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 current strategic approach to ME/CFS research; and whether his Department plans to develop a coordinated national research strategy for the condition.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have outlined our strategy to support myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), research in the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan published in July. These steps include a research showcase event, a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical interventions, and the announcement of new funded studies in health and care services, and research infrastructure and capacity-building.

We are determined to accelerate progress in the treatment and management of ME/CFS and will continue working with the ME/CFS community to identify and address barriers to research, with the ambition of supporting more research and capacity-building programmes.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including ME/CFS. Research funding is available, and applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of alcohol duty increases on 1 February 2025 on revenue from alcohol duty receipts.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Alcohol duty receipts for the period March 2025 to October 2025, following the February 2025 rate increase, totalled £7.8 billion, down 4.5% from the same period in 2024 when receipts totalled £8.1 billion. This is driven by an underlying fall in alcohol consumption. Likely factors causing this decline, as identified in the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook report published in November 2025, are a growing trend of alcohol moderation and a response to higher prices, as well as a potential impact from demographic changes. You can find the report here: https://obr.uk/economic-and-fiscal-outlooks/

New forecasts for alcohol duty have been produced for Autumn Budget 2025, as shared in the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will revise forward-looking forecasts for revenue from alcohol duty.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Alcohol duty receipts for the period March 2025 to October 2025, following the February 2025 rate increase, totalled £7.8 billion, down 4.5% from the same period in 2024 when receipts totalled £8.1 billion. This is driven by an underlying fall in alcohol consumption. Likely factors causing this decline, as identified in the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook report published in November 2025, are a growing trend of alcohol moderation and a response to higher prices, as well as a potential impact from demographic changes. You can find the report here: https://obr.uk/economic-and-fiscal-outlooks/

New forecasts for alcohol duty have been produced for Autumn Budget 2025, as shared in the Office for Budget Responsibility's Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

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 adequacy of the availability of ADHD medication.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has made substantial progress in improving the availability of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), working closely with industry and key stakeholders to resolve previous supply challenges. Through intensive work with industry, NHS England and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have resolved most of the previous shortages. All strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine, both the capsules and the oral solution, guanfacine prolonged-release tablets, and methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets are now available.

There is a current supply issue with methylphenidate 30 milligram prolonged-release capsules, brand name Equasym XL, which is out of stock until late December. The Department has issued guidance to healthcare professionals with advice on how to manage patients until this shortage resolves.

We continue to work closely with suppliers to resolve the few remaining challenges and to strengthen resilience in the supply chain. This includes securing additional stocks, expediting deliveries, and expanding the United Kingdom supplier base to support future demand. In collaboration with NHS England’s ADHD taskforce and national data improvement plan, we are developing growth forecasts to improve demand planning and ensure a sustainable supply of ADHD medicines.

To support prescribers and dispensers, the Department maintains and regularly updates a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website, at the following link:

www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has assessed the effectiveness of the Bradford Score Chart as a tool for monitoring short-term staff absences.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP is aware of the Bradford Score relating to the management of short-term sickness absence.

We do not use the Bradford Score but we have a separate system for monitoring and managing sick leave.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Mozambique counterpart on reports of targeted attacks on Christians in Nampula; and what diplomatic steps she is taking with international partners to help ensure their protection.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is aware of a series of attacks by Islamic State Mozambique in Nampula. Our High Commission in Mozambique, in coordination with international partners, regularly engages with authorities and religious leaders as well as peacebuilding and humanitarian agencies both in the capital (Maputo) and Northern Mozambique, including Nampula, to address the problems of violence and instability. We also support partners to provide humanitarian assistance and to promote peacebuilding and resilience against violent extremism in the region.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to protect the elderly and most vulnerable from unsolicited calls selling mobile phone upgrades or contracts.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Unsolicited direct marketing calls are regulated by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). Under PECR, companies must not make live marketing calls to a number that is registered on the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) list. Organisations must not make automated marketing calls unless the recipient has specifically consented to receive this type of call from them.

PECR are enforced by the Information Commissioner who can impose financial penalties for breaches of the regulations. Once commenced, provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 will significantly increase the maximum fine that can be imposed by the Commissioner. Details of enforcement actions are published at: https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/.

Found: Chair); Danny Beales; Ben Coleman; Dr Beccy Cooper; Jen Craft; Andrew George; Alex McIntyre; Gregory Stafford

Found: Erdington) Alex McIntyre (Labour; Gloucester) Joe Robertson (Conservative; Isle of Wight East) Gregory Stafford

Found: Gregory Stafford: Can I press you on that?

Found: Q24 Gregory Stafford: Can I press you on that?

Submit Evidence (by 13 Feb 2026)

The Committee is holding an inquiry into what is needed from the NHS estate to deliver the Government’s vision of a ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’ — shifting care from hospitals to integrated, preventative services in local communities.