Charlotte Nichols Portrait

Charlotte Nichols

Labour - Warrington North

9,190 (23.0%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019


Business and Trade Committee
11th May 2020 - 30th May 2024
Business and Trade Sub-Committee on National Security and Investment
28th Jun 2022 - 30th May 2024
Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
7th Feb 2024 - 30th May 2024
Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill
21st Feb 2024 - 28th Feb 2024
Energy Bill [HL]
22nd May 2023 - 29th Jun 2023
Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill
1st Mar 2023 - 8th Mar 2023
Online Safety (Re-committed Clauses and Schedules) Bill
7th Dec 2022 - 15th Dec 2022
Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [HL]
23rd Nov 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill
2nd Mar 2022 - 8th Mar 2022
European Scrutiny Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 2nd Nov 2021
European Statutory Instruments Committee
10th Feb 2020 - 2nd Nov 2021
Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill
7th Sep 2021 - 22nd Sep 2021
Shadow Minister (Equalities Office)
14th May 2021 - 14th Sep 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Charlotte Nichols has voted in 69 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Charlotte Nichols 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
Alex Davies-Jones (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
(9 debate interactions)
Shabana Mahmood (Labour)
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
(3 debate interactions)
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(2 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Justice
(7 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(1 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(1 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Charlotte Nichols has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Charlotte Nichols's debates

Warrington North 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).

Petitions with highest Warrington North signature proportion
Charlotte Nichols has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Charlotte Nichols

16th December 2024
Charlotte Nichols signed this EDM on Monday 16th December 2024

Prison maintenance insourcing

Tabled by: Kim Johnson (Labour - Liverpool Riverside)
That this House notes with alarm the rising levels of squalor and disrepair in prisons, with the National Audit Office estimating the maintenance backlog has doubled to £1.8 billion in the past four years; further notes with alarm recent reports by the Independent Monitoring Boards highlighting how broken and outdated …
30 signatures
(Most recent: 19 Dec 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 19
Independent: 7
Green Party: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
25th November 2024
Charlotte Nichols signed this EDM on Tuesday 26th November 2024

Closure of Rathbones Bakery, Wakefield

Tabled by: Jon Trickett (Labour - Normanton and Hemsworth)
That this House is disturbed by news that Rathbones bakery site in Wakefield looks set to close following a decision by the owners, supermarket chain Morrisons, to cease production; deeply regrets the consequence of this decision on the jobs of 400 loyal staff from across the Wakefield District, with further …
19 signatures
(Most recent: 17 Dec 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 12
Independent: 6
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Charlotte Nichols's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Charlotte Nichols, 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.


Charlotte Nichols has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Charlotte Nichols has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Charlotte Nichols


A Bill to establish a passenger charter for disabled land transport passengers setting out their rights, the legal obligations of transport operators, complaints procedures, passenger assistance schemes and accessibility requirements; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 7th September 2021
(Read Debate)

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
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by the UK Covid Inquiry entitled Module 1 report: The resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom, published on 18 July 2024, HC 18, what steps his Department is taking to help support the voluntary sector to participate in (a) local resilience forums and (b) emergency response exercises.

The Cabinet Office recognises the valuable role that the voluntary and community sector can play in all aspects of resilience. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 requires those responders most likely to be involved in emergencies (Category 1 responders) ‘to have regard’ to the activities of voluntary organisations in the course of carrying out their duties. This is further reinforced in guidance and standards highlighting the benefits which the voluntary and community sector can bring to local partners and Local Resilience Forums.

The voluntary sector is also being included in the reinvigorated National Exercising Programme (NEP) to test our readiness to respond to risks set out in the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) through the participation of Local Resilience Forums. This programme complements existing emergency response exercises being led by and involving Government Departments, Local Government, the Devolved Administrations and industry organisations.

To further develop and support engagement, the Head of Resilience in the Cabinet Office chairs the Voluntary and Community Sector Strategic Discussion Forum every six months, with key voluntary sector organisations. Cabinet Office will continue to explore opportunities to further strengthen voluntary sector engagement to build national resilience.

