Daisy Cooper Portrait

Daisy Cooper

Liberal Democrat - St Albans

19,834 (38.4%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Health and Social Care)

(since October 2021)

Licensing Hours Extensions Bill
7th Feb 2024 - 30th May 2024
Building Safety Bill
9th Sep 2021 - 26th Oct 2021
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Education)
7th Sep 2020 - 21st Oct 2021
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Justice)
6th Jan 2020 - 7th Sep 2020
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Jan 2020 - 7th Sep 2020


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Daisy Cooper has voted in 5 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Daisy Cooper Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

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

Sparring Partners
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(3 debate interactions)
Ellie Reeves (Labour)
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
(2 debate interactions)
Alistair Strathern (Labour)
(2 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(4 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(2 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(2 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Daisy Cooper has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Daisy Cooper's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Daisy Cooper

2nd September 2024
Daisy Cooper signed this EDM on Tuesday 10th September 2024

Ban trophy hunting imports

Tabled by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
That this House notes CITES data and investigations by the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting published in the national media showing British trophy hunters are killing and bringing home trophies of threatened species including African elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippopotamuses, zebras, wolves, monkeys, wild cats, lynxes, cougars, bears, and African …
65 signatures
(Most recent: 12 Sep 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 23
Liberal Democrat: 19
Scottish National Party: 7
Independent: 6
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Green Party: 2
Alliance: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
2nd September 2024
Daisy Cooper signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 2nd September 2024

Withdrawal of the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024

Tabled by: Wendy Chamberlain (Liberal Democrat - North East Fife)
That this House calls on the Government to withdraw the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024.
83 signatures
(Most recent: 12 Sep 2024)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 72
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 2
Alliance: 1
View All Daisy Cooper's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

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

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


Daisy Cooper has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Daisy Cooper has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

10 Bills introduced by Daisy Cooper


A Bill to establish an independent public inquiry into the Government’s response to concerns about fire and building safety.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to place a duty on the Lord Chancellor to ensure the provision of safe and secure accommodation for all women leaving prison; to require the Lord Chancellor to review support provided to women leaving prison with the objective of preventing such women becoming homeless; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure equal access to maternity services for people living in rural and coastal areas to those living in other areas, including access to the same range of birthing methods and locations; to require consultant-led maternity services to be available within 45 minutes of an expectant mother’s home; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to require ambulance services to provide more accessible and localised reports of ambulance response times; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to provide that an allegation concerning a medical practitioner’s fitness to practise may be considered by the General Medical Council irrespective of when the most recent events giving rise to the allegation occurred; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 18th December 2023

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament an annual report on the allocation of research funding into cancers with the lowest survival rates in the UK, including lung, liver, brain, pancreatic cancer, and certain childhood cancers, including an assessment of the options for increasing funding for research with the aim of increasing survival rates for those cancers; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 11th December 2023

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to appoint an independent reviewer to prepare a quarterly report containing an assessment of primary care services; to require the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament each report prepared by the independent reviewer; to require such reports to include the independent reviewer’s assessment of any measures taken to improve general practice services, dental services, community pharmacy services, optometry services, and mental health services; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 12th July 2023
(Read Debate)

A Bill to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to enable local authorities in England to determine the fees to be paid in respect of applications and deemed applications for planning permission; to require local authorities to set the scale of fees with a view to ensuring that the costs of determining applications can be wholly funded by application fees; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 16th November 2022

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on the merits of reinstating the Access to Elected Office Fund.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 20th June 2022

A Bill to require courts to impose community sentences on women offenders unless they have committed a serious or violent offence and pose a threat to the public; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 3rd March 2020

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
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to (a) publish on the gov.uk website and (b) keep updated a list of current Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

The list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries as of September 2024 is published on gov.uk and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-parliamentary-private-secretaries-pps-september-2024

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department paid to each publisher that took part in the All in, all together advertising campaign since 2020.

