Food and Feed (Regulated Products) (Amendment, Revocation, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Baroness Merron(2 days, 1 hour ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
My Lords, I thank noble Lords for their valuable and considered contributions to the debate today. I re-emphasise the main point I made in my opening comments: removing automatic renewal processes and statutory instrument requirements will not lower food safety or standards. I am grateful for the support from the noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, and for her bringing to bear her experience across relevant departments, as well as from the noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, and the noble Lord, Lord Kamall.
I have heard a number of concerns, including from the noble Baronesses, Lady Bennett and Lady Walmsley. I understand the points made, and I hope that I can reassure them further from my opening comments. I am very happy to follow up where I have not got the ability, time or wherewithal to answer the questions.
The noble Baroness, Lady Coffey, asked about ministerial decision-making and the assertion of the non-discrimination principle. These reforms do not change what is in place to maintain the functioning of the internal market Act. Differences in approach will continue to be managed through the relevant common frameworks. I reassure not only the noble Baroness but other noble Lords that the FSA and the FSS are strongly committed to achieving a four-nation consensus, in line with our commitment to the food and feed safety and hygiene common framework. Decisions by Ministers in England—which will be from the Department of Health and Social Care, to the point brought up by the noble Baroness—as well as Scotland and Wales, will still be required for authorisations in their respective nations.
The noble Baroness, Lady McIntosh, asked about processes that will be followed with the removal of the renewals process. This SI does not change current GMO labelling requirements, which I know was another matter of concern to other noble Lords. Products that contain or consist of GMOs must be clearly labelled as defined in current legislation. Nothing will change in that regard. Following the reforms, businesses will continue to be required to notify the FSA and the FSS, if they have any new information which might affect the suitability of a validated laboratory-based method for the identification, detection and qualification of GMOs, something that the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett, was also concerned with.
To the point about the SLSC, it is suggested that the House may wish to consider the steps proposed to maintain parliamentary oversight. However, proportionate processes are in place for sufficient scrutiny of authorisation decisions, such as public consultation and the publication of safety assessments and authorisations. It is an important point that the authorisation process remains open and transparent. The SLSC recognised that this aligned with the processes used by other UK regulators.
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)
I do not wish to labour the point too much, but when a statutory instrument is presented to this Committee, we have the opportunity as parliamentarians to look at it. How will we be informed of the renewals if they are on a register? Do we have to ask someone to notify us? How do we know? At the moment, it is automatic; in future, it will not be.
Baroness Merron (Lab)
I understand the point the noble Baroness is making. I will turn to the point about the availability of information, which was also the point that the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, made. However, details of applications and authorisations will actually be more publicly available than they are currently. I hope that will be helpful. Of course, as we know, Ministers must provide reasoning if they disagree with FSA and FSS advice when they are making their decisions. In order for the public and anybody—including Parliament—to scrutinise regulated product applications and authorisations, all those tools and resources will be available.
The noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, suggested a reporting mechanism. I am happy to look at that and will take into account what she said. But I say to noble Lords—and I know they know this—that statutory instruments are not the only way in which to hold matters to account, nor are they always the best way to ensure transparency and openness. We are seeking to be more transparent and ensure that we make this an easier place for industry, the public and others to work in—which most noble Lords welcomed.
National Cancer Plan
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Baroness Merron(1 month ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
I am glad that my noble friend is in the health that he is. I am sure that those who have supported him will appreciate his thanks and ours.
The considerations my noble friend raises are very much part of the considerations of the national cancer plan and the 10-year plan. With respect to funding, the allocation to healthcare in the recent Budget has allowed us to take steps to arrest a continuing decline and to fix the foundations. The fact is we are spending more and we are getting less. We have to do things differently. That will mean not just looking at money but reforming care, using solutions such as technology and AI to go further still.
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)
My Lords, I refer to my interests in the register. I warmly welcome the national cancer plan. The Minister will be aware that there still is an unacceptable wait time of 62 days. Will she use her good offices to ensure that there is early referral from GPs and that more funding is made available—for this purpose and longer appointments with GPs—if that is needed to make the case for earlier diagnosis and referral?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
I say to the noble Baroness that the overall trend for cancer performance is improving but it still needs to improve further. We will take all the necessary steps. The planning guidance set stretching targets for cancer, which will see around 100,000 more people every year having cancer confirmed—or ruled out—within 28 days, and about 17,000 more people beginning treatment within two months of diagnosis. The key to all of this has to be early diagnosis and treatment and ensuring that people do not get missed out, as we have discussed earlier. The trajectory is in the right direction, but they are small steps and we need to ratchet it up.
National Insurance Contributions: Healthcare
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Baroness Merron(3 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
As the right reverend Prelate is very aware, most hospices are indeed charitable. They are independent organisations that receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. As we discussed in a recent debate in your Lordships’ House, the amount of funding that charitable hospices receive varies by integrated care board area, and that will depend in part on population need and the breadth and range of palliative care and end-of-life care provision within the ICB footprint. With NHS funding being provided on a tariff basis, as is usual every year, there is NHS planning guidance, a local government finance settlement and consultations with independent providers. That will happen this year as it has every single year under every previous Government.
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)
My Lords, the Minister is aware of my interest with the Dispensing Doctors’ Association. The idea that allocations will be made in due course simply will not wash. GP practices, care homes and pharmacies will close their doors if the Government do not act urgently.
Pharmacies: Rural Areas
Debate between Baroness McIntosh of Pickering and Baroness Merron(6 months ago)
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Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)
My Lords, I refer to my role with the Dispensing Doctors’ Association; I am grateful to the Minister for paying tribute to it. The right reverend Prelate identified the problem of having equal funding in urban and rural areas, where the dispensing doctors she identified fulfil such a crucial role. Can she give the House a commitment that sufficient funds will be made available in the negotiation of the GP contract so that all the services that are available in urban areas will also be available in rural areas?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
I know that the noble Baroness understands that there are some services which cannot be provided—for example, online services do an excellent job, as do dispensing doctors, but although I regard the online option as a very creative one that I would like to see expanded further, there are some things that require in-person attention and that will not be possible. We of course take account of situations across the country, in all the discussions, and that includes rural areas.