Jim Shannon Portrait

Jim Shannon

Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford

First elected: 6th May 2010


6 APPG memberships (as of 30 May 2024)
Bahá'í Faith, International Freedom of Religion or Belief, Pakistani Minorities, Respiratory Health, Sleep, Vascular and Venous Disease
90 Former APPG memberships
Access to Medicines and Medical Devices, Adult Social Care, Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Air Passenger Duty Reform, Alevis, Antibiotics, Autism, Bangladesh, Beer, Blood Cancer, Brain Tumours, Cancer, Carbon Monoxide, Carers, Cerebral Palsy, Children who need Palliative Care, Children, Teenagers, and Young Adults with Cancer, Christianity in the Holy Land, Cleaning and Hygiene, Cleaning and Hygiene Industry, Coastal Communities, Coeliac Disease, Communities Engagement, Connaught Income Fund, Counter-Extremism, Cystic Fibrosis, Dairy, Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf, Diabetes, Diagnostics, Disability, Eggs, Pigs and Poultry, Endangered Species, Energy Studies, Equipment for Disabled Children, Equitable Life, Equitable Life Policyholders, Eye Health and Visual Impairment, Fairtrade, Farming, Fatherhood, Financial Crime and Scamming, Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, Gambling Related Harm, Hairdressing, Barbering and Cosmetology, Hazaras, Health in all Policies, Healthy Homes and Buildings, Heart Valve Disease, Hong Kong, Infant Feeding and Inequalities, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Disease and Liver Cancer, Loneliness, Lyme Disease, Malawi, Marine Energy, Markets, Media Freedom, Medical Cannabis under Prescription, Medicines and Medical Devices, Meningitis, Mentoring, Micronutrients and Health, Muscular Dystrophy, Mutuals, National Trust, Obesity, Pakistan Minorities, Pancreatic Cancer, Pigeon Racing, Premature and Sick Babies, Pro-Life, Professional Sales, Relationships, Religion or Belief, Reserves and Cadets, Rural Crime, Shooting and Conservation, Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention, Terminal Illness, Tibet, Union, Universal Credit, Unpaid Work Trials, Veterans, Visitors' Economy, Vulnerable Groups to Pandemics, Wood Panel Industry, Yazidi People
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Health)
8th May 2015 - 30th May 2024
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
1st Jul 2017 - 30th May 2024
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
9th Jan 2023 - 30th May 2024
Ecclesiastical Committee (Joint Committee)
4th Mar 2020 - 30th May 2024
Local Government (Pay Accountability) Bill
15th May 2024 - 22nd May 2024
Courts (Remote Hearings) Bill
8th May 2024 - 15th May 2024
School Attendance (Duties of Local Authorities and Proprietors of Schools) Bill
24th Apr 2024 - 1st May 2024
Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill (Formerly known as International Freedom of Religion or Belief Bill)
17th Apr 2024 - 24th Apr 2024
Zoological Society of London (Leases) Bill
21st Feb 2024 - 28th Feb 2024
Pet Abduction Bill
24th Jan 2024 - 31st Jan 2024
Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill
26th Jan 2022 - 2nd Feb 2022
Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill
15th Dec 2021 - 5th Jan 2022
Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Bill
8th Dec 2021 - 15th Dec 2021
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill
24th Nov 2021 - 1st Dec 2021
Cultural Objects (Protection From Seizure) Bill
9th Nov 2021 - 17th Nov 2021
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Equality)
8th May 2015 - 8th Jun 2017
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Transport)
8th May 2015 - 8th Jun 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls
10th Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly Quadripartite Committee)
10th Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
5th Dec 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Defence Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 5th Dec 2016
Defence Sub-Committee
8th Sep 2015 - 5th Dec 2016
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights)
3rd Apr 2012 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Transport)
12th May 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Health)
12th May 2010 - 30th Mar 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Jim Shannon has voted in 5 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Jim Shannon Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Yvette Cooper (Labour)
Home Secretary
(6 debate interactions)
Lucy Powell (Labour (Co-op))
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(5 debate interactions)
Karin Smyth (Labour)
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
(4 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Business and Trade
(10 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(8 debate contributions)
Home Office
(5 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(4 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Jim Shannon has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Jim Shannon's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Jim Shannon

