Beccy Cooper Portrait

Beccy Cooper

Labour - Worthing West

3,949 (7.7%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024



Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Beccy Cooper has voted in 239 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Beccy Cooper Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Gregory Stafford (Conservative)
Opposition Assistant Whip (Commons)
(7 debate interactions)
Lucy Powell (Labour (Co-op))
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(4 debate interactions)
Matthew Pennycook (Labour)
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
(4 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(31 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(8 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(4 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(3 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-26
(4,699 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Beccy Cooper's debates

Worthing West Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Beccy Cooper has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Beccy Cooper

7th October 2024
Beccy Cooper signed this EDM on Tuesday 15th October 2024

20th anniversary of Parkrun

Tabled by: Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat - Harrogate and Knaresborough)
That this House celebrates the 20th anniversary of Parkrun, which was founded in 2004 in Bushy Park, London, and now operates in 20 countries with millions of participants worldwide, encouraging physical activity, community spirit, and inclusivity, providing free, weekly, timed 5k events that are accessible to all regardless of age, …
35 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Nov 2024)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 24
Labour: 6
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 2
Independent: 1
10th October 2024
Beccy Cooper signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 14th October 2024

World Mental Health Day 2024

Tabled by: Danny Chambers (Liberal Democrat - Winchester)
That this House marks World Mental Health Day, which takes place each year on 10 October, and which raises awareness of mental health issues and promotes positive mental wellbeing globally; notes that the theme for 2024 is workplace mental health; expresses concern that, in 2024, Britain is facing increasing waiting …
49 signatures
(Most recent: 18 Nov 2024)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 27
Independent: 6
Labour: 6
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
View All Beccy Cooper's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Beccy Cooper, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Beccy Cooper has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Beccy Cooper has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Beccy Cooper has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

1 Bill co-sponsored by Beccy Cooper

Right to Manage and Leasehold Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Rachel Blake (LAB)


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
2 Other Department Questions
6th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the potential impact of socio-economic disadvantage on future earnings.

Through the Opportunity Mission and the Child Poverty Taskforce we will build opportunity for all by giving every child the best start in life, helping them achieve and thrive, building skills for opportunity and growth; and ensuring family security, so background is no barrier to success.

Bridget Phillipson
Minister for Women and Equalities
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what her planned timetable is for bringing forward a draft bill to ban conversion practices.

This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse - such practices have no place in society and must be stopped. We are committed to delivering on our manifesto commitment to bring forward a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices.

We are clear that any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support, treatment, or non-directive counselling. It must also respect the important role that teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

We will set out our next steps on this work in due course.

11th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to publish updated (a) life expectancy and (b) healthy life expectancy statistics for (i) electoral wards and (ii) middle layer super output areas.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 11th November is attached.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help small businesses to improve their capacity to deliver workplace health interventions.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) introduced the Employment Rights Bill on 10 October which is currently passing through the House of Lords. We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will result in positive and practical support to small and medium size businesses and employers across the UK.

The Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have asked Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead an independent Keep Britain Working Review as a part of the plan to Get Britain Working, focusing on what employers and government can do to encourage and support people living with ill-health in work.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging cosmetic retailers to highlight allergens in the ingredient list.

The UK Cosmetics Regulation requires manufacturers to provide a full list of ingredients for cosmetics products.

In addition, cosmetics that contain fragrance allergens, must identify the presence of these ingredients by referring to them as ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’ to help people identify and avoid those products which they may be allergic to.

Fragrance allergens are included as entries in Annex III to the Cosmetics Regulation and can only be used at the permitted thresholds and where required when accompanied by the relevant warnings.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps with technology and communications companies to mitigate harm to people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published advice on exposure to electromagnetic fields in the everyday environment, including electrical appliances in the home and mobile phones. You can find this information and the relevant fact sheets on the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/electromagnetic-fields.

A robust regulatory framework exists to ensure that exposure to electromagnetic fields remains well within safe levels. In the UK, the control of exposures occurs through product safety legislation, health and safety legislation and planning policy.

The ongoing transition from analogue to digital landlines (“the PSTN migration”) will not change the regulatory obligations on telecommunications companies to keep their users safe. We expect telecoms companies to follow guidance on product safety in relation to radio waves, as set out by the UKHSA.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
8th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Premier League clubs on gambling sponsorship on their websites.

