Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
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 potential impact of self-sampling on reaching under-screened populations for cervical cancer; and what estimate he has made of the uptake of (a) in-clinic and (b) at-home self-sampling options.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.
As part of this, NHS England is transforming its approach to cervical screening for under-screened women. From early 2026, they will be offered a home testing kit, starting with those who are the most overdue for screening. This will help tackle deeply entrenched barriers that keep some away from life-saving screening.
National and international evidence suggests that offering the option of HPV self-testing in under-screened groups could help overcome some of the barriers to taking part in cervical screening, leading to improved participation, and ultimately preventing more cervical cancers and associated deaths.
The equality impact assessment on the introduction of human papilloma virus (HPV) self-sampling for the under-screened population in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-hpv-self-sampling-impact-assessments
The self-testing kits, which detect HPV, allow people to carry out this testing in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.
Self-testing specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments, with younger people, ethnic minority communities facing cultural hurdles, people with a disability, and LGBT+ people all set to benefit. Those who are HPV positive on their self-test will need to be followed up with a clinician for a cervical screening test, so it is acknowledged that not all barriers to attendance will be removed with the implementation of self-testing.
Therefore, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in participation from groups that are under screened. NHS England will monitor and evaluate the impact of this programme.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a delivery plan that includes (a) who is responsible for each of the actions in the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, (b) when they will be delivered and (c) what the metrics are for determining the effectiveness of the programme.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 10-Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future restates the National Health Service’s aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through improved uptake of cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Delivering the plan and making progress towards committed targets is a key priority for NHS England, working with the Department, providers, and wider health system partners.
NHS England will be monitoring and evaluating the success of all the individual activities included with its elimination plan and new initiatives as they are developed and implemented. In addition, the World Health Organisation’s cervical cancer elimination targets will be used as the basis for ongoing monitoring, along with regular assessment of cervical cancer rates.
Achieving cervical cancer elimination is a long-term goal that depends on joined up delivery of HPV vaccination and cervical screening programmes at national, regional, and integrated care board (ICB) level.
ICBs are well placed to understand the needs of their local populations and work with partners to offer services that meet those needs. They are best positioned to plan vaccination and screening services, using the recommendations set out in the cervical cancer elimination plan.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the 2031 Census recording previous service in the UK armed forces.
Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 13th January is attached.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish a consultation on access to naloxone.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Naloxone is a lifesaving medicine that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, including highly potent synthetic opioids which are growing in prevalence in the United Kingdom. It is more important than ever to increase access to naloxone products, which will save lives.
In 2024, the Department amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. The legislation enabled more services and professionals to supply this medication, making it easier to access for people at risk, and for their loved ones.
Since then, the Government has launched a ten-week UK-wide public consultation on further legislative options to expand access to take-home and emergency use naloxone.
This a central part of the government’s comprehensive approach to drug and alcohol prevention, treatment and recovery, supported by £3.4 billion of funding delivered through the Public Health Grant over the next three years.
The Department has also published guidance, Supplying take home naloxone without a prescription, that sets out essential practical information such as who can supply naloxone, the products available, how to use naloxone and other basic lifesaving tools, and the training required. This guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/supplying-take-home-naloxone-without-a-prescription
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what measures she is taking to help ensure all landlords declare their rental income accurately.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC seeks to promote compliance and prevent non-compliance as early as possible through targeted education and support. We use a range of data sources and other information to identify, deter, and respond to non-compliance in the property sector, and help landlords to get their tax right from day one, keep them on track, and offer an opportunity to address previous errors.
Where landlords do not come forward to correctly declare their rental income, HMRC takes further steps including opening formal compliance interventions where necessary. We respond strongly to those who deliberately bend or break the rules.
From April 2026, landlords with qualifying income above £50,000 will need to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. That threshold will reduce to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028.
MTD helps taxpayers pay the right amount of tax by encouraging timely and accurate record keeping, with digital prompts (where supported) pointing out errors or missing entries.
Through reducing error and improving accuracy in returns, MTD is expected to raise around £3bn in additional tax revenue by 2030-31.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he will respond to the Private parking code of practice consultation.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.
Following the close of the private parking Code of Practice consultation on 26th September 2025, all responses are now being analysed, and the government will publish a response detailing its final proposals in due course.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is the average waiting time for an ADHD assessment in a) England, b) the North West and c) the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board area.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support system to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. The most recent management information is available at the following link:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025
Data on ADHD waiting times at an ICB level is not currently held centrally. NHS England intends to publish data at ICB level in 2026/27.
NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the NHS fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services, including assessment.
The independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are on a waiting list for an ADHD assessment in a) England, b) the North West and c) the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board area.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
For the first time, NHS England published management information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, and has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support system to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. The most recent management information is available at the following link:
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mi-adhd/november-2025
Data on ADHD waiting times at an ICB level is not currently held centrally. NHS England intends to publish data at ICB level in 2026/27.
NHS England established an ADHD taskforce which brought together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing timely and equitable access to services and support. We are pleased that the taskforce's final report was published on 6 November 2025, and we are carefully considering its recommendations.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the NHS fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The purpose of the review is to provide advice and recommendations to the government on evidence on trends in mental health conditions, ADHD and autism in the population over the last decade, including how these changes have affected demand for NHS mental health, ADHD and autism services, including assessment.
The independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with utility companies on investing their profits into sewage spill prevention and improving infrastructure.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Secretary of State regularly meets with stakeholders including water companies to discuss a range of issues.
£104 billion is being invested to upgrade crumbling pipes and sewage treatment works across the country. This includes over £10 billion to improve over 2,500 storm overflows across England.
As part of the price review process, Ofwat agrees spending plans with water companies and sets stretching targets. This process includes how much water companies can charge customers and how much they can spend on dividends and interest payments.
Funding for infrastructure investment is ringfenced and can only be spent on upgrades benefiting customers and the environment. When money for investment is not spent, water companies are required to refund customers via lower water bills. Money will never be allowed to be diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with Evri on paying their workers the minimum wage.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The passing of the Employment Rights Act, and measures such as the creation of the Fair Work Agency, will create an economy that balances flexibility and security. In doing so, we will ensure an environment where working people and businesses can succeed together. We are committed to strengthening rights and protections to help the self-employed thrive in good quality self-employment.
We have already announced a package of measures to tackle late payments for small businesses and the self-employed, including a new Fair Payment Code. Self-employed individuals are not entitled to the minimum wage and Evri couriers are self-employed. As such, no discussions have taken place with Evri specifically on the issue of the minimum wage.