To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made at the UNHCR regarding violations of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Government of China.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made at the UNHCR regarding violations of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Government of China.
The environment for freedom of religion or belief in China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, and the repression of Buddhists in Tibet. This Government stands firm on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. We continue to coordinate efforts to hold China to account through our position at the UN, for example, by joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly on 22 October, and joining a statement led by the USA on Xinjiang at the Human Rights Council on 24 September.
My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon OBE MP) has today made the following statement:
Local Government Best Value
All Honourable Members will recognise the importance of having well-functioning local councils which provide essential statutory services local residents rely upon. Government will continue to...
My Honourable Friend the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon OBE MP) has today made the following statement:
Local Government Best Value
All Honourable Members will recognise the importance of having well-functioning local councils which provide essential statutory services local residents rely upon. Government will continue to...
I am today announcing that a UK-wide Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 9 March 2025. I am pleased that one of the key recommendations of the independent UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, chaired by Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes, will be honoured next year, as it...
I am today announcing that a UK-wide Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 9 March 2025. I am pleased that one of the key recommendations of the independent UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, chaired by Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes, will be honoured next year, as it...
I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP
I am today announcing that a UK-wide Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 9 March 2025. I am...
I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP
I am today announcing that a UK-wide Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 9 March 2025. I am...
My right honourable friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP) has today made the following statement:
"This Government inherited a justice system in crisis with huge delays to hearings and victims left in limbo waiting to see justice done. We are committed to...
My right honourable friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP) has today made the following statement:
"This Government inherited a justice system in crisis with huge delays to hearings and victims left in limbo waiting to see justice done. We are committed to...
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Q44 of the oral evidence given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Transport Select Committee on 4 December 2024, HC 437, what the average waiting time for driving tests is in Birmingham Northfield constituency.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Q44 of the oral evidence given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Transport Select Committee on 4 December 2024, HC 437, what the average waiting time for driving tests is in Birmingham Northfield constituency.
The average car practical test waiting time for Driving Test Centres that serve the Birmingham Northfield constituency can be found in the table below:
Driving test centre | Average car practical driving test waiting time (Nov 2024) |
Kingsheath | 24 weeks |
Shirley | 22.8 weeks |
The average waiting time for Vocational tests 3a and 3b, for Garretts Green test centre which serves the Birmingham Northfield constituency, can be found in the table below:
Type of Vocational test | Average test waiting time (Nov 2024) |
Vocational 3a | 6.5 |
Vocational 3b | 2.8 |
With regards to part 2 and 3 approved driving instructor tests, these types of tests are not booked the same way as other types of tests, and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is not able to record how long waiting times are at any given test centre.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients requiring radiotherapy start their treatment with 31 days of a doctor deciding on their treatment plan.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients requiring radiotherapy start their treatment with 31 days of a doctor deciding on their treatment plan.
We understand that cancer patients are waiting longer than they should for the care they need, and we are taking action to address this. The Government is committed to improving cancer care and reducing waiting times for treatment, including for radiotherapy. We will also be spending £70 million on new radiotherapy machines, to ensure that the most advanced treatment is available to patients who need it.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support is available to drivers involved in accidents with untraceable drivers (a) in cases where the innocent driver cannot afford to wait the time it takes for the Motor Insurance Bureau to process a claim and (b) generally; and if she...
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support is available to drivers involved in accidents with untraceable drivers (a) in cases where the innocent driver cannot afford to wait the time it takes for the Motor Insurance Bureau to process a claim and (b) generally; and if she...
The Department for Transport is a party to the Uninsured and Untraced Drivers’ Agreements with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). However, the MIB is an independent organisation within the motor insurance industry and is separate from Government.
The MIB is responsible for decisions dealing with the investigation and payment of claims and there is no final appeal to the Secretary of State for Transport. This means that the Secretary of State has no role in the supervision of individual cases, which is the role of the MIB. Disputes that arise under the agreements are settled by way of arbitration. If a claimant is dissatisfied with the way that their claim is handled the MIB has its own formal complaints procedure.
My honourable friend the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Today, the Government has confirmed ex-gratia payments made under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme will be exempt from income tax. The scheme is designed to offer financial recognition to those who served under,...
My honourable friend the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (James Murray) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Today, the Government has confirmed ex-gratia payments made under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme will be exempt from income tax. The scheme is designed to offer financial recognition to those who served under,...
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Al Carns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
This Government acknowledges the historic policy prohibiting homosexuality in the Armed Forces was regrettable, wrong and completely unacceptable. Following the publication of Lord Etherton’s Review into the experience of LGBT veterans between 1967-2000,...
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Al Carns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
This Government acknowledges the historic policy prohibiting homosexuality in the Armed Forces was regrettable, wrong and completely unacceptable. Following the publication of Lord Etherton’s Review into the experience of LGBT veterans between 1967-2000,...
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Luke Pollard) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Operation STIFFTAIL, the UK’s deployment of the Sky Sabre Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) capability in Rzeszow, south-east Poland, has now concluded. Originally deployed in April 2022 and extended on four occasions at the...
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Luke Pollard) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Operation STIFFTAIL, the UK’s deployment of the Sky Sabre Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) capability in Rzeszow, south-east Poland, has now concluded. Originally deployed in April 2022 and extended on four occasions at the...
Today, the Government has confirmed ex-gratia payments made under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme will be exempt from income tax. The scheme is designed to offer financial recognition to those who served under, and suffered from, the ban on LGBT personnel serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967-2000.
This decision to...
Today, the Government has confirmed ex-gratia payments made under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme will be exempt from income tax. The scheme is designed to offer financial recognition to those who served under, and suffered from, the ban on LGBT personnel serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967-2000.
This decision to...
The smooth functioning of the United Kingdom’s internal market is vitally important to achieving economic growth. People and businesses depend on being able to buy and sell goods, provide services, and work across the four nations of the United Kingdom (UK).
The Government is committed to working closely with the Devolved...
The smooth functioning of the United Kingdom’s internal market is vitally important to achieving economic growth. People and businesses depend on being able to buy and sell goods, provide services, and work across the four nations of the United Kingdom (UK).
The Government is committed to working closely with the Devolved...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much and what proportion of the £2.9 billion of additional total funding announced in Autumn Budget 2024 will be allocated towards covering (a) the recent 6 per cent pay rise for armed forces personnel and (b) proposed increases in employers National...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much and what proportion of the £2.9 billion of additional total funding announced in Autumn Budget 2024 will be allocated towards covering (a) the recent 6 per cent pay rise for armed forces personnel and (b) proposed increases in employers National...