All major sporting bodies, including the Premier League, have published their gambling sponsorship Codes of Conduct, setting minimum standards for socially responsible gambling sponsorships. As part of the Code of Conduct, clubs must ensure that no gambling sponsor logos or other promotional materials relating to gambling sponsorship appear on sections of their website which are designed to be viewed and used specifically by children. The Premier League’s decision to ban front-of-shirt sponsorship by gambling firms will also commence by the end of the 2025/26 season.

The Department will closely monitor the implementation of the Codes to ensure they have a meaningful impact.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of further gambling industry regulation being considered by her Department on levels of economic growth.

The previous Government’s white paper published in April 2023 assessed the impact of key proposals contained in the paper. The estimates did not quantify the impact of all proposals and are expected to have changed in light of updated evidence and finalised policy decisions.

Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) are currently being developed to estimate the anticipated impacts of key proposed legislative measures. Assessments for measures in scope of the Government’s Better Regulation Framework will undergo scrutiny from the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) and the impact assessments will be published alongside the RPC opinion.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of pausing the measures on adult gambling centres announced in the Gambling White Paper.

The Government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling as a pastime without the harms that can ensue from harmful gambling. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the sector and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.

The Minister for Gambling has met and held wide-ranging discussions with a range of stakeholders, including the British Amusement Catering Trade Association. We will provide further updates to the House soon.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with (a) gambling companies and (b) relevant trade associations on the potential introduction of a statutory levy.

The implementation of a statutory levy is under consideration as part of the Government commitment to tackle gambling harm. The Minister for Gambling has recently met and held wide-ranging discussions with the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, British Horseracing Association, GambleAware, Gambling with Lives and others.

We will provide further updates to the House soon.



Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to introduce a statutory levy on gambling operators.

The implementation of a statutory levy is under consideration as part of the Government commitment to tackle gambling harm. The Minister for Gambling has recently met and held wide-ranging discussions with the Betting and Gaming Council, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association, British Horseracing Association, GambleAware, Gambling with Lives and others.

We will provide further updates to the House soon.



Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has considered allowing local education authorities to open new maintained schools.

Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the government is removing the legal presumption that all new schools are opened as academies, allowing local authorities to welcome proposals for all types of school, and to put forward their own proposals where they choose to do so.

These changes will better align local authorities’ responsibility to secure sufficient school places with their ability to open new schools.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing schools currently managed by multi-academy trusts to return to local education authority control.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has been clear that there are no immediate plans to develop options that will enable academy schools to convert to local authority-maintained status.

The department’s priority is to ensure that all children receive the best possible education. Where the existing leadership of a school does not have the capacity to improve an underperforming school we will continue to intervene structurally. We are also strengthening our tools for school improvement through regional improvement for standards and excellence teams, who will provide mandatory, targeted intervention to drive improvements for schools.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
25th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to publish the revised School Food Standards; and what steps he is taking to consult (a) schools, (b) public health experts and (c) other stakeholders in the process.

To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, the department is acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the School Food Standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance. We are currently engaging with a range of stakeholders to help us understand the challenges around school food.

We intend to consult on these revisions and further details will be available in due course. We understand the importance of hearing from schools as part of this work and will ensure there are appropriate opportunities for their engagement.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how revised school food standards will align with (a) wider Government strategies on health and (b) the 10-Year Plan for Health.

The government is committed to raising the healthiest generation ever and it is important that schools follow the latest nutritional guidance. We are working with experts on revising the School Food Standards, to ensure they support on strategies around health. The current School Food Standards already state one or more portions of vegetables as an accompaniment and one or more portions of fruit must be provided every day and at least three different fruits and three different vegetables each week.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase the amount of health-related content in the national curriculum.

Health education has been compulsory in all state-funded schools in England since 2020, as part of statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE).

The RSHE curriculum, which is currently being reviewed, includes a wide range of health-related topics, including healthy eating, physical fitness, mental wellbeing and first aid, as well as the risks of smoking, drugs and alcohol.

Separately, the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review will consider how RSHE fits into the wider curriculum.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to increase the level of pay for non-academized sixth-form college teachers.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE), including in sixth form colleges. The pay and conditions of FE staff remains the responsibility of individual colleges and providers, who are free to implement pay arrangements in line with their local needs.

