Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support Integrated Care Boards to increase the availability of Fracture Liaison Services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Fracture Liaison Services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.

Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered increasing the size of the Steel Fund, in the context of funding allocated to the running of British Steel under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are committed to providing up to £2.5bn for steel which is being delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund.

At the Spending Review, the Chancellor confirmed that we will invest in the long-term future of Scunthorpe. We have been clear that private investment to modernise British Steel will also be required and work continues at pace to develop the optimal approach. Over £100m of funding has been provided to British Steel to ensure continued operation of the blast furnaces.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the information on gov.uk on the support available to asylum seekers.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office keeps all its information pages under regular review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to replace the import safeguard quotas for steel when they expire in June 2026.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Steel is a top priority for this Government and we recognise the continuing challenges facing the UK steel industry – driven by persistent overcapacity and unfair trading practices.

We will ensure there is a plan in place for the UK steel industry following the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. That is why we launched a Call for Evidence on Steel Trade Measures on the 26^th of June to inform the design of any potential trade measures, including appropriate tariff rates and quota levels.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has set a cap on the amount of funding he will allocate to the running of British Steel in the next three financial years.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Funding is provided to British Steel under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act. This funding is intended to ensure the safe and continued operation of the blast furnaces. The intervention is a temporary measure and work is continuing to determine the best long-term sustainable future for the site.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he next plans to conduct a national security assessment of (a) British Steel and (b) the wider UK steel industry.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government is conducting a range of assessments and analysis to inform future options for British Steel and our strategy for the steel industry. Matters relating to national security are under constant review. We do not comment on the timing or content of any assessments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve NHS support for children and families with severe food allergies.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on schools to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions. Schools should ensure they are aware of any pupils with medical conditions, and have policies and processes in place to ensure these can be well managed. This includes allergies. The policy should also set out how staff will be supported in carrying out their role to support pupils, including how training needs are assessed and how training is commissioned and provided. Any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs should have received suitable training.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) encourages food businesses to complete the FSA’s allergen e-learning course and recommends that it is retaken annually to refresh knowledge and ensure that businesses are up to date on any changes which may have occurred. The FSA online training is free and offers practical advice to anyone wanting to learn more about food allergy.

NHS England has also produced the Healthy School Child e-learning programme, which available at the following link:

https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/healthy-school-child/

This programme is designed for healthcare professionals, including school nurses, working with children aged five to 12 years old. Module 5 of the e-learning programme includes sessions on asthma, eczema, and other allergies.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of making more emergency adrenaline auto-injectors available in community settings.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In November 2021, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Commission on Human Medicine’s Adrenaline Auto-injector Expert Working Group, with wide-ranging input from patient groups, leading allergy experts, and healthcare professionals, published a report which outlined recommendations for the safe and effective use of adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs), including quicker treatment, to help save lives. The MHRA has worked alongside the Department and the wider health system to take forward these recommendations, some of which are already in place.

In June 2023, the MHRA, with the support of allergy awareness advocates, launched a safety campaign to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and to 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 always carry two AAIs at all times.

The majority of community pharmacies offer vaccinations. As part of offering this service, pharmacy contractors are expected to recognise and treat anaphylaxis. They must have immediate access to an anaphylaxis pack, including adrenaline. They are required to undertake training to administer adrenaline from an ampoule using a needle and AAIs in case of anaphylactic reactions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Openreach and (b) CityFibre on delays in full fibre line installations to businesses based in the Farnham and Bordon constituency.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Farnham and Bordon constituency is set to benefit from three live Project Gigabit contracts: the Hampshire and East & West Sussex contracts, being delivered by CityFibre, and the West and Mid Surrey contract being delivered by Openreach. These contracts are targeted at premises that are not expected to receive a gigabit-capable connection as part of a broadband supplier’s commercial rollout, and we are in regular contact with both suppliers to monitor their progress against planned delivery milestones.

Where a delay is reported as part of a supplier’s commercial rollout, we cannot intervene as we are bound by Subsidy Control regulations. However, we keep commercial plans under review and will continue to refresh our plans for reaching any remaining premises in line with the government’s ambition for nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of geographic differences in full fibre availability on local economic development.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Digital infrastructure is a powerful driver of economic growth and development. In 2023, the telecoms services industry contributed around 2.5% to UK real GVA, up from 0.3% in 2010.