Abena Oppong-Asare
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
15th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with D&D London on the closure of 35 TGI Fridays branches.

We understand that this will be a concerning time for workers at TGI Fridays, and we stand ready to support those impacted. Affected employees will be able to access Government support, including Universal Credit and Job Centre Plus to help them find new jobs, through its Rapid Response Service. DBT officials are monitoring developments and are in touch with administrators.

Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support women with flexible working.

Through the recently introduced Employment Rights Bill, we are amending existing legislation to ensure employers accept flexible working requests, except where they are not reasonably feasible. These changes will support employees to access flexible working, including women. We know flexible working is particularly important supporting women who combine work with caring responsibilities.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether there have been changes to the licence agreements issued to UK Seabed Resources Limited since January 2021.

There have been no changes to the licence agreements issued to UK Seabed Resources Limited since January 2021.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department made an assessment of the potential costs and benefits to the UK of UK Seabed Resources Limited's two International Seabed Authority exploration licences.

The Department for Business and Trade has considered the potential future impacts to the UK in holding two Deep Sea Mining exploration licences and have found there is an opportunity for the UK to take a lead in this emerging market with potential for growth and revenue through taxation. This is subject to the establishment of strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines adopted by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and where there is sufficient scientific evidence available to assess the potential impact of deep-sea mining activities on marine ecosystems.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Government response to the consultation entitled Health is everyone’s business, published on 4 October 2021, whether he plans to incorporate proposals within that consultation on tackling ill health-related job losses into the Employment Rights Bill.

This Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full and updating Britain's employment protections, so they are fit for our modern economy and the future of work. As set out in the Plan to Make to Work Pay we are committed to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so it provides a safety net for those who need it most. We will remove the Lower Earnings Limit to make it available to all workers and remove the waiting period so that SSP is paid from the first day of sickness absence. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people secured a grant from the Great British Insulation Scheme since it opened in April 2003.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is not a government grant, rather it is an obligation on larger energy suppliers to deliver the most cost-effective single insulation measures to eligible households across Great Britain.

Information on the number of measures installed and the number of households that have received measures under GBIS since it launched in 2023 can be found in Tables 1 and 2 of the latest GBIS Statistics Release.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is to decide whether to accept Ofcom’s advice on extending category 1 regulation of schedule 11 of the Online Safety Act 2023 to small online forums containing (a) racial hatred and (b) promotion of (i) suicide and (ii) eating disorders.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology is carefully considering Ofcom’s categorisation research and advice and will make Regulations as soon as reasonably practicable.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
19th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to help increase the number of students entering the civil nuclear sector.

Nuclear power production is making a crucial contribution to the UK’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission. This contribution relies on a highly skilled workforce. The government and industry are working together to increase the number of students across academic and technical education that enter the nuclear sector. The government’s reforms of England’s skills system, including through the Growth and Skills Levy, the work of Skills England and the Post-16 Strategy, will support the sector’s access to the talent that it needs.

The National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills, which the government developed in partnership with industry, will also help address the workforce needs of the civil and defence nuclear sectors. The Plan, published by the Nuclear Skills Delivery Group, is available here: https://nuclearskillsdeliverygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NSDG-National-Nuclear-Strategic-Plan-For-Skills.pdf.

The government’s current skills offer in England is already helping meet the needs of the nuclear sector. There are seven nuclear-specific occupational standards which underpin apprenticeships. Other apprenticeships are also crucial to the construction and operation of nuclear power plants, including project manager (level 6), and maintenance and operations engineering technician (level 3).

The ‘Free Courses for Jobs’ offer includes two nuclear sector-specific qualifications: the ECITB level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Nuclear Engineering and Science.

A range of Skills Bootcamps are available in nuclear specific and nuclear supportive courses.

Higher education plays a key role in supplying the civil nuclear sector with the skills it needs. Sector specific provision is important, particularly at postgraduate level, but more general courses are also vital to a healthy skills supply for the sector.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including first aid training in the national curriculum.

