Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to use their powers under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 to enable doctors and dentists to reform their regulatory procedures.

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

The Government is currently considering its priorities for professional regulation, and will set these out at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to have any discussions with the NHS regarding the provision of catering and rest facilities for NHS staff, including those working out of hours.

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

Good physical working environments are important for staff wellbeing and retention. Staff need to be given the time and space to rest and recover from their work, particularly when working on-call or overnight. This is recognised as a priority in the NHS People Promise, which sets out the importance of employers prioritising spaces for staff to rest and recuperate, and ensuring access to hot food and drinks.

In May 2024, NHS England and NHS Charities Together launched a £10 million Workforce Wellbeing Programme to support National Health Service staff in England. It will provide tailored health and wellbeing support to NHS staff, including grants to improve facilities. A three-year programme of work named Great Food, Good Health, led by NHS England, aims to improve the experience and quality of nutritious food that patients, staff, and visitors receive in hospital. As part of this, the NHS has made it clear that NHS organisations must be able to demonstrate they have suitable, around the clock food service provision.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce legislation to repeal section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948 to enable courts to take account of the existence of NHS care when awarding compensation.

Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government does not have any current plans to either review or repeal section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948. However, the Department of Health and Social Care is currently reviewing a range of options around clinical negligence reform and will announce its position on this in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 11 November (HL2250), when they anticipate that they will set out their principles for professional regulation in relation to doctors and dentists.

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

There is no confirmed timeframe for the Government to set out its approach to any future professional regulation reforms.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, or plan to have, with the vaping industry on curbing underage vaping.

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

It is of great concern that approximately 25% of children aged between 11 and 15 years old have tried vaping. Evidence suggests vaping products are regularly promoted in a way that appeals to children, despite the risks of nicotine addiction.

That is why we announced strong measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to ban the advertisement and sponsorship of all vapes and nicotine products. It will also stop vapes from being deliberately targeted at children, providing new powers to limit flavours and packaging, and changing how and where they are displayed in shops.

The Department ran a public consultation in October 2023 which received responses from the vaping industry. The consultation informed the development of the current Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill contains a statutory duty to consult on the use of regulation-making powers related to vaping and other measures. We will consult with the vaping industry at the appropriate time.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the increase in the uptake of pension credit since the announcement that winter fuel payments will be means-tested; and what estimate they have made of the likely cost of this to the Exchequer next winter.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The latest take up figures were published in October 2024. They showed that in financial year 2022/23, 65% of those entitled to Pension Credit claimed the benefit.

Data on Pension Credit claims and awards was published in November. It showed that there has been a 145% increase in Pension Credit claims received by DWP in the 16 weeks following the Chancellor’s Winter Fuel Payment announcement on the 29 July, compared to the number received in the 16 weeks prior to the announcement.

Benefit expenditure and caseload forecasts are regularly made publicly available by the Department. The latest published forecasts estimate that Winter Fuel Payments will cost £330m in nominal terms, for financial year 2025/26.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment, if any, they have made of the benefits of limiting the amount of alcohol sold to customers in bars and restaurants at airports; and what consideration they have given to imposing such restrictions.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The vast majority of airline passengers drink responsibly when travelling.

However, individuals who are drunk can be denied from boarding an aircraft, and tough penalties are in place for being drunk and disruptive on an aircraft (including imprisonment for up to two years or an unlimited fine, or both).

A call for evidence carried out in 2019 on imposing licensing restrictions on airside premises did not provide new evidence to make a compelling case for additional restrictions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, or plan to have, with the Welsh Government or other interested parties concerning the operation of the Barnett formula with respect to Wales.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are currently no plans to modify the operation of the Barnett formula. The Barnett formula has stood the test of time because it is simple, efficient and provides a clear and certain outcome.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury is in regular contact with his devolved government counterparts on matters of devolved government funding and the Barnett formula. Officials are also in regular dialogue on the operation of devolved government funding arrangements, including the Barnett formula.

Overall, the Welsh Government currently receives at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £4 billion more in 2025-26.

Found: 82 HL Deb 2 September 2024 c976 (Earl Russell) c978 (Baroness Young of Old Scone) c981 (Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE 101_ Clause

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE 101_ Clause

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BAKEWELL OF HARDINGTON MANDEVILLE 101_ Clause

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH 116_ After Clause

Found: Mental Health Bill [HL] 20 BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE

Found: 13 Great British Energy Bill BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH BARONESS BENNETT OF MANOR CASTLE 63_ Clause 20, page

Found: BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH 116_ After Clause

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH _ Clause 20, page 30, line 5, at end insert “and provide

Found: BARONESS WHITAKER LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH _ Clause 20, page 30, line 5, at end insert “and provide

Found: 82 HL Deb 2 September 2024 c976 (Earl Russell) c978 (Baroness Young of Old Scone) c981 (Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: 27 Great British Energy Bill BARONESS HAYMAN BARONESS YOUNG OF OLD SCONE EARL RUSSELL LORD BOURNE OF ABERYSTWYTH