The £2.9 billion increase in funding for the Ministry of Defence for financial year 2025-26 has not yet been allocated to any specific programmes or activities. His Majesty's Treasury has confirmed they will provide funding for the increased cost of National Insurance contributions for the Department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients living with rare inherited retinal diseases receive (a) timely and (b) equitable access to new treatments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients living with rare inherited retinal diseases receive (a) timely and (b) equitable access to new treatments.
The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as rare inherited retinal diseases. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, including improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We remain committed to delivering under the framework, and will publish an England action plan in 2025.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether all licensed new medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of their costs and benefits, and NHS England ensures that funding is available for any licensed new medicines recommended by the NICE. The NICE aims to issue guidance on new medicines, including for rare diseases, as close to the time of licensing as possible. The NICE operates a separate Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) programme for very rare diseases, with significantly higher cost-effectiveness thresholds than those evaluated under the NICE’s standard technology appraisal processes. Decisions on whether new medicines should be evaluated through the HST programme are taken by the NICE against published routing criteria.
The NICE is currently appraising one treatment for treating visual impairment caused by a rare inherited retinal disease, and final guidance is expected to be published in April 2025.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has organised away days for Senior Civil Service officials since the dissolution of Parliament.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has organised away days for Senior Civil Service officials since the dissolution of Parliament.
From the dissolution of Parliament on 30 May 2024 until the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July 2024, the Cabinet Office has not organised any away days for Senior Civil Servants (SCS). There have been two SCS Leadership Conferences since then, one on 23 July 2024 and another on 10 October 2024.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Civil Service Jobs advertisement reference 378636, why four positions are being recruited; whether they are new positions; and whether the former incumbents left since 4 July 2024.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Civil Service Jobs advertisement reference 378636, why four positions are being recruited; whether they are new positions; and whether the former incumbents left since 4 July 2024.
The roles advertised are to support No10 buildings facilities team. They are replacement roles due to vacancies and upcoming retirement, which existed under the previous government – not new roles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy that health visitors should make routine visits to families with babies that are living in temporary accommodation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy that health visitors should make routine visits to families with babies that are living in temporary accommodation.
The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children. The child health workforce, which includes health visiting teams, is central to how we support all families to give their child the best start in life.
Health visiting teams provide vital advice and support for all eligible parents, carers, and children, through five mandated health and development reviews, up to the age of two to two and a half years old, and additional support for those who need it. Health visiting is a universal service offered to all families, regardless of their type of accommodation.
We will refresh the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan next summer to ensure that the National Health Service has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills, to deliver the care that babies, and their carers and families need, when they need it.
Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses. Health visitors carry out the Government’s mandated five health and development reviews through the healthy child programme, specifically: during pregnancy; when the baby is 10 to 14 days old; at six to eight weeks old; at one years old; and between two to two and a half years old. These are carried out by health visiting teams. Health visitors can support parents to develop confidence and self-efficacy in understanding and accessing health and care information, advice, and services.
Health visitors support families on various issues including breast feeding, infant feeding, nutrition, and healthy eating. Health visitors have a crucial role in sign posting to additional support and advice, including the Healthy Start scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his long-term strategy is to help tackle (a) recruitment and (b) retention challenges within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, in the context of the ongoing pay dispute.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his long-term strategy is to help tackle (a) recruitment and (b) retention challenges within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, in the context of the ongoing pay dispute.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel. We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the ongoing pay dispute.
As well as working to resolve the current pay dispute, recruitment and retention of staff over the long-term remains a priority. There are a number of initiatives in support of this which include updating working practices - such as part-time, flexible, and family-friendly arrangements - shortening recruitment timescales and modernising pay and allowances. This work forms part of the Defence-wide initiative driven at Ministerial level through the recently established Recruitment and Retention Board.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) he and (b) the Paymaster General has met the Ulster Farmers Union since the general election.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) he and (b) the Paymaster General has met the Ulster Farmers Union since the general election.
Details of official meetings held in a ministerial capacity with external organisations or individuals are published quarterly on GOV.UK
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of ADHD medication in the North East.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of ADHD medication in the North East.
The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information is not collected on a local level. The Department has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved, and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.
We are continuing to work to resolve supply issues where they remain, for methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. We are engaging with all suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to assess the challenges faced and their actions to address them. We are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible, and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long-term. We expect supply to improve in the UK throughout December 2024 and January 2025. However, we anticipate supply to be limited for some strengths, and we continue to work with all suppliers to ensure that the remaining issues are resolved as soon as possible. To improve supply chain resiliency, we are also working with prospective new suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to expand the UK supplier base.
We are supporting an ADHD taskforce that NHS England is establishing to examine ADHD service provision. The taskforce will bring together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand. In collaboration with NHS England’s national ADHD data improvement plan, we plan to combine modelling for future growth forecasts, which will be shared with industry to improve demand forecasting for ADHD medicines.
To minimise the impact of the shortages on patients, the Department has worked with specialist clinicians, including those within the NHS, to develop management advice for NHS clinicians to consider prescribing available alternative brands of methylphenidate prolonged release tablets generically, or available alternative ADHD medicines. To support ADHD patients throughout the NHS, we would expect all ADHD service providers and specialists to follow our guidance, which includes offering rapid response to primary care teams seeking urgent advice or opinions for the management of patients, including those known to be at a higher risk of adverse impact because of these shortages.
To aid ADHD service providers and prescribers further we have widely disseminated our communications and continually update a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) website, helping ensure that those involved in the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medications can make informed decisions with patients. The SPS website also offers additional guidance from NHS England specialists to help systems and healthcare professionals manage ADHD supply disruptions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question Question 8906 on cancer and with reference to the Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government, CP 1210, published on 5 December 2024, whether it remains his policy to...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question Question 8906 on cancer and with reference to the Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government, CP 1210, published on 5 December 2024, whether it remains his policy to...
The Government recognises the importance of, and remains committed to meeting, all three National Health Service cancer waiting time standards across England. These are the 28-day faster diagnosis standard, the 31-day decision to treat to treatment standard, and the 62-day referral to treatment standard.
Lord Darzi’s report has laid bare the true extent of the challenges facing our health service, which is why we have launched our 10 Year Plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish the new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including improving performance against the cancer waiting time standards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13928 on Cancer: Health Services and with reference to the Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government, CP 1210, published on 5 December 2024, whether it remains his policy...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13928 on Cancer: Health Services and with reference to the Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led government, CP 1210, published on 5 December 2024, whether it remains his policy...
The Government recognises the importance of, and remains committed to meeting, all three National Health Service cancer waiting time standards across England. These are the 28-day faster diagnosis standard, the 31-day decision to treat to treatment standard, and the 62-day referral to treatment standard.