All state-funded schools in England are required to teach first aid as part of statutory health education, which is taught as part of relationships, sex and health education (RSHE). It includes basic first aid and dealing with common injuries. Pupils in secondary schools are taught further first aid, for example how to administer CPR and the purpose of defibrillators.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to embed a Whole Education Approach to mental health and wellbeing in all education settings.

​​The government is committed to improving mental health outcomes for all children and young people, as this is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity and learning.

The department, along with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, provides guidance to schools and colleges on a whole school or college approach to promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/614cc965d3bf7f718518029c/Promoting_children_and_young_people_s_mental_health_and_wellbeing.pdf. The department has also provided a free to access resource hub for mental health leads, which can be found here: https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/whole-school-or-college-resources/.

Over 70% of all schools and colleges have accessed grants from the department to train a senior mental health lead, who develops their knowledge and skills to embed a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/senior-mental-health-lead-training. In addition, as of April 2024, Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) cover 44% (4.2 million) of pupils in schools and learners in further education (FE) in England. Coverage of MHSTs is expected to cover at least 50% by the end of March 2025.

A key part of our approach is ensuring the right support is available to every young person that needs it, which is why we have committed to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. The government will also be putting in place new Young Futures hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.

For early years settings, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children have the best start in life and are kept healthy and safe. The EYFS statutory framework can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2.

The department works closely with the FE sector to support providers to develop and implement a whole college approach to mental health and wellbeing. This is supported by the Association of Colleges refreshed Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter, which was published in March 2024.

To raise standards in the higher education sector, the Office for Students has provided £400,000 of funding to the student mental health charity, Student Minds. This has enabled significant expansion of the University Mental Health Charter Programme, with 113 universities now signed up. The programme helps universities to adopt a whole institution approach to mental health.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
15th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help tackle low pay in the further education sector.

The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE). This remains the responsibility of individual colleges who are free to implement pay arrangements in line with their local needs.

The government recognises the vital role that FE teachers play in developing the skills needed to drive our missions to improve opportunity and economic growth. That is why the department is investing around £600 million in FE across the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26. This includes extending retention payments of up to £6,000 after tax to eligible early career FE teachers in key subject areas. 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 our 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)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the specialist workforce needed for (a) babies, (b) children and (c) young people with speech, language, and communication needs.

This government’s vision for children and young people with special educational needs, including those with speech, language and communication needs, is the same as it is for all children and young people. We want them to achieve well in their early years, at school and in further education; to find employment; to lead happy and fulfilled lives; and to experience choice and control.

In July, the department announced that funded support would continue in the 2024/25 academic year for 11,100 schools registered to the Nuffield early language intervention programme. This will help pupils who need extra support with speech and language development to find their voice. The department is also funding the Early Language and Support For Every Child pathfinders, in partnership with NHS England. This will fund nine Integrated Care Boards and will fund one of the local areas within each of the nine Regional Expert Partnerships to trial new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools. Alongside this, we know that continuing to build the pipeline of speech and language therapists is essential. That is why the department introduced the speech and language degree apprenticeship, which is now in its third year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway into a successful career as a speech and language therapist.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure the specialist workforce needed for (a) babies, (b) children and (c) young people with speech, language and communication needs.

This government’s vision for children and young people with special educational needs, including those with speech, language and communication needs, is the same as it is for all children and young people. We want them to achieve well in their early years, at school and in further education; to find employment; to lead happy and fulfilled lives; and to experience choice and control.

In July, the department announced that funded support would continue in the 2024/25 academic year for 11,100 schools registered to the Nuffield early language intervention programme. This will help pupils who need extra support with speech and language development to find their voice. The department is also funding the Early Language and Support For Every Child pathfinders, in partnership with NHS England. This will fund nine Integrated Care Boards and will fund one of the local areas within each of the nine Regional Expert Partnerships to trial new ways of working to better identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs in early years and primary schools. Alongside this, we know that continuing to build the pipeline of speech and language therapists is essential. That is why the department introduced the speech and language degree apprenticeship, which is now in its third year of delivery and offers an alternative pathway into a successful career as a speech and language therapist.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that speech, language and communication (a) needs and (b) development are supported as early as possible including for children whose needs are identified pre-school age.

Early language skills are vital in enabling children to thrive in the early years and later life, as well as for all aspects of later attainment in school.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements that all early years providers must follow to ensure every child has the best start in life and is prepared for school. The three prime areas of learning and development within the EYFS are particularly important for building a strong foundation, with communication and language being one of the prime areas.

Assessment plays an important part in helping parents, carers and practitioners to recognise children’s progress, understand their needs and to plan activities and support. The assessment requirements in the EYFS include a progress check at age two and the EYFS Profile, both of which involve reviewing a child’s development in communication and language.

However, the department knows that when it comes to referrals for additional support, too many children are waiting too long for speech and language therapy. NHS planning guidance asks local systems to reduce overall waiting times for community services, with a particular focus on reducing the longest waits. Community health services, including speech and language therapy, will be key in delivering this government’s commitment to shift to a neighbourhood health service and provide more care in the community. Full details of the NHS operational planning and contracting guidance can be found on this website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/operational-planning-and-contracting/.

To further support early language skills, the department is also:

  • Extending the Nuffield Early Language Intervention programme (NELI) for the 2024/25 academic year to support reception-aged children needing extra support with their speech and language development. NELI is proven to help children make four months of additional progress, and seven months for those eligible for free school meals.
  • Delivering the early years education recovery programme, including:

Providing funding for settings to undertake evidence-based continuous professional development programmes, including those focussed on speech, language and communication, via a national network of early years stronger practice hubs.

Training through the ‘professional development programme’ and the online early years child development training, both of which include a specific module focused on early language.

Training for up to 7,000 special educational needs co-ordinators to help children with speech, language and communication needs and support earlier identification of needs.

  • Enabling Family Hubs to train practitioners to support families with the home learning environment. Practitioners are being trained to help parents learn new skills, including providing effective support for children’s speech and communication.
  • Working in partnership with NHS England to deliver the ‘Early Language Support for Every Child’ pathfinders.
  • Working with partners to deliver an ‘Early Language Local Innovation and Excellence’ programme which includes implementation of published speech and language communication pathway guidance and an early language identification measure.
  • Publishing early years special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment guidance and resources including practical advice, tools and downloadable resources. These will help educators assess children with SEND, capture their voice, and set learning targets featuring a dedicated tool for communication and interaction.
Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to reintroduce red squirrels in parts of England.

The leading causes of red squirrel decline in England include competition from non-native grey squirrels, squirrel pox virus, and habitat availability. Conservation of red squirrels is therefore targeted to red squirrel stronghold areas in the north of England. All reintroductions in England are expected to follow the Code for Reintroductions and other Conservation Translocations.

The UK Squirrel Accord, to which Defra, Natural England, and the Forestry Commission are signatories, is working to better understand the appropriate strategies for conserving the red squirrel. This work includes identifying, protecting, and strengthening existing red squirrel populations, expanding their current range, and promoting better understanding and support for their conservation. Future conservation actions will be informed by this work. Once the work of the strategy has concluded and its recommendations set out, we will consider whether red squirrels should be reintroduced. In the meantime, the red squirrel action plan contains actions that could improve their habitats.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce incentives for (a) manufacturers and (b) motorists to encourage take-up of electric cars.

In the Autumn Budget the Government announced over £2bn of capital and R&D funding to 2030 that will support the latest research and development, accelerate commercial scale up, and unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and the wider supply chain. In addition, in 2025-26 Government is investing £200m to expand electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints, providing £120m for new electric van grants, and strengthening consumer incentives by widening the differentials in Vehicle Excise Duty First Year Rates between EVs and hybrids vs. internal combustion engine cars. EVs continue to get the best rates available for salary sacrifice schemes, which strongly incentivises the uptake of EVs.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to increase the amount of freight transported by rail.

The Government recognises that the economic and environmental potential of rail freight is significant and is committed to supporting its growth.

There will be a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of rail freight and there will be an overall rail freight growth target set by the Secretary of State, with clear and meaningful targets for rail freight growth within pre-defined periods.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 3.19 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, when she plans to publish further information on her plan to increase capacity on the West Coast main line.

The delivery of High Speed Two (HS2) is expected to nearly double seat capacity between London and Birmingham, which is the most congested section of the West Coast Main Line. We are taking into consideration the recent proposal from the Mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands for enhancing rail connectivity between the Midlands and the North West, and will set out a clear plan to address capacity and connectivity issues in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 4.72 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, whether she plans to publish a consultation on the proposed rolling stock strategy.

Once Great British Railways is established then it will be making integrated decisions on Rolling Stock, bringing together track and train. This will include a Rolling Stock Strategy which will include considerations around the timelines for new build, refurbishments, and provide more visibility to the rolling stock market.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to simplify railway ticket pricing.

This Government is committed to reviewing the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying it. We have already begun simplifying fares through our pay as you go schemes and work to simplify fares with LNER. More details will be announced in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what data her Department holds on the number of people eligible for child maintenance who are not claiming it.

It is estimated that at the financial year ending 2023, there are 2.4 million separated families in Great Britain and 3.8 million children in those families. 41% of these did not have either a statutory arrangement with the Child Maintenance Service or a private arrangement.

At the end of June 2024, the Child Maintenance Service was managing 744,000 arrangements for 675,000 Paying Parents, the number of arrangements has increased by 10% since the end of June 2023.

Legislation to remove the £20 application fee was introduced in February 2024, removing a financial barrier to parents wishing to access the CMS.

Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance is an online service that provides free information and support to help parents make decisions about CM and make a CMS application if they choose to.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress her Department has made on reviewing the fairness of PIP assessments.

The Department is not currently undertaking a review of the fairness of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments.

PIP is designed to treat all claimants fairly, focusing on the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability, rather than the condition itself. Individuals can be impacted by their health conditions in different ways, so the PIP assessment considers the needs of each individual claimant against the assessment criteria set out in legislation, regardless of whether those needs relate to a physical or non-physical impairment.

DWP has set standards for the quality of assessments and closely monitors all aspects of the process including the performance of the assessment suppliers. Our audit process considers the initial review, evidence collection, further evidence provided, and the advice within the assessment report completed by a health professional (HP). The check is completed against a set of guidelines to ensure a consistent approach is taken. This ensures that assessment reports are fit for purpose, clinically justified and sound, and provide sufficient information for the department to make an informed decision on entitlement to benefit.

All assessment suppliers work with the department on plans to continuously improve assessment quality through a range of measures including audit procedures, clinical observations, tailored training and development plans, providing feedback and in the support available to HPs.

All claimants have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) if they disagree with their PIP decision. If they disagree with the outcome of their MR, they are able to appeal to an independent tribunal.

We are exploring potential changes to modernise the PIP service to improve claimants’ experience and trust in our services and decisions. We will set out the detail of any changes in due course.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
15th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that employers are supporting women managing menopause.

The Government believes in the vital importance of equality of opportunity and of treatment in the workplace. The plan to Make Work Pay includes clear action to place equality, diversity and inclusion issues on a statutory footing. This includes requiring large employers to publish plans detailing the action they're taking to improve gender equality and support employees during the menopause. Alongside this, the Government has appointed a Menopause Employment Ambassador who will work with employers to improve the support for women experiencing menopause symptoms at work.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay to that of the National Living Wage.

No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship, which is why we plan to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so it provides a safety net for those who need it most. The Plan to Make Work Pay commits to remove the Lower Earnings Limit to make it available to all workers and remove the waiting period so that SSP is paid from the first day of sickness absence. Together these changes will ensure everyone receives fair earnings replacement when they have to take time off work.

The Government will continue to keep the rate of SSP under review as part of the annual uprating process.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of paying Statutory Sick Pay at an hourly rate.

No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship, which is why we plan to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so it provides a safety net for those who need it most. The Plan to Make Work Pay commits to remove the Lower Earnings Limit to make it available to all workers and remove the waiting period so that SSP is paid from the first day of sickness absence. Together these changes will ensure everyone receives fair earnings replacement when they have to take time off work.

As part of these changes consideration will be given as to how to best structure the payment rate for individuals earning below the flat weekly rate of SSP.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to implement the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of Session 2023-24 on Statutory Sick Pay, HC148, published on 28 March 2024, in the Employment Rights Bill.

The Government will be providing a response to the Fourth Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of Session 2023-24 on Statutory Sick Pay in due course and once the Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee has been appointed.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take to encourage take up of Pension Credit.

The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.

As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim.

From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.

Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.

We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.

Emma Reynolds
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take legislative steps to allow pubs to designate outdoor smoking and vaping areas.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced to Parliament on 5 November 2024, and passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 25 November 2024. The bill will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom, helping to reduce approximately 80,000 preventable deaths and reduce the burden on the National Health Service and on the taxpayer.

The bill contains powers to extend the ban on smoking indoors to certain outdoor settings, to reduce the harms of second-hand smoking, particularly around children and vulnerable people. In England, we are considering extending smoke-free outdoor places to outside schools, children’s playgrounds, and hospitals, but not to outdoor hospitality settings such as pub gardens. The bill also has powers to make most public places and workplaces that are smoke-free, vape-free.

Exactly which settings should become smoke-free and vape-free will be a matter for secondary legislation, with all proposed reforms subject to a full consultation.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
25th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of his Department's spending relates to medical negligence and claims (a) nationally and (b) in Warrington North constituency.

NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England.

In NHSR’s annual report and accounts, published on 23 July 2024, reports that the total of payments made by NHSR for clinical negligence claims in 2023/24 was £2,821,200,000. This is approximately 1.6% of the NHS resource budget.

Regarding the specific cost of clinical negligence claims in the Warrington North Constituency, NHSR has advised that it does not record the cost claims in the format requested.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what treatments are (a) available and (b) due to become available in the next 12 months on the NHS for people who have experienced adverse side effects to Covid-19 vaccines.

In the very rare event where an individual may have suffered a severe adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, care and treatment will be best met and managed by National Health Service local specialist services, augmented as appropriate by national specialist advice. Individuals will be treated and managed through existing healthcare services, with any treatment dependent on the individuals’ clinical needs.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what level of indemnity is required for each NHS job category.

All regulated healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom are legally required to hold appropriate clinical negligence cover for the costs of claims and damages awarded to patients. This is set out under Section 44 of the Medical Act 1983.

Most staff at National Health Service trusts and NHS general practices in England and Wales benefit from state indemnity, in respect of NHS clinical negligence. These state indemnity schemes are the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts, the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice, and the Existing Liabilities Scheme For General Practice, with further information about all three schemes available, respectively, at the following three links:

https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/claims-management/clinical-schemes/clinical-negligence-scheme-for-trusts/

https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/claims-management/clinical-schemes/general-practice-indemnity/clinical-negligence-scheme-for-general-practice/

https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/claims-management/clinical-schemes/general-practice-indemnity/existing-liabilities-scheme-for-general-practice/

Clinical negligence claims under these schemes are administered by NHS Resolution on behalf of the Government. Where regulated healthcare professionals undertake work not covered by a state scheme, for instance doctors working in private practice, dentists, and general practitioners in Scotland and Northern Ireland, they must purchase their own cover.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department requires recipients of the Community Automated External Defibrillator Fund to register their automated external defibrillators onto The Circuit national defibrillator network.

The Department does not hold data on automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on the Circuit. The Circuit is a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service.

The Government is committed to improving access to AEDs in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. We have made a further £500,000 available from August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the Department’s Community AED Fund. The criteria specified for the original grant continues to apply, and will go to applications for AEDs in areas of England where there is the greatest need, including in areas of high footfall, hot spots for cardiac arrest, and areas that already have low access to AEDs.

Once installed, these AEDS are required to be registered on the Circuit. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian, or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage community organisations in (a) Warrington and (b) the rest of England to register their automated external defibrillators onto The Circuit national defibrillator network.

The Department does not hold data on automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on the Circuit. The Circuit is a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service.

The Government is committed to improving access to AEDs in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. We have made a further £500,000 available from August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the Department’s Community AED Fund. The criteria specified for the original grant continues to apply, and will go to applications for AEDs in areas of England where there is the greatest need, including in areas of high footfall, hot spots for cardiac arrest, and areas that already have low access to AEDs.