23rd July 2024
Jim Shannon signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 24th July 2024

Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust

Tabled by: Anna Sabine (Liberal Democrat - Frome and East Somerset)
That this House joins in the celebrations of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust marking the 150th anniversary of the opening of Midsomer Norton Station on the Bath extension of the Somerset and Dorset Railway; thanks the Trust and its volunteers for their sustained commitment to preserving and developing …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 24 Jul 2024)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
23rd July 2024
Jim Shannon signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 24th July 2024

Re-opening of SPAR and Post Office Dolgellau

Tabled by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
That this House celebrates the grand re-opening of the SPAR Dolgellau and Post Office on 25 July, following a major renovation; notes the refurbished store was closed for 11 months due to structural issues; commends the swift action to temporarily move Post Office facilities to the local Eurospar shop; congratulates …
5 signatures
(Most recent: 24 Jul 2024)
Signatures by party:
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Jim Shannon's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Jim Shannon, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Jim Shannon has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Jim Shannon

5 Bills introduced by Jim Shannon


A Bill to require the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sporting facilities, schools, higher education and other education and skills facilities, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people; and to make associated provision about training and signage.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 24th March 2023

A Bill to require the Chancellor of the Exchequer to report to Parliament on the likely effects of increasing in line with inflation the income threshold for the High Income Child Benefit Charge and of determining that threshold by reference to household income instead of individual income.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 18th July 2023
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sporting facilities, schools, higher education and other education and skills facilities, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people; and to make associated provision about training and signage.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 21st June 2021

A Bill to require the installation of automated external defibrillators in public buildings, sporting facilities, schools, higher education and other education and skills facilities, and facilities that provide care to vulnerable people; and to make associated provision about training and signage.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 2nd December 2020
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require the provision of audio announcements on public buses; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 3rd December 2014

89 Bills co-sponsored by Jim Shannon

Road Traffic (Testing of Blood) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)

Neurodivergent Conditions (Screening and Teacher Training) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Matt Hancock (Con)

Heritage Public Houses Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Marco Longhi (Con)

Autism (Early Identification) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Duncan Baker (Con)

State Pension Age (Compensation) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)

Universal Jurisdiction (Extension) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Brendan O'Hara (SNP)

Teenagers (Safety and Wellbeing) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Alex Norris (LAB)

Sun Protection Products (Value Added Tax) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Amy Callaghan (SNP)

Spiking Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Richard Graham (Con)

Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Darren Henry (Con)

Sale of Tobacco (Licensing) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Bob Blackman (Con)

National Minimum Wage Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Paula Barker (Lab)

National Eye Health Strategy Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Marsha De Cordova (Lab)

Markets and market traders (review of support) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Simon Baynes (Con)

Immigration and Nationality Fees (Exemption for NHS Clinical Staff) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Rob Roberts (Ind)

First-Aid (Mental Health) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Dean Russell (Con)

Employment Equality (Insurance etc) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Natalie Elphicke (Lab)

Employment Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Steven Bonnar (SNP)

Employee Share Ownership (Reform) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - George Howarth (Lab)

Electricity Supply (Vulnerable Customers) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Sam Tarry (Lab)

Criminal Appeal (Amendment) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Barry Sheerman (LAB)

Consumer Telephone Service Standards Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Robert Halfon (Con)

Bus Services (Consultation) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Dean Russell (Con)

Aviation Banning Orders (Disruptive Passengers) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Gareth Johnson (Con)

Renewable Liquid Heating Fuel Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - George Eustice (Con)

Supply of Drugs to Children Under 16 (Aggravated Offence) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Kevin Hollinrake (Con)

Pets (Microchips) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - James Daly (Con)

Flexible Working Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tulip Siddiq (Lab)

Recognition of Armenian Genocide Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)

Seals (Protection) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Tracey Crouch (Con)

Plastics (Wet Wipes) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Fleur Anderson (Lab)

Import of Products of Forced Labour from Xinjiang (Prohibition) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Brendan O'Hara (SNP)

Digitally Altered Body Images Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Luke Evans (Con)

Digital Devices (Access for Next of Kin) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Ian Paisley (DUP)

Co-operatives (Employee Company Ownership) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Christina Rees (LAB)

Community Wealth Fund Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Paul Howell (Con)