Lord Darzi’s report has laid bare the true extent of the challenges facing our health service, which is why we have launched our 10 Year Plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish the new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including improving performance against the cancer waiting time standards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a redress scheme for victims of the Sodium Valproate scandal in line with recommendations in the Hughes Report.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a redress scheme for victims of the Sodium Valproate scandal in line with recommendations in the Hughes Report.
The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the (a) quality and (b) quantity of medical research in the NHS.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the (a) quality and (b) quantity of medical research in the NHS.
The Department is improving the quality and quantity of clinical research in the National Health Service, and health and care research more widely, through investing in the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The recent Budget provides record levels of Government research and development investment, with funding for research through the Department increasing to over £2 billion in 2025/26.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to deepen their engagement with Taiwan, including through seeking full partner status at the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, and whether they intend to support Taiwan’s participation in future sessions of the AI Safety Summit.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to deepen their engagement with Taiwan, including through seeking full partner status at the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, and whether they intend to support Taiwan’s participation in future sessions of the AI Safety Summit.
The UK believes that the people of Taiwan have a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern. We have been proud to support UK expert participation at GCTF events around the world, and we have no plans to step back from our engagement with the platform. The UK supports Taiwan's meaningful participation at international fora as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite or as an observer or guest where it is. Attendance at future AI Safety Summits is a matter for each event's host country.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China regarding the police raid of a worship meeting by 300 members of the Grace Light Church in Hunan Province on 3 November.
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of China regarding the police raid of a worship meeting by 300 members of the Grace Light Church in Hunan Province on 3 November.
The environment for freedom of religion or belief in China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Christians. This Government stands firm on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both raised human rights recently with their counterparts President Xi and Foreign Minister Wang respectively. More broadly, this Government will champion freedom of religion or belief for all abroad. We will work to uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora, and through bilateral engagement.
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had between Ministers and officials, and Chagossian groups and representatives, between 5 July and 3 October; and what was the outcome of any such discussions.
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had between Ministers and officials, and Chagossian groups and representatives, between 5 July and 3 October; and what was the outcome of any such discussions.
The Minister for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories met with members of the Chagossian community twice between 5 July and 3 October 2024. Officials also routinely speak to Chagossians. Discussions covered a range of issues. There are a large number of Chagossian groups with a wide spectrums of views in the UK and internationally. We will continue efforts to engage all groups or representatives with an interest.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to amend the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to amend the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991.
The Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 (MoPSA) includes provision for severance payments to ministers and certain office-holders.
The Chancellor announced in July that ahead of the Spending Review she would review eligibility for ministerial severance payments based on time in office, as set out in MoPSA. This review is ongoing.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on reforming the welfare system for people with mental ill-health.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on reforming the welfare system for people with mental ill-health.
The Government believes there is a strong case to change the system of health and disability benefits across Great Britain so that it better enables people to enter and remain in work, and to respond to the complex and fluctuating nature of the health conditions many people live with today.
We will be working to develop proposals for reform in the months ahead and will set them out for consultation and engagement in a Green Paper in spring 2025.
This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, so we will consult on these proposals with disabled people and representative organisations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of universal credit payment levels in the context of (a) food costs, (b) bills and (c) other essential costs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of universal credit payment levels in the context of (a) food costs, (b) bills and (c) other essential costs.
No assessment has been made. Benefits increased by 6.7% in April 2024, in line with inflation. The Basic and New State Pensions were also uprated by 8.5% in line with earnings, as part of the ‘triple lock.’ We have recently announced a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions will be introduced from April 2025, helping approximately 1.2 million of the poorest households benefit by an average of £420 a year. Much more needs to be done, but this is the first step towards delivering on the manifesto commitment to review Universal Credit. Further details about the review will be set out in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to tackle people fraudulently claiming Personal Independence Payments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to tackle people fraudulently claiming Personal Independence Payments.
DWP is committed to tackling fraud and error in the benefits system and to the recovery of debts, including those generated by Personal Independent Payments.
Working closely with counter fraud experts, the DWP has introduced measures to prevent fraud entering the system based on the types of cases and trends we have seen, for example:
- Strengthening the Identity and Verification Process to prevent fraudulent cases entering the system
- Introducing more rigorous checks for customers changing personal details, including bank accounts
- Delivering awareness sessions for Case Managers and Healthcare Professionals, reinforcing action to take when suspicious cases are identified, eg fake documents
DWP is delivering against key counter fraud activity, including investing in counter fraud professionals and building data analytical capabilities. The new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will bring forward new measures to tackle fraud in the system. Details on the measures Government will be legislating will be presented to Parliament in due course.
More information on how the department tackles fraud and error across all benefit streams can be found here: DWP annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024 (HTML) - GOV.UK
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 December 2024, HCWS281 on Railway Passenger Services, what plans she has to review (a) service quality, (b) ticket pricing, (c) the business model and (d) timetables before the Greater Anglia rail franchise is transferred...
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 4 December 2024, HCWS281 on Railway Passenger Services, what plans she has to review (a) service quality, (b) ticket pricing, (c) the business model and (d) timetables before the Greater Anglia rail franchise is transferred...
Greater Anglia will be brought into public ownership, with its date for transfer scheduled for Autumn 2025. The business planning round for 2025/26 is currently underway and plans regarding service quality, ticket pricing, business model and timetables will be agreed in due course. The Department will continue to hold operators to account for their performance and ensure the best outcomes for passengers.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to agricultural property relief on farmers whose (a) spouse and (b) civil partner has died.
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to agricultural property relief on farmers whose (a) spouse and (b) civil partner has died.
The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.
It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that involve AIM shares. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected by these reforms.
In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.
To ask His Majesty's Government what factors informed the decision to limit treatment eligibility to 300 people in its licensed indication, or 500 people across all indications, in England under the second routing criterion of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Highly Specialised Technologies programme, and what scope...
To ask His Majesty's Government what factors informed the decision to limit treatment eligibility to 300 people in its licensed indication, or 500 people across all indications, in England under the second routing criterion of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Highly Specialised Technologies programme, and what scope...
The criteria for routing topics to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) programme for evaluation were developed through stakeholder and public consultation. The HST programme aims to strike a balance between the desirability of supporting access to treatments for ultra rare diseases, and the associated reduction in overall health gain across the National Health Service.
The eligible population number was based on an analysis undertaken of previous, current, and potential future HST topics, along with referencing to NHS England and NHS Improvement’s criteria for defining populations eligible for highly specialised services.
The NICE is currently reviewing the criteria and is presenting its proposal to its board on 11 December 2024 and, if the board approves, will proceed with a public consultation from 19 December 2024. The proposed revisions aim to enhance the predictability and transparency of the application of the HST routing criteria, while maintaining the intent of the HST vision.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the resources available to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to reduce the time it takes for new drugs to enter the market.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the resources available to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to reduce the time it takes for new drugs to enter the market.