The UK government partnered with the newspaper industry to launch the “All in, all Together” Covid-19 advertising campaign. The purpose of the partnership was to amplify public information on critical coronavirus messaging to ensure it reached all communities while also delivering demonstrable value for money. The partnership comprised over 600 titles, to ensure messaging is reaching communities throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and includes over 25 multicultural titles. We only hold information about the press partnership as a whole; it is not broken down by publisher, campaign or newspaper.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what criteria were used to decide which publishers would be invited to take place in the All in, all together campaign since 2020.

The UK government partnered with the newspaper industry to launch the “All in, all Together” Covid-19 advertising campaign. The purpose of the partnership was to amplify public information on critical coronavirus messaging to ensure it reached all communities while also delivering demonstrable value for money. The partnership comprised over 600 titles, to ensure messaging is reaching communities throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and includes over 25 multicultural titles. We only hold information about the press partnership as a whole; it is not broken down by publisher, campaign or newspaper.

Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to seek negotiations with the EU on extending the duration of Schengen Area visas for UK citizens travelling to the EU for longer than 90 days.

Both the UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their arrangements for Third Country Nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the Schengen Borders Code allows for Third Country Nationals to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling to the EU.  The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to hold a substantive debate in the House of Commons on future subsidy arrangements for Drax power station.

No decision has been taken on whether transitional support arrangements should be introduced for biomass generators when their current arrangements end. The Government will consider a range of factors, including a robust assessment of potential value for money for consumers, to inform its decision. This will be subject to appropriate Parliamentary engagement.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to ensure that households with solar panels and battery storage receive the rate of wholesale electricity as payment for excess electricity exported to the grid.

Both rooftop solar and batteries are important for getting to net zero. Households and businesses with solar panels can benefit through significantly reduced electricity bills. They can also export the excess energy they generate to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). This is a market led mechanism where electricity supply companies set their own export tariffs. As the SEG is market led, those with solar panels can shop around for the best prices.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an estimate of the amount of non-residential building roof space that is (a) available and (b) suitable for the installation of solar panels.

The Government does not take a prescriptive approach to the amount of rooftop solar deployment required, nor to the mix between installation on domestic and non-domestic properties. Therefore, no such estimate has been made. However, the Government is clear that rooftop solar will play an important role in achieving its ambition of tripling existing solar capacity by 2030. Further details will be included in the upcoming publication of the Solar Roadmap.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps enable households with solar panels and battery storage to receive the rate of wholesale electricity as payment for excess electricity exported to the grid for the next three years.

Both rooftop solar and battery storage will play a crucial role in the Government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, by saving families money on their bills and giving us energy security.

Over 1.2 million homes now have solar PV installed, and the Government believes rooftop solar on new homes and buildings will, where appropriate, play an important role in the drive for solar, delivering cleaner energy and lower bills to millions of households and businesses.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including awareness of endometriosis in Relationships, Sex and Health Education in schools.

Statutory guidance on the current relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum published on GOV.UK states that pupils should be taught key facts about the menstrual cycle, including what is an average period, the range of menstrual products and implications for emotional and physical health. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

While endometriosis is not mentioned specifically in the statutory guidance, it is open to schools to include it as part of this education.

In 2020, the department developed teacher training modules to support schools further, which are freely available to download from GOV.UK. This included working with Endometriosis UK when developing the ‘changing adolescent body’ module, which references endometriosis.

The department is currently reviewing the RSHE statutory guidance. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has been clear that children’s wellbeing must be at the heart of this guidance for schools. As such, the government will re-engage with stakeholders, look carefully at the consultation responses and consider the relevant evidence before setting out next steps.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she had made an assessment of the adequacy of the number of educational psychologists in each local education authority in England.

The department understands the critical role educational psychologists play in the support available to children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Data on the number of educational psychologists employed by local authorities is collected by the department within the School Workforce Census, which can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

Whilst it is the responsibility of local authorities as the employers of educational psychology services to ensure that their services are adequately staffed, the department is taking measures to support local authority educational psychology services by investing in developing the future workforce of educational psychologists.

The department is investing over £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists from this year. This builds on the £10 million currently being invested in the training of over 200 educational psychologists who began their training in September 2023.

