Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to support NHS England’s pilot to reduce the faecal immunochemical test threshold for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme from 120µg/g to 80µg/g; and whether they have had discussions with NHS England regarding geographical areas for the pilot.

Answered by Lord Markham

We are committed to improving the NHS Bowel Screening programme, and welcome NHS England’s plans for pilot areas, which will reduce the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) down to 80µg/g. NHS England plans to publish an Expression of Interest to give all bowel screening services, and their partner symptomatic endoscopy providers, an opportunity to submit their interest in becoming a FIT@80 pilot site. These pilot sites are planned to be selected and launched later in 2024/25, and attention will be paid to ensure there is regional variation across the pilot sites selected.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Royal College of Radiologists report Clinical Radiology Workforce Census 2022, published on 8 June 2023, what steps they will take to address the shortfall in clinical oncologists in England.

Answered by Lord Markham

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP) sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. It will put the workforce on a sustainable footing for the long term.

We are building our cancer workforce. In January 2024 there were over 35,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the cancer workforce, an increase of over 13,300, or 60.7% since January 2010.

Regarding clinical oncology specifically, as of January 2024, there are currently over 1,600 FTE doctors working in the speciality of clinical oncology in NHS trusts and other core organisations in England. This is 2.2% more than last year, 27.7% more than 2019, and 66.5% more than in 2010. This includes over 900 FTE consultants. This is 5.1% more than last year, 22.0% more than in 2019, and 80.2% more than in 2010.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) the recent Royal College of Radiologists’ Radiotherapy Briefing, published in May, and (2) the HERO (Health Economics in Radiation Oncology) report by the UK Radiotherapy Board, published on 2 May, what is their current assessment of the state of radiotherapy services in England.

Answered by Lord Markham

According to the latest data, of those 10,328 cancer patients referred for first or subsequent treatment for radiotherapy in March 2024, 89.7% were treated within 31 days. Since 2016, there has been significant investment in radiotherapy equipment, so that every radiotherapy provider had access to modern, cutting-edge radiotherapy equipment, enabling the rollout of new techniques like stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. The total central investment made between 2016 and 2021 was £162 million, and enabled the replacement or upgrade of approximately 100 radiotherapy treatment machines. This is investment on top of that committed by National Health Service trusts, either from their own capital budgets or via donations.

From April 2022, the responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy machines sits with local systems. As outlined in the 2024/25 NHS Planning Guidance, NHS England is providing over £266 million in cancer service development funding to Cancer Alliances, to support delivery of the operational priorities for cancer. This is supported by the 2021 Spending Review, which set aside £12 billion in operational capital for the NHS.

The Department is working closely with NHS England to make sure we have the right workforce with the right skills up and down the country. We are building our cancer workforce. In January 2024 there were over 35,200 full-time equivalent staff in the cancer workforce, an increase of over 13,300, or 60.7% since January 2010.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards ensuring that people with cancer who require radiotherapy treatment can start treatment within their target of 31 days.

Answered by Lord Markham

We are seeing continued high levels of urgent cancer referrals, with over 12,000 urgent referrals seen for suspected cancer per working day in March 2024, compared to approximately 9,000 in March 2019. In March 2023, 89.7% of patients received a first or subsequent radiotherapy treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, which is 0.6% higher than last year. From March 2023/24, 127,336 people received a first or subsequent radiotherapy treatment, which is 1,359 more than the previous year.

The Government continues to work with NHS England on implementing the Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care, and plans to spend more than £8 billion from 2022/23 to 2024/25 to help drive up and protect elective activity, including cancer diagnosis and treatment activity.

We are building our cancer workforce. In January 2024 there were over 35,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the cancer workforce, an increase of over 13,300, or 60.7% since January 2010. This includes over 8,100 FTE consultants in January 2024, an increase of over 3,300, or 69.6% since January 2010.

Since 2016, the Department has invested £162 million into cutting-edge radiotherapy equipment to replace or upgrade more than 100 radiotherapy treatment machines, so we can deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. From April 2022, the responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy machines sits with local systems.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to meet their target of 96 per cent of cancer patients receiving treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat.

Answered by Lord Markham

Tackling cancer is a key priority for the Government. Ministers and officials continue to work closely with NHS England to increase positive outcomes for all cancer types. The Government has allocated an additional £8 billion across this Spending Review period, to increase capacity and support elective recovery.