The Government is committed to providing the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) the resources it needs. It is funded predominately by charging fees to industry for the services it delivers, with additional funding being provided by the Department.
Departmental funding to MHRA is set in advance through collaborative spending review processes which consider the agency’s needs in detail. The Agency also regularly consults on its fees to ensure all costs involved in delivery are recovered.
The Agency is taking significant steps to assess licensing applications within the shortest time possible. It is working to reduce timelines by bringing in additional resources and developing processes that will result in significantly improved response times, while protecting patient safety.
As an effective regulator, it is committed to the highest of standards of performance and delivering the right outcomes for patients and public health. These changes are already resulting in improvements.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote earlier detection and diagnosis of heart valve disease in women and to ensure better outcomes.
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote earlier detection and diagnosis of heart valve disease in women and to ensure better outcomes.
Heart valve disease (HVD) affects over 1.5 million people over the age of 65 years old in the United Kingdom, and this number is expected to increase in line with general population growth and the increase in the number of older people. Continuous improvements have been made in the HVD pathway for service users, but there remains unwarranted variation and inequalities in gender.
A review of health inequalities for all specialised cardiac services, including aortic stenosis services, a type of HVD, is currently being undertaken. This will specifically consider the presentation of males versus females with aortic stenosis. In addition, work to improve HVD outcomes includes:
To ask His Majesty's Government when before 1 April 2025 they will confirm whether mental health funding will increase as a share of overall NHS expenditure in 2025–26, as required under section 3(2) of the Health and Care Act 2022.
To ask His Majesty's Government when before 1 April 2025 they will confirm whether mental health funding will increase as a share of overall NHS expenditure in 2025–26, as required under section 3(2) of the Health and Care Act 2022.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will set out expectations for mental health funding, including the share of overall National Health Service expenditure in 2025/26, in due course, as required under section 3(2) of the Health and Care Act 2022.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce forensic analysis to the NHS supply chain to identify whether cotton from China is in the supply chain.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce forensic analysis to the NHS supply chain to identify whether cotton from China is in the supply chain.
A Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) was laid in both Houses of Parliament on 21 November to launch the consultation on the proposed modern slavery regulations for the National Health Service, and is available on the parliament.UK website, in an online only format. As stated in the WMS, the regulations and guidance have been published in draft form alongside the consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, the Department intends to lay draft regulations before Parliament in due course.
The published guidance, which is available on the GOV.UK website in an online only format, refers to a risk assessment tool that NHS England is currently developing based on the six characteristics to help assess modern slavery risks, as set out in Public Procurement Policy Note 02/23 -Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains, a copy of which is attached. These characteristics are: industry type; nature of the workforce; supplier location; context in which the supplier operates; commodity type; and business or supply chain model.
The Department would of course welcome ideas and suggestions on risk assessment tools and methodologies in responses to the consultation.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Merron on 2 December (HL Deb col 905), what specific plans are or will be put in place to consult public service interpreters about the NHS 10-Year Health Plan given that they are not employed as NHS staff but work on a...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Merron on 2 December (HL Deb col 905), what specific plans are or will be put in place to consult public service interpreters about the NHS 10-Year Health Plan given that they are not employed as NHS staff but work on a...
On 21 October, we launched a national conversation on the future of the National Health Service, inviting views from across the country on how to reform the NHS and make it fit for the future. This includes the Change NHS portal, which is open to everyone, and is available on the change.NHS.UK website. Public service interpreters can respond to the surveys on the website, including on the dedicated workforce section. We want a wide range of health and care staff to share their views, irrespective of whether they are NHS employees. We would welcome public service interpreters sharing their experience. We have been in touch with the National Register of Public Service Interpreters to ensure interpreters are aware of the engagement exercise.
To ask His Majesty's Government what information they hold, if any, on (1) which local authorities in England use external civil enforcement for the recovery of social care charge-related debt in cases other than in claims against estates and cases of convicted fraud, and (2) which local authorities in England...
To ask His Majesty's Government what information they hold, if any, on (1) which local authorities in England use external civil enforcement for the recovery of social care charge-related debt in cases other than in claims against estates and cases of convicted fraud, and (2) which local authorities in England...
Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory Guidance. The responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the guidance rests with local authorities. The information requested is not held by the Government.
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of non-residential social care contributions income raised in 2023–24 by each local authority in England with responsibility for social care provision was collected.
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of non-residential social care contributions income raised in 2023–24 by each local authority in England with responsibility for social care provision was collected.
Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory Guidance. The responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the guidance rests with local authorities. The information requested is not held by the Government.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) disabled, and (2) older people, charged by their local authority for statutory non-residential social care and support have cut back or withdrawn from their care package since 2020–21; and what data they hold on the reasons for care package reduction and withdrawal.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) disabled, and (2) older people, charged by their local authority for statutory non-residential social care and support have cut back or withdrawn from their care package since 2020–21; and what data they hold on the reasons for care package reduction and withdrawal.
Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory Guidance. The responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the guidance rests with local authorities. The information requested is not held by the Government.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many applications they received for funding to establish Health Protection Research Units based in (1) the North East, (2) Yorkshire, and (3) the North West.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many applications they received for funding to establish Health Protection Research Units based in (1) the North East, (2) Yorkshire, and (3) the North West.
In September 2023, the Department funded National Institute for Health and Care Research launched a two-stage open competition to fund 13 new Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs). Each HPRU is a collaborative research partnership between the UK Health Security Agency and a university or group of universities. Overall, the HPRUs have been awarded £77 million of funding over five years for research to protect the public from health threats.
The following table sets out the applications received by region, and where the university is either the lead applicant or a collaborating partner on the HPRU application:
Region | University as the lead applicant | University as a collaborating partner |
North East |
| 1 |
Yorkshire |
| 2 |
North West | 2 | 7 |
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to enable GPs to prescribe antivirals, including Paxlovid, for the treatment of Covid in accordance with NICE evaluations.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to enable GPs to prescribe antivirals, including Paxlovid, for the treatment of Covid in accordance with NICE evaluations.
Decisions on whether licensed medicines, including antivirals for COVID-19, should be recommended for routine National Health Service funding are made independently by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), on the basis of the evidence of costs and benefits.
The NICE recommends the antiviral Paxlovid, a combination of nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, as an option for treating COVID-19 in adults, only if they do not need supplemental oxygen for COVID-19, and they have any of the following:
A phased implementation of the NICE’s recommendations on Paxlovid has been agreed, to allow more time for the NHS to put in place the capacity and infrastructure needed for the full rollout to all eligible patients. Prescribers, including general practitioners, are currently able to prescribe Paxlovid to NHS patients at the highest risk of severe COVID-19, in line with the approach to rollout set out in the NICE’s guidance.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has exercised its discretionary power to exercise flexibility in its application of routing criterion two of its Highly Specialised Technologies programme in circumstances where there is uncertainty on the incidence and prevalence of the...
