Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether a teacher is authorised to use a pupils' prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injector device on a different pupil in the event of an anaphylactic emergency.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
Regulations allow, but do not mandate, schools to obtain and hold spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs). Since 1 October 2017, the Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2017 has allowed all schools to purchase AAI devices without a prescription, for use in an emergency situation. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published non-statutory guidance to accompany this legislative change, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-emergency-adrenaline-auto-injectors-in-schools. This guidance gives advice to schools on the recognition and management of an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis, and outlines when and how an AAI should be administered. The guidance states that children at risk of anaphylaxis should have their prescribed AAIs at school for use in an emergency, and that any AAIs held by a school should be considered a spare device, and not a replacement for a pupil’s own AAIs.
The department is working with DHSC and NHS England to consider how we might extend the availability of adrenaline auto-injectors in schools.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the MHRA allows an AAI prescribed to someone else to be used on a person having an anaphylactic reaction.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Regulation 238 of the Human Medicines Regulation 2012 permits the administration of adrenaline by auto-injector for use in anaphylaxis for the purpose of saving a life. The regulation does not specifically provide for, or prevent the use of, an adrenaline auto-injector, supplied under a named prescription for another person, in an anaphylactic emergency.
Regulation 235 and Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulation also permits the supply and administration of adrenaline without a prescription, including auto-injectors, to and by named categories of individuals that are suitably trained, and certain institutions and organisations, such as schools. The regulation does not prevent the use for administration of an auto-injector prescribed to someone else.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether spare AAIs can be used on someone in an anaphylactic emergency if they do not have a previously diagnosed allergy.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.
The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.
In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the most up to date NHS advice is for the application of a second Adrenaline Auto-Injectors in an anaphylactic emergency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.
The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.
In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether a pharmacist can use an Adrenaline Auto-Injector from their pharmacy on someone having an anaphylactic emergency.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) are prescription only medicines, given by intramuscular injection, regulation 238 of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012 allows anyone to administer adrenaline for the purpose of saving a life in an emergency. This includes first-aid responders, although this does require the patient to have their AAI with them.
The decision to administer adrenaline is always subject to the pharmacist’s professional judgement. If a pharmacist administers adrenaline, they must also dial 999 for an ambulance, reporting a case of suspected anaphylaxis.
In June 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and provide advice on the use of AAIs. The MHRA produced a toolkit of resources for health and social care professionals to support the safe and effective use of AAIs. Alongside this, the MHRA produced guidance, which states that prescribers should prescribe two AAIs to make sure patients always have the second dose and that those who are prescribed AAIs should carry two AAIs at all times.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department was made by a British manufacturer.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.
The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.
The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.
Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.
DCMS does not own its offices, and therefore decisions regarding formal crockery and tableware are largely made by the property management companies.
However, to supplement this, the department did purchase some crockery in early 2024, before the Procurement Act came into place, that were procured through a British company but manufactured in China.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how veterans can obtain replacement medals when originals have been (a) lost and (b) stolen in cases where ill health has delayed the submission of (i) police and (ii) insurance reports.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains a long-established policy whereby, upon receipt of proof of loss, due to fire or flood (a successful insurance claim), or theft (a police report), our Medal Office will provide replacement medals.
The requirement for documented proof of loss is applied without exception to all applications, even when illness or other circumstances prevent the individual from expediting their claim. This is to protect the integrity of medallic recognition, and the wider UK Honours system by ensuring, as far as possible, that duplicate copies of medals are not in circulation and to reinforce the intrinsic value of the medals themselves.
The policy and procedure for replacement medals is to be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Catering facilities across the property portfolio are managed and operated by either Government Property Agency, landlords and/or their respective contractors, who supply all necessary tableware and crockery.
The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.
The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.
The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.
Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what percentage of small cider producers produce less than five hectolitres of pure alcohol and are exempt from alcohol duty payments.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Alcohol duty on all products collectively raises over £12bn a year, helping to fund vital public services as well as reduce harmful drinking.
The 2023 alcohol duty reforms brought much greater consistency of treatment between different types of alcohol. The reforms also increased duty on cider above 4.5% ABV, particularly targeting high-strength white ciders that have been linked to harmful drinking.
HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of these reforms three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023, and the Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.
HMRC does not collect data on cidermakers producing less than 5 hectolitres of pure alcohol in a year. This is because, as per Section 5.2 of the Alcoholic products technical guide, producers are not required to submit a return if they produced 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the previous year and have estimated that they will produce 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the current year, across all premises. More information on the Alcoholic products technical guide can be found here:
Alcoholic products technical guide - Section 5 — returns and payments - Guidance - GOV.UK
Asked by: Gareth Snell (Labour (Co-op) - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of equalising cider and beer duty.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Alcohol duty on all products collectively raises over £12bn a year, helping to fund vital public services as well as reduce harmful drinking.
The 2023 alcohol duty reforms brought much greater consistency of treatment between different types of alcohol. The reforms also increased duty on cider above 4.5% ABV, particularly targeting high-strength white ciders that have been linked to harmful drinking.
HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of these reforms three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023, and the Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.
HMRC does not collect data on cidermakers producing less than 5 hectolitres of pure alcohol in a year. This is because, as per Section 5.2 of the Alcoholic products technical guide, producers are not required to submit a return if they produced 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the previous year and have estimated that they will produce 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the current year, across all premises. More information on the Alcoholic products technical guide can be found here:
Alcoholic products technical guide - Section 5 — returns and payments - Guidance - GOV.UK