The department recognises the vital role that teachers in sixth form colleges, as well as in other FE colleges, play in developing the skills needed to drive our missions to improve opportunity and economic growth. The department is investing around £600 million to support FE across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. This includes extending retention payments of up to £6,000 after tax to eligible early career FE teachers in key subject areas, including in sixth form colleges. The department also continues to support recruitment and retention with teacher training bursaries worth up to £30,000 tax-free in certain key subject areas, and with support for industry professionals to enter the teaching workforce through the Taking Teaching Further programme.

My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year spending review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future post-16 funding and capital programmes will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that support for SEN children is needs-led.

The government has made it their mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The department’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the support they need, in the most appropriate setting. The department is committed to taking a community-wide approach, improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.

An important part of this work is strengthening the evidence base on what works to identify and support children with different types of needs. The department has recently commissioned a number of independent evidence reviews to shed further light on this.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
16th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered introducing further regulations on establishing (a) dog and (b) cat rescue organisations.

Companion animal rescue and rehoming organisations in England must comply with statutory welfare requirements set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Members of the public can also check if the rescue centre they use is a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, which has set clear standards for animal assessments, neutering and rehoming procedures that all members adhere to.

More broadly, the Department is developing an overarching approach to animal welfare and has initiated a series of meetings with key animal welfare stakeholders as part of this work. It will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his speech to the 2024 Country Land and Business Association conference of 21 November 2024, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the proposed 25-year farming roadmap to include (a) food and (b) food consumption.

At the Country Land and Business Association conference, Defra communicated that we would work together with farmers on a 25-year roadmap. This means we will not be telling farmers what to do. The 25-year farming roadmap will be co-produced to transition to new models that are more environmentally, and more financially, sustainable for the long-term.

Defra will focus on making farming and food production more profitable and sustainable for decades to come.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure super trawlers report marine mammal by-catch to the Marine Management Organisation.

This Government are committed to protecting our wildlife and putting nature on the road to recovery. Defra are working to improve monitoring and understanding of bycatch incidences as part of the Bycatch Mitigation Initiative. This includes continued annual estimates of marine mammal bycatch mortality through the Bycatch Monitoring Programme and work to look at barriers to bycatch reporting under the Clean Catch project.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to take steps to introduce a national phase-out of the use of pesticides in public areas under local authority control.

It is for each local authority to decide the best way of delivering effective and cost-effective weed control in its operations without harming people or the environment. We are working with stakeholders in the sector to increase awareness and uptake of Integrated Pest Management to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the potential environmental impact of mobile phones going to landfill.

No assessment has been made of the environmental impacts of mobile phones going to landfill.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government response to the Child Maintenance: Improving the collection and transfer of payments consultation, published on 23 June 2025, what her planned timetable is for publishing further information on next steps.

Primary legislation is required to make the change to remove Direct Pay and reform the collection fee structure, meaning these changes will be subject to detailed parliamentary scrutiny. Our intention is to implement these changes as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of administrative capacity to manage the volume of transitions from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit; and what steps she is taking to ensure that vulnerable claimants do not experience prolonged delays or shortfalls in payment due to outstanding actions as a result of these transitions.

Adequate resourcing for the transition is an important priority for the department.

The department has identified a small number of cases where the payments due have not all been paid in full in the first assessment period, due to delays in the process. The problem has been addressed by introducing additional automation, and increasing the resources to deal with these cases. DWP has also enhanced the identity verification identity process, reducing the requirement for customers to attend the office or receive a home visit.

We have robust plans in place to support the safe migration of cases onto UC. We will continue to monitor the position on these cases carefully through to the end of the migration activity, responding quickly if difficulties arise.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to implement a strategic plan to remove asbestos from all non-domestic buildings.

The Government is committed to working towards asbestos removal across Great Britain’s (GB) workplaces, whilst ensuring the safe management of any asbestos present.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is engaging with stakeholders about how to improve what is known about the scale and condition of asbestos remaining in GB workplaces. This will be used to develop a robust evidence base that can support or improve legacy asbestos management as part of a wider, long term strategic plan.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to amend the eligibility criteria for Universal Credit so that people on temporary employment contracts are able to make claims as soon as their contract ends.

A person on a temporary contract can claim UC at any time and the amount of UC will adjust depending on their earnings. The Government is committed to reviewing Universal Credit. Details of the review will be set out in due course.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tailor (a) guidance and (b) support for local authorities to help mitigate increasing demand on adult social care services due to demographic ageing.

