Lords presses government on health and social care issues
5 November 2021
The House of Lords holds the government to account with daily questions and debates.
From 25 October - 2 November, members raised concerns on health and social care issues including public service provision and introducing a men’s health strategy.
Checking and challenging the government
Questions
The Lords checks and challenges government action at the start of each sitting day in oral questions.
Recent questions have seen members press the government on several issues relating to health and social care.
Introducing a men’s health strategy
Members of the Lords quizzed the government on its plans to introduce a men’s health strategy on Monday 25 October. In a question put forward by Lord Farmer (Conservative), members discussed issues including the difference in life expectancy between men of different income brackets.
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read a transcript on Lords Hansard
Public services provision
Members discussed the comparative costs and effectiveness of public services provisions in England by local authorities and private contractors in a question raised by Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Liberal Democrat). The Lords asked the government to think again about rising council tax costs and outsourcing services including firefighting, and test and trace.
- Catch up on Parliament TV
- Read a transcript on Lords Hansard
Public health grants
The Lords challenged the government on public health grants to local authorities in a question by Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat). Members raised topics including the value of public health nurses and the impact of cuts on disadvantaged areas.
- Watch on Parliament TV
- Read a transcript on Lords Hansard
Debates
The House of Lords regularly considers government policy and proposes changes in debates and questions for short debate.
Paying for social care
Members raised issues such as the costs of care for the elderly in a debate put forward by Lord Lipsey (Labour) on the possible role of the private sector helping people to pay for social care.
- Watch on Parliament TV
- Read a transcript on Lords Hansard
Further government scrutiny
Monday 8 November
- Baroness Morgan of Drefelin (Crossbench), asked the government about aligning the timelines between cancer drugs being licenced and being approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
- Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative), pressed the government on supporting the NHS to ensure full coverage of Fracture Liaison Services throughout England.
Find out what questions and debates are coming up in the what’s on calendar.
Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.
Image: Unsplash
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