Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of regulation on scale-ups operating across multiple sectors.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We routinely engage businesses to get their views to assess the impact of regulation on businesses, including through our business questionnaire ‘Unlocking business: reform driven by you’ and our regular Business Perceptions Survey.

Our Regulation Action Plan introduced a series of regulatory reforms designed to make the UK the best place to grow and scale and a business. Building on this, we are shifting the way we support our scale-ups to grow, as set out in the package of growth measures announced by the Secretary of State on 20^th January.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of schools in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency that will require capital adjustments to deliver expanded breakfast provision under the Child Poverty Strategy.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The department has so far successfully delivered 5 million meals through 750 early adopter free breakfast clubs and schools have told us about the many benefits these clubs provide including improved attendance, behaviour and attainment.

We have seen our early adopters successfully manage space constrains and we continue to encourage local authorities, responsible bodies, academy trusts, schools and providers to work together to solve problems collaboratively, ensuring the needs of parents and children are met.

Schools have flexibility to decide where to deliver their provision, in accordance with the minimum expectations. They are expected to consider all space available onsite, including classrooms. Alternatively, they can opt to offer the provision offsite at a nearby venue. Schools will receive a £1000 start-up grant to spend on any equipment, materials, training and infrastructure and systems needed to deliver.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on targets that have been set for the UK Social Investment Fund in terms of measurable outputs for each of the next three financial years.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Social Investment Fund was launched by M&G on 21^st January and aims to invest up to £1 billion into the UK economy over the next three to five years to support new affordable homes, regeneration projects and infrastructure. This commitment aligns with the Government’s aim to encourage LGPS assets to be invested to boost UK economic growth.

The Chancellor has discussed the fund with M&G and supports their intention to align it with the government’s Missions including urban regeneration, clean energy and essential infrastructure that improves health and community wellbeing.

It is private finance and M&G will manage the fund in the best interests of investors, to deliver measurable impact across the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of potential barriers to rural workforce housing on farm labour availability.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government regularly reviews and publishes data relating to rural housing on GOV.UK: Housing Statistics for Rural England - GOV.UK. The Government gives all due consideration to this data, including implications for the rural workforce, when formulating policy.

In relation to seasonal workers via the visa route, there are no housing barriers identified for this cohort as accommodation is provided as part of the conditions of their sponsor, in the main part as on-farm caravan accommodation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding has been allocated to cancer care infrastructure in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency in the next three financial years.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving cancer services, including diagnostic capacity and treatment infrastructure, is a priority for the Government.

The Government is committed to meeting all three National Health Service cancer waiting time standards across England. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the NHS to meet demand through investment in new capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. As of December 2025, community diagnostic centres are now delivering additional tests and checks on 170 sites across the country.

The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will set out further details as to how patients across England, including in Buckingham and Bletchley, will benefit from improved diagnostic services and cancer care infrastructure.

Funding for cancer pathways is multi-layered. The integrated care board uses the core Government allocation to commission services from providers, including cancer-related activity. Specialised commissioning directs funding towards specialist areas of healthcare, such as paediatric oncology and chemotherapy.

The East of England Cancer Alliance has been allocated approximately £16 million of revenue funds for 2026/27 which will support targeted programmes of work. The process to allocate these funds is currently live. System priorities have been identified and funding requests have been submitted for consideration.

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 improve diagnostic services for cancer in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving cancer services, including diagnostic capacity and treatment infrastructure, is a priority for the Government.

The Government is committed to meeting all three National Health Service cancer waiting time standards across England. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the NHS to meet demand through investment in new capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. As of December 2025, community diagnostic centres are now delivering additional tests and checks on 170 sites across the country.

The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will set out further details as to how patients across England, including in Buckingham and Bletchley, will benefit from improved diagnostic services and cancer care infrastructure.

Funding for cancer pathways is multi-layered. The integrated care board uses the core Government allocation to commission services from providers, including cancer-related activity. Specialised commissioning directs funding towards specialist areas of healthcare, such as paediatric oncology and chemotherapy.

The East of England Cancer Alliance has been allocated approximately £16 million of revenue funds for 2026/27 which will support targeted programmes of work. The process to allocate these funds is currently live. System priorities have been identified and funding requests have been submitted for consideration.

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 adequacy of staffing levels for oncology services in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Residents of Bletchley who access oncology care would most likely attend Milton Keynes University Hospital which offers on-site chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the latter led by the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Workforce reviews are currently under way to ensure that this trust can accommodate increasing demand for services and to ensure that residents can access new treatments when they become available.