The Government accounted for a wide range of pressures, including demographic changes through the 2025 Spending Review. The resulting settlement allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements.

The Department also works closely with the sector to deliver a programme of universal and targeted support. For example, through the Partners in Care and Health contract, support is provided to local authorities and partners to develop commissioning and market sustainability strategies, helping them respond to increasing service demand, including that linked to demographic ageing.

Adult social care is part of our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service that shifts care from hospitals to communities, with more personalised, proactive and joined-up health and care services that help people stay independent for as long as possible. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will work towards a Neighbourhood Health Service, with more care delivered locally to create healthier communities, spot problems earlier, and integrate health into the social fabric of places.

In addition, we have also launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission will make clear recommendations to define and build an adult social care system that will meet the current and future needs of our population.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unpaid caring responsibilities on carers’ mental health.

The Department invests in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR-funded research suggests that high intensity unpaid care, as measured by time spent caring per week, is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing a range of poorer outcomes, including worse mental health, compared to people who do not provide unpaid care. The severity of these outcomes differs based on factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity.

Local authorities have duties to support people caring for their family and friends. The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, including support for carers.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. We are transforming mental health services into neighbourhood mental health centres that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, improving assertive outreach and increasing access to evidence based digital interventions. People will also get better access to mental health support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week directly through the NHS App, including self-referral for talking therapies, without needing a general practice appointment.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance the has issued to local authorities on encouraging preventative health behaviours among working-age adults with (a) caring and (b) parental responsibilities.

The Government recognises the vital role that preventative health behaviours play in improving long-term health outcomes, including among working-age adults with caring and parental responsibilities.

The Government’s Health Mission sets out a plan to shift our National Health Service away from a model geared towards late diagnosis and treatment, to one where the NHS focuses on prevention, with more services delivered in local communities.

The Government’s Better Health Start for Life campaign provides resources for local authorities, as well as advice to parents and carers. This supports healthy behaviours for babies and children up to the age of five years old on a range of topics, from pregnancy and infant feeding to getting their child school ready.

Local authorities have duties to support people caring for their family and friends. The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, including support for carers.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of infection diagnostics on (a) levels of inappropriate antibiotic use and (b) the policies set out in the policy paper entitled UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2024 to 2029, published on 8 May 2024.

The United Kingdom’s 2024 to 2029 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan (NAP), published in May 2024, highlights the importance of accurate diagnostic testing to guide effective antibiotic use and tackle AMR. A core commitment of the NAP is supporting clinicians to prescribe the right antimicrobials only to those that need them. Outcome four specifically relates to strengthening antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship by improved targeting of antimicrobials and diagnostic tools.

The Government is also working to deliver outcome six of the NAP, which commits to cross-sector working to develop diagnostics as a tool to tackle AMR. The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has invested over £18 million of funding into AMR diagnostics research. The Department also funds the NIHR’s HealthTech Research Centres, which accelerate development of healthcare technologies, including diagnostics.

NHS England’s AMR Diagnostic programme is taking a multifactorial approach to improving the roll out of innovative rapid diagnostics, aligning to the 2024 to 2029 AMR NAP’s commitments. The programme aims to improve current practice, enhance the evidence base, improve engagement and training, and overcome barriers for industry to support the development of diagnostic tests. The ambition is to drive innovation in diagnostics within the system to improve antimicrobial stewardship and reduce the burden of infection and AMR. As part of this programme, NHS England is undertaking Horizon Scanning for new innovations, supporting research into point-of-care tests for key infections, and continuing to work with industry.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that diagnostic stewardship is embedded across infection care pathways to ensure that clinicians are (a) supported to use infection diagnostics effectively and (b) reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing.

The United Kingdom’s 2024 to 2029 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan (NAP), published in May 2024, highlights the importance of accurate diagnostic testing to guide effective antibiotic use and tackle AMR. A core commitment of the NAP is supporting clinicians to prescribe the right antimicrobials only to those that need them. Outcome four specifically relates to strengthening antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship by improved targeting of antimicrobials and diagnostic tools.

The Government is also working to deliver outcome six of the NAP, which commits to cross-sector working to develop diagnostics as a tool to tackle AMR. The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has invested over £18 million of funding into AMR diagnostics research. The Department also funds the NIHR’s HealthTech Research Centres, which accelerate development of healthcare technologies, including diagnostics.

