Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department takes to help ensure continuity of support for delivery of community-led HIV response during (a) conflict and (b) climate disasters.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is a significant funder of the HIV response, and through our support of organisations such UNAIDS, the Global Fund, and Robert Carr Fund (RCF), provides funding to grassroots and community-led organisations to support those at greater risk or living with HIV and who are particularly vulnerable during conflict and climate disaster.

For example, for UNAIDS its co-sponsoring organisations, especially WHO and UNHCR, play an important role in supporting community-led organisations within emergency and conflict environments where access to HIV treatment is limited. The Global Fund has also approved over US$130 million through its Emergency Fund in the last 10 years which has enabled quick and flexible financing to countries in emergency situations, ensuring the continuity of HIV programmes and services.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) the Global Fund and (b) other multilateral organisations to eliminate TB.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is a leading donor in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Our £1 billion commitment to the Global Fund (2023 to 2025) will provide TB treatment and care for 1.1 million people, screen 20 million people for TB and provide 41,800 people with treatment for multidrug-resistant TB. This is complemented by our investment in Unitaid to improve access to key TB products and support to WHO and others to strengthen health systems.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote the World Health Organisation's BPaLM/BPaL regimen to treat multidrug resistant TB.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK's funding to the TB Alliance (around £70 million over 6 years) contributed to the development of the BPaLM/BPAL regimen. Our £1 billion contribution to the Global Fund is supporting countries to use BPaLM/BPAL for the treatment of multi-drug resistant TB and our funding to the Clinton Health Access Initiative has provided technical support to help countries introduce the regimen at optimal prices. In addition, our support to MedAccess helped secure a 34 per cent reduction in the price of one of the critical drugs - pretomanid - used in the regimen.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits extending the eligibility for the winter fuel payment to pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance who suffer with medical conditions.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over.

Entitlement to Attendance Allowance is based on the on-going need for frequent personal care and attention, or supervision to ensure personal safety, rather than on the individual’s medical condition. It is paid out of general taxation and is a tax-free, non-contributory, and non-means-tested benefit so is not affected by other income or savings.

Pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance and on a low-income may qualify for Pension Credit if all other eligibility criteria are met. Moreover, pensioners on low incomes and in receipt of Attendance Allowance can qualify for an additional amount in Pension Credit, providing they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with his Northern Ireland counterpart on strengthening the grid in the North West and Mid Tyrone under the Transmission Development Plan 2023-2032.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Energy policy is a transferred matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. DESNZ holds regular discussions with NI Executive on broader energy matters, including through our Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-ministerial Group, which last met on 17th October.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure on school bus services fin rural areas.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

School bus services in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. My department regularly engages with colleagues in the Department for Infrastructure to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Policy responsibility for home to school transport within England is the responsibility of the Department for Education.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will hold discussions with regulators on potential changes in the level of energy prices.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Energy Price Cap is set by Ofgem and there are different costs included in the price cap, such as the wholesale cost of energy. Any changes to these costs will affect how much the price cap will be each time it is reviewed.

As such, the Government believes the only way to protect consumers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy and reduce our reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Education Secretary on the potential merits of teaching awareness of social media.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government is working to make the internet safer, through the Online Safety Act to ensure platforms limit harmful content and by helping citizens gain skills to navigate the online world.

Digital and media literacy skills are taught through several compulsory subjects within the school curriculum. This includes evaluating digital content, the implications of sharing personal data, harmful content and contact, cyberbullying, and over-reliance on social media. DSIT and DfE ministers collaborate to ensure these skills are integrated into education policy. The Government has also commissioned an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review which will consider digital and critical thinking skills.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on accessibility of workplaces to wheelchair users.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) protects disabled people from discrimination in the workplace. The Act requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and jobseekers to ensure that they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled colleagues. This could include improving access to premises for wheelchair users, through installing ramps or other auxiliary aids or services.

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 with the Secretary of State for Education to ensure adequate mental health provision in schools for young people with eating disorders.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is working across the Government to consider how to deliver our commitment of a specialist mental health professional in every school. Alongside this we are working toward rolling out Young Futures hubs in every community and working with colleagues at the Department for Education and NHS England to consider options to deliver our commitment to recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers across both adult, and children and young people’s mental health services.

It will be important that these commitments can provide appropriate support for children and young people with a range of mental health needs, including eating disorders.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will hold discussions with Harland and Wolff on steps to help them resume manufacturing ships for the Royal Navy.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Harland & Wolff Plc, a major sub-contractor and a member of Team Resolute, the consortium delivering the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Navy, announced on 16 September 2024 that they would be winding down its non-core operations, but the four shipyards will continue to operate.

Following a review of their financial situation, the Government is clear that the market is best placed to address the challenges the company is facing. We continue to work extensively with all parties to find an outcome for the company that continues to deliver shipbuilding and manufacturing in the UK.

The successful delivery of the FSS programme remains a priority. There is extensive engagement with Navantia UK as the Prime Contractor to understand what steps the company is taking to ensure delivery of the FSS contract and management of its supply chain.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the rollout of new medicines developed in the UK to tackle malaria.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

British science was key to the development of the first two vaccines ever to be recommended for use by WHO to prevent malaria. The UK's £1.65 billion funding to Gavi is also helping to fund the rollout of malaria vaccines and will immunise more than 6 million children by the end of 2025. Our funding to the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), in partnership with more than 40 UK organisations including GSK and the University of Dundee, is developing a new generation of antimalarial medicines to address the emerging threat posed by drug resistance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) the Global Fund, (b) Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and (c) other multilateral organisations to eliminate malaria.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is a leading donor to the fight against Malaria. Our £1 billion contribution (2023-2025) to the Global Fund will distribute 86 million treated mosquito nets, provide 452,000 doses of seasonal malaria chemoprevention and treat for 18 million cases. I recently met the Gavi CEO, Sania Nishtar, and discussed our £1.65 billion investment (2021-2025) and Gavi's rollout of malaria vaccines, which will support the immunisation of more than 6 million children by the end of 2025. This is complemented by investments in UNITAID, WHO and others to strengthen health systems and improve access to malaria products.

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 men at risk of prostate cancer are able to access prostate specific antigen tests.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Currently men who have symptoms that could be associated with prostate cancer may be offered a test called the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, which looks at levels of PSA in the blood in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cancer recognition and referral guidance. However, due to the poor ability of PSA to predict cancer, the PSA test is not recommended as a screening tool for healthy men with no symptoms. This includes those at higher risk of prostate cancer.

This is because the high level of inaccuracy could lead to unnecessary tests that carry risks of life-changing harm, such as urinary and faecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, as well as a smaller but serious risk of sepsis. Additionally, some prostate cancers may not produce elevated PSA levels, leading to false-negative results that provide deceptive reassurance.

Instead, men should be encouraged to know the symptoms of prostate cancer and look out for changes in their body and seek advice from a general practitioner if these changes occur.

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 support the life sciences sector to develop new drugs to tackle malaria.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

UK Research and Innovation’s Medical Research Council (MRC) supports the development of anti-malaria drugs through its Research Boards, Translation portfolio, and participation in the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.

The MRC contribution for active projects totals £10.93m, including £3.84m for academic-led translational projects. For instance, the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the Medicines for Malaria Venture, has been awarded £1.12m to lead on a multinational, interdisciplinary programme to develop a drug capable of curing malaria in a single or three daily doses treatment regime.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential for abuse of voluntary insolvencies.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

In recent years the Government has commissioned research covering both corporate and personal voluntary insolvency processes. In 2022 the company voluntary arrangement research report was published and on 17 October 2024 the research findings into Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) was published. Further research into corporate voluntary insolvency processes will be published later this year. The Government will be considering the findings of this research, and along with other evidence, may bring forward proposals for reform in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Health Minister in Northern Ireland on delays in occupational therapy referrals.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Whilst my Rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has met with his counterpart in Northern Ireland to discuss various issues related to health, occupational therapy was not discussed. Health is a devolved matter for Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department supports the use of Compulsory Licences to gain access to medicines (a) generally and (b) by Columbia for access to dolutegravir.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government supports the Doha Declaration on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and Public Health and, within that, a country’s right to use compulsory licensing, where necessary and appropriate, to achieve public health policy objectives in the case of national health emergencies. We are aware of the potential impact such initiatives may have on access to medicines, market dynamics, and innovation. We are closely following the process undertaken by Colombia and are in regular dialogue with them on this and other regulatory matters.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland on tackling homelessness.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG Ministers and officials engage regularly with their counterparts in the devolved administrations to discuss a range of issues, including tackling homelessness.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions she has had with the Justice Minister in Northern Ireland on backlogs in court cases.

Answered by Heidi Alexander - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Lord Chancellor has not yet had the opportunity to discuss the courts and tribunals across England and Wales, including the backlogs that some jurisdictions face, with the Northern Ireland Justice Minister. Ministry of Justice ministers are hopeful that they will have the opportunity to discuss courts throughput with the Justice Minister soon, either bilaterally or through the Inter-Ministerial Group for Justice.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions on using farm effluage and sewage for anaerobic digestion instead of importing wood chippings as biomass.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

There are anaerobic digestion plants across the UK that generate electricity through the combustion of biogas produced through the breakdown of sewage or agricultural waste.

Biomass generators, in contrast, generate electricity through the combustion of solid fuel. As biomass is a different type of technology, it uses different types of feedstock. In general, sewage cannot substitute for solid biomass fuel.

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 support the life sciences sector to develop drugs to eliminate TB.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to renewing UK leadership in Life Sciences, working in partnership with industry to drive innovation and treatments in key disease areas which help patients.

The Medical Research Council have funded a project at University College London to develop new antibiotics for the treatment of TB. Our Joint Global Health Trials Scheme is also collaborating between MRC, FCDO, the National Institute for Health Research, and the Welcome Trust on a project specifically looking to improve outcomes for children with TB. We will continue to work with and support the sector in developing treatments for diseases such as TB.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Department of Infrastructure on (a) pothole repairs and (b) resurfacing.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Secretary of State met her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure in her first days of office and the departments regularly discuss matters of mutual interest.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the earnings threshold was for (a) Carer’s Allowance and (b) Invalid Care Allowance in each of the last 30 years.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Carer’s Allowance, formerly known as Invalid Care Allowance, was introduced in 1976.

The following table provides details of all increases to the earnings limit, from 1976 to the present day.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of interest rates on SMEs.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

For SMEs that pay interest at a variable rate, or those contemplating new borrowing, lower interest rates are clearly beneficial.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to track people working for hostile states in the UK.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

As a matter of long-standing policy, we do not comment on the detail of security and intelligence issues.

The government’s first duty is to protect our national security and keep our country safe. We keep potential threats to the UK under constant review and, where necessary, we use all the tools at our disposal to mitigate these threats.

The UK has a strong record of responding robustly to state threats and our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are at the forefront of these efforts. Alongside our existing operational response, new legislation has been brought in through the National Security Act 2023 to deal with the range of modern state threats and make the UK a harder target for those state which seek to conduct hostile acts against the UK, including espionage, interference in our political system, and sabotage.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support young girls with eating disorders in schools.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.​

The government is committed to improving mental health outcomes for all children and young people, including young girls with eating disorders. Having an eating disorder can often be devastating for young people suffering with the condition, as well as for those around them, which is why the department wants to ensure they have access to the support they need.

The department’s statutory health education curriculum, which should be taught in all schools from primary, includes a strong focus on mental health. This includes teaching pupils how to identify the early signs of mental wellbeing concerns and where and how to seek support if they are worried about their own or someone else’s mental health. As part of the secondary health curriculum, schools can teach pupils how to be safe and healthy and manage their lives in a positive way, seeking support when needed. They can also teach about eating disorders, drawing on qualified support or advice as needed for this specialist area. A consultation on proposed changes to the statutory guidance closed in July. It is vitally important that teachers have clear guidance, which is why we will be looking carefully at the consultation responses, talking to stakeholders and considering the relevant evidence, before setting out next steps on relationships, sex education and health education.

Early intervention is key when a child or young person is experiencing a mental health issue, including problems with eating. To ensure that every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate, we will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. As of April 2024, Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) cover 44% (4.2 million) of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England and are expected to cover at least 50% by the end of March 2025. The government will also be putting in place new Young Futures hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.

The department also supports schools to embed whole school approaches to mental health and wellbeing, which often includes training staff to recognise early signs of eating disorders and promoting a culture of openness and support. More than 8 in 10 state-funded secondary schools have accessed grants from my department to train a senior mental health lead, developing their knowledge and skills to embed a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/senior-mental-health-lead-training.

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 reduce waiting lists for cardiac treatments.

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

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. The waiting list for England at the end of August stood at 7.64 million patient pathways, with 418,669 waiting for treatment for cardiology.

We will deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments per week, including in cardiology services, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks, supported by new funding announced at the Autumn Budget. We will be supporting National Health Service trusts to deliver these through innovation, sharing best practice to increase productivity and efficiency, and ensuring the best value is delivered.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients across all specialities, including cardiology, are seen on time, and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We know that waiting lists are a challenge across the United Kingdom and the Government is keen to take a collaborative approach so that there is strong recovery across all four nations.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help protect the religious freedom of adherents of African-influenced religions in Rio de Janeiro; and what discussions he has had with his Brazilian counterpart on religious intolerance in that region.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief, as guaranteed under international human rights law. In July, alongside the Brazilian Minister for Racial Equality Anielle Franco, International Development Minister Dodds visited a 'Quilombo' in Rio de Janeiro home to a community targeted with violence driven by intolerance towards Afro-Brazilian religions. In October, the UK Gender and Equalities Envoy spoke to Minister Franco to further raise awareness of discrimination against marginalised Brazilian communities. The UK and Brazil have also committed to establishing an Open Societies and Human Rights Dialogue, which will deepen collaboration on this issue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the right to freedom of religion or belief.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This Government stands firm on human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. The Foreign Secretary has raised human rights with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including during his recent visit to China on 18 October.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has to (a) improve and (b) standardise data collection for STEM careers.

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

My department works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) and Skills England to ensure that data collection for STEM careers is standardised across government and has already started using the occupation classifications published by the DfE in March of this year. We will continue engaging with the DfE and the Office for National Statistics to improve these classifications, ensuring that Standard Occupational Classifications are updated to reflect new and emerging technologies and occupations.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the market dominance of (a) Springer Nature and (b) other major academic publishers on access to publicly funded research.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The UK mandates open access to publicly funded research via funders such as UK Research and Innovation. Negotiations between Higher Education and academic publishers, including Springer Nature, are supported by Jisc. They seek value for money and off-set read subscriptions and publishing charges, while enabling open access in accordance with UK funder policies.

Jisc is negotiating new agreements with publishers in 2025. These focus on pace of change to open access models, financial sustainability, and equity to benefit wider audiences. Also, funders and universities, encourage a diversity of outputs from research, beyond publication, including preprints.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make it her policy to ensure that ongoing mental health support is available to victims of rape (a) before, (b) during and (c) after criminal trials relating to their case.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse have the information and support they need. This is irrespective of whether they engage with the criminal justice system or not. If they do engage, support is provided irrespective of where they are in the criminal justice system.

Between August 2023 and March 2025, the Department provided £26 million through the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund to over 60 specialist support organisations. These organisations offer tailored support programmes, including counselling, therapeutic services, advocacy, outreach and group activities to victims and survivors of all ages to help them cope with their experiences and move forward with their lives.

The Ministry of Justice-commissioned 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line also provides victims and survivors access to vital help and information whenever they need it. Free and confidential emotional and listening support is available to all victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse aged 16 and over. Where appropriate, the service will signpost victims to longer-term support services, including therapeutic support. This service is delivered by Rape Crisis England and Wales.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent guidance her Department has provided to the judiciary on the use of custodial sentences in the context of prison capacity.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Sentencing decisions are a matter for the independent judiciary, and judges are able to take into account a range of factors when handing down sentences.

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 raise awareness of stroke symptoms among young people.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Although stroke is rare in children and young people, education around the early signs of a stroke in adults, like those shown in the Act FAST Campaign, is still relevant. Spotting the early signs assists in rapid diagnosis, access to time-dependent acute stroke care, and delivery of community-based stroke rehabilitation. Further information about the Act FAST campaign is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/actfast/

NHS England works collaboratively with The Stroke Association and Different Strokes, who focus on helping younger stroke survivors to share key messaging. Further information is available at The Stroke Association and Different Strokes’ websites, which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.stroke.org.uk/

https://differentstrokes.co.uk/

Evidence based clinical guidelines on stroke in childhood have been published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Stroke Association, and are accredited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. These include recommendations for diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation. These guidelines are available at the following link:

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/Stroke%20guideline%2008.04.19%20updated%202021.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on providing universal access to fracture liaison services by 2030.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government and NHS England support the clinical case for services which help to prevent fragility fractures and to support patients who sustain them. Fracture Liaison Services are a globally recognised care model and can reduce the risk of refracture for people at risk of osteoporosis by up to 40%, depending on the fracture type and population considered.

That is why expansion of Fracture Liaison Services is a key priority for the Department and officials are working closely with NHS England to consider a range of options exploring the most effective ways to ensure access to these important preventative services across the country.

Halesowen in Bloom and the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Ocean Oarsmen’s Atlantic Rowing Challenge

Glyn Cywarch, Historic Houses Restoration Award 2024

Bede's Helping Hands

Puppy smuggling bill

D-Day veteran George Chandler

Rory McIlroy, DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai

ARK at Egwood, King’s Award for Voluntary Service

30th anniversary of Swarcliffe good neighbours scheme

Care for PANS and PANDAS

Wester Hailes post office

50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings

Jim Allan, High Street Hero Award winner, Lothian 2024

Family visas

Amy Adair, world medal in karate

Implications for rural communities of the Autumn Budget 2024

Triple negative breast cancer

Celebrating the Royal British Legion in Cumbria

Protecting wild sea birds and sand eels

Children's Grief Awareness Week 2024

Barrow Raiders Rugby League Club

Big Noise Wester Hailes and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Scientific hearing on animal experiments (No. 3)

Redundancies at TGI Fridays

In memory of Jim Farmer

North East Fife Scottish Fish and Chip Award winners (No. 2)

Use of swift bricks

35 Years of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association

North East Fife Scottish Fish and Chip Award winners

National Sherwood Forest Day

Glastonbury Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Angela Yeoman Award

Humanitarian situation in Sudan (No. 2)

Harry Ferguson Museum of Innovation

UK-US Special Relationship

Anniversary of Rev Robert Bradford MP's murder

Spirit duty on Scotch whisky

Social care workers and National Insurance

Value of rural post offices

Visually impaired cricket team Australia tour

Work of St John Ambulance

Humanitarian situation in Sudan

Alan Sayers and the Falkirk Business Improvement District

National Engineering Day 2024

Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

GWR Sunday timetable

OVO Energy monthly fees for paper format bills

Support for endometriosis care

Taxing low paid workers

Contribution of animals to the Armed Forces

Occupational Therapy Week 2024

Agricultural Property Relief (No. 2)

Reopening of the Menai Suspension Bridge

Paradise Beach Resort in Morocco

10th Annual Diwali Celebration in Edinburgh

Northern Ireland Assembly vote on Protocol issues

FA Cup replays

Jennie Lee

Support for community energy initiatives

TFL concessions

Detention and trial of Frenchie Mae Cumpio

Agricultural Property Relief

100th anniversary of Kingswear Castle paddle steamer

Whisky duty

Paignton Rotary Club centenary

100th anniversary of J. Wright & Son butchers in Donaghadee

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication shortages

Work of Fishing 4 Mental Health

Access to banking hubs

2% wealth tax

Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Ann Veitch, 20 years’ service as a foster carer

Scotland Beyond Net Zero

RAF Fauld explosion

30th anniversary of the Phoenix Cup

Dame Caroline Haslett and the 100th anniversary of the Electrical Association for Women

Carlo Carini, Arbroath's Partisan

Thrums Vets

Love NUL Business Awards 2024

360 years of the Royal Marines in the South West

Ticket offices and station staff

Scrutiny of Gulf Cooperation Council trade with Russia

30th anniversary of Drugs, Alcohol and Psychotherapies Limited

Prize-winning Bennie Museum Weavers

Shaqayeq Nejah, Moray College UHI Student of the Year 2024

Deputy Lieutenant Eunice Simpson and West Lothian African Women’s Network

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service 40th anniversary

30th anniversary of West Lothian 50+ Network

120th anniversary of Balbardie Primary School

360th anniversary of the Royal Marines

75th anniversary of NATO

Supporting business growth in Leicestershire

150 years of Heart of Midlothian Football Club

Reformation Day on 31 October

Found: Questions 1-22 Representations made I: Jim Shannon II: Jim Shannon and Ruth Jones III: Jim Shannon IV

Found: Letter dated 02/10/2024 from Anneliese Dodds MP to Jeremy Corbyn MP, Kate Osamore MP, Jim Shannon MP,