Geographical areas with lower levels of full fibre availability are less likely to benefit economically than areas with higher levels of full fibre availability. Government interventions, alongside the commercial market, are addressing this disparity. Evidence from the government’s Superfast programme showed that for every £1 spent on connections to premises left behind by the market, up to £4.57 was generated in economic and social benefits. Employment in the local areas benefiting from the programme also increased by 0.88%. We expect Project Gigabit to continue to drive local economic growth and development in areas which stand to benefit from the programme.

Building Digital UK also publishes independent evaluations of its programmes at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/building-digital-uk-research-portal

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of broadband limitations on the digital competitiveness of SMEs.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Broadband connectivity is vital for businesses and plays a critical role in driving growth and productivity across the UK.

While no direct assessment has been made of the potential impact of broadband limitations on digital competitiveness, wider government analysis has shown that increased broadband speeds lead to an improvement in turnover and productivity for SMEs. That is why government continues to ensure that UK SMEs benefit from high quality digital infrastructure and is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032, with over 88% now able to do so.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve broadband resilience to support (a) cloud-based telephony and (b) payment systems used by small businesses.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is working to improve the resilience of broadband that will support a range of services including cloud-based telephony and digital payment systems used by small businesses. DSIT works with Ofcom, which enforces legal duties on providers to maintain secure, reliable networks. Government and industry work together through the Electronic Communications Resilience and Response Group (EC-RRG) to promote resilience within the sector, and to respond to emergencies.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding has been allocated under the NHS 10-Year Plan to support cardiac screening programmes for young people.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.

The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for this condition and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course. Further information, including on how to keep up to date on the work of the UK NSC, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-national-screening-committee

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proactive cardiac screening on preventing sudden cardiac deaths among young people.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.

The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for this condition and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course. Further information, including on how to keep up to date on the work of the UK NSC, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-national-screening-committee

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase access to cardiac screening for young people with no prior symptoms of heart conditions.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.

The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for this condition and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course. Further information, including on how to keep up to date on the work of the UK NSC, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-national-screening-committee

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to support wider access to cardiac screening provided by (a) Cardiac Risk in the Young and (b) other charities.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening and which supports implementation.

The UK NSC last reviewed screening for sudden cardiac death in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019, and concluded that population screening should not be offered. Further information is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

The UK NSC is currently examining the evidence for this condition and will open a public consultation to seek comments from members of the public and stakeholders on this in due course. Further information, including on how to keep up to date on the work of the UK NSC, is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-national-screening-committee

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 young people diagnosed with heart conditions receive appropriate (a) lifestyle advice, (b) treatment and (c) follow-up care to prevent cardiac arrest.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Most cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are related to undetected cardiovascular disease. In the younger population, SCD is often due to congenital heart defects. Given this, genomics has an important role to play in diagnosing and supporting the treatment and management of a number of cardiac conditions. The National Genomic Test Directory sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing as well as the genomic targets to be tested and the method that should be used, and this includes genomic testing for a number of conditions which affect the heart, including, for example, testing for familial hypercholesteremia (FH), cardiomyopathies, Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and others. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/

The 10-Year Health Plan includes a commitment to establish a genomics population health service, accessible to all by the end of the decade. Further information on the 10-Year Health Plan is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68760ad755c4bd0544dcae33/fit-for-the-future-10-year-health-plan-for-england.pdf

The genomics population health service will be key to delivering a number of other commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan, including: expanding the National Health Service whole genome sequencing programme, with a focus on risks in relation to common disease areas including cardiovascular disease; expanding genomic testing for inherited causes of major diseases to allow earlier detection and intervention, including cardiovascular disease predisposition, for example due to FH; and beginning to integrate genomic insights into cardiovascular disease prevention and care through a service evaluation, with Our Future Health implementing Integrated Risk Scores.