The National Cancer Plan, which will be published shortly, will highlight how we will reform our workforce to improve cancer patient outcomes, including for those patients in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. We will ensure that we have the right staff, in the right places, with the right skills, so patients can access quality care when and where they need it.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of energy efficiency standards in private rented homes in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government is looking to raise minimum energy efficiency standards across the private rented sector to deliver warmer, cheaper to heat homes. Government has published its response to the consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector on 21 January 2026. The Government Response is accompanied by the Department’s Impact Assessment which includes a regional breakdown of private rented sector properties and the estimated impact of the policy.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how his Department plans to measure the impact of the Warm Homes Plan on levels of fuel poverty in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ’s annual sub-regional fuel poverty statistics estimate the rates of fuel poverty in constituencies within England, and will therefore reflect the impacts of the Warm Homes Plan in time.

The Department will publish monitoring statistics and evaluation of policies announced in the Warm Homes Plan. DESNZ currently publishes statistics covering the uptake and impacts of energy efficiency measures here.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the business centre in Kyiv on the time taken to deliver defence equipment to Ukrainian armed forces that is supplied by the UK defence sector.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The business centre is being designed to address the challenges that currently complicate operations for smaller UK companies. This will accelerate business processes and provide greater opportunities for both nations. The Ministry of Defence will work with the selected delivery partner, and relevant stakeholders, to ensure that the hub's operational framework delivers enduring change, including the transition to reconstruction at the appropriate time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of UK small and medium‑sized defence companies that will use the business centre in Kyiv in its first year of operation.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The business centre is specifically designed to help UK SMEs overcome practical barriers to operating in Ukraine, based on industry and industry bodies feedback. Estimates cannot be disclosed at this stage, as it could prejudice fair competition among potential delivery partners and operational delivery. The Ministry of Defence will work with the selected delivery partner and relevant stakeholders to ensure the scale meets the business need and is enduring.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to introduce a framework to monitor the potential impact of the business centre in Kyiv on UK defence exports to Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

On completion of the procurement process, the Ministry of Defence will work with the selected delivery partner and relevant stakeholders to develop the business centre’s monitoring framework. As the centre becomes operational, we will integrate its activities within our existing monitoring and reporting frameworks to assess its contribution to UK-Ukraine defence exports, and wider UK trade as conditions change.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take with (a) local authorities and (b) other Government Departments to help ensure that tenants in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency are aware of their rights under the Warm Homes Plan.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government is standing up for tenants through our new minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) in the private rented sector, and proposed standard for the social rented sector, which will lift around 650,000 households out of fuel poverty. We estimate that tenants could save an average of £210 on their annual energy bill.

Landlords should provide clear communication about changes being made, and government will provide guidance for landlords and tenants so that tenants know what to expect.

The government will also provide support to local government to enable successful Warm Homes delivery at the local level. This includes through the new Warm Homes Agency, which will offer households clear advice and a consistent, quality-assured service.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how her Department plans to ensure that public sector digital initiatives support communities in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Our roadmap for modern digital government sets out how every corner of the state is using technology to make government work for the citizens it serves. It’s an action plan for the whole of the public sector, bringing together some of the most important products, platforms and transformation initiatives planned between now and 2030. Our commitments in the roadmap include strengthening collaboration between local authorities and central government, piloting local government services in the GOV.UK App and developing a strategic vision for local government technology.

To deliver this work, we launched GDS Local in November 2025 - a new unit within the Government Digital Service that brings central and local government together to improve how digital public services are designed and delivered. GDS Local works with local authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to support and accelerate digital transformation around key priorities which are set out in the Roadmap to a Modern Digital Government.

This new unit has already engaged with over 300 local government digital practitioners and will continue to support councils across the country to ensure public sector digital initiatives support local authorities and the citizens that they serve.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what measures are in place to monitor repayments among businesses in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency receiving government-backed loans.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The package is a commitment from the UK’s top high-street banks to lend more to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) using UK Export Finance’s (UKEF’s) guarantee, to boost UK exports and economic growth. It signals to SMEs that want to export that there is a dedicated pool of capital available for them from lenders whom they trust.

Repayment of the loans will be managed by the respective banks, applying their regular criteria and processes. UKEF has robust legal agreements in place which set requirements regarding monitoring of potential defaults and making relevant recoveries.

While we have not made formal assessments of the economic impact of the SME Exporter Fund, last year UK Export Finance (UKEF) provided £14.5 billion of support to UK exporters, in turn supporting up to 70,000 jobs and contributing £5.4 billion to the economy.

