Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance NHS England provides to people who are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on the risks of developing post-SSRI sexual dysfunction; whether they plan to recognise post-SSRI sexual dysfunction as a condition; and what support is available for people discontinuing SSRIs.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The product information for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) provides advice on the risk of withdrawal/discontinuation reactions, and advises patients not to stop their medication suddenly. Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for planning health services for their local population. This includes consideration of services for patients taking medicines associated with dependence and withdrawal symptoms, based on local population needs.
An increasing number of non-pharmacological alternatives have become available on the National Health Service, such as NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, with over 670,000 courses of treatment provided in 2022/23. NHS England is encouraging ICBs to address inappropriate antidepressant prescribing and to consider commissioning services for patients wishing to reduce or stop prescribed medicines that can cause dependence and withdrawal.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved product information, provided to healthcare professionals and patients for all SSRIs, was updated in 2019 to inform them that reports had been received of long-lasting sexual dysfunction, where symptoms continue despite discontinuation of the SSRI. The MHRA was an integral part of the European Union wide review of the available evidence which underpinned the current warnings.
The term Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction was added to the regulatory dictionary in 2021, which will help with the recording and retrieval of Yellow Card data and literature cases, and in the future, will contribute to the much-needed research into this important health issue. Persistent sexual dysfunction following withdrawal of an SSRI as a disorder was added to the electronic health records system, known as SNOMED, in October 2024, as a code that will help with the clinical identification of patients with persistent sexual dysfunction, including those after taking SSRIs.
An Expert Working Group of the Commission on Human Medicines has been established by the MHRA to consider how the risk of sexual dysfunction which continues after stopping antidepressants is communicated in patient information leaflets, however this work will not address the clinical recognition of post-SSRI sexual dysfunction, as that is outside the remit of the MHRA.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reported attacks in Khoznavar in Armenia allegedly by Azerbaijan in April, and what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan to protect civilian lives and infrastructure.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of reporting that alleges ceasefire violations and we are following the situation closely. The UK government welcomes Armenia and Azerbaijan's agreement on a peace deal and urges them to sign it as soon as possible, to provide security and stability to the region. We continue to urge both sides to refrain from rhetoric or action that could undermine prospects for peace. The Minister of State, Stephen Doughty, underlined our support for a long-lasting peace deal with Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan on 11 April at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, in a call with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov on 29 April and in a meeting with Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev on 30 April.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Nicaragua about the additional restrictions imposed on churches during Easter Holy Week, and whether they are taking to address the human rights situation in that country, particularly with regard to the recommendations of the report The Silencing of Democracy in Nicaragua, published by three all-party parliamentary groups in April 2024.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We share the widespread international concern about the relentless suppression of human rights in Nicaragua and are deeply concerned by reports of restrictions imposed on churches during Holy Week. I welcome the scrutiny of Parliamentary colleagues in producing 'The Silencing of Democracy in Nicaragua' report. Officials have considered the recommendations in detail and have used them to inform our approach. This includes continuing to urge Nicaragua to re-establish democratic freedoms through bilateral engagements and public statements in international fora. On 28 February 2025 at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, we raised our grave human rights concerns, including relating to freedom of religion and belief.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 29 January (HL4271), what steps they have taken to ensure that humanitarian aid is received by the Rohingya in Bangladesh; when they will publish the outcomes of this funding; and whether they will make regular updates on funded projects publicly available.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has been actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation of the Rohingya in Bangladesh. We are a leading donor to the Rohingya response and have provided over £420 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017, including food provision, clean water, healthcare and protection services. The UK ensures that aid reaches the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, by working with international partners like the UN Refugee Agency, International Organization of Migration and World Food Programme. For detailed information on projects we fund and their outcomes, you can refer to the UK Government's Development Tracker:
https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/programme/GB-GOV-1-300554/summary
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many projects in Afghanistan are funded by UK development aid, and through which entities the funds are distributed.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK is taking a leading role in the humanitarian response to support the people of Afghanistan. Last financial year (2024-2025), the government allocated £171 million in aid to Afghanistan making it one of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) largest bilateral aid programmes. We plan to publish final 2025/26 Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations in the FCDO Annual Report & Accounts this summer. Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used from 2026/27 onwards will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.
We do not give aid to the Taliban. UK aid is distributed through a range of international and national Non-Governmental Organisations and UN agencies. All funding is provided directly to implementing partners who are highly experienced at delivering in difficult circumstances and ensuring aid is only used to help those most in need.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of Syria about the mass killing of civilians from the Alawite minority by militia groups in March.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The protection of all civilians in Syria and their full inclusion in the transition process will continue to be a priority in our engagement with the Syrian Government. The Minister for the Middle East discussed this issue during his meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 17 March and the National Security Advisor discussed it in his call with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on 10 April.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of people who benefit in Afghanistan from projects funded by UK development aid, and what steps they are taking to guarantee that UK development aid benefits women and children.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The rights and needs of women and girls are at the core of the government's humanitarian response in Afghanistan. We are equally committed to protecting the safety, health and development of Afghan children. In financial year 2023-24 (the most recent period for which we have verified data), UK aid provided over 2.7 million people, including over 1.3 million women, with humanitarian assistance. Implementing partners provide the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with data on the number of beneficiaries they have reached through UK funding, disaggregated by sex. We remain committed that at least 50% of people reached by UK aid in Afghanistan are women and girls and have met this target since financial year 2021-22 and expect to have to met this target in 2024-25 (data is currently being verified). UK aid is subject to strict monitoring and verification to ensure it is only used to help the vulnerable people for whom it is intended.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current condition of the Yazidi community in Iraq; what steps they are taking to assist the Yazidi community; and what assessment they have made of how such assistance will be affected by the cuts to the Official Development Assistance, and of the impact on the Yazidi community.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK remains committed to the Yazidi community's safety and security, recognising the hardships and persecution they have endured. Reducing Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a difficult, but necessary decision. However, the Building Peace and Security in Iraq programme will continue facilitating the return and reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons, including Yazidis. We also continue to advocate with Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government on stability, security and governance in Sinjar.
Prior to this year, the UK also funded Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking programmes. These programmes strengthened government and civil organisation capacity to advance transitional justice mechanisms, and support survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimates they made of the cost of legal assistance and representation for bereaved survivors in relation to their proposals for a 'Hillsborough Law', and on what data they based any such estimate on.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government’s commitment in its 2024 manifesto to provide legal aid for victims of disasters or state-related deaths will support bereaved families at an incredibly difficult time following the loss of their loved ones. We are currently working on plans to deliver on this commitment and, as such, we are unable to share information on costs. The Government will announce its approach in due course.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy on whether to extend the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The UK Government supports the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which helps protect civilians and supports the transitional government of South Sudan to implement their peace process. In the 2024/25 financial year, the UK provided nearly £52 million to support the UNMISS mandate to aid preparations for elections, including through support and technical assistance to electoral institutions.
Negotiations are underway on the renewal of this mandate. The UK Government is committed to working with its partners to secure its renewal.