NHS England has published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions for all ages, that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or families requiring follow up due to a death from this cause. The service specification is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cardiology-inherited-cardiac-conditions.pdf

This describes the service model and mandated guidelines and guidance that should be followed to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for inherited cardiac conditions services to investigate suspected cases. NHS England has also published a suite of national service specifications and standards for congenital heart disease (CHD), which define the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England, to support and improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with congenital cardiac problems. The standards for CHD are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Congenital-heart-disease-standards-and-specifications.pdf

NHS England works closely with the Congenital Heart Networks to support work to maintain and monitor elective CHD surgery activity, waiting lists, and waiting times across England, noting that there are interdependencies with critical care capacity. NHS England’s Clinical Reference Group (CRG) has identified that there is scope for improvement in antenatal diagnosis rates for congenital heart defects, and has established a workstream to understand the causes of variation in foetal cardiology services across England. The CRG is also working closely with relevant professional organisations and charities to develop a national workforce strategy for CHD.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of young sudden cardiac deaths through the 10 Year Health Plan.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Most cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) are related to undetected cardiovascular disease. In the younger population, SCD is often due to congenital heart defects. Given this, genomics has an important role to play in diagnosing and supporting the treatment and management of a number of cardiac conditions. The National Genomic Test Directory sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing as well as the genomic targets to be tested and the method that should be used, and this includes genomic testing for a number of conditions which affect the heart, including, for example, testing for familial hypercholesteremia (FH), cardiomyopathies, Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and others. Further information on the National Genomic Test Directory is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-genomic-test-directories/

The 10-Year Health Plan includes a commitment to establish a genomics population health service, accessible to all by the end of the decade. Further information on the 10-Year Health Plan is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68760ad755c4bd0544dcae33/fit-for-the-future-10-year-health-plan-for-england.pdf

The genomics population health service will be key to delivering a number of other commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan, including: expanding the National Health Service whole genome sequencing programme, with a focus on risks in relation to common disease areas including cardiovascular disease; expanding genomic testing for inherited causes of major diseases to allow earlier detection and intervention, including cardiovascular disease predisposition, for example due to FH; and beginning to integrate genomic insights into cardiovascular disease prevention and care through a service evaluation, with Our Future Health implementing Integrated Risk Scores.

NHS England has published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions for all ages, that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or families requiring follow up due to a death from this cause. The service specification is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cardiology-inherited-cardiac-conditions.pdf

This describes the service model and mandated guidelines and guidance that should be followed to support the diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for inherited cardiac conditions services to investigate suspected cases. NHS England has also published a suite of national service specifications and standards for congenital heart disease (CHD), which define the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England, to support and improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with congenital cardiac problems. The standards for CHD are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Congenital-heart-disease-standards-and-specifications.pdf

NHS England works closely with the Congenital Heart Networks to support work to maintain and monitor elective CHD surgery activity, waiting lists, and waiting times across England, noting that there are interdependencies with critical care capacity. NHS England’s Clinical Reference Group (CRG) has identified that there is scope for improvement in antenatal diagnosis rates for congenital heart defects, and has established a workstream to understand the causes of variation in foetal cardiology services across England. The CRG is also working closely with relevant professional organisations and charities to develop a national workforce strategy for CHD.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the UK classifies mastectomy bras under Chapter 6212 of the Harmonised System Nomenclature; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the classification approach of the EU.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s tariff schedule, known as the UK Global Tariff (UKGT), adheres to global classification standards. The UK classification of mastectomy bras follows the harmonised commodity description system, which was developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO). Following EU exit, the UK continues to follow the WCO classification, implemented under the TCTA.

We continue to monitor the UKGT to ensure our Most Favoured Nation tariff schedule functions as effectively as possible, supports domestic priorities, and provides a stable operating environment for businesses.

Businesses are able to request the partial or full liberalisation of the import duty applied to the products under this commodity code, including mastectomy bras either through the online feedback form or the next business suspensions window.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve training for teachers (a) in the early identification of dyslexia and (b) to ensure minimum standards of SEND support are in place across all primary schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 1 August 2025 to Question 61402.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing mandatory screening for (a) dyslexia and (b) other forms of neurodivergence in primary schools on (i) early identification and (ii) support.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 1 August 2025 to Question 61402.

Found: Q91 Gregory Stafford: Good afternoon, Secretary of State.

Found: Q91 Gregory Stafford: Good afternoon, Secretary of State.

Found: Neil Coyle (Lab) and Gregory Stafford (Con) called for the amendment to be retained.51 However, Sojan

Found: Labour MP for Battersea), Dr Andrew Murrison (Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire) and Gregory Stafford

Found: Labour MP for Battersea), Dr Andrew Murrison (Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire) and Gregory Stafford

Submit Evidence (by 28 Aug 2025)

The Committee is holding an inquiry into food and weight management, including treatments for obesity.