As outlined in the 2024/25 NHS Planning Guidance, NHS England are providing over £266 million in cancer service development funding to Cancer Alliances to support delivery of the operational priorities for cancer, increasing and prioritising diagnostic and treatment capacity.

We are building our cancer workforce. In January 2024 there were over 35,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the cancer workforce, an increase of over 13,300, or 60.7%, since January 2010. This includes over 8,100 FTE consultants in January 2024, an increase of over 3,300, or 69.6%, since January 2010.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what was the total amount spent by the NHS on radiotherapy services in England in the past year, broken down by (1) region, and (2) NHS trust.

Answered by Lord Markham

Whilst data for the past year is not yet available, the latest published data on radiotherapy costs is from the National Health Service national cost collection for 2021/22, where spend is reported as £550 million. More detailed data by the NHS trusts is also available at the NHS website, in an online only format.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to enable evaluation of health programmes and investments to account for productivity benefits, in line with guidance issued in the Green Book.

Answered by Lord Markham

The Department has well-established policies and mechanisms in place to ensure health programmes and investments are subject to systematic evaluation at key stages in their lifecycle, in accordance with HM Treasury’s business case guidance. This includes reviewing quantitative and qualitative evidence on whether approved health projects achieve their objectives and deliver the promised benefits within the agreed budget, timescale, and scope. Lessons from post-project evaluation are widely disseminated, to support better investment decisions in future, and more robustly developed business cases.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the percentage of people who moved to Universal Credit under the 'Move to UC' policy have been awarded 'transitional protection' (1) between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, and (2) between 1 to 30 April 2024.

Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie

The latest published statistics show for households sent a migration notice between April 2023 and end of March 2024, and who went on to claim Universal Credit, 60% were awarded transitional protection.

The relevant information can be found in ‘table 9a’ published here: Move to Universal Credit statistics, July 2022 to March 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Data for April 2024 will be published as part of the next Move to Universal Credit statistics release.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 9 April (HL3635), and following the 8 May ministerial roundtable, whether the Department for Transport plans to publish a timeline for plans to review moped and motorcycle licensing.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

Following the roundtable on 8 May with stakeholders, Ministers will consider advice on this matter and others in due course. In addition, the Department looks forward to receiving the evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association which was used to develop its L-Category licensing reform proposals.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Gower on 9 April (HL3635), whether the Department for Transport will request the Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group to investigate powered light vehicle licensing.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

Following the roundtable on 8 May with stakeholders, Ministers will consider advice on this matter and others in due course. In addition, the Department looks forward to receiving the evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association which was used to develop its L-Category licensing reform proposals.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Department for Transport is planning to (1) conduct research, and (2) publish results, on the viability of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s L-Category licensing reform proposals.

Answered by Lord Davies of Gower - Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

Following the roundtable on 8 May with stakeholders, Ministers will consider advice on this matter and others in due course. In addition, the Department looks forward to receiving the evidence from the Motorcycle Industry Association which was used to develop its L-Category licensing reform proposals.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to generate real-world data on any future RSV immunisation programme for older adults and infants and, if so, how such data would be used to inform future eligibility.

Answered by Lord Markham

The UK Health Security Agency monitors national immunisation programmes in England, and will monitor the implementation of any future protection immunisation programmes for older adults and infants. This includes immunisation coverage, immunisation effectiveness at preventing disease, including the duration of the protective effect, the overall impact of the immunisation programme, and any safety signals. This real-world data will be shared with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the Department, to inform future policy including future eligibility.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the UK Radiotherapy Board report Recovering radiotherapy services in England: Our plan for action, published in May, what assessment they have made of the finding that "a relatively small increase in staff funding would make a big difference to patient care".

Answered by Lord Markham

Whilst no assessment has been made of this finding, the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP) sets out the steps the National Health Service and its partners need to take to deliver an NHS workforce that meets the changing needs of the population over the next 15 years. It will put the workforce on a sustainable footing for the long term.

The Government is backing the LTWP with over £2.4 billion over the next five years, to fund additional education and training places. This is on top of increases to education and training investment, reaching a record total of £6.1 billion over the next two years. By significantly expanding domestic education, training, and recruitment, we will have more healthcare professionals working in the NHS. This will include more doctors and nurses, alongside an expansion in a range of other professions, including more staff working in new roles. The LTWP also commits to reform and modernise the way staff work, and harness new technology and innovations to increase productivity and make sure staff can spend more time with patients.