Each bank has agreed to make the funds available across the whole of the UK. UKEF also has a network of export finance managers (EFMs) around the whole country who are valuable points of contact for local businesses and can provide information on the range of support available. Contact details for the EFM covering Buckingham and Bletchley, and others, can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what evaluation criteria will be used to assess the economic impact of the £11 billion lending support on businesses in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The package is a commitment from the UK’s top high-street banks to lend more to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) using UK Export Finance’s (UKEF’s) guarantee, to boost UK exports and economic growth. It signals to SMEs that want to export that there is a dedicated pool of capital available for them from lenders whom they trust.

Repayment of the loans will be managed by the respective banks, applying their regular criteria and processes. UKEF has robust legal agreements in place which set requirements regarding monitoring of potential defaults and making relevant recoveries.

While we have not made formal assessments of the economic impact of the SME Exporter Fund, last year UK Export Finance (UKEF) provided £14.5 billion of support to UK exporters, in turn supporting up to 70,000 jobs and contributing £5.4 billion to the economy.

Each bank has agreed to make the funds available across the whole of the UK. UKEF also has a network of export finance managers (EFMs) around the whole country who are valuable points of contact for local businesses and can provide information on the range of support available. Contact details for the EFM covering Buckingham and Bletchley, and others, can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding his Department plans to provide to (i) Milton Keynes City Council and (ii) Buckinghamshire Council to implement the Government's energy-efficiency programmes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government recognises the essential role that local places will play in delivering the Warm Homes Plan. Low-income grant funding will continue to be delivered through the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) and Warm Homes Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF), honouring existing funding agreements. From 2027/28 onwards, we intend to integrate the WH:LG and WH:SHF into a single low-income capital scheme which will shift towards area-based delivery. We will say more about the future of these schemes by Spring 2026.

The government will further support local government through:

• The new Warm Homes Fund to help accelerate existing consumer offers for solar PV.
• The new Warm Homes Agency to support local partnerships and help build capacity.
• Funding for five Local Net Zero Hubs to provide expertise and resources.

Integrated settlements for some Mayoral Combined Authorities, including retrofit funding, by 2028.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the offshore wind commitments signed on 26 January 2026 on UK electricity prices over the next decade.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Energy Secretary signed a non-binding clean energy security agreement, the Hamburg Declaration, with European leaders at the North Sea Summit to progress build out of renewable energy in the North Sea. and incentivise further investment. Agreements in the Declaration are fully aligned with existing government policy.

Working with our European neighbours to develop joint offshore wind will enable us to maximise the clean energy potential for the North Sea, drive investment and job creation, and ensure energy security and resilience. By moving away from volatile fossil fuels we will protect consumers across the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to monitor changes in energy efficiency in homes in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency over the next five years.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Through delivery of the Warm Homes Plan we will reach 5 million homes by 2030, through direct support for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty, and innovative low-interest finance available to all.

We will publish monitoring statistics and evaluation of policies announced in the Warm Homes Plan. DESNZ currently publishes statistics covering the uptake and impacts of energy efficiency measures on GOV.UK.

The Warm Homes Plan will help lift up to one million households out of fuel poverty by 2030 through public investment and new minimum energy efficiency standards for private landlords.

DESNZ’s annual sub-regional fuel poverty statistics estimate the rates of fuel poverty in constituencies within England, so will reflect the impacts of the Warm Homes Plan in time.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of the joint offshore wind capacity agreed under the Hamburg Declaration will connect directly to the UK transmission network by 2035.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Hamburg Declaration sets a collective European ambition of 100 GW of offshore wind cooperation projects by 2050.

In 2024, Ofgem gave Initial Regulatory Approval to two such joint wind and interconnector projects, Lion Link and Nautilus. These projects are in development.

Future GB co-ordinated projects will be consistent with our own domestic processes, including the Strategic Energy planning conducted by our National Energy System Operator (NESO) which is due to be consulted on in Q1 2027.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure low-income households in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency can access grants for energy-efficient improvements.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Through the Warm Homes Plan, we are offering direct support for low-income families backed by £5 billion of public investment.

Low-income grant funding will continue to be delivered through the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) as planned, honouring existing funding agreements.

The WH:LG has been allocated £500m to provide energy performance measures and low carbon heating to low-income households across England through participating local authorities, including Buckinghamshire.

DESNZ, and its delivery partners, will continue to work with local authorities to ensure as many eligible households as possible receive support during the scheme.

Additionally, alongside the Warm Homes Plan we published a new fuel poverty strategy for England, to help lift up to 1 million households out of fuel poverty by 2030.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms have been established to measure the contribution of joint offshore wind projects under the Hamburg Declaration to UK (i) grid stability and (ii) energy security metrics.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Hamburg Declaration is a crucial step towards coordinated energy infrastructure. Coordinating with our neighbours can cut costs, strengthen energy security and help build a more flexible system.