Consumer Protection (Double Charging) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Huw Merriman (Con)

Bereavement Leave and Pay (Stillborn and Miscarried Babies) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Sarah Owen (Lab)

Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Patricia Gibson (SNP)

Transport (Disabled Passenger Charter) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Charlotte Nichols (Lab)

Electric Vehicle Charging Points (New Buildings) (No. 2) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Felicity Buchan (Con)

Tree-lined Streets Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Chris Clarkson (Con)

Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)

Sexual Offences (Sports Coaches) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tracey Crouch (Con)

Education Employment (Accompaniment to Hearings) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Brendan Clarke-Smith (Con)

Desecration of War Memorials Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Jonathan Gullis (Con)

Conveyancing Standards Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Marco Longhi (Con)

Pets (Microchips) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - James Daly (Con)

Ministerial Interests (Emergency Powers) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Owen Thompson (SNP)

New Homes (New Development Standards) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Con)

Jet Skis (Licensing) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)

Digitally Altered Body Images Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Luke Evans (Con)

Hong Kong Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)

Immigration (Health and Social Care Staff) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Christine Jardine (LD)

Clean Air (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Philp (Con)

Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)

Parental Leave (Premature and Sick Babies) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - David Linden (SNP)

Police Officer Training (Autism Awareness) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ann Clwyd (Lab)

Gambling (Industry Levy Review and Protections for Vulnerable People) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Richard Graham (Con)

Parental Rights (Rapists) and Family Courts Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Louise Haigh (Lab)

Compensation Orders (Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Andrew Griffiths (Con)

Organ Donation (Deemed Consent) Act 2019
Sponsor - Geoffrey Robinson (Lab)

Access to Fertility Services Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Steve McCabe (Lab)

Hospital (Parking Charges and Business Rates) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)

Voter Registration (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)

Armed Forces (Derogation from European Convention on Human Rights) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Leo Docherty (Con)

Election Expenses (Authorisation of Free or Discounted Support) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Craig Mackinlay (Con)

Multi-employer Pension Schemes Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alan Brown (SNP)

British Indian Ocean Territory (Citizenship) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Henry Smith (Con)

Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Act 2018
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)

Food Insecurity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Emma Lewell-Buck (Lab)

Immigration Detention of Victims of Torture and Other Vulnerable People (Safeguards) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Joan Ryan (TIG)

Gypsy and Traveller Communities (Housing, Planning and Education) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Andrew Selous (Con)

Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018
Sponsor - Steve Reed (LAB)

Public Sector Supply Chains (Project Bank Accounts) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Debbie Abrahams (Lab)

Wild Animals in Circuses Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Trudy Harrison (Con)

Pets (Theft) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ross Thomson (Con)

Armed Forces (Statute of Limitations) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Benyon (Con)

Terminal Illness (Provision of Palliative Care and Support for Carers) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Bambos Charalambous (Lab)

Child Maintenance Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Marion Fellows (SNP)

Cold Weather Payments Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)

DiGeorge Syndrome (Review and National Health Service Duty) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - David Duguid (Con)

Refugees (Family Reunion) (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Angus Brendan MacNeil (Ind)

Courts (Abuse of Process) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Liz Saville Roberts (PC)

Crime (Assaults on Emergency Services Staff) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (Lab)

Statutory Nuisance (Aircraft Noise) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Tania Mathias (Con)

Feeding Products for Babies and Children (Advertising and Promotion) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Alison Thewliss (SNP)

Representation of the People (Voter Proof of Identity) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Chris Green (Con)

Organ Donors (Leave) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Louise Haigh (Lab)


Latest 18 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether officials in his Department have had discussions with representatives of the aerospace industry on guaranteeing jobs during the completion of the sale of Spirit AeroSystems’ operations to Airbus.

Under terms agreed between Airbus and Spirit, Airbus will acquire the elements of Spirit’s Belfast site responsible for the A220 airliner. This includes the wing and mid-fuselage sections. The Government is working with the Northern Ireland Executive to help ensure the best outcome for Short Brothers and all its incredibly skilled, hard working, staff. My Department is in touch with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing and other potential buyers. We have a keen interest in seeing that any acquisition includes a commitment to develop Short Brothers and its supply chain, and to provide the best possible opportunity for growth in Northern Ireland.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of AI on public sector productivity.

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) is working with departments to assess the potential of digital transformation on key public facing services, and to improve them. CDDO continues to assess the potential impacts of AI on public service productivity, and is collaborating with departments to explore AI opportunities aimed at enhancing Civil Service productivity, looking to then trial the products to assess the real-world impact.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will undertake a review of the BBC licence fee in the context of changing viewing habits of the public.

The Government is committed to the licence fee for the remainder of the current Charter period. The Government will keep an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and will engage with the BBC and other relevant stakeholders before deciding on next steps.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps with the European Commission to allow the Northern Ireland Executive to allocate state aid to fisheries projects in the same manner as other UK nations.

A key aim for this administration is to reset the UK government’s relationship with devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and EU and therefore look forward to discussions on a range of issues relating to the Windsor Framework, including State aid.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of instances of fly tipping in the last six months.

Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which are published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/env24-fly-tipping-incidents-and-actions-taken-in-england. This excludes the majority of private-land incidents.

Data for the 2023/24 reporting year will be published later this year.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle unemployment for people aged between 18 and 24.

The Department understands the negative effects of unemployment can be particularly pronounced for young people and can have longstanding implications on their future earnings potential and life chances. This is why DWP have a particular focus on ensuring young people are supported into employment, whilst also recognising their needs will vary depending on where they live and their own individual circumstances. Existing operations will be reviewed in line with the new government’s priorities.

The Governments Back to Work Plan is critical to growing the economy. This includes implementing a new national jobs and career service to help get more people into work alongside a Youth Guarantee, meaning more quality opportunities for training, an apprenticeship or help to find work for all young people aged 18-21 years old, to prevent them becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age.

DWP currently provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the sustainability of job centres in rural areas.

We have interpreted ‘sustainability’ to mean the viability of Jobcentres in rural areas.

DWP has a network of 634 established Jobcentres across the UK. The location of Jobcentres needs to balance customer demand, the range of services it needs to offer and operational efficiency.

If a Jobcentre is relocated, the Department fully assesses the likely impact, including completion of an Equality Assessment.

We will be looking to work with a range of partners, including local areas to further develop and deliver our manifesto commitments which will inform wider thinking on the delivery of employment support.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to roll-out self-sampling cervical cancer tests.

A recently published YouScreen study provides evidence on offering a self-sampling test to non-attenders in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) plans to review this evidence and make a recommendation by the end of the year.

In addition, an in-service evaluation is being commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research to determine whether self-sampling could be offered as an option to everyone eligible for cervical screening. The findings from this evaluation will be used to inform any recommendations made by the UK NSC.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to roll out Fracture Liaison Services.

More than 500,000 fragility fractures occur every year, and up to 40% of fracture patients will suffer another fracture. I am pleased to reiterate the Government’s commitment to expanding access to fracture liaison services. The Department is working closely with NHS England to develop plans to ensure better quality and access to these important preventive services.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide (a) enhanced diagnostics and (b) treatment for people under the age of 16 who have allergies.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all people with allergies, including those under 16, have access to the services they need to manage their condition. The majority of those with allergies can be supported by locally commissioned services, with specialist allergy clinics available for those with more severe or complex allergic conditions.

Specialist allergy services are commissioned by NHS England Specialised Commissioning in line with the published Service Specification. This sets out that providers should deliver a diagnostic package for the investigation of suspected allergic diseases, including initial consultation and follow-up in a dedicated allergy clinic and specialised allergy tests. There are regular review meetings between the regional commissioning teams and providers to ensure compliance with service standards.

To support healthcare professionals, including those in primary care settings, in the implementation of clear care pathways, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of drug and food allergy in people aged under 19 years old. The guidance aims to improve diagnosis by offering advice on how to identify allergies and when to refer to secondary or specialist care.

The Royal College of General Practitioners have added allergy training to the new General Practitioner (GP) curriculum (2019) and, to support existing GPs, it has developed an allergy e-learning resource. Both resources aim to educate GPs about the various symptoms of allergic disease and to ensure that people with allergies can be effectively supported at primary care level.

While there are no specific treatments for allergies for those under 16 years old, the National Health Service website recommends the below treatments for allergies: medicines for mild allergic reactions like antihistamines, steroid tablets and steroid creams; emergency medicines called adrenaline auto-injectors, such as an EpiPen, for severe allergic reactions; and desensitisation, or immunotherapy, for severe allergic reactions, involving carefully exposing an individual to the thing they are allergic to over time, so that their body gradually gets used to it and does not react so badly. This should only be done by a medical professional.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the volume of salt in processed meat.

Processed meats are generally high in salt and, on average, meat and meat products contribute approximately 27% of salt intakes. A high intake of salt increases the risk of high blood pressure which, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease or a stroke. Reducing salt in foods by 1 gram per day, for example, could prevent 1,500 premature deaths each year, saving the National Health Service over £140 million.

To reduce salt levels in foods, the voluntary salt reduction programme sets targets for different food and drink product categories that contribute to salt intakes, including processed meats such as ham, bacon, and sausages. Businesses across all sectors of the food industry are required to work towards these targets. Separate targets on a meal basis have been set for the out of home sector, which includes processed meats where appropriate.

The targets were first set in 2006 and have been revised downwards five times to continually reduce salt content, with the most recent targets published in 2020. Businesses are expected to achieve the latest levels set by the end of 2024.

The most recent assessment of industry progress suggests that small reductions in salt content were seen in some meat products between 2017 and 2018. Salt intakes decreased from 9.38 grams to 8.4 grams a day between 2000 and 2018/19.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent deep sea mining.

This Government supports a moratorium on the granting of exploration licences for deep sea mining projects by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The UK recognises the impacts of deep sea mining are not fully understood and supports a moratorium on the granting of mining licences by the ISA until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the potential impact of deep-sea mining activities on marine ecosystems, and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines are adopted by the ISA.

Anneliese Dodds
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce a new modern slavery strategy.

Modern slavery is a scourge that traumatises and dehumanises its victims.

The Government is committed to tackling it, taking a holistic approach that puts victims first.

We will update on the future of Home Office policies in due course.

Jess Phillips
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to tackle the number of small boat crossings.

Dangerous small boat crossings are undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. The recent tragic incidents in the Channel underscore that danger and show why it is imperative to tackle the criminal gangs responsible for facilitating them.

The new Border Security Command (BSC) has been launched. It will be led by a new Border Security Commander, reporting directly to the Home Secretary, who will provide strategic direction to the National Crime Agency, police, intelligence agencies, Immigration Enforcement, and Border Force to relentlessly pursue and smash the criminal gangs.

Through the new BSC, work is already underway to recruit more investigators, experts and analysts, and new counter-terrorism style powers will equip law enforcement partners to pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for this vile trade.

We will continue to work closely with our French counterparts and seek closer cooperation with our European and International partners to prevent further dangerous crossings and reduce risk to life at sea.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle fraud in online travel bookings.

The Government takes the issue of online fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this devastating crime.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) will make tech companies responsible for blocking fraud and fraudulent adverts on their platforms. The OSA final Codes of Practice on illegal harms are expected by end of 2024 with tech firms liable a year after (2025), and fraudulent advertising duties set to follow in 2026.

Dan Jarvis
Minister of State (Home Office)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will be the (a) role and (b) remit of the proposed new Armed Forces Commissioner.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a strong independent champion of our Armed Forces and their families, to improve service life. The new Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for service personnel and their families to raise issues impacting service life. They will have the power to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The Commissioner will also incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman

The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not Ministers, via an annual report.

There will be opportunities to fully debate the role and remit of the Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the relevant Legislation referenced in the King’s Speech.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
22nd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on ensuring value for money in legal aid provision.

Legal aid is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland. My Rt. Hon. friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has not yet had the opportunity to discuss legal aid with the devolved governments. Ministers look forward to working with their counterparts in the devolved governments on a range of issues, including legal aid.

Heidi Alexander
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people under the age of 21 were convicted of sexual abuse in the last 12 months.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on convictions for a wide range of offences, including sexual offences and various ages of defendants/offenders in the Outcomes by Offence tool: December 2023.

This can be accessed by navigating to the ‘Prosecutions and convictions’ tab and using the Age Range filter and the Offence Group filter to select relevant offences in the Outcomes by Offence data tool.

Heidi Alexander
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)