Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to respond to the fairer food labelling consultation, which closed on 7 May, and what plans, if any, they have to implement the proposals therein to improve transparency in method-of-production welfare labelling for pork, chicken, and eggs.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken between March and May 2024 by the previous government. This sought views on proposals to improve and extend current mandatory method of production labelling. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps and will publish a response to this consultation in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that everyone who needs one is able to access a NHS dentist.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, and to recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to introduce supervised teeth brushing and targeted fluoride applications in early years settings.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are working at pace to introduce a supervised toothbrushing scheme for three to five-year-olds, targeting the areas of highest need. We are currently reviewing the Dental Recovery Plan, including proposals to deliver fluoride varnish treatments to more than 165,000 children in under-served areas, and what elements of the plan can be taken forward effectively. Further information on the timing of implementation will follow the budget on 30 October 2024, as well as the ongoing Spending Review process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in reforming the NHS dental contract, and what plans they have to roll out a new patient-centred system.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to National Health Service dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists. There are no perfect payment models and careful consideration needs to be given to any potential changes to the complex dental system, so that we deliver genuine improvements for patients and the profession.

We are continuing to work with the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to deliver our shared ambition to improve access to treatments for NHS dental patients.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government, regarding plans for the UK's first secure school for children aged 12 to 17, what further onward support will be available for these young people and their families as they leave the school.

Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Oasis Restore, the provider of the UK’s first secure school, has developed a comprehensive package of continuing support for children as they leave the school, and for their families. Its Family Strategy – a live document, which will be developed iteratively, with the voices of children and families – outlines how the school intends to support and engage families and carers.

Children returning to the community will be supported by the school and their Youth Offending Teams to ensure that key provisions, such as education and training, health provision, housing, and finance, are in place for release. Where appropriate, the school will use the temporary release scheme to prepare a child for return to the community.

When children transition to alternative youth detention accommodation, Oasis Restore will work closely with the receiving establishment to share information, for effective planning and support. Staff will support children and families with the transition, particularly to understand the new setting and what support is available.

Through Oasis Community Learning, the school will be able to access education and training opportunities, as well as housing and mentorship, for children returning to the community.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the use of 'units of dental activity' for the remuneration of dental work, in favour of patient-centred system which prioritises prevention.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to National Health Service dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

There are no perfect payment systems, and careful consideration needs to be given to any potential changes to the complex dental system, so that we deliver a system that is better for patients and the profession.