Any GB coordinated projects will be consistent with domestic processes, including strategic energy planning conducted by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

NESO will take a whole systems approach which considers a variety of metrics, including grid stability and security of supply, to optimise generation, storage and network design. The plans due to be consulted on in Q1 2027 will provide recommendations on future interconnection and joint offshore projects in 2028.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking with social housing providers in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency to help reduce energy costs for tenants.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Warm Homes Plan will deliver £15bn of public investment and help lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030. This includes support for those on low-incomes and the introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards for the social rented sector, which will slash the cost of heating for families, making homes warmer and more comfortable. Previously, Milton Keynes City Council had received £3 million under SHDF Wave 1, £22.7 million under SHDF Wave 2.1, and now £2.5 million as part of the just under £1.15bn Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The funding will support energy efficiency and low‑carbon heating upgrades, helping raise properties below EPC Band C up to that standard.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria will be used to select education providers eligible for international expansion support.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Through the UK’s International Education Strategy, we are backing UK providers, at all levels, to deliver British education overseas in new and expanding markets, while driving growth at home.

Sector stakeholders will be central to the successful delivery of the new International Education Strategy. The reformed Education Sector Action Group (ESAG), chaired by Ministers, will bring together industry, government, and representative bodies from across the education sector to tackle key concerns and identify opportunities for partnerships. Each representative will lead on an action plan, published within the first 100 days of appointment to ESAG, outlining how their members will support delivery of the strategy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that education exports support institutions in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The new UK’s International Education Strategy sets a clear ambition to grow the value of education exports to £40 billion a year by 2030.

We are backing UK providers, at all levels, to deliver British education overseas in new and expanding markets, while driving growth at home.

By expanding overseas, our universities, colleges and education providers from all regions can diversify income, strengthen global partnerships and give millions more students access to a world-class UK education on their doorstep, all whilst boosting growth at home.

The new strategy urges UK providers to take advantage of the UK’s unique position and meet rising global demand for high-quality education.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of international education programmes on local employment.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The new UK’s International Education Strategy sets a clear ambition to grow the value of education exports to £40 billion a year by 2030.

We are backing UK providers, at all levels, to deliver British education overseas in new and expanding markets, while driving growth at home.

By expanding overseas, our universities, colleges and education providers from all regions can diversify income, strengthen global partnerships and give millions more students access to a world-class UK education on their doorstep, all whilst boosting growth at home.

The new strategy urges UK providers to take advantage of the UK’s unique position and meet rising global demand for high-quality education.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what reporting requirements UK providers will have for international education initiatives.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Sector stakeholders will be central to the successful delivery of the new International Education Strategy. The reformed Education Sector Action Group (ESAG), chaired by Ministers, will bring together industry, government, and representative bodies from across the education sector to tackle key concerns and identify opportunities for partnerships. Each representative will lead on an action plan, published within the first 100 days of appointment to ESAG, outlining how their members will support delivery of the strategy.

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 been made of the adequacy of the availability of clinical trials for cancer patients in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No specific assessment has been made. The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments, wherever they live.

The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across the country. It will ensure that more patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and to clinical trials.

The Department funds the National Institute of Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) infrastructure to support the delivery and availability of clinical trials across all aspects of human health, including cancer. The South Central Regional Research Delivery Network operates in all National Health Service trusts that span the Buckingham and Bletchley area, giving researchers and delivery teams the practical support they need locally so that clinical trials can take place and more people can take part.

The NIHR provides an online service called 'Be Part of Research' which promotes participation in health and care research, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department are taking to ensure the effectiveness of cancer screening programmes in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England Screening and Immunisation Teams, including a dedicated team covering Thames Valley, work closely with providers and local partners to ensure cancer screening programmes are delivered in line with national standards for quality, safety and effectiveness.

At a local level, the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (ICB) works in partnership with NHS England, primary care, providers and the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance to support the delivery and uptake of cancer screening programmes across Buckingham and Bletchley. This includes ongoing monitoring of screening coverage and performance at place and practice level, identifying variation, and supporting action where uptake or performance falls below national standards.

At a national level, we recently announced that the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England is lowering the faecal immunochemical test threshold from 120 micrograms of blood per gram of faeces to 80 micrograms of blood per gram of faeces. It is estimated that this change will detect approximately 600 additional bowel cancers early each year in England, approximately an 11% increase, and find 2,000 more people with high-risk polyps in their bowel, allowing doctors to remove them before they ever turn into cancers.

Additionally, in early 2026, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme will be offering a self-testing kit to under-screened women, starting with those who are the most overdue for screening. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from screening.

These national-level changes will benefit people across England, including those living in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.