To ask His Majesty's Government how many times the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has exercised its discretionary power to exercise flexibility in its application of routing criterion two of its Highly Specialised Technologies programme in circumstances where there is uncertainty on the incidence and prevalence of the...
Since the introduction of the current criteria used for routing topics to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) Highly Specialised Technologies (HST) programme, the NICE has identified one topic routed to the HST programme where flexibility was exercised in relation to the eligible patient population. This topic was pegzilarginase for treating arginase-1 deficiency, for which the estimated eligible patient population was 320.
To ask the Solicitor General, how many employee settlement agreements there were in her Department in each year since 2020; and what the total value of such agreements is.
To ask the Solicitor General, how many employee settlement agreements there were in her Department in each year since 2020; and what the total value of such agreements is.
The Attorney General’s Office has not entered into any employee settlement agreements since 2020.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of ADHD medication in Woking.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of ADHD medication in Woking.
The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information is not collected on a local level. The Department has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved, and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.
We are continuing to work to resolve supply issues where they remain, for methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets. We are engaging with all suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to assess the challenges faced and their actions to address them. We are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible, and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long-term. We expect supply to improve in the UK throughout December 2024 and January 2025. However, we anticipate supply to be limited for some strengths, and we continue to work with all suppliers to ensure that the remaining issues are resolved as soon as possible. To improve supply chain resiliency, we are also working with prospective new suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to expand the UK supplier base.
We are supporting an ADHD taskforce that NHS England is establishing to examine ADHD service provision. The taskforce will bring together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand. In collaboration with NHS England’s national ADHD data improvement plan, we plan to combine modelling for future growth forecasts, which will be shared with industry to improve demand forecasting for ADHD medicines.
To minimise the impact of the shortages on patients, the Department has worked with specialist clinicians, including those within the NHS, to develop management advice for NHS clinicians to consider prescribing available alternative brands of methylphenidate prolonged release tablets generically, or available alternative ADHD medicines. To support ADHD patients throughout the NHS, we would expect all ADHD service providers and specialists to follow our guidance, which includes offering rapid response to primary care teams seeking urgent advice or opinions for the management of patients, including those known to be at a higher risk of adverse impact because of these shortages.
To aid ADHD service providers and prescribers further we have widely disseminated our communications and continually update a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) website, helping ensure that those involved in the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medications can make informed decisions with patients. The SPS website also offers additional guidance from NHS England specialists to help systems and healthcare professionals manage ADHD supply disruptions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review the pay structures and conditions of employment for Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel to ensure alignment with inflation and comparable roles within the armed forces.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review the pay structures and conditions of employment for Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel to ensure alignment with inflation and comparable roles within the armed forces.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel.
We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the current pay dispute.
As these negotiations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the detail of our discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel on their concerns over pay and working conditions; and what his planned timeline is for resolving these issues.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions his Department has had with representatives of Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel on their concerns over pay and working conditions; and what his planned timeline is for resolving these issues.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are highly valued, specialist personnel.
We are committed to listening to their concerns and maintaining a continued dialogue to address issues they have raised during the current pay dispute.
As these negotiations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the detail of our discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to Written Answers by Baroness Merron on 4 November (HL1904 and HL1905), when they plan to publish the upcoming regulations under section 12ZC of the National Health Service Act 2006.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to Written Answers by Baroness Merron on 4 November (HL1904 and HL1905), when they plan to publish the upcoming regulations under section 12ZC of the National Health Service Act 2006.
A Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) was laid in both Houses of Parliament on 21 November to launch the consultation on the proposed modern slavery regulations for the National Health Service, and is available on the parliament.UK website, in an online only format. As stated in the WMS, the regulations and guidance have been published in draft form alongside the consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, the Department intends to lay draft regulations before Parliament in due course.
The published guidance, which is available on the GOV.UK website in an online only format, refers to a risk assessment tool that NHS England is currently developing based on the six characteristics to help assess modern slavery risks, as set out in Public Procurement Policy Note 02/23 -Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains, a copy of which is attached. These characteristics are: industry type; nature of the workforce; supplier location; context in which the supplier operates; commodity type; and business or supply chain model.
The Department would of course welcome ideas and suggestions on risk assessment tools and methodologies in responses to the consultation.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many residual coal tips they have identified in (1) England, (2) Wales and (3) Scotland which represent a potential safety hazard; and what progress has been made in establishing target dates for the completion of remedial action on each such registered hazard.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many residual coal tips they have identified in (1) England, (2) Wales and (3) Scotland which represent a potential safety hazard; and what progress has been made in establishing target dates for the completion of remedial action on each such registered hazard.
There are over 6,000 disused coal tips in Britain with 2,573 located in Wales. The majority of tips are in local authority or private ownership which includes legal responsibilities. Welsh Government released details of their work programme to address the tips issue including inspections/maintenance. https://www.gov.wales/coal-tip-safety
There is no central tips record in England or Scotland. The geological makeup of tip locations in Scotland and England, and previous reprofiling/restoration, has left a lower risk profile. The Mining Remediation Authority has contacted all Local Authorities reminding them of their responsibilities relating to the management of coal tips, offering support where required.
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration the examining authorities gave to the impact on farming in considering consent for the Cottam, Mallard Pass and Gate Burton solar farms recently approved by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration the examining authorities gave to the impact on farming in considering consent for the Cottam, Mallard Pass and Gate Burton solar farms recently approved by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
For each of these cases, the Examining Authorities’ Reports have been published alongside the Secretary of State’s Decision Letters on the Planning Inspectorate project pages. The consideration given to the impact on farming, as well as all other relevant matters, are set out in those documents.
To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had with (1) the General Medical Council, (2) the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, (3) other health regulators, since 5 July.
To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had with (1) the General Medical Council, (2) the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, (3) other health regulators, since 5 July.
The Central Government Corporate Transparency Commitments require Government departments to publish details of ministers’ and senior officials’ meetings with external individuals or organisations on a quarterly basis. We will be publishing the meetings that my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care attended, in accordance with the transparency guidelines.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer on 26 November to Question 14583 on Veterans: Radiation Exposure, if he will set a deadline for the publication of his Department's internal review into the whereabouts of nuclear test veterans' medical records.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer on 26 November to Question 14583 on Veterans: Radiation Exposure, if he will set a deadline for the publication of his Department's internal review into the whereabouts of nuclear test veterans' medical records.
