Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will commission technical guidance for industry on consistent measurement of free sugars to ensure compliance and enforcement can be undertaken fairly.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
On 27 January, the Government published the new nutrient profiling model (NPM). This included associated NPM technical guidance to support businesses to understand the new NPM and apply it to their products and worked examples on how to calculate free sugars and NPM scores in a range of products.
Since publication of the new NPM in January, we have been engaging closely with industry to address technical points relating to the new NPM and calculating free sugars. On 25 February, we participated in the development of the Institute of Grocery Distribution free sugars calculation roundtable, ahead of launching the consultation on applying the new NPM to the advertising and promotions restrictions on 25 March 2026.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of adopting the revised Nutrient Profiling Model on (a) product reformulation, (b) healthier product innovation and (c) investment in the UK food and drink sector.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
As set out in our Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, we will take decisive action on the obesity crisis, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever. As part of this, the Government committed to updating the standards behind the restrictions on advertising ‘less healthy’ food or drink products on television before 9:00pm and online at any time, as well as the restrictions on the promotion of ‘less healthy’ food and drink products by location and volume price by applying the new Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM).
The advertising and promotions restrictions currently rely on the outdated NPM 2004/05. The new NPM has been updated in line with the latest dietary advice from the United Kingdom’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, particularly in relation to free sugar and fibre. Applying it to the restrictions will strengthen these policies by bringing more products of concern for children’s health into scope.
The Government published the new NPM on 27 January and launched a 12-week consultation on its proposed application to the advertising and promotions restrictions on 25 March. A consultation-stage impact assessment of the direct costs to businesses and intended health outcomes was published alongside. A final impact assessment would be published prior to amending the advertising and promotions restrictions legislation.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the risk that the revised Nutrient Profiling Model could reduce the availability of credible, lower-calorie alternatives within popular categories; and if he will set out safeguards to prevent that outcome.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) is a tool that determines whether foods or drinks are ‘healthier’ and not high in saturated fat, free sugars, or salt, or foods and drinks that are ‘less healthy’ and high in saturated fat, free sugars, or salt. The new NPM, published on 27 January, more closely reflects United Kingdom dietary recommendations. Our analysis shows that it better identifies healthier products.
The NPM is not about banning the sale of food and drink products or restricting reformulation. The aim is to stop the targeting of 'less healthy’ food and drink marketing to children and encourage further reformulation and the promotion of healthier options.
We recognise the efforts business have made to provide healthier alternatives within popular food and drink categories. We consider that these can be built upon to cater for the increasing demand from consumers for healthier products. We are confident that industry can continue this journey and we will continue our engagement to support businesses to do this.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made towards achieving universal access to Fracture Liaison Services by 2030, and what milestones his Department has set for Integrated Care Boards to reach this commitment.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Fracture liaison services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.
Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out fracture liaison services across every part of the country by 2030.
Officials continue to work closely with NHS England to explore a range of options to provide better quality and access to these important preventative services.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his department’s requirement for opportunity cost neutrality in NICE’s severity modifier on investment in treatments for more severe conditions.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for East Grinstead and Uckfield on 13 January 2026 to Question 103809.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with cabinet colleagues to improve the a) safety and b) provision of playgrounds for young people in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local authorities work locally to support adults and children to lead more active lives through access to nature, parks, and play spaces. We are investing in local government. The Spending Review 2025 provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding which will be delivered through the Settlement for 2026-27 to 2028-29.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to the provision of play space. The government has recently published a draft update to national design guidance, which emphasises that development proposals should maximise the potential for play in the layout, form and appearance of development. In terms of safety, owners and operators of playgrounds are required to comply with existing legal requirements as applicable.
Government also owns the Green Flag Award scheme, which helps to increase access to quality green spaces and parks; sets the standard for those spaces to meet the needs of the communities they serve and has helped to transform thousands of spaces across the country. This includes many parks across Newcastle-under-Lyme, such as Bathpool Park, Brampton Park and Lyme Valley Park.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of unemployed young people in Staffordshire.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve. Under the last government, between 2021 and 2024, the number of young people not in education, employment or training increased by 250,000.
The Government has recently announced a further £1 billion investment in young people, taking the total investment to £2.5 billion over the next three years though the Youth Guarantee and additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy. This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
This includes the delivery of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres. The Gateway will provide 16-24-year-olds on Universal Credit a dedicated session and follow-up support to help them move into work, training or education.
This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training, including up to 150,000 work experience placements and up to 145,000 employer designed training opportunities, such as Sector based Work Academy Programmes, which offer participants a guaranteed job interview at the end.
In addition, the Government is taking action to support employers to recruit and train young people, helping to unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities. This includes a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-old, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.
The Government will also prioritise prevention, building on measures announced in the Skills White Paper. The Government will improve support in schools, monitor attendance, increase access to work experience and work with local authorities to pilot auto-enrolling young people in further education, if needed.
Together these measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to backing young people, supporting employers, and working with partners across Great Britain to create clear pathways into employment and education for young people.
In Staffordshire, our DWP Schools Advisers have supported over 3,600 young people across in the 2024/25 academic year. This includes 220 students in Newcastle-under-Lyme at Orme Academy, St Peter's Academy, and Abbey Hill Special School. Young people have access to training in Digital Marketing, Cyber Security, Web Design, and Emergency First Aid for Mental Health through The Training Initiative.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to improve bilateral defence cooperation between the UK and Ireland.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
On 13 March 2026 the Secretary of State for Defence, and the Irish Minister for Defence, announced the signing of the refreshed UK-Ireland Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The updated MOU focuses on maritime cooperation, cyber defence, air domain information sharing, and increased joint procurement. This modernised MOU will improve bilateral defence cooperation between the UK and Ireland, providing a stronger, more agile foundation for cooperation, while respecting the distinct defence and security policies of both countries.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his department is taking to ensure that innovation in early detection and treatment technologies for heart valve disease is translated into timely and equitable patient access.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, wearables are one of the “big bets” for the future of the National Health Service. They are a powerful tool to support prevention, early intervention, and self-management of long-term conditions.
By 2028, we aim to make remote monitoring for cardiovascular disease using wearables and connected devices a standard part of care.
Our vision is for wearables to become routine in NHS care by 2035, from managing post-acute and chronic illness at home, to spotting early warning signs of disease.
Asked by: Adam Jogee (Labour - Newcastle-under-Lyme)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support a) airlines and b) travel agents in ensuring the return of British citizens in the Middle East.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My Department and I have continued to engage with the aviation sector throughout the conflict to understand the impacts on their operations, plans for minimising disruption, and the support they are providing to their customers. This collaboration and engagement included Ministerial attendance at the Third Aviation Council meeting and direct engagement with all major UK airlines, airports and key foreign carriers. My Department and I have worked in tandem with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and airlines, to ensure that any British Nationals who wish to leave the region can, through both commercial routes and repatriation flights supported by the Government.