In January 2024 there were 35,252 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in the cancer workforce, an increase of 60.7% since January 2010. This includes 8,142 FTE consultants in January 2024, an increase of 69.6% since January 2010. There are 3,144 FTE therapeutic radiographers working in NHS trusts and other core organisations in England. This is 4.3% more than in 2023, 14.6% more than in 2019, and 55.2% more than in 2010.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with NHS England and with the devolved administrations to ensure that socioeconomic benefits from immunisation, including those relating to productivity, can be fully realised in the UK.

Answered by Lord Markham

The Department continues to work across the health system, with the devolved administrations, to deliver robust, cost-effective programmes which benefit public health. The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises on the approach to immunisation, and also evaluates opportunities to deliver robust, cost-effective programmes that protect public health. Investments in vaccines and other health interventions are assessed for cost effectiveness within a broader framework that allows one intervention to be assessed fairly alongside another.

While the JCVI does not consider productivity and economic outcomes, the Department can still opt to consider the productivity and economic impacts of immunisation, where this is judged to be an important additional consideration, in line with His Majesty's Treasury’s Green Book guidance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to evaluate and understand the impact of immunisation programmes on productivity and economic outcomes.

Answered by Lord Markham

The Department continues to work across the health system, with the devolved administrations, to deliver robust, cost-effective programmes which benefit public health. The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises on the approach to immunisation, and also evaluates opportunities to deliver robust, cost-effective programmes that protect public health. Investments in vaccines and other health interventions are assessed for cost effectiveness within a broader framework that allows one intervention to be assessed fairly alongside another.

While the JCVI does not consider productivity and economic outcomes, the Department can still opt to consider the productivity and economic impacts of immunisation, where this is judged to be an important additional consideration, in line with His Majesty's Treasury’s Green Book guidance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of the implications of the judgment of Mr Justice Humphreys in the High Court in Belfast on 13 May regarding the Illegal Migration Act 2023, in particular for the continuing operation of (1) Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, and (2) the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government remains firmly committed to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework which ensures no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity protections set out in the relevant chapter of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

This judgment has no operational bearing on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 or the implementation of the policy. Those who have been served a notice for removal to Rwanda are being considered under the Safety of Rwanda Act and existing immigration legislation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relationship between police forces in England and Wales and journalists; and what discussions they have had with those police forces in this regard.

Answered by Lord Sharpe of Epsom - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The College of Policing publishes guidance in the form of Authorised Professional Practice designed to assist those working in police forces who engage with the media. It takes account of the recommendations of the Leveson Inquiry in 2012 and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services 2011 report on police relationships with the media and other parties.

The Leveson Inquiry made eight recommendations (68 and 75-81) concerning the press and the police, focused on providing greater transparency and openness. These were accepted by the Government, the College of Policing and the then Association of Chief Police Officers (superseded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council). All the recommendations have been addressed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review eligibility for any future RSV immunisation programme, and whether such a review would be based on timing or on assessment of data.

Answered by Lord Markham

The Government have made a policy decision on the eligibility of a potential respiratory snncytial virus (RSV) programme, which is in line with the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) September 2023 advice.

When a new immunisation programme is introduced, policy decisions are made about who the National Health Service will offer the immunisation to. These decisions are based on the advice and recommendations of the JCVI. The eligibility of an immunisation programme is not reviewed in a time-based manner, although the JCVI keeps all immunisation programmes and advice under review and can update its advice based on new and emerging data.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to sanction (1) Israeli government ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and (2) leaders of the settler movement, who have expressed support for acts of violence against (a) Palestinians, (b) aid workers and convoys, and (c) UNRWA facilities.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

The UK policy on settlement expansion is clear: settlements are illegal under international law and only make it harder to progress to achieving peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. We have called on the Israeli Government to halt seizures of Palestinian lands immediately.

On 3 May, the Foreign Secretary announced new sanctions on extremist groups and individuals for inciting and perpetrating settler violence in the West Bank. The measures impose financial restrictions on the entities and individuals, and travel restrictions on the individuals. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions.

The Foreign Secretary has made our position clear to his Israeli counterparts, including during his visit to the region on 17 April.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the alleged threat by Israeli settler Elchanan Groner to the life of the Foreign Secretary; and what are the implications for his security during future visits to Israel and engagement with Israeli government officials.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

It is long-standing policy not to comment on Ministerial travel. To do so could compromise the integrity of protective security arrangements and affect the safety of the individuals involved.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review report First Do No Harm, published on 8 July 2020, what steps they will take to provide monetary compensation for people adversely affected by clinical and surgical pelvic mesh.

Answered by Lord Markham

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Dissolution. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what they will ensure that the Infected Blood Compensation Authority and Scheme accepts applications from people who are not able to register for the existing support schemes, such as (1) people who have recovered after receiving infected blood, and (2) people infected after the current cut-off dates.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Under the proposed Infected Blood Compensation Scheme those who have been infected with hepatitis C whose infection lasted less than 6 months will be eligible for compensation. People who were infected after the current cut-off dates will be eligible to apply. However, the introduction of testing will be considered as a factor when assessing their application. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority website launched on 21 May and interested people can register their interest in being involved in the IBCA and receiving updates.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how, and when, infected and affected people not currently registered with a support scheme will be able to register to apply for compensation.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Under the proposed Infected Blood Compensation Scheme those who have been infected with hepatitis C whose infection lasted less than 6 months will be eligible for compensation. People who were infected after the current cut-off dates will be eligible to apply. However, the introduction of testing will be considered as a factor when assessing their application. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority website launched on 21 May and interested people can register their interest in being involved in the IBCA and receiving updates.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that carers are not pushed into benefit debt through lack of awareness about the earnings rules.

Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that there are no time limits on starting or completing applications for compensation for infected blood.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to ensuring that all those eligible to receive compensation receive an award as quickly as possible. For those whose infections are diagnosed before 1 April 2025, the Scheme is anticipated to be open for 6 years (31 March 2031). However, the anticipated closing date of the Scheme for people with existing diagnoses will be reviewed after 3 years to ensure that it is appropriate.The Government recognises that some people may not yet have been diagnosed with an eligible infection. Where people are newly diagnosed after 1 April 2025, the Scheme will remain open to applications for compensation for 6 years after their diagnosis date.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how the infected blood compensation scheme will include people infected with other hepatitis viruses, such as (1) hepatitis B, and (2) hepatitis D.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Those living with a chronic Hepatitis B infection, and those with acute Hepatitis B infections who died from their infection during the acute period, will be eligible under the scheme. More detail can be viewed online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary. The Inquiry’s second interim report sets out that as the Hepatitis D virus does not cause infection in the absence of Hepatitis B, it is not necessary to make Hepatitis D an additional class of infection. Therefore Hepatitis D infections are not separately considered for compensation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what legal or other support will be made available to infected and affected people when making applications for compensation for infected blood; and how the compensation authority will assist people whose medical records have been destroyed.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Government will make arrangements for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to provide support to applicants and within this support will consider the provision of legal support services. The Government amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill allow for that support to be provided for victims and the House can expect the Government to work with the Infected Blood Compensation Authority on the support that is required.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Infected Blood Inquiry: The Report published on 20 May, when infected and affected people will receive new interim compensation payments; and when full compensation payments will be made.

Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

It is the Government’s intention for the first interim payments of £210,000 to the living infected to be delivered within 90 days, to begin in summer. Full Compensation Scheme payments will be made as quickly as possible and our aim is that payments will start before the end of the year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Norway concerning that country's announcement that it will start exploratory deep seabed mining in its waters; and what assessment they have made of the impact this would have on wider North-eastern Atlantic fisheries.

Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel

The UK Government has not spoken to the Norwegian government about its decision of 9 January 2024 to consider awarding licences for deep sea mining exploration, and potentially future extraction, on its continental shelf but has taken note of the decision. This area is within Norway's jurisdiction and is not regulated by the International Seabed Authority.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel on the opening of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings to allow aid into Gaza.

Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

We have been clear that entry points for humanitarian aid, including Rafah and Kerem Shalom, must be reopened quickly to allow aid in. Israel must facilitate immediate uninterrupted humanitarian access in the south, including the entry of fuel.

The Foreign Secretary has pressed these points with Israeli Foreign Minister Katz.

Found: No relevant interests to declare Baroness O’Loan • No relevant interests to declare Baroness

Found: Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell; Lord Empey; Baroness Goudie; Lord Lexden; Baroness O'Loan; Baroness

Found: Duncairn; Lord Elliott of Mickle Fell; Lord Empey; Baroness Goudie; Lord Lexden; Baroness O’Loan; Baroness

Found: Goudie; Baroness Jenkin of Kennington; Lord Krebs; Lord McColl of Dulwich; Baroness Pitkeathley; Baroness

Found: Lord Colgrain; Baroness Goudie; Baroness Jenkin of Kennington; Lord Krebs; Baroness Pitkeathley; Baroness