The Government is deeply grateful to all Service personnel who participated in the UK nuclear testing programme. We recognise the huge contribution they have made to our national security and take this issue very seriously.
I have asked officials to look seriously into unresolved questions regarding medical records as a priority, and this is now underway. This work will be comprehensive, and it will enable us to better understand what information the Department holds in relation to the medical testing of Service personnel who took part in the UK nuclear weapons tests, ensuring that we can be assured that relevant information has been looked at thoroughly.
I am also firmly committed to regular engagement with organisations representing nuclear test veterans to understand their concerns, and officials in the Department are also engaging regularly.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for the Government's policies on departmental check-off arrangements of Supreme Court judgment [2024] UKSC 41 relating to (a) Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs v Public and Commercial...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for the Government's policies on departmental check-off arrangements of Supreme Court judgment [2024] UKSC 41 relating to (a) Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs v Public and Commercial...
Departments are responsible for the development of their own workforce policies, subject to the framework of instructions set out in the Civil Service Management Code. This includes the administration of check-off arrangements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of care for people with ME.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the provision of care for people with ME.
No assessment has been made on the adequacy of the implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance NG206 on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). NICE guidelines are not mandatory, but the Government does expect healthcare commissioners to take the guidelines fully into account in designing services to meet the needs of their local population, and to work towards their implementation over time.
There are steps that the Government is taking to improve care for patients with ME/CFS. It is a priority for the Department to publish the final ME/CFS delivery plan. We cannot comment on the exact content of the final delivery plan at this time, but it will be shaped by the consultation responses, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, with three broad themes of attitudes and education, research, and living with ME/CFS. We aim to publish it at the end of March 2025.
The Department is also currently working with NHS England to develop an e-learning course on ME/CFS for healthcare professionals, with the aim of supporting staff to be able to provide better care and improve patient outcomes.
Additionally, the Government funds research into ME/CFS through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC), through UK Research and Innovation. In 2020, the NIHR and the MRC came together to fund the world’s largest genome-wide association study of ME/CFS. This £3.2 million study, termed DecodeME, will analyse samples from 25,000 people with ME/CFS to search for genetic differences that may indicate underlying causes or an increased risk of developing the condition. Further details of the study are available at the following link:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of implementation of NICE guideline NG206 on myalgic encephalomyelitis.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of implementation of NICE guideline NG206 on myalgic encephalomyelitis.
No assessment has been made on the adequacy of the implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance NG206 on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). NICE guidelines are not mandatory, but the Government does expect healthcare commissioners to take the guidelines fully into account in designing services to meet the needs of their local population, and to work towards their implementation over time.
There are steps that the Government is taking to improve care for patients with ME/CFS. It is a priority for the Department to publish the final ME/CFS delivery plan. We cannot comment on the exact content of the final delivery plan at this time, but it will be shaped by the consultation responses, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, with three broad themes of attitudes and education, research, and living with ME/CFS. We aim to publish it at the end of March 2025.
The Department is also currently working with NHS England to develop an e-learning course on ME/CFS for healthcare professionals, with the aim of supporting staff to be able to provide better care and improve patient outcomes.
Additionally, the Government funds research into ME/CFS through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC), through UK Research and Innovation. In 2020, the NIHR and the MRC came together to fund the world’s largest genome-wide association study of ME/CFS. This £3.2 million study, termed DecodeME, will analyse samples from 25,000 people with ME/CFS to search for genetic differences that may indicate underlying causes or an increased risk of developing the condition. Further details of the study are available at the following link:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendations of Bowel Cancer UK's report entitled Delivering the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan: A review of progress of bowel cancer in England, published on 3 December...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendations of Bowel Cancer UK's report entitled Delivering the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan: A review of progress of bowel cancer in England, published on 3 December...
The Health Mission sets the objective of building a National Health Service fit for the future. As part of that work, and in response to Lord Darzi’s report, we have launched an extensive programme of engagement to develop a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts, from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.
Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the NHS highlighted that there is more to be done to increase the speed at which patients are diagnosed with, and treated for, cancer. His report will inform our 10-year plan to reform the NHS, which will include further details on how we will improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, including for bowel cancer. We are also currently in discussions about what form a potential cancer plan for England should take, including its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider Health Mission, and will provide updates in due course.
In addition, the Department is taking steps to improve the rate of early diagnosis for all cancers, including bowel and bowel-related cancers. We will support the NHS to transform diagnostic services by spending £1.5 billion on new surgical hubs and diagnostic scanners, to build capacity for over 30,000 more procedures and 1.25 million diagnostic tests.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of variations in practice on the publication of Government Procurement Card and Electronic Purchasing Card transaction data by Government Departments.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of variations in practice on the publication of Government Procurement Card and Electronic Purchasing Card transaction data by Government Departments.
The policy setting out the requirement to publish Government Procurement Card transactions over £500 remains in place. This is available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_06042020.pdf
The policy clearly sets out the standard that departments must publish to, which includes transaction date, transaction reference, merchant name and the amount spent.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to publish guidance on the introduction of the EU General Product Safety Regulations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to publish guidance on the introduction of the EU General Product Safety Regulations.
Guidance for businesses on the new General Product Safety Regulation was published last week on 3rd December and has been shared with the business community in Great Britain and Northern Ireland through existing channels. My officials will keep the guidance under review to ensure we are supporting businesses to trade freely across the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a (a) hotline for reporting and (b) focus group on (i) politically motivated assaults and (ii) transnational repression.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a (a) hotline for reporting and (b) focus group on (i) politically motivated assaults and (ii) transnational repression.
Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact their local police in the first instance. In the event that a person believes they are subject to an imminent threat, they should call 999.
The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our legal powers to counter foreign interference, and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt modern-day state threats. The police are raising awareness and capabilities of frontline officers and staff across the UK, including their understanding of the threats that foreign powers present and how to respond appropriately to reports from members of the public.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the proportion of attendees who waited 12 hours or more from their time of arrival to be (a) transferred, (b) admitted and (c) discharged from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Emergency Department.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the proportion of attendees who waited 12 hours or more from their time of arrival to be (a) transferred, (b) admitted and (c) discharged from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Emergency Department.
The Government has committed to supporting the National Health Service to improve performance, including at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT), and achieving the standards set out in the NHS Constitution, which includes that 95% of patients attending accident and emergency are admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours.
We are also committed to improving accident and emergency waiting times for patients waiting over 12 hours to be admitted, transferred, or discharged through increasing bed capacity and improving hospital discharge, both nationally and at the RCHT.
