Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for public health policy of the Health Foundation’s findings on the decline in healthy life expectancy in the UK.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises that the Health Foundation’s findings on the recent decline in healthy life expectancy are concerning. The findings reinforce the importance of a shift from treatment to prevention as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, alongside action to address the inequalities experienced by different communities.
Work is already underway to raise the healthiest generation of children ever. This includes the Tobacco and Vapes Act which will create our first smoke-free generation, and our action to tackle childhood obesity, including restricting junk food advertising targeted at children on television and online.
We will support people to make healthier choices on alcohol by mandating health information on alcohol labelling. We will also tackle air pollution, which can disproportionately affect more disadvantaged communities. To accelerate progress on the ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade, we will publish the cardiovascular disease modern service framework in Spring. This will support consistent, high quality and equitable care whist fostering innovation across the cardiovascular disease pathway.
Improving healthy life expectancy requires action across society. The Government will work in partnership with business, civil society, and citizens to support healthier lives for longer.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of debt on the prevalence of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises that financial circumstances are an important factor influencing mental health. Evidence, including findings from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/24, shows a clear association between problem debt and poor mental health outcomes, with people experiencing problem debt being around twice as likely to have a common mental health condition, including anxiety and depression. Financial pressures can contribute to psychological distress, particularly where they exacerbate existing vulnerabilities or create feelings of insecurity, but they are one of a number of interrelated factors affecting mental health. The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/24 is available at the following link:
The Government has announced plans for a new cross-Government mental health strategy for England, which will set a new direction for the mental health system so that it responds earlier, intervenes before distress escalates, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life. Through the strategy, we will work across the Government and with partners to ensure people experiencing both mental health challenges and financial difficulty can access timely support. This includes improving access to NHS Talking Therapies, integrating employment and financial guidance into services, and promoting schemes such as Breathing Space, which provides protections for people in problem debt.
We know that financial difficulty and economic adversity are also risk factors for suicide. Through delivery of the Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, we are improving the support available for people most at risk of suicide.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of (a) the number and (b) cost of clinical negligence claims associated with the use of corridor care in hospitals.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. NHSR does not hold the information in the format requested.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department plans to work with the NHS and other public health bodies to improve support and treatment for those affected by gambling harm.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
In April 2025, the statutory levy on gambling operators came into effect to fund the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harm across Great Britain. In its first year, the levy has raised nearly £120 million, with 50% allocated to gambling harms treatment and support services, and 30% allocated to gambling harms prevention activity.
Commissioners under the levy, including NHS England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department, and appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, are working collaboratively on the development of their treatment and prevention programmes, drawing on expertise from across the system.
NHS England continues to work at pace to take on commissioning responsibility for the full treatment pathway in England, from referral and triage through to aftercare, from 1 April 2026. NHS England intends to launch a grant scheme for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) treatment and support services to access 2026/27 funding in February, ensuring that those affected by gambling-related harms can continue to access services whilst integrated care boards look to implement longer-term commissioning arrangements. The shift to a shared commissioner for National Health Service and VCSE-led services will allow for improved service integration, data sharing, and patient outcomes.
OHID will employ a ‘test and learn’ approach during the transition to the new levy system, to better-understand what interventions are most effective in preventing gambling harms at a local, regional, and national level.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will initiate a review of the (a) structure and (b) terms of reference of the NHS Business Services Authority following the NHS 10 Year Plan.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As a Special Health Authority and Arm’s-Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care, the National Health Service Business Services Authority’s (NHSBSA) strategic and structural alignment with government objectives and its Framework Document are reviewed regularly by Departmental sponsors.
Discussions between officials within NHSBSA, NHS England and the Department are ongoing concerning NHSBSA’s role and services to the health and social care system and the public. This includes the support it can provide to deliver the 10-Year Health Plan.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
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 (a) noise and (b) air pollution on public health in densely populated residential areas.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
In 2023, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published the findings from a study that mapped the effects of transport noise on health and wellbeing across England. It was estimated that transport noise in England was responsible for the equivalent of 130,000 healthy life years lost in disability in 2018. The estimates are presented at local authority level to examine the spatial distribution of the health burden. This work was based on methods developed by the World Health Organization, and more information is available at the following link:
Poor air quality is one of the largest environmental risks to public health in the United Kingdom. The mortality burden in 2019 was equivalent to between 29,000 and 43,000 deaths for adults aged 30 years old and over. Some people are more affected because they live in a polluted area or are exposed to higher levels of air pollution in their day-to-day lives. UKHSA is developing an air pollution vulnerability indicator tool that will demonstrate which areas are most at risk from exposure to air pollution. This tool will help health professionals identify areas where interventions are needed most and will contribute to addressing local health inequalities related to air pollution more effectively.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
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 help improve access to healthcare for people experiencing rough sleeping.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
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.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
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 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.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
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.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
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 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.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
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.
Asked by: Beccy Cooper (Labour - Worthing West)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
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.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
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.