Ben Spencer MP: written questions
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025
How these years work
Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
29 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60188More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting the amendments tabled by the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Answer: The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.The Government has a responsibility to make sure that any legislation that passes through Parliament is effective and enforceable. As...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983.
Answer: The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.The Government also has a duty to the statute book and to ensure that the legislation, if passed, is effective, robust, and workable....
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 20 November 2024, (b) 7 January 2025 and (c) 10 February 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS34018.
Answer: We have received the hon. Member’s correspondence of 20 November 2024, 7 January 2025 and 10 February 2025, and we will respond shortly.
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Shaping the national cancer plan.
Answer: The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart, and reducing inequalities in cancer diagnosis and outcomes is a key priority for the plan. We are committed to engaging with patient groups and all communities to ensure the consultation process is...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment of Health and Social Care: Annual ReportsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the DHSC group accounting manual 2025 to 2026 consultation exercise, published on 7 Februa
Answer: The Department launched the consultation, Changes to the DHSC Group Accounting Manual 2025 to 2026, on the GOV.UK website on 7 February 2025, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-d...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEpilepsy and Parkinson's Disease: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17898More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure consistency of the supply of medication for (a) epilepsy and b) Parkinson's disease patients.
Answer: The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with s...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13810More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, whether he has made an estimate of the number of dental practices that will close as a result of the propos
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The emp...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDentistry: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in the rate of employer National Insurance contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the pro
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The emp...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of raising employer’s National Insurance Contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the provision of care in the socia
Answer: On 4 July, the Government inherited public finances that were in their worst state since the Second World War. We have considered the cost pressures facing adult social care as part of the wider consideration of local government spending within the Spendi...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordCharities: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, what discussions he has had with health and care charities on the potential impact of increased National Insuran
Answer: No discussions have taken place with health and care charities on the potential impact of increased National Insurance contributions on their ability to support and provide National Health Service care.To repair the public finances and help raise the reve...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12555More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, whether he has made an estimate of the number of GP practices which will close as a result of increased Employer
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The Emp...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS: Public ConsultationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure the change.nhs.uk consultation is accessible to (a) people living with disabilities and (b) people without access to the internet.
Answer: The Change NHS engagement exercise will give the public, staff, and partners the opportunity to share their views and help develop the 10-Year Health Plan. This will be done through our recently launched online platform, change.NHS.UK, and through online ...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on support for research into the (a) care and (b) treatment for people with brain tumours.
Answer: Research is crucial in tackling cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer being the largest area of spend, at over £121.8 mil...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings he has had with (a) NHS clinical teams specialising in the care and treatment of brain tumours, (b) researchers, (c) patients and (d) patient group representatives on brain tumours.
Answer: Ministers regularly meet with a wide range of cancer partners, including brain cancer charities and patient groups. Ministers also regularly meet with teams from the National Health Service, including clinical specialists where this is appropriate. These ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish a brain tumour strategy.
Answer: Ministers regularly meet with a wide range of cancer partners, including brain cancer charities and patient groups. Ministers also regularly meet with teams from the National Health Service, including clinical specialists where this is appropriate. These ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the potential merits of reviewing guidance for the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (c) treatment of brain tu
Answer: Officials in the Department regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including proposals to review or update existing guidelines. NICE keeps its published guidelines under surveil...
Answered 7 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: SchoolsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what professional accreditations will new mental health practitioners employed in schools be required to hold.
Answer: We are currently working with colleagues at the Department for Education and NHS England to consider the options.
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Centres: WeybridgeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress his Department has made on building a new healthcare facility to replace Weybridge Community Hospital.
Answer: Since the fire at Weybridge Community Hospital in 2017, the NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) has been working on plans to develop a replacement health centre. The planning application is due to be submitted shortly, following a public con...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies for the (a) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) of the report entitled Ma
Answer: Our deepest sympathies go out to Maeve’s family and friends in this tragic case. Every patient deserves to have their condition understood and treated to the highest standard, and this is a heart-wrenching example of a patient falling through the cracks.T...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8477More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on reviewing guidance for the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chr
Answer: We have had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on reviewing its guidance for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).The NICE develops i...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8476More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has issued guidance to integrated care systems (ICS) on commissioning specialist care and treatment services for myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); and wheth
Answer: The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8475More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to produce a national myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) strategy.
Answer: The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8474More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings he has had with (a) NHS clinical teams specialising in the care and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), (b) researchers, (c) patients and (d)
Answer: The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8473More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on support for research into (a) care and (b) treatment for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis or c
Answer: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) specifically on research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue ...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRespiratory Syncytial Virus: VaccinationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the public information campaign for RSV vaccination uptake; and what further communication he plans for (a) people over 80 and (b) other ineligib
Answer: To raise awareness of the potential vaccination benefits and increase awareness of the programmes amongst health professionals, parents, carers, and the wider public, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides a comprehensive suite of public facing re...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
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4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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