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 merits of embedding routine and cross-system commissioning and provision of post-pregnancy contraception in post-partum care.

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

No assessment has been made. The renewed Women’s Health Strategy will set out how the Government will take the next steps to improve women's healthcare as part of the 10-Year Health Plan and create a system that listens to women. Steps to improve contraception access are being fully considered as part of the renewal.

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 ensure the NHS, ICBs and local authorities collaboratively commission women’s health and contraceptive services.

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

Local integrated care systems are responsible for the collaborative commissioning of women’s health and contraceptive services.

The Women’s Health Programme Board provides direction and strategic oversight to NHS England’s Women’s Health Programme.

The board monitors progress and delivery of the Women’s Health Programme, and delivers the ambitions of the Women’s Health Strategy, reflecting the vision to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and amplify women’s voices in healthcare.

The board is also responsible for ensuring alignment with wider interdependencies, including the 10-Year Health Plan, and neighbourhood health models, as well as ensuring the delivery, oversight, and performance management of women’s health provision are consistent across the seven regions of England.

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 merits of creating a permanent and protected ICB role for the appointed Women’s Health Champion in every Integrated Care System.

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

Integrated care boards are responsible for the planning, commissioning, and delivery of women’s health services, including oversight of the dedicated Women’s Health Champion role.

The network of women’s health champions brings together senior leaders in women’s health from integrated care systems and local authorities to share best practice to improve women’s health outcomes across the life course and reduce health inequalities. The role is a voluntary commitment, and the Government has no plans to change this.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were admitted to A&E in England and seen within a) four hours and b) 12 hours after 5pm in the (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23, (c) 2023-24 and (d) 2024-25 financial years.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided on 11 November to Questions 87614 and 87615. Otherwise, we do not hold data at this level of granularity.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were admitted to A&E in England and seen within a) four hours and b) 12 hours at the weekend in the (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23, (c) 2023-24 and (d) 2024-25 financial years.

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

I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided on 11 November to Questions 87614 and 87615. Otherwise, we do not hold data at this level of granularity.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero on the potential impact of changes to funding for the Energy Company Obligation scheme in March 2026 on cold-related health issues.

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

Ministers and officials from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero engage regularly on policy issues of interest to both departments. We will continue working together to ensure that cold-related health impacts are considered when implementing the Fuel Poverty Strategy for England and the Warm Homes Plan, and that more health-vulnerable households get the help they need to improve their homes.

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 making patient records owned by the patient.

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

Health records are not owned by patients, as the providers of care who create and maintain the records are the data controllers, although all patients have the right to access their records under the Data Protection Act 2018. Patients also have the legal right to ask for factual inaccuracies to be amended.

The general practice (GP) record can be viewed online on the NHS App, or by logging onto the National Health Service website. Individuals can alternatively contact their practice to view their record. To view a hospital record, individuals can ask the trust where they are a patient.

As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, we are developing a single patient record which will give patients greater control over their records, and act as a patient passport to seamless care. It will provide a single, secure, and authoritative account of their data by bringing together all of a patient’s medical information from different records in one place, for example GP and hospital data, and patients will be able to view the record securely on the NHS App and add their own data, for example from a wearable device.

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 the discharge process for patients in Surrey who are medically fit to leave hospital.

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

The Urgent and Emergency Care plan for 2025/26 identifies reducing delays in hospital discharge as a key priority. Further information on the Urgent and Emergency Care plan for 2025/26 is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

Hospitals are expected to eliminate discharge delays of more than 48 hours caused by in-hospital issues, to work with local authorities to tackle the longest delays, starting with those over 21 days, and to profile discharges by pathway to support local planning. In addition to this, we published a new policy framework on 30 January 2025 for the £9 billion Better Care Fund policy framework 2025 to 2026, which requires the National Health Service and local authorities to jointly agree local goals for reducing discharge delays. Further information on the Better Care Fund policy framework 2025 to 2026 is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/better-care-fund-policy-framework-2025-to-2026

We are working with trusts, integrated care systems, and local authorities to share and embed best practice and to help them to use performance data more effectively to address their discharge delays. The Local Government Association has published a range of guidance documents and high impact change models to support improvements to hospital flow and discharge processes, which can be found at the following link:

https://www.local.gov.uk/our-support/partners-care-and-health/better-care-fund-support-programme-2025-26

Officials held a call on 18 July 2025 with the Epsom and St. Helier Trust regarding the trust’s discharge challenges and proposed actions to improve the situation.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will introduce the prioritisation of cases involving rape and sexual offences in the court lists.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Decisions on listing are a matter for the independent judiciary, which already prioritises cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses, including those relating to sexual offences. These cases are listed at the earliest opportunity.

The record allocation of sitting days this financial year will mean more rape and other sexual offence cases can be heard – delivering swifter justice for victims of such crimes. We also commissioned Sir Brian’s Independent Review of the Criminal Courts and have announced a package of reforms designed to improve timeliness in the Crown Court and speed up justice for all victims, including victims of rape.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the unit cost per day is for NHS (a) elective, (b) non-elective, (c) high dependency and (d) standard ward beds.