The Government appointed the Professor Lord Darzi to lead an independent investigation of NHS performance. The investigation’s findings were published on 12 September 2024 and will feed into the Government’s work on a 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the proportion of patients (a) transferred, (b) admitted and (c) discharged within four hours at the Emergency Department in Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the proportion of patients (a) transferred, (b) admitted and (c) discharged within four hours at the Emergency Department in Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Government has committed to supporting the National Health Service to improve performance, including at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT), and achieving the standards set out in the NHS Constitution, which includes that 95% of patients attending accident and emergency are admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours.
We are also committed to improving accident and emergency waiting times for patients waiting over 12 hours to be admitted, transferred, or discharged through increasing bed capacity and improving hospital discharge, both nationally and at the RCHT.
The Government appointed the Professor Lord Darzi to lead an independent investigation of NHS performance. The investigation’s findings were published on 12 September 2024 and will feed into the Government’s work on a 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the potential for the Child Maintenance System to be used as a tool of economic abuse.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the potential for the Child Maintenance System to be used as a tool of economic abuse.
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) takes the issue of domestic and economic abuse extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring that victims of abuse get the help and support they need.
CMS Staff receive training to ensure they are able to respond appropriately to parents experiencing domestic abuse. The current Domestic Abuse training package was updated with input from external stakeholders. It includes an understanding of different types of abuse, including economic, and covers post separation abuse. It has been reviewed to ensure it reflects the Home Office’s updated statutory guidance on coercive and controlling behaviour, published in April 2023, to ensure CMS staff are equipped to recognise this form of domestic abuse and signpost parents appropriately.
The recent consultation on proposed reforms to CMS included managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster and explore how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This proposal would also reduce the ability for perpetrators of domestic abuse to inflict economic control and coercion through withholding child maintenance payments. The consultation closed on 30 September 2024, and the Government will publish a response in due course.
Where a parent fails to pay on time or in full, the CMS will consider enforcement action as quickly as possible to get money flowing and collect any unpaid amounts that have accrued.
The CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers to ensure children get the financial support they deserve. These powers include the ability to deduct directly from the paying parent’s earnings or bank accounts and disqualifications from holding or obtaining driving licenses and passports.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will increase the staffing budget for the East of England Ambulance Service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will increase the staffing budget for the East of England Ambulance Service.
The allocation of National Health Service funding, including local staffing budgets, is set by NHS England.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that measures to improve the management of long-term conditions are included within the NHS 10 year plan.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that measures to improve the management of long-term conditions are included within the NHS 10 year plan.
The number of individuals living with long term conditions is expected to rise significantly over the next decade. Currently, the National Health Service operates a model focused on treating acute episodes, organised around fragmented services rather than holistic patient needs. To ensure the NHS is fit for the future, we must improve care for those with long-term conditions.
One of the working groups supporting the development of the 10-Year Health Plan has been asked to develop a vision for how the NHS can evolve to provide responsive, joined-up care to better support individuals with complex health needs, who may require frequent, ongoing engagement with the NHS. The group, chaired by Dr Claire Fuller and Caroline Abrahams CBE, will consider what improved care would look like for both individuals living with a single, or multiple long-term conditions, including, for example, mental health conditions, or disabilities, as well as individuals with multiple complex needs, including those that are frail or approaching the end of their life.
Starting with the patient perspective, we have asked this group to consider what people of all ages want and need from services across the NHS to manage their condition or conditions on an ongoing basis, and what the care offer should look and feel like in practice, so that the NHS can empower patients, enhance their self-management capabilities, and promote independence through a holistic, person-centred and responsive service.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the results of the GBS3 trial can be acted upon (a) quickly and (b) effectively.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the results of the GBS3 trial can be acted upon (a) quickly and (b) effectively.
Recruitment to the GBS3 trial ended in May 2024. The researchers are analysing the data, and a report is expected in Summer 2025. The UK National Screening Committee Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review its recommendation, considering the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.
As part of this, the UK National Screening Committee will engage with stakeholders, in line with its usual processes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet with Group B Strep Support to discuss the importance of (a) early and (b)consistent diagnosis of Group B Streptococcus.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet with Group B Strep Support to discuss the importance of (a) early and (b)consistent diagnosis of Group B Streptococcus.
Recruitment to the GBS3 trial ended in May 2024. The researchers are analysing the data, and a report is expected in Summer 2025. The UK National Screening Committee Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review its recommendation, considering the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.
As part of this, the UK National Screening Committee will engage with stakeholders, in line with its usual processes.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on preventing large organisations from offshoring emissions.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on preventing large organisations from offshoring emissions.
The Government is working cohesively to address carbon leakage risk across international and domestic actions.
The UK’s current main measure to address carbon leakage is free allocation under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which is under review by the UK ETS Authority. The government is additionally introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on 1 January 2027, developing voluntary product standards and an embodied emissions reporting framework, and working to address carbon leakage risk internationally through existing fora such as the Climate Club and World Trade Organisation.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12590 on Breast Cancer: Genetics, what steps his Department is taking to reduce regional inequities in access to genetic counselling.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 November 2024 to Question 12590 on Breast Cancer: Genetics, what steps his Department is taking to reduce regional inequities in access to genetic counselling.
We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. A central and core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, such as genetic counsellors, as well as the technology and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to conduct an audit of the effectiveness of carbon sequestration by all land use categories.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to conduct an audit of the effectiveness of carbon sequestration by all land use categories.
The Government publishes estimates of the sequestration of carbon in the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector for a range of sector categories as part of its annual UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions statistics.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what account his review of the frequency of infant head measurements will take of (a) research by Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust and (b) the experience of other developed countries.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what account his review of the frequency of infant head measurements will take of (a) research by Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust and (b) the experience of other developed countries.
It is vitally important that babies are diagnosed as early as possible, so treatment can be provided. Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends measuring the head circumference of babies in the first week, at approximately eight weeks old, and at other times only if there are concerns. The baby’s general practitioner, or nominated primary care examiner, has a responsibility for ensuring the six-to-eight-week newborn infant physical examination screen, where head size is measured, is completed for all registered babies. The Department is seeking advice from the NICE and the royal colleges on the value of a clinical review of the current guidelines surrounding infant head circumference.
The Healthy Child Programme sets out the requirements for health visiting services, including five mandated reviews where the child’s health and development is assessed. This includes when the baby is 10 to 14 days old and at six-to-eight-weeks old, and additional contacts depending on need, providing an opportunity to identify any health or development concerns and to make the appropriate referrals.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has taken steps to introduce the measurement of infant head circumference to existing health visits since his meeting with Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust on 6 November 2024; and whether he has set a deadline for commissioning a...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has taken steps to introduce the measurement of infant head circumference to existing health visits since his meeting with Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust on 6 November 2024; and whether he has set a deadline for commissioning a...