Following graduation, trainees who have had their training funded by the department are required to remain in local authority employment for a minimum period. To support local authority services to recruit and retain their educational psychology workforce, this requirement will increase to three years for those trainees beginning their course this year. This will allow local authority services to benefit from the public investment in educational psychologist training, and support their delivery of statutory assessments and wider work.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 402 on Special Educational Needs, how many children and young people with education, health and care plans have missed (a) one year and (b) more than one year of education in the last five years because they were required by local education authorities to transfer into a year group commensurate with their age.

The department does not hold the information requested.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the rates paid to providers for free hours childcare and early years education.

Current national average funding rates for local authorities are broadly in line with, or higher than, nursery fees paid by parents last year. However, the department is taking concerns from the early years sector very seriously and wants to ensure that the sector is financially sustainable going forward. Budgets for 2025/26 are still to be agreed at the autumn Spending Review. This includes the 2025/26 early years budget which the department will need to agree across government. The department knows how important these decisions are to local authorities and providers, and is working across government to take them as soon as practicably possible.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to hold discussions with the F40 campaign group on SEND funding allocations.

The department will take time to consider the high needs national funding formula (NFF) that it uses to allocate funding for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities. The department is considering the impact of the formula on local authorities, including Hertfordshire County Council and those in the F40 group. It is important that there is a fair education funding system that directs funding to where it is needed.

Budgets for the 2025/26 financial year have not been set, which means that decisions on the high needs and mainstream schools NFF and the publication of allocations for that year will not be to the usual timescales.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the guidance entitled Summer born children: advice for admission authorities, published on 27 April 2023, whether she plans to introduce additional guidance for summer born children with an education, health and care plan.

The department will be considering whether to publish such additional guidance and will confirm its decision in due course.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to extend free childcare to holders of British National (Overseas) passports working in the UK.

This government is determined to make early years the department’s top priority, reset its engagement with the sector and set every child on the journey to improved life chances. The government will say more about plans for early education and childcare in due course.

The current position is that families with British National Overseas status can access:

  • The universal 15 hours free childcare entitlement, which is available to all 3 and 4 year old children, regardless of parental circumstances.
  • 15 hours entitlement for parents of 2 year olds in receipt of additional support, which is available if their child has an education, health and care plan, or is in care or adopted in England and Wales. They are also eligible for these hours if their household income after tax is no more than:

o £26,500 for families outside of London with one child

o £34,500 for families within London with one child

o £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children

o £38,600 for families within London with two or more children

The entitlements for children of working parents are not within the definition of ’public funds’ in the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 or the Immigration Rules. However, there are requirements in the Childcare (Free of Charge for Working Parents) (England) Regulations 2022 for the parent, or one of the parents, not to be subject to immigration control. This means that where both parents have no recourse to public funds, they will not be eligible for these entitlements. However, if there are two parents and just one of them is subject to immigration control, the family will still be eligible for the entitlements provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on vaccinating badgers to help tackle the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

Over the past few years, several initiatives have been introduced to encourage take up of badger vaccination over larger, more contiguous areas.

  • Bolstering APHA field teams to deliver badger vaccination in several areas where licensed badger culling had ended.
  • Government funded community-led badger vaccination project in East Sussex.
  • Improved guidance to increase efficiency of vaccination.
  • The 'Train the Trainer' (TtT) scheme, which enables experienced cage-trappers and lay vaccinators to qualify as trainers and form their own local training hubs, creates more training capacity to enable more people to be trained.
  • A simplified badger vaccination licence and registration process, alongside a smartphone reporting app making it easier to report activity in the field
  • Streamlined cage-trapping and vaccination training courses to make them less time-consuming and more accessible.

As a result of these step, more than 3,000 badgers were vaccinated in England in 2023. This the highest number ever vaccinated annually in England to date

On 30 August, the Government announced the start of work to refresh the Bovine TB strategy for England, to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament and drive down disease to save cattle and farmers’ livelihoods. This will be undertaken in co-design with farmers, vets, scientists and conservationists, ensuring a refreshed strategy continues to be led by the best scientific and epidemiological evidence and advice.