Once installed, these AEDS are required to be registered on the Circuit. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian, or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to (a) help increase survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and (b) increase the availability of defibrillators in Warrington.

The Department does not hold data on automated external defibrillators (AEDs) installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on the Circuit. The Circuit is a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation in collaboration with the National Health Service.

The Government is committed to improving access to AEDs in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. We have made a further £500,000 available from August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the Department’s Community AED Fund. The criteria specified for the original grant continues to apply, and will go to applications for AEDs in areas of England where there is the greatest need, including in areas of high footfall, hot spots for cardiac arrest, and areas that already have low access to AEDs.

Once installed, these AEDS are required to be registered on the Circuit. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian, or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check on the AED.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps under the NHS 10-Year Plan to improve public access to first aid (a) training and (b) equipment to help (i) increase the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rate and (ii) reduce health inequalities.

The 10-Year Health Plan will consider the change needed to meet the three health mission goals of; a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer: a National Health Service that is there when people need it; and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers. Meeting these goals will ensure a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area.

We will carefully be considering policies with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our stakeholders as we develop the plan.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
NHS
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the findings of Lord Darzi's Independent investigation of the NHS in England, published on 12 September 2024, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen NHS resilience; and whether he plans to collaborate with auxiliary support partners such as St John Ambulance to help (a) reduce NHS pressures and (b) improve health outcomes.

The independent investigation into National Health Service performance, published on 12 September, is helping to inform a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS and build a health service that is more resilient and fit for the future.

It is for local integrated care boards, in partnership with providers and stakeholders, to take decisions on how NHS services, including those delivered by the voluntary and charitable sectors, can best meet the needs of their local populations, and help improve patient outcomes.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to enable Integrated Care Boards to draw on surge capacity from auxiliary organisations such as St John Ambulance to help support NHS emergency preparedness.

The independent investigation into National Health Service performance, published on 12 September, is helping to inform a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS and build a health service that is more resilient and fit for the future.

It is for local integrated care boards, in partnership with providers and stakeholders, to take decisions on how NHS services, including those delivered by the voluntary and charitable sectors, can best meet the needs of their local populations, and help improve patient outcomes.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help improve how NHS England works with clinically trained volunteers.

NHS England does not directly manage volunteers, with volunteering services being managed and delivered by National Health Service organisations and commissioned partners.

The 2023 NHS Volunteering Taskforce report highlighted the untapped potential of volunteering to tackle some of the NHS's greatest challenges, particularly in improving health outcomes for patients, reducing health inequalities, and increasing the resilience of health and care services at times of extreme pressure. NHS England is committed to delivering on the recommendations outlined in the report, in order to maximise the all-round benefits of involving volunteers.

The NHS continues to appreciate the contribution of clinically trained volunteers, from the thousands of trained Community First Responders across the ambulance service, to volunteers from partner organisations such as St John Ambulance who are commissioned to deliver NHS England’s national ambulance auxiliary offer.

NHS England continues to support the growth and development of volunteering across the NHS, which includes volunteer roles that support the delivery of clinical care, where this is appropriate, whilst ensuring that volunteers are never substituted for our substantive paid workforce.

Building on learning from the pandemic, NHS England is working with national emergency preparedness, resilience, and response teams, NHS organisations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) partners, regarding the role of volunteers and the VCSE sector in enhancing NHS resilience.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to develop volunteering as a route to an NHS career; and what support his Department provides to (a) NHS Cadets and (b) other programmes to help support a (i) diverse and (ii) inclusive NHS workforce.

NHS England has been working in partnership with Helpforce, St John Ambulance, and Barnardos on a range of initiatives to better support volunteers to take the next step into a career in the National Health Service. With Helpforce, this has included supporting 28 pilot organisations to initiate a Volunteer to Career programme, offering routes into careers with a particular focus on clinical workforce pathways. In addition, NHS England’s partnership with St John Ambulance has led to over 5,000 14 to 18-year-olds enrolling on the NHS Cadets programme to date. In the last year, 80% of those new to the programme were from deprived or under-represented groups who might not otherwise have considered a healthcare career. Finally, with Barnardos, NHS England has developed the Young People’s Health Challenge to inspire seven to 14-year-olds from deprived communities and underrepresented groups to find out more about the NHS, raise health literacy, create aspirations to work or volunteer with the NHS, and reduce health inequalities.

