Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of HPV vaccinations for (a) girls and (b) boys.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

NHS Commissioned School Aged Immunisation Service providers have robust catch-up plans in place for the adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme. This is based on population need, and utilises opportunities from the move to one dose in September 2023. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works closely with several charities to develop resources to raise awareness of HPV. The UKHSA also publishes annual statistics, which are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2022-to-2023/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccination-coverage-in-adolescents-in-england-2022-to-2023

These support local National Health Service teams in developing plans to improve uptake and reduce inequalities for the HPV universal programme. NHS England has improved digital communications on vaccinations, including expanding the NHS app, and has improved access to the vaccine outside of schools, through community clinics at convenient times and locations. The UKHSA produces a number of HPV resources, which are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hpv-vaccination-programme.

Materials are also available on the UKHSA Health Publications website in a range of languages and accessible formats, at the following link:

https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.html

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the annual pensioner Christmas bonus in line with inflation.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Department has no current plans to make such an assessment.

The Christmas Bonus was initially introduced as a one-off payment of £10 in 1972 and has not been uprated or increased on a yearly basis like some benefits.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of smear tests.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

To support improving access and uptake of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, the National Health Service has a series of initiatives underway, including:

• developing a digital-first approach to cervical screening invitations and reminders;
• introducing revised invitation correspondence, and a subsequent reminder letter, that is sent at 24.5 years old to specifically highlight the need to attend cervical screening, even if they have had the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and raise awareness of HPV vaccine catch-up offers, for those up to 25 years old;
• using the new IT system, the Cervical Screening Management System, to enable an opt-in process for transgender and non-binary people’s screening invitations, to ensure that no-one eligible misses the opportunity to be invited and participate;
• expanding the of the range of accessible public information materials across all screening programmes, and continuing to highlight the importance of screening within our regular equalities-focused communications and engagement;
• developing an agile cervical screening workforce that can respond to fluctuations in demand through workforce planning, accounting for potential future changes to screening offers, directed by the UK National Screening Committee;
• identifying low-cost or no-cost opportunities to communicate the NHS’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, highlighting the value of cervical screening and the HPV vaccination as fundamental to achieving this goal; and
• The UK National Screening Committee’s consideration of whether the introduction of self-sampling for non-attenders to the cervical screening programme may increase uptake.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to progress strategic devolution in Somerset with (a) Wiltshire, (b) Dorset and (c) other neighbouring counties.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are launching the Devolution Priority Programme, aiming to deliver new Strategic Authorities and see a new wave of Mayors elected in May 2026. Regions interested in joining the Devolution Priority Programme have written to government to express their interest. We are now reviewing proposals and expect to confirm places on the Programme shortly.

However, I recognise that not all areas will be ready to move at such a pace towards mayoral devolution, and I look forward to working with such areas to help them to realise the benefits of devolution in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from aviation.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is supporting a wide range of measures to decarbonise aviation. In January, we implemented a sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) mandate to generate demand and have committed to introduce a Revenue Certainty Mechanism to spur investment in UK SAF production.

In addition, the Government is committed to delivering a fully modernised UK airspace, resulting in journeys that are cleaner, quicker and quieter. We are also supporting the development of new low and zero carbon emission aircraft technology through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, with nearly £1bn of additional funding announced in October.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of a third runway at Heathrow on the environment.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer.

Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a third runway at Heathrow on carbon emissions.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer.

Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Refusal of Citizenship to refugees who have made irregular crossings

Wheelchair services provided by AJM Healthcare

Female football boots

NHS targets

Mental health in farming

Safety regulations for large-scale battery storage facilities

US proposals for Gaza

World Cancer Day and Leukaemia UK’s Take Action, Save Lives report

Impact of Storm Herminia in Somerset and the South West

Women's health hubs

Maternity care in the UK

CAMRA Pub of the Year award 2024 for The Bailey Head

Release of Emily Damari

Preventing sudden deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions

Cheltenham Town F.C. and the British Heart Foundation

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Found: the Act. 5 COMMITTEE STAGE Monday 10 February 2025 _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: the Act. 5 COMMITTEE STAGE Friday 7 February 2025 _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Thursday 6 February 2025 4 _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine Rachel

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

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