As part of this announcement, a new Badger Vaccinator Field Force will be established. This will increase badger vaccination to drive down TB rates and protect badgers. A badger vaccination study will also be carried out. This will supplement the Field Force. The Government will rapidly analyse the effect of badger vaccination on the incidence of TB in cattle to encourage farmers to take part and provide greater confidence that doing so will have a positive effect on their cattle.

Further details can be found on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-end-badger-cull-with-new-tb-eradication-strategy.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
23rd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the guidance entitled Local Sites: Guidance on their Identification, Selection and Management, published by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister in 2006, whether local wildlife trusts require landowner permission to designate an area as a local wildlife site.

Local Wildlife Sites are designated by local authorities for their significant nature or geological conservation value and should be identified, mapped and safeguarded through Local Plans.

Local Wildlife Sites Partnerships, set up by the local authorities for their areas, have responsibility for selecting the sites. The Partnerships are often hosted by or include the Local Wildlife Trust and may include landowners. The decision for selection (or deselection) of sites, informed by local criteria and surveys, rests with the relevant Partnership. Each Partnership determines the approach to site selection for their area. Although they do not require landowners’ consent prior to designation, they will require approval to undertake necessary surveys on the land and should engage with relevant landowners before selecting sites.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers before October 2027.

Yes. This Government is committed to creating a roadmap to a zero-waste economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer; waste is reduced; we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs; our economy prospers; and nature thrives.

We are reviewing the suite of packaging reforms and are going to work with our devolved government counterparts, industry and other stakeholders to determine the next steps for the Deposit Return Scheme. I would be happy to update the House in due course.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report by the Climate Change Committee entitled 2023 Progress Report to Parliament, published on 28 June 2023, whether he plans to accept the recommendation that no airport expansions should proceed until a UK-wide capacity management framework is in place to (a) annually assess and (b) control sector (i) CO2 emissions and (ii) non-CO2 effects.

Decarbonising transport is central to delivery of the UK’s cross-economy climate targets and directly supports the Prime Minister’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerate our journey to net zero.

Delivering greener transport is one of five priorities the Secretary of State for Transport has set out for the Department for Transport.

The Government will respond to points raised in the Climate Change Committee’s annual report to Parliament, published on 18 July 2024, in the autumn.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commission research to (a) track and (b) compare international access to myeloma treatments; whether his Department holds data on the use by other countries of isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of myeloma patients; and when he expects NICE to publish its final guidance on the use of isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in the treatment of such patients.

The Department has no plans to commission research to compare international access to myeloma treatments. There are a number of independent publications that compare international access to new medicines, including cancer medicines, such as the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations’ W.A.I.T Indicators, which is available at the following link:

https://efpia.eu/media/vtapbere/efpia-patient-wait-indicator-2024.pdf

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance in November 2020 that recommended isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone as an option for the treatment of adults with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma meeting specified clinical criteria within the Cancer Drugs Fund, for a period of managed access to collect more data and reduce the uncertainty in the available evidence base. The NICE is currently updating its guidance, taking into account real world evidence generated through the Cancer Drugs Fund and published final draft guidance in June 2024. The NICE has received appeals against its draft recommendations that will be heard by its independent appeal panel on 23 September 2024. The NICE will update stakeholders on timescales for its appraisal following the appeal hearing.

Isatuximab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone will remain available to eligible patients through the Cancer Drugs Fund in line with the NICE’s guidance published in November 2020, pending the NICE’s final updated guidance. If it is ultimately not recommended, patients who are receiving the treatment at the time will continue to do so in line with the managed access agreement entered into by the company with the NICE. There are a number of multiple myeloma topics that are currently being evaluated in the programme, some of which are expected to conclude late this year and early next year.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of (a) Genomics England Limited and (b) the NHS Genomic Medicine Service in (i) stimulating and (ii) facilitating research activity.

The NHS Genomic Medicine Service (NHS GMS), in partnership with Genomics England (GEL), delivers a national whole genome sequencing service, as part of routine care for rare disease and cancer patients. GEL delivers the National Genomic Research Library (NGRL) to store consented genomic and clinical data, enabling approved researchers to access the data securely and responsibly for health research. The NGRL currently comprises of approximately 170,000 whole genomes. Over 1,500 academic and industry researchers have access, working across 1,000 research projects since 2018. GEL and the NHS GMS also facilitate research programmes, including the Generation Study, Diverse Data, and Cancer 2.0. In addition, eight NHS Genomic Networks of Excellence have been established to generate evidence and models of adoption for new genomic technologies, and the NHS Genomics Research and Innovation Collaborative ensures coordination between the National Health Service, GEL, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on (i) its use of the new severity modifier and (ii) how it (A) measures and (B) reports the impact of the modifier on approval of treatments for (1) cancers, (2) relapsing and remitting conditions and (3) conditions that are more prevalent in older people.

We have received briefings on the use of the severity modifier by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in the development of its guidance for the National Health Service, on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS.

The severity modifier was introduced by the NICE in 2022 to replace the end-of-life modifier following extensive public and stakeholder engagement, as part of a number of changes that are designed to make the NICE’s methods and processes fairer, faster, and more consistent. The severity modifier reflects evidence of societal preferences and has already enabled the NICE to recommend innovative treatments for cystic fibrosis and hepatitis D that would not have been eligible for an end of life weighting.

Most cancers would be classed as severe and so would still have the additional weight applied. 79% of the NICE’s cancer appraisals carried out under the NICE’s updated methods have been positive, which compares with 78% under the NICE’s previous methods. The NICE continues to monitor the impact of the severity modifier on its evaluations.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidential basis is for not extending the respiratory syncytial virus immunisation programme to all children under the age of one year.

There are currently no approved respiratory syncytial virus vaccines for children under the age of one year. This is a dynamic area and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, supported by The UK Health Security Agency, is continuing to keep the evidence and its advice under review.

However, it is important to be aware that the maternal vaccine is now available to pregnant women via the National Health Service, precisely to provide protection to children in the first year of life. We would strongly encourage everyone that is eligible to take up this offer as the most effective way to protect your child.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to extend the covid-19 booster vaccination this autumn to (a) unpaid and (b) young carers.

The primary aim of the autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths, arising from COVID-19. On 2 August 2024 the Government accepted the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to offer a COVID-19 vaccination to those aged 65 years old or over, those living in care homes for older adults, and those aged between six months and 64 years old who are in a clinical risk group in England this autumn. Additionally, vaccination will be offered to all frontline health and social care workers, as well as staff in care homes for older adults.

There are no plans to offer a COVID-19 vaccination to unpaid carers, including young carers, or the families and household contacts of people with immunosuppression, during the autumn 2024 campaign in England. Unpaid carers and household contacts of those with immunosuppression have previously been offered vaccination on the basis that it indirectly protected those more vulnerable with whom they are in contact. The JCVI advice for autumn 2024 is that in the era of highly transmissible Omicron sub-variants, any protection offered by the vaccines against transmission of infection from one person to another is expected to be extremely limited. The indirect benefits of vaccination in these groups, vaccinating an individual to reduce the risk of severe disease in other people, are therefore less evident than in previous years.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many myeloma patients are receiving a fourth line treatment; and what proportion of those patients are being treated with isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone.

Information on the number of myeloma patients receiving a fourth line treatment is not held centrally. However, the following table shows the number of patients notified to receive isatuximab, in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and from January to July of 2024:

2021

2022

2023

2024

Patients notified to receive isatuximab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone

508

522

464

278

Source: NHS England.
Note: not all patients will necessarily go on to receive the treatment itself.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many applicants were (a) accepted onto and (b) rejected from the NHS Scientist Training Programme in (i) 2021-2022, (ii) 2022-2023 and (iii) 2023-2024.

The following table shows the total number of annual starters in the NHS Scientist Training Programme, as well as their split by the in-service and direct entry routes, and the number of rejected or unsuccessful direct entry applicants, each year from 2021/22 to 2024/25:

Year

Total starters

In-service

Direct entry

Rejected or unsuccessful direct entry applicants

2024/25

534

146

388

6,705

2023/24

489

116

373

5,099

2022/23

501

127

374

7,227

2021/22

404

89

315

5,931

Source: National School of Healthcare Science, NHS England.

Direct entry posts are open to all, so long as they meet the published entry criteria, and are successful via the recruitment process, which is managed by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS).

Applicants to the in-service posts are nominated by their host trust or employer and will have gone through an internal recruitment process within said trust or employer, in order for them to be nominated to join the programme, having met the published entry criteria as stated by the NSHCS.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to conduct a review of prescribing rights during this Parliament.

In late 2020, NHS England launched a series of public consultations seeking views on proposals to amend the responsibilities for the prescribing, supply, and administration of medicines for the following professionals:

- dental hygienists and dental therapists;

- biomedical scientists, clinical scientists, and operating department practitioners;

- podiatrists and physiotherapists; and

- paramedics.

This work was undertaken as part of the Chief Professions Officers’ Medicines Mechanisms (CPOMM) programme. The Department is working with NHS England to consider the CPOMM consultations and progress the extension of responsibilities to supply, administer, and prescribe medicines under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMRs 2012) to regulated healthcare professionals, where a clear need and benefits have been identified.

For example, the Department recently completed work to amend the HMRs 2012 to allow dental hygienists and dental therapists to supply and administer specified medicines via exemptions, and pharmacy technicians to use Patient Group Directions. This legislation came into force in late June 2024.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make representations to (a) Daiichi Sankyo and (b) AstraZeneca following the decision by NICE not to recommend Enhertu as a cost effective treatment for advanced stage breast cancer.

Decisions on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service in England are taken by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), on the basis of an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. The NICE’s methods are internationally respected, and have been developed through extensive work with industry, academics, and the public, to ensure they appropriately capture the costs and benefits, and best reflect social values. These are very difficult decisions to make, and it is important that they are made independently, and on the basis of the available evidence.

We understand that despite the NICE instigating an exceptional pause in the process to allow for commercial negotiations to take place with the companies Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, a deal to enable patient access to this treatment on the NHS in England has not been reached.

We know the NICE’s announcement has come as a blow to many women and their families. The NICE and NHS England have already sought to apply as much flexibility as they can in their considerations of Enhertu for HER2 LOW breast cancer, and have made it clear to the companies that their pricing of the drug remains the main obstacle to access.

Within 16 weeks of the publication of final guidance, companies can also request a rapid review to consider new patient access scheme proposals, with the aim of establishing a pricing agreement that would improve cost-effectiveness and enable patient access to high-cost medicines. The Government wants to see a deal reached to make Enhertu available. The NICE and NHS England remain open to considering an improved offer from the companies through the rapid review process, and we strongly encourage the companies to come back to the table.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 23 July to Question 383 on Wheelchairs: Procurement, if he will take steps to solicit feedback from ICBs on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas.

The Department does not have specific plans to solicit feedback from integrated care boards (ICBs) on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas.

Data collected through the National Wheelchair Data Collection is at ICB level, therefore we do not hold specific provider data. ICBs hold accountability and responsibility for the performance of contracted provision, and any issues arising within the contracting and commissioning of wheelchair services must be reviewed and addressed by the relevant ICB.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the new hospitals in the New Hospital Programme have planning permission.

18 schemes in the New Hospital Programme have been granted full planning permission and six have achieved outline planning permission.

As my rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced, and as subsequently confirmed in the Chancellor’s statement on 29 July 2024, there is a full and comprehensive ongoing review of the New Hospital Programme to provide a realistic and costed timetable for delivery. This will consider the urgent need to rebuild the seven hospitals built mostly using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete to protect staff and patient safety.

The Secretary of State will consider the findings and update Parliament on the outcome of the review reporting back to patients, clinicians, and local communities on the next steps for the New Hospital Programme. We will provide a clear and realistic timetable for delivery of the Programme and agree the investment needed to get patients the care they deserve.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to reinstate the Covid Medicines Delivery Unit to provide access to antiviral drugs for people with covid-19 infections who are clinically vulnerable.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for arranging access to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) recommended treatments, therefore it is not driven by the Department. It is up to ICBs to determine the best model of access for their eligible population.

Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 are now routinely available for National Health Service patients at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19, in line with the approach to the rollout set out in the NICE’s guidance published last year.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including a dedicated Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation section in the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of including a dedicated section on congenital disorders of glycosylation in the UK Rare Diseases Framework. The framework was published in 2021, and provides a national vision for how to improve the lives of those living with rare diseases by addressing shared challenges, and does not focus on specific rare conditions.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing a national patient register for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of establishing a national patient register for congenital disorders of glycosylation. There are no plans in England for a specific registry for this condition. Metabolic patients are included in the National Disease Registration Service, which is now part of NHS England.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will visit West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust within his first 100 days to be briefed on plans for the construction of the new hospital at Watford General.

The National Health Service is broken, and the Government is determined to fix it. We recognise the need for investment in NHS estates across the country, including at Watford General Hospital. We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded, and a realistic timetable for delivery. He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities to confirm any possible revisions to the schedule.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will retain the previous Government's commitment to release funds to West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for the purpose of commencing construction of the new hospital at Watford General before the end of 2026.

The National Health Service is broken, and the Government is determined to fix it. We recognise the need for investment in NHS estates across the country, including at Watford General Hospital. We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has asked for an urgent report on the degree to which the New Hospital Programme is funded, and a realistic timetable for delivery. He will consider this carefully then report back to patients, clinicians, and local communities to confirm any possible revisions to the schedule.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report entitled Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public, consultation response: analysis, published on 17 February 2023, if he will make it his policy to remove the five-year rule in relation to regulators being able to consider fitness to practise concerns.

The Government will consider this issue as part of wider policy work on regulations for healthcare professionals.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the provision of NHS wheelchair services by AJM Healthcare.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services. It is therefore the responsibility of ICBs to review and assess the quality of the provision of their commissioned National Health Service wheelchair services.

As such, we do not currently have any plans to assess the adequacy of the provision of NHS wheelchair services provided by AJM Healthcare. NHS England is taking steps to support ICBs to make improvements and commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services.

Data on waiting times for wheelchairs provided by AJM Healthcare is not held centrally. NHS England collects quarterly data from the ICBs through the National Wheelchair Data Collection, which is available through the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/national-wheelchair/

This data supports the drive for improvements in wheelchair services, although it is ICB level data that does not include specific data on individual services. Individual service data would need to be requested from ICBs.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many disabled adults have been waiting for an NHS wheelchair from AJM Healthcare for longer than (a) 6 months, (b) 12 months, (c) two years and (d) three years.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchairs services. It is therefore the responsibility of ICBs to review and assess the quality of the provision of their commissioned National Health Service wheelchair services.

As such, we do not currently have any plans to assess the adequacy of the provision of NHS wheelchair services provided by AJM Healthcare. NHS England is taking steps to support ICBs to make improvements and commission effective, efficient, and personalised wheelchair services.

Data on waiting times for wheelchairs provided by AJM Healthcare is not held centrally. NHS England collects quarterly data from the ICBs through the National Wheelchair Data Collection, which is available through the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/national-wheelchair/

This data supports the drive for improvements in wheelchair services, although it is ICB level data that does not include specific data on individual services. Individual service data would need to be requested from ICBs.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken with international partners to establish an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.

This government has prioritised working to end this conflict and secure the safe release of hostages, in co-ordination with international partners, since day one. We will continue to use every diplomatic lever to bring about a ceasefire deal as the first step towards long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and the wider region. The Foreign Secretary has raised the issue of securing long-term peace in all his meetings with counterparts across the region, in addition to the US, Germany, and France. The UK will play our full diplomatic role in ending this conflict and creating a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 1627 on Bangladesh: Demonstrations, whether he has had discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart on recent (a) protests and (b) violence since 30 July 2024.

On 9 August, the Foreign Secretary's statement welcomed the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order including investigating alleged human rights violations and ensuring accountability. The British High Commissioner in Dhaka has met with the Chief Adviser and Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government in August. The British High Commission continues to engage with the Interim Government in Bangladesh on key priorities including the restoration of law and order.

Catherine West
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the contested elections in Venezuela.

The UN was clear that the outcome of Venezuela's elections cannot be deemed credible without the regime publishing full results. The Foreign Secretary has publicly called for the swift and transparent publication of full, detailed results to ensure that the outcome reflects the votes and the will of the Venezuelan people; this was echoed in a G7 statement on 31 July. The UK also joined a coalition of countries in signing a Dominican Republic-led regional statement on 16 August demanding an end to repression and respect for human rights. The UK approach is to work with international partners to achieve a peaceful solution that respects the will of all Venezuelans.

Catherine West
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help tackle (a) money laundering and (b) tax evasion in the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories (CDOTs), in the context of the number of CDOTs that have created a publicly accessible register of company ownership.

Financial secrecy facilitates illicit finance including money laundering as well as tax and sanctions evasion. It enables serious and organised crime, undermines our national security by supporting kleptocracies around the world, and it diverts resources needed for vital public services.

Tackling illicit finance in the UK, as well as in our Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies, is a priority for the new Government.

We will be working closely with the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies to increase transparency, including through publicly accessible registers of company beneficial ownership. We note the progress made in a number of jurisdictions, but will be looking to work with UKOTs and CDs to urgently accelerate progress in others.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has received representations on the ending of the temporary duty easement for wines between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume on small and medium-sized wine businesses on 1 February 2025.

The Chancellor and I receive representations regularly from a wide range of stakeholders and welcome their views.

The current temporary duty easement for wine is due to end on 1st February 2025.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is her policy to end the temporary duty easement for wines between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume on small and medium-sized wine businesses.

The Chancellor and I receive representations regularly from a wide range of stakeholders and welcome their views.

The current temporary duty easement for wine is due to end on 1st February 2025.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
30th Jul 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 588 on Private Education: VAT, if she will make it her policy to extend the VAT exemption to children with (a) SEND and (b) in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance.

The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education, which is why we have made the tough decision to end tax breaks for private schools. This will raise revenue for essential public services, including investing in the state education system


Where pupils are placed in a private school because their needs cannot be met in the state sector, and they have their places funded by their Local Authority, the Local Authority will be able to reclaim the VAT they incur on these pupils’ fees. In Northern Ireland, it will be the Education Authority who fund placements in private schools and will be able to reclaim the VAT in this way.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of existing business rate valuations on (a) high street independent shops and (b) pubs and other hospitality businesses.

The government is committed to a fairer business rates system. In our manifesto, we pledged to level the playing field between the high street and online giants, better incentivise investment, tackle empty properties and support entrepreneurship.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2138 on Police: Vetting, whether her Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of English police forces in delivering Disclosure and Barring Service checks in a (a) satisfactory and (b) timely manner.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) send their Enhanced checks to a police force if there is a potential match against the names on the application form and local police systems.

DBS commissions 52 independent police disclosure units that are spread geographically across the nation and are operationally independent.

DBS has dedicated Police Performance Managers that assess, monitor and work closely with the police forces to ensure police performance against published DBS Key Performance Indicators remains strong.

The DBS’s target is to issue 80% of Enhanced checks within 14 days. DBS’ performance against this target is published every quarter: DBS dataset 1: DBS checks, the DBS Update Service, and disputes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
3rd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September to Question 2138 on Police: Vetting, what information her Department holds on the performance of police forces processing of Disclosure Barring Service checks that can be obtained without disproportionate cost.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) regularly publishes statistics on the overall processing times for each of their services. This includes checks where they are referred to police forces.

The most recent relevant data set was published July 30th is available at: gov.uk - DBS performance.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)