NHS England is working to embed the Young People’s Health Challenge and NHS Cadets programme across the NHS, and ensure sustainability beyond 2024/25. NHS England is also working to share the learning and experiences of the Volunteer to Career programme, developing tools, resources, and guidance that enables all health and care organisations to better support volunteers to move onto careers within the NHS, if they wish to do so.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the NHS Long-Term Workforce plan, what steps his Department plans to take to recognise the clinical capability of volunteers in enhancing NHS resilience and delivering NHS Career pathways.

The Department and NHS England value the excellent contribution that clinically trained volunteers make in supporting the National Health Service, from the thousands of trained Community First Responders across the ambulance service, to volunteers from partner organisations such as St John Ambulance who are commissioned to deliver NHS England’s national ambulance auxiliary offer.

NHS England continues to support the growth and development of volunteering across the NHS, which includes volunteer roles that support the delivery of clinical care where this is appropriate, whilst ensuring volunteers are never substituted for our substantive paid workforce.

Building on learning from the pandemic, NHS England is working with national emergency preparedness, resilience, and response teams, NHS organisations, and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) partners, regarding the role of volunteers and the VCSE sector in enhancing NHS resilience.

NHS England has also been working in partnership with Helpforce, St John Ambulance, and Barnardos on a range of initiatives to better support volunteers to take the next step into a career in the NHS.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Mental Health Bill will (a) protect and (b) enhance the rights of (i) children and (ii) young people who are (A) detained in and (B) admitted informally to mental health hospitals.

The forthcoming Mental Health Bill will strengthen the rights of children and young people, to ensure they are involved in decisions about their care, that they can challenge these decisions and, above all, ensure that they are only detained for treatment in hospital when it is absolutely necessary. NHS England is working to minimise the number of children and young people informally admitted to inpatient mental health care.

Subject to the passage of the Bill through Parliament, it is proposed that children and young people formally detained under the Mental Health Act will have statutory Care and Treatment Plans, the right to choose a ‘Nominated Person’ to look after their interests and expanded access to Independent Mental Health Advocates. The latter will also apply to voluntary patients who are not detained under the Act.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to increase funding for the children's mental health to (a) reduce waiting times for and (b) increase access to support.

It is unacceptable that too many children and young people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we know that waits for mental health services are far too long. That is why we will recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers across both adult and children and young people’s mental health services. We are discussing our future investment in children and young people’s mental health services.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Department for Education to consider how to deliver our manifesto commitment of accessing a specialist mental health professional in every school. We need to ensure any support meets the needs of young people, teachers, parents, and carers. This includes considering the role of existing programmes of support with evidence of a positive impact, such as Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges.

Alongside this we are working toward rolling out Young Futures hubs in every community, offering open access mental health services for young people.

The Mental Health Bill currently before Parliament will deliver the Government’s commitment to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983, so that it is fit for the 21st century. The Bill will amend the Act, which applies to England and Wales, and give patients detained under the Act greater choice, autonomy, rights, and support.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to review the requirement for three miscarriages to have taken place before the drug progesterone can be administered.

The new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance states that women bleeding in early pregnancy after one miscarriage should be offered progesterone. The guidance was updated in 2021, based on the progesterone in early pregnancy bleeding trial, and is available at the following link, in section 1.5.2:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng126/chapter/Recommendations#management-of-miscarriage

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps to review the prescription charge medical exemption list annually.

There are no current plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place, for which those with chronic illnesses may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support people (a) on lower incomes and (b) who are living with a long-term health condition with the cost of prescription charges.

There are a wide range of exemptions already in place to help people afford prescriptions. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and those with chronic illnesses may already be eligible for an exemption. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available, and the 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

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