NHS England’s AMR Diagnostic programme is taking a multifactorial approach to improving the roll out of innovative rapid diagnostics, aligning to the 2024 to 2029 AMR NAP’s commitments. The programme aims to improve current practice, enhance the evidence base, improve engagement and training, and overcome barriers for industry to support the development of diagnostic tests. The ambition is to drive innovation in diagnostics within the system to improve antimicrobial stewardship and reduce the burden of infection and AMR. As part of this programme, NHS England is undertaking Horizon Scanning for new innovations, supporting research into point-of-care tests for key infections, and continuing to work with industry.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve access to healthcare for people experiencing rough sleeping.

The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain by tackling the structural inequalities that contribute to poor health, particularly for disadvantaged groups, including those experiencing homelessness.

We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to healthcare services for those experiencing homelessness. This is why we supported the development and implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance, code NG214, which provides recommendations on ways to improve access to, and engagement with, health and social care services for people experiencing homelessness. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng214

The Department has recently published a progressive 10-Year Health Plan. We are committed to reducing the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest, an ambitious commitment that shows that the Government is serious about tackling health inequalities and addressing the social determinants of health.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
18th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to support global health workforce development as part of the UK’s international health security agenda.

Strong, resilient health systems are essential for the delivery of the United Kingdom’s wider global health objectives of strengthening global health security, including tackling the threat of anti-microbial resistance and the spread of disease, and ending the preventable deaths of new-borns and children. The UK thus recognises the need to support developing countries with their health workforce.

Since 2022, the Department has committed £20 million in Official Development Assistance funding to the Global Health Workforce Programme. The programme aims to support the development of the health workforce in six African countries and regions, aiding them to build stronger, resilient health systems for health security and to make progress towards universal health coverage. It is aligned to the World Health Organization’s Working for Health Action Plan 2022-2030.

The Department’s Global Health Workforce Programme will conclude at the end of this financial year on the completion of its current grant. However, the UK will continue to support Global Health and Global Health Security including through key health multilaterals such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the World Health Organization. We also support the development of a global workforce for health security preparedness through technical assistance offered by the International Health Regulations Strengthening Programme, and in outbreak response through the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of eligible families receive Healthy Start in Worthing West constituency.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The NHSBSA does not hold data on the number of families receiving Healthy Start and does not currently hold data on the number of people eligible for Healthy Start. The NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The table below shows the number of people on the digital scheme in the relevant local authorities as of 23 May 2025:

Local authority

Number of people on the digital scheme

Blackpool

1,434

City of Bristol

2,778

County of Herefordshire

736

Southampton

1,677

Worthing

348

Brighton and Hove

1,041

East Suffolk

1,129

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the 10 year plan for the NHS will ensure that the NHS shifts from sickness to prevention.

The 10-Year Health Plan will set out broader actions for how we shift the health and care systems in England towards preventing ill-health rather than treating sickness. Through the 10-Year Health Plan we want to take action to reduce the causes of the biggest killers and ensure that the National Health Service uses its relationship with patients to help patients improve and protect their own health.

We are already taking action, for instance enabling a smoke free generation through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and continuing the rollout of the NHS Health Check. We will build on the success of our vaccination and screening programmes and work with communities to understand what is preventing uptake.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the health impact of high street regeneration.

The design of places where people live, work, and play have a significant role in shaping physical and mental health and wellbeing. Departmental minsters meet with Government colleagues to discuss cross-Government efforts to improve the public’s health, including the impact of the local built and natural environment on health. For example, ministers at the Department of Health and Social Care have met with ministers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to specifically discuss the relationship between health, towns and planning.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has allocated for smoking cessation campaigns in the 2025-26 financial year; and whether he has made an assessment of the number of additional quit attempts that may be made as a result of these campaigns.

The 2025/26 budget for smoking cessation campaigns has not yet been confirmed.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the facilities available for critical adolescent mental health cases.

If children and young people do need to be admitted to inpatient services for mental health treatment, they should be accommodated in an environment that is suitable for their age. In some instances, clinically urgent situations will sometimes necessitate children and young people being placed on wards that are not specialised for children and young people’s mental health services, or away from their home and family. In these situations, patient safety, the least restrictive environment, and clinical need remains paramount.