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

The following table shows the bed day cost for elective and non-elective admissions, for 2024/25:

Source: National Cost Collection Patient Level Cost dataset for admitted patient care. Point of delivery, cost and length of stay data submitted to the dataset by National Health Service providers in the latest financial year, 2024/25.

NHS England does not hold the data to calculate the bed day cost for high dependency and standard ward beds.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if her Department will undertake a review of its explosive ordinance policies.

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

The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what conversations she has had with her international counterparts on (a) the impact of global aid cuts to humanitarian aid and (b) the impact those cuts will have on landmine disposal.

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

The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing a global programme supporting civilian victims of landmines.

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

The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of reducing humanitarian aid funding in Africa on landmine disposal.

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

The UK Government's Global Mine Action Programme has been funding clearance and risk education for over a decade, including in Africa, protecting lives and livelihoods, and supporting our broader humanitarian and development goals. In addition, the Foreign Secretary recently announced a further £4 million in funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service to help clear the estimated 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions which have been preventing the safe passage of aid into Gaza. Future allocations to demining activity will be announced in the usual way in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the 2025 Key Stage 2 SATs results for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities; and what steps are being taken to help reduce disparities in attainment.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

This government is focused on securing an excellent education for every child and young person to enable them to achieve and thrive.

Following the government response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review report, we are working on development of a reformed curriculum and assessment system that is ambitious for every child, ensuring those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) leave school with the skills and knowledge they need.

Our English Hubs programme is dedicated to improving the teaching of reading, and our Reading Ambition for All programme will improve outcomes for children in primary who need additional support with reading, including those with SEND. We are also expanding Continuing Professional Development for primary and secondary teachers to strengthen reading instruction for all pupils.

We know some children face real challenges in maths. That’s why we’re supporting schools through our national Maths hubs, helping teachers deliver effective, inclusive lessons.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the primary assessment system on pupil wellbeing, including for pupils with SEND.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Primary assessments were reviewed as part of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, led by Professor Becky Francis. The review panel published their final report last month, concluding that the primary assessment system is generally working well and that the assessments are important for evaluating pupils’ progress.

The report made some recommendations to improve the system, including revising the key stage 2 writing assessments and teacher frameworks to support fluent writing. The report also recommended exploring options for increasing inclusivity in assessments where they may not be as accessible for certain groups of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly for the phonics screening checks and the multiplication tables check. The government has accepted these recommendations and the Standards and Testing Agency is now working on their implementation.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her Department has given to alternative models of primary assessment.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Primary assessments were reviewed as part of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, led by Professor Becky Francis. The review panel published their final report last month, concluding that the primary assessment system is generally working well and that the assessments are important for evaluating pupils’ progress.

The report made some recommendations to improve the system, including revising the key stage 2 writing assessments and teacher frameworks to support fluent writing. The report also recommended exploring options for increasing inclusivity in assessments where they may not be as accessible for certain groups of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, particularly for the phonics screening checks and the multiplication tables check. The government has accepted these recommendations and the Standards and Testing Agency is now working on their implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will implement civilian harm tracking for explosive ordnance-related incidents in military operations.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The UK has robust targeting policies, practices and processes to ensure that all military operations are conducted in full compliance with our legal obligations and in a manner that reflects the UK’s clear commitment to the protection of civilians. UK forces observe all practicable precautions, conducting rigorous assessments before and after striking a target. The Ministry of Defence analyses all UK military activity, investigating any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian harm.

The UK are proud signatories of the 2022 Political Declaration on use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and are party to Protocol Five of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Our existing practices are some of the most robust and transparent globally and are kept under close review, including for the potential impact of new methods and technologies.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 91776, and with reference to the UK’s commitments as a signatory of the Political Declaration on strengthening the protection of civilians from the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, what steps his Department has taken to review and improve its ability to record and track civilian casualties, including children, using various methods of data collection.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The UK has robust targeting policies, practices and processes to ensure that all military operations are conducted in full compliance with our legal obligations and in a manner that reflects the UK’s clear commitment to the protection of civilians. UK forces observe all practicable precautions, conducting rigorous assessments before and after striking a target. The Ministry of Defence analyses all UK military activity, investigating any credible reports that UK actions may have caused civilian harm.

The UK are proud signatories of the 2022 Political Declaration on use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and are party to Protocol Five of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Our existing practices are some of the most robust and transparent globally and are kept under close review, including for the potential impact of new methods and technologies.

Swan Theatre, Yeovil

The Good Fellowship Club

Yeovil College's University Centre

In memory of Andrew Arbuckle MBE

Winifred Maduko Ambassador of the Year Award

Wemyss Ware wins Best Heritage Pottery Company

The Gatehouse in Oxford

ADHD services

Nuclear Regulatory Review and habitats regulations

Selsey Beach Litter Ninjas

Tribute to Lance Corporal George Thomas Hooley

50th anniversary of Central Church Torquay

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Future of Cambridge Veterinary School