Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the anticipated cost of weight loss drugs to the NHS this year.

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

The Government does not hold an estimate for the anticipated cost of weight loss drugs to the National Health Service for this year or the next five years. Whilst there is data on total medicines budgets forecast up to 2028, in line with the Spending Review period, these budgets are not forecast down to the individual medicine level.

The Government does hold data on NHS spend on medicines used to treat obesity, including the newest medicines, GLP-1s. GLP-1s can be used to treat obesity or type 2 diabetes and it is not possible to separate data by usage. The data we hold is commercially confidential.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the anticipated cost of weight loss drugs to the NHS in each of the next five years.

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

The Government does not hold an estimate for the anticipated cost of weight loss drugs to the National Health Service for this year or the next five years. Whilst there is data on total medicines budgets forecast up to 2028, in line with the Spending Review period, these budgets are not forecast down to the individual medicine level.

The Government does hold data on NHS spend on medicines used to treat obesity, including the newest medicines, GLP-1s. GLP-1s can be used to treat obesity or type 2 diabetes and it is not possible to separate data by usage. The data we hold is commercially confidential.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to alternatives to weight loss drugs in appropriate cases, in particular (1) taxation of unhealthy food, and (2) promotion of exercise.

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

The Government is committed to tackling the root causes of obesity, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention. As part of our 10-Year Health Plan, we’re improving diets, increasing physical activity, and creating healthier environments so fewer people reach the point of needing treatment. This includes requiring all large food businesses to report against standardised metrics on healthier food sales, setting full transparency and accountability around the food that businesses are selling, and encouraging healthier products. We will also be updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink to bring these restrictions in line with the latest dietary advice and increase their health impact.

There currently isn’t a tax on less healthy food, although the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) has been in place since 2018 and applies to manufacturers and importers of pre-packed added sugar soft drinks that contain five grams of total sugar per 100 millilitres or more. However, in the 2025 Autumn Budget, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced the extension of the SDIL to pre-packed milk-based and milk substitutes, including soya, oat, and almond milk, among others, and a lowering of the lowest sugar threshold at which the levy applies to 4.5 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres. These measures will come into effect on 1 January 2028. The Government keeps all taxes under regular review.

We also need to support those already living with obesity. The National Health Service and local government provide a range of services to support people living with overweight and obesity to reach a healthier weight. For eligible individuals, this includes the option of being prescribed weight loss medicines, but there are also other weight management services available, including behavioural support and surgery.

The Government recognises that, coupled with interventions such as promoting a healthy diet, physical activity can help with the maintenance of a healthier weight. The national movement campaign announced in the 10-Year Health Plan will get millions moving more and the development of a new school sport partnerships network will provide more opportunities for the least active children to reap the benefits of movement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action, if any, they are taking to combat disinformation about the United Kingdom posted online from overseas.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Minister of State (Development)

As set out by the Foreign Secretary in the Locarno Speech on 9 December 2025, we recognise the threat that malign information operations including disinformation pose to our national security and overseas interests. We are working to reduce threats to the UK and our interests by identifying and taking direct action against threat networks upstream including through sanctions. We have sanctioned 38 actors engaged in foreign information manipulation and interference since October 2024. Alongside this we are focused on strategic communication and promoting factual and truthful information, and supporting media freedom. Across these efforts, we are working closely with our allies, strengthening our partnerships to jointly tackle shared threats.

Found: Hon David Mundell MP; and, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth

Found: Hon David Mundell MP; and, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth