Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help support families with the costs of raising (a) twins and (b) children of multiple births; and if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of her maternity pay policies for families with multiple births.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are two types of maternity pay available to pregnant working women:
Maternity pay is primarily a health and safety provision for pregnant working women providing a measure of financial security to help them take time off work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth. It is not, and has never been, intended to replace a woman's earnings completely nor is it intended to help with the cost of having a baby. As such, maternity pay is paid for each pregnancy, not in respect of each child.
Additional financial support is available depending on individual circumstances, such as Universal Credit and Child Benefit. The Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) may also be available with additional payments for those having a multiple births in certain circumstances. For more information about benefits and financial support available to pregnant women and their families can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to increase the availability of rolling stock suitable for (a) the Henley branch line and (b) other non-electrified branch lines.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Train operators are responsible for ensuring that they make adequate rolling stock available to meet the needs of their customers.
The Government is in the early stages of formulating a rolling stock strategy which will include considerations around the timelines for new build, refurbishments, and potential cascades. Once established, Great British Railways will take the strategy forward providing a long-term approach to future rolling stock needs.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will take steps to (a) increase (i) frequency and (ii) reliability and (b) decarbonise services on (A) the Henley branch line and (B) other branch lines.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department and operators continually review demand when assessing the need to increase frequency going forward. There are currently no plans to increase frequency on the Henley line. The Department also monitors reliability closely as operational performance is a key focus for the Secretary of State. Great Western Railway is developing plans that would decarbonise services on branch lines in the Thames Valley and these are currently being discussed with the Department.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of diesel train availability on the Twyford to Henley-on-Thames branch line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Train operators are responsible for ensuring that they make adequate rolling stock available to meet the needs of their customers. Currently, there are no issues with the diesel fleet availability on this line.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will work with local authorities to ensure Education, Health and Care plans are updated post annual review for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to take into account the potential impact on the transition to KS3 and post-16 education.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.
The SEND code of practice is clear that all children and young people with SEND should be prepared for adulthood. All local authorities must set out the support available to help children and young people with SEND move into adulthood as part of their local offer. This should be co-produced with children, young people and their families to ensure it meets local needs. The department expects activity to support effective preparation for adulthood to be embedded within provision across every age and stage of education, starting as early as possible.
If a local authority issues an education, health and care (EHC) plan, it has a statutory duty to review the plan as a minimum every 12 months. This is to review the child or young person’s progress towards achieving the outcomes specified in the plan and to consider whether the outcomes and supporting targets remain appropriate.
For children and young people with an EHC plan, there must be a focus from year 9 onwards on preparing the young person for adulthood as part of their plan’s annual review. This focus must continue until the young person’s EHC plan ceases.
An EHC plan must be reviewed and amended in sufficient time prior to a child or young person moving between key phases of education, to allow for planning for and, where necessary, commissioning of support and provision at the new institution.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of ADHD medication shortages on children in school.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve the supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved and all strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.
The DHSC are intensively working to resolve issues with methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets by collaborating with current suppliers to resolve issues as soon as possible, expanding the UK supplier base with new suppliers, and partnering with NHS England to improve demand forecasting for ADHD medicines.
The DHSC is also supporting an independent cross-sector taskforce that NHS England has established to look at ADHD service provision and support across sectors and their impact on patient experience. The taskforce is bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the NHS, education and justice to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support. The ADHD taskforce will also work closely with the Department for Education’s neurodivergence task and finish group.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to allow Hartley pension holders to transfer their pensions funds to other administrators.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is actively monitoring the situation of Hartley Pensions and offers our sympathies to the affected customers. Hartley Pensions is a self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) provider and is therefore the responsibility of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to regulate. The FCA are working with the administrators to ensure the affected customers achieve the best possible outcome and the Government is working with the FCA as part of this process. Unfortunately, the Government cannot comment on any issues relating to an ongoing administration or court case.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of access to (a) ultrasound and (b) other scans during pregnancy in Henley and Thame constituency.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Antenatal care can start as soon as a woman knows she is pregnant. This can be done by contacting a midwife or general practitioner, or by referring herself direct to a maternity service. There will be two ultrasound scans at 11 to 14 weeks and at 18 to 21 weeks, followed by any further scans recommended by the relevant healthcare professionals.
Further details can be found on the NHS.UK website, at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/your-antenatal-appointments/
The Government is continuing to work with NHS England as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to ensure that women receive timely care.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that pregnant women are informed of their rights to an elective C-section.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England’s three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services recognises the importance of listening to women and families. It aims to ensure that women have clear choices, supported by unbiased information and evidence-based guidelines, and that all women are offered personalised care and support plans.
Personalised care and support plans take account of their physical health, mental health, social complexities, and choices. Personalised care includes an open and honest ongoing dialogue between a woman, her midwife, and other clinicians, to understand the care that is wanted.
NHS England’s website includes information about asking for a caesarean.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help prevent the illegal sale of ADHD medication for recreational use.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The illegal sale and supply of human medicines is recognised as a significant challenge for regulators across the world. Medicines purchased from websites that are illegally trading can be harmful to health, as the products received are generally unlicensed in the United Kingdom. They can contain too little, too much, or incorrect active ingredients. The global trade is substantial, with offences often taking place beyond the geographical reach of UK legislation.
The Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) within the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) works with law enforcement partners and others to tackle the illegal trade, and to prevent products from entering the UK. Where offences are identified in the UK, the CEU can investigate and, where appropriate, bring those involved to justice. In parallel with enforcement action, the MHRA also operates the #FakeMeds campaign, offering safety advice and providing practical tools to help the public stay safe when buying medicines online.