It is vitally important that babies are diagnosed as early as possible, so treatment can be provided. Current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends measuring the head circumference of babies in the first week, at approximately eight weeks old, and at other times only if there are concerns. The baby’s general practitioner, or nominated primary care examiner, has a responsibility for ensuring the six-to-eight-week newborn infant physical examination screen, where head size is measured, is completed for all registered babies. The Department is seeking advice from the NICE and the royal colleges on the value of a clinical review of the current guidelines surrounding infant head circumference.
The Healthy Child Programme sets out the requirements for health visiting services, including five mandated reviews where the child’s health and development is assessed. This includes when the baby is 10 to 14 days old and at six-to-eight-weeks old, and additional contacts depending on need, providing an opportunity to identify any health or development concerns and to make the appropriate referrals.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of cancer in teenagers and young adults in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire Integrated Care Board area.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of cancer in teenagers and young adults in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire Integrated Care Board area.
We are committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, so that more patients survive, including children, teenagers, and young adults.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has set out detailed guidance for general practices on the symptoms of cancer in children and young people, recommending referral within 48 hours for those presenting with a range of potential cancer symptoms, ensuring that children and young people are being diagnosed faster.
The Department is also taking steps to improve waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment across all cancer patient groups in England, by delivering an extra 40,000 scans, appointments, and operations each week to ensure that patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, the NHS will maximise the pace of the roll-out of additional diagnostic capacity, delivering the final year of the three-year investment plan for establishing Community Diagnostic Centres. They will also increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to respond to the open letter by Clinically Vulnerable Families entitled Maintain Covid-19 Vaccine Access for All Clinically Vulnerable People, published on 19 November 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to respond to the open letter by Clinically Vulnerable Families entitled Maintain Covid-19 Vaccine Access for All Clinically Vulnerable People, published on 19 November 2024.
We have received the open letter by Clinically Vulnerable Families on 14 November 2024, and will respond shortly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on what the (a) most common illnesses and (b) incidence of each of those illnesses experienced by babies and children in temporary accommodation were in the latest period for which data is available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on what the (a) most common illnesses and (b) incidence of each of those illnesses experienced by babies and children in temporary accommodation were in the latest period for which data is available.
The Department does not hold specific data on the most common illnesses, or the incidence of illnesses experienced by babies and children specifically in temporary accommodation. However, general data on hospital admissions for all children, including babies, is published by NHS England in the Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity reports. These reports provide detailed information on admissions and episodes by primary diagnosis.
My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement:
The United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is as follows:
Full Representatives:
Sharon Hodgson MP (Leader of the UK delegation)
The Baroness Blower
Colum Eastwood MP
The Lord Hannett of Everton
Sir Mark Hendrick MP
The...
My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister has made the following statement:
The United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is as follows:
Full Representatives:
Sharon Hodgson MP (Leader of the UK delegation)
The Baroness Blower
Colum Eastwood MP
The Lord Hannett of Everton
Sir Mark Hendrick MP
The...
My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minsiter has made the following statement:
The United Kingdom delegation to theUK-EUParliamentary Partnership Assembly is as follows:
Full Representatives:
Marsha de Cordova MP (Leader and Co-Chair)
Catherine Atkinson MP
The Lord Bach
Alex Ballinger MP
Matt Bishop MP
Sarah Bool MP (Vice Chair) T
he Baroness Bull
The Baroness Crawley
Stella Creasy MP
The Baroness Donaghy
Catherine...
My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minsiter has made the following statement:
The United Kingdom delegation to theUK-EUParliamentary Partnership Assembly is as follows:
Full Representatives:
Marsha de Cordova MP (Leader and Co-Chair)
Catherine Atkinson MP
The Lord Bach
Alex Ballinger MP
Matt Bishop MP
Sarah Bool MP (Vice Chair) T
he Baroness Bull
The Baroness Crawley
Stella Creasy MP
The Baroness Donaghy
Catherine...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve early detection of breast cancer in women under 50 who do not routinely undergo mammogram screenings.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve early detection of breast cancer in women under 50 who do not routinely undergo mammogram screenings.
Improving early diagnosis of cancer, including breast cancer, is a priority for NHS England. We will improve cancer survival rates and hit all National Health Service cancer waiting time targets, so that no patient waits longer than they should.
Screening is also crucial to improving early diagnosis, and current United Kingdom guidelines recommend that women with a moderate or high risk of breast cancer because of their family history should start having screening mammograms every year in their forties. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance on the management of people with a family history of breast cancer was introduced in 2004, and has changed over time. The current version of this guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg164
We currently do not screen those younger than 50 years old for breast cancer due to the lower risk of women under this age developing breast cancer, and the fact that women below 50 years old tend to have denser breast tissue, which reduces the ability of getting an accurate mammogram. It may also increase the risk of overtreatment and distress for women who do not have breast cancer, but would be subject to invasive and painful medical treatments and diagnostic tests.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) templates and (b) guidance for (i) ministerial submissions, (ii) the write round process, (iii) post implementation reviews of legislation and (iv) the preparation of departmental business cases have been updated to refer to the environmental principles duty in section 19(1)...
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) templates and (b) guidance for (i) ministerial submissions, (ii) the write round process, (iii) post implementation reviews of legislation and (iv) the preparation of departmental business cases have been updated to refer to the environmental principles duty in section 19(1)...
Each Government department is responsible for its own ministerial submission templates and guidance. Departments have been advised to amend their submission templates to reflect the EPPS duty through the Defra-led Environmental Principles Working Group.
Ministers may seek collective agreement from the Cabinet or its committees through correspondence, or the ‘write round process’. It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, including through correspondence, is not normally shared publicly.
In May 2024, the Department for Business & Trade published revised guidance, Producing post-implementation reviews: principles of best practice, which provides advice on the consideration of environmental impacts and specifies that departments should have due regard to the environmental principles policy statement when completing a post-implementation review of legislation.
It is mandatory for government departments to make proportionate use of the Green Book, and its supplementary business case guidance, when they develop spending proposals. Where the EPPS duty applies, it is relevant for appraisals that are conducted in line with the Green Book. This is made clear on the Green Book webpage and will be reflected in the Green Book when the document is next updated.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to monitor the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on independent school fees on service families in receipt of the continuity of education allowance.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to monitor the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on independent school fees on service families in receipt of the continuity of education allowance.
The single Services will monitor the impact on retention in Service for those claiming Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) following the introduction of VAT on independent school fees. The Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell will monitor the impact on Service personnel changing Schools and withdrawing from CEA.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to provide additional support through the continuity of education allowance to help service families receiving the allowance with the cost of VAT on independent school fees.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to provide additional support through the continuity of education allowance to help service families receiving the allowance with the cost of VAT on independent school fees.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 November 2024 to Question 11946 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 December.
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