Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory menopause training for GPs.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has a holistic curriculum of training that all GPs must cover before they are able to pass the examination to become a member of the RCGP and work independently as a GP. There is a specific section on women’s health, including the menopause. As a result, the menopause is already a core competency of all qualified GPs.

To support practicing GPs, the RCGP has developed a Women’s Health Library drawing together educational resources and guidelines on women’s health so primary healthcare professionals have the most up-to-date information. This includes a specific section on menopause, and more information on the Library is available at the following link:

https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/course/index.php?categoryid=57

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 help reduce health inequalities for women managing menopause in areas of high health inequalities.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future, and women’s equality will be at the heart of our missions.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for providing services that meet the needs of their local population, including menopause services. ICBs are also expected to have a dedicated focus on tackling health inequalities.

A recent rise in prescriptions for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a promising sign that more women are getting the advice and help they need. The HRT Prescription Pre Payment-Certificate continues to provide significant savings for patients who are prescribed applicable HRT medications.

The Department has invested £25 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support the establishment of at least one pilot women’s health hub in every integrated care system. One of the aims of women’s health hubs is to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Menopause care is a core service for pilot women’s health hubs.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of using hydrogen to power glass factories.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Low carbon hydrogen is a leading option to decarbonise industrial processes that are harder or more expensive to electrify.

Hydrogen could therefore be important for processes that require high temperatures or direct firing such as in the glass or ceramics industry.

Government has an ambitious range of policies in place to incentivise and support industry to invest in innovative, clean technologies, including low carbon hydrogen.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to publish the debarment list.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Procurement Act 2023 (the Act), which received Royal Assent in October 2023, creates a new debarment regime, including a public debarment list.

As of the 24th February 2025 the Act comes into force, at which point debarment investigations can be started and the debarment list can be created.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a permanent national menopause network supported by specialist nurses to (a) support and (b) offer advice on (i) diet, (ii) exercise, (iii) the workplace and (iv) other issues to people going through the menopause.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made. The Government sympathises with the difficulties women experiencing menopausal symptoms face, and we are committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service.

The NHS website provides information and advice for women on menopause symptoms, healthcare support, including treatment options, and advice on lifestyles changes, including diet and exercise. NHS England has also developed a self-care fact sheet. This fact sheet is available at the following link:

https://www.selfcareforum.org/menopause/

Women should not have to suffer in silence and anyone needing advice on managing symptoms should seek advice from their general practitioner or other healthcare professional. In addition, the Department has invested £25 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support the establishment of at least one pilot women’s health hub in every integrated care system. Menopause care is a core service for the pilot women’s health hubs.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether a Minister from his Department will attend the fifth round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty in Busan, Korea.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The fifth round of negotiations on the global plastic pollution treaty (INC-5), beginning on 25 November 2024 does not include a formal Ministerial segment. The UK will continue to be appropriately represented, and we will keep the need for Defra ministerial attendance at INC-5 under review

Found: Withdrawn after debate _NC1 Ms Stella Creasy Alex Sobel Charlotte Nichols Nadia Whittome Dr

Found: _NC1 Ms Stella Creasy Alex Sobel Charlotte Nichols Nadia Whittome Dr Simon Opher Rosie Duffield

Found: _NC12 Alex Sobel Abtisam Mohamed .

Found: _NC12 Alex Sobel Abtisam Mohamed ★.