The model of provision of National Health Service funded inpatient treatment for children and young people is being re-designed to support the move to community-based provision, where children and young people are able to access appropriate support in a timely, effective, and patient-centred way, close to home and in the least restrictive environment.

This transition is being supported by the introduction of provider collaboratives to support place-based commissioning and to develop local services that meet the needs of their communities. Options may include increased day provision, and the new model will see a change to how inpatient environments are best utilised.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent childhood obesity.

Obesity robs our kids of the best possible start in life, and is particularly concentrated in the most deprived areas.

Supporting people to stay healthier for longer is at the heart of our Health Mission. We face a childhood obesity crisis and this government is taking action.

We have acted to end the targeting of junk food ads at children. We’ve also given local authorities stronger powers to block applications for unhealthy takeaways near schools to put children first.

17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to expedite implementation of the recommendations from the Hughes report, published on 7 February 2024; and whether he plans to prioritise establishment of (a) interim payments and (b) a valporate specialist unit to support those affected.

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report. The report sets out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, including proposals for a financial scheme and for the establishment of a valproate specialist unit. The Government will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s Report at the earliest opportunity.

4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to monitor the rise in cases in the more spreadable variant of mpox now detected in the UK.

There are two distinct types of the mpox virus: clade I and clade II. The previous significant outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2022 was from clade II. Clade I is currently classified as a high consequence infectious disease. The risk to the UK population remains low. We expect to see the occasional imported case of Clade Ib mpox in the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to closely monitor mpox epidemiology and has well established surveillance systems to monitor the spread of mpox. This is supported by a robust contact tracing process that helps us to effectively contain any imported cases found in the UK.

The latest information about UK cases of mpox is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox

A full summary of the measures UKHSA is taking is summarised in the technical briefing, which is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e83b367f20ecc7ec3aa1db/mpox-technical-briefing-9.pdf

This briefing will be reviewed and updated as more is understood about the disease.

UKHSA is engaged with international partners, including the World Health Organisation, European, US and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, ensuring we receive updates about international cases in a timely fashion.

4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, by what procedure central government funding is allocated to institutions providing hospice care.

Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.

Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on the demand in that ICB area, but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.

From 2007/8 until 2023/24, children and young people’s hospices received funding via the Children’s Hospice Grant. While 2023/24 marked the final year of the Children’s Hospice Grant in its previous format, in 2024/25, NHS England provided £25 million of funding for children and young people’s hospices, maintaining the level of funding from 2023/24. For the first time, this funding was distributed to hospices by ICBs, on behalf of NHS England, rather than being centrally administered as before. Since 2022/23, individual allocations of this funding have been determined using a prevalence-based model, enabling allocations to reflect local population need.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the percentage of (a) doctors and (b) anaesthetists preparing to leave the profession; and what steps he is taking to improve retention.

The Government is committed to tackling the workforce crisis across the National Health Service. This will be achieved through better workforce planning, which will address the recruitment and retention challenges facing the NHS.

NHS England continues to lead on a range of initiatives to boost retention, with a strong focus on improving organisational culture, supporting staff wellbeing, and promoting flexible working opportunities. It is continually reviewing the effectiveness of these, and their impact on the workforce.

No specific estimate of the future numbers of doctors and anaesthetists preparing to leave the profession has been made. The General Medical Council publishes annual information on the total number of doctors leaving their register of licenced professionals. This shows that in 2022, 11,319 doctors left the licenced register, the equivalent to 4% of the register. No information is available for anaesthetists specifically.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of anaesthetic workforce shortages on the NHS’s ability to tackle the elective backlog.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have committed to getting back to the NHS Constitutional standard that at least 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment within our first term. As a first step to achieving this, we will deliver 2 million additional appointments, scans, and operations, or the equivalent to 40,000 per week.

Whilst no formal assessment has been made of the specific potential impact of anaesthetic workforce shortages on the National Health Service’s ability to tackle the backlog, the Government will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills, to deliver the care patients need.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of anaesthetists.

NHS staff have been overworked for years, with staff being burnt out and demoralised.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including anaesthetists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the NHS in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

There is no quick fix, but through the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan we will build a health service fit for the future.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to increase the number of medical speciality training places (a) in total and (b) in anaesthesia.

NHS staff have been overworked for years, with staff being burnt out and demoralised.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including anaesthetists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the NHS in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

There is no quick fix, but through the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan we will build a health service fit for the future.

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