Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential impact of means-testing of the winter fuel payment on the (a) NHS and (b) social care.

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

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues across Government on issues of cross-departmental interest.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones, across the Missions, for this Parliament. As the House would expect, the government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer. Public reviews will be available on GOV.UK as they are published.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published.

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

This Government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones - across the missions - for this Parliament.

As the House would expect, Government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer.

Public reviews will be available on Gov.uk as they are published.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Simpler Recycling in England: policy update, published on 29 November 2024, what the evidential basis is for the statement that he inherited legislation that could have required households to have up to seven bins.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Act 2021 created a requirement for the six recyclable waste streams to be collected separately from each other and be re-collected separately from residual waste for all households in England.

The Government has now laid regulations to streamline waste disposal so that all areas have the same rules to tackle the avalanche of rubbish communities are facing and clean up our streets for good.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of means-testing the winter fuel payment on elective care waiting lists.

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

No assessment has been made on the potential impact of means-testing the winter fuel payment on elective care waiting lists. The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care.

The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out an expectation that performance will increase from the current 58%, as of December 2024, to 65% by March 2026, with every trust expected to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published.

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

This Government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones - across the missions - for this Parliament. As the House would expect, the Government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer. Public reviews will be available on Gov.uk as they are published.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of support for kinship carers raising disabled children.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children.

In October 2024, we published the kinship care statutory guidance for local authorities, which sets out the support and services local authorities should provide to kinship families, including reaffirming the requirement to publish their local offer of support in a clear, accessible way. The guidance can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670d3ed5e84ae1fd8592f2fa/Kinship_Care_-_statutory_guidance_for_local_authorities__October_2024.pdf.

The guidance makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare. There is no limit on the level of support, including financial support, that local authorities can provide. All local authorities should have in place clear eligibility criteria in relation to the provision of support services.

The department’s ‘Working together to safeguard children’ guidance, which is aimed at all agencies working to safeguard children, sets out how the social care needs of disabled children, and their carers, should be assessed. The guidance is clear that, “if a local authority considers that a parent carer of a disabled child may have support needs, it must carry out an assessment under section 17ZD of the Children Act 1989”. The local authority must also carry out such an assessment if a parent or carer requests one. The guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65797f1e0467eb000d55f689/Working_together_to_safeguard_children_2023_-_statutory_framework.pdf.

Moreover, under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, it is the general duty of every local authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need, and to promote the upbringing of such children by their families by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children’s needs, such as the provision of short breaks.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of legal aid provision for parents of children who are or may be deprived of their liberty.

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

Legal aid is fundamental to a fair justice system, underpins the rule of law, and facilitates access to other public services across government. We are committed to a well-functioning legal aid system, and one which aids in the smooth running of the justice system. For this reason, we keep the adequacy of all legal aid provision, including for deprivation of liberty and kinship carers, under regular review.

Individuals may be eligible for legal aid where a child is, or may be, subject to deprivation of liberty proceedings under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 (Secure Accommodation Order) or under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court (Deprivation of Liberty Order). This is subject to meeting the relevant means and merits tests. Kinship carers may be eligible for legal aid in family proceedings such as Care Proceedings subject to meeting the relevant means and merits tests.

We continue to work closely with the Department for Education on these areas, including following the introduction of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of legal aid provision for prospective kinship carers.

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

Legal aid is fundamental to a fair justice system, underpins the rule of law, and facilitates access to other public services across government. We are committed to a well-functioning legal aid system, and one which aids in the smooth running of the justice system. For this reason, we keep the adequacy of all legal aid provision, including for deprivation of liberty and kinship carers, under regular review.

Individuals may be eligible for legal aid where a child is, or may be, subject to deprivation of liberty proceedings under section 25 of the Children Act 1989 (Secure Accommodation Order) or under the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court (Deprivation of Liberty Order). This is subject to meeting the relevant means and merits tests. Kinship carers may be eligible for legal aid in family proceedings such as Care Proceedings subject to meeting the relevant means and merits tests.

We continue to work closely with the Department for Education on these areas, including following the introduction of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on improving financial support for kinship carers.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children. Kinship carers often take on this role at a time when they were least expecting to raise a family and we recognise the challenges they face, including financial.

At the Autumn Budget 2024, we announced £40 million of funding to trial a kinship allowance in some local authorities in England. We will test whether paying an allowance to cover the additional costs of caring for a child can help increase the number of children taken in by family members and friends. ​​We will share further details and the process for selecting local authorities in due course.​

This is the single biggest investment made by government in kinship care to date. This investment could transform the lives of vulnerable children who can no longer live at home by allowing children to grow up within their families and communities, reducing disruption to their early years, so they can focus on schooling and building friendships.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to extend (a) family finding, (b) befriending and (c) mentoring support for children in the care system to build relationships.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department is committed to helping children thrive, and we want the best for every child and family. We know that a stable support network and loving relationships are crucial to supporting children in care and care leavers to thrive.

To support this, we are currently funding 50 family finding, befriending and mentoring programmes being delivered by 45 local authorities. These programmes will help children in care and care leavers to identify and connect with the important people in their lives, improve their sense of identity and community and create and sustain consistent, stable and loving relationships.

We have commissioned an independent evaluation of the family finding, befriending and mentoring programmes, and this will inform decisions about their future.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment has she made of the adequacy of therapeutic support for children in kinship care.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government recognises the importance of health and therapeutic support services for all children, including those in kinship care. Ensuring every child receives the support they need is a key priority.

The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) helps adoptive and special guardianship order children, and their families, access therapeutic interventions related to trauma and attachment.

In December 2023, we began to require the use of outcomes measurement tools with ASGSF-funded therapies to help assess the impact and effectiveness of different types of therapy. We hope that this will improve local and national understanding of the effectiveness of therapies for different children and families.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of precedents for unilateral environmental measures in trade agreements on the sandeel fishing ban within the Trade and Cooperation Agreement arbitration process.

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

The arbitration process pertaining to the dispute brought by the EU against the UK prohibition of fishing for sandeel, and our consideration of the issues, is presently ongoing. We will fully consider the tribunal’s report and the impacts of it in due course.

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 help the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence develop guidance on mild cognitive impairment.

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

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) develops its guidance independently, on the basis of an assessment of the available evidence.

To support timely decision making regarding the use of disease-modifying dementia treatments (DMDTs) in the National Health Service, and to facilitate the development of useful and useable NICE guidance, the NICE’s Health Technology Assessment Innovation Laboratory identified the key issues that might arise during the evaluation of DMDTs and concluded that the NICE’s current approach and methods are appropriate for evaluating these treatments.

The NICE is currently evaluating two new licensed disease-modifying treatments for treating mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, and has been unable to recommend them in its draft guidance. However, the NICE has not yet published final guidance and will take the comments received in response to its draft guidance fully into account in developing its final recommendations.

A number of other disease-modifying treatments for dementia are in late-stage development and are expected to come to market in the next few years. To prepare for the new generation of dementia treatