment and reform.

Under this Labour Government, spending on the NHS saw the biggest sustained increase in its history, and double that under the Conservatives. Thanks to our prudent stewardship of the public finances, we are able to sustain significant funding increases throughout this Parliament. Over time, we will bring UK health spending up to the EU average. This spending will also faciliate the hiring of tens of thousands of extra doctors and nurses, improving NHS care for all.

Investment is vital but not enough. Continued reform is also needed for the NHS to fulfil its founding principle of quality treatment based on need, not ability to pay. The Government will decentralise power from Whitehall to local Primary Care Trusts and to front-line staff, who can better respond to local needs. The Government will reform the appointments system so that, by the end of 2005, every hospital appointment is booked for the convenience of the patient. And, the Government will facilitate working with the private sector, where it makes sense for NHS patients, make use of existing spare capacity to cut waiting times.
Gary Woodley | Labour Party
MP for Feltham and Heston
Secretary of State for Health and Social Security
Dame Patricia
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Dame Patricia »

Madam Speaker,

The Health Secretary sounds like he has unveiled an agenda full of buzzwords, rather than concrete action.

He mentioned reforming the appointments system Madam Speaker so let me ask him, what level of consultation has his department undertaken regarding this measure, who has his department consulted and what was their findings?
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Fred Sackville-Bagg »

Madam Speaker,

Given that he will no doubt support the repealing of Section 28, is the NHS prepared for the surge of HIV and AIDS cases that we will see?
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Gary Woodley
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Gary Woodley »

Madam Speaker,

The Hon Lady asked for our plan. I have provided her the plan endorsed by the British people. It is disappointing she has already dismissed it out-of-hand. The Government regularly engages with health stakeholders, and will fully consult before the implementation of any policy.

Madam Speaker,

The Government has no reason to believe there will be any health implications of repealing this discriminatory piece of legislation.
Gary Woodley | Labour Party
MP for Feltham and Heston
Secretary of State for Health and Social Security
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Rebecca Flair
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Rebecca Flair »

Madam Speaker,

Could the Secretary of State for Health explain the logic of putting his own long and short-term sick individuals, that is people who are physically too sick to work, on the same benefits uplift regime as the unemployed? Does giving the long and short term sick a lower or stagnant standard of living help their medical conditions in any way?
Rebecca Flair
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
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Sir Jack Anderson
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Re: Health & Social Security Questions

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

Madam Speaker,

I apologise to the Honourable Lady but the Secretary of State is unable to take to the dispatch box, I hope she does not mind me answering in his place.

This government has protected benefits in real terms, and we're making significant investments into children and families. We have little interest in establishing any undeserving or deserving poor, like the Liberal Democrats may. Our primary aim is to focus resources into benefits that tackle poverty, lift those in most need up and encourage employment where possible, which is what this government is doing.
Sir Jack Anderson
Labour Party.
Member of Parliament for Southampton Test
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee. (2000-2001)
Chancellor of the Exchequer. (2001-)
First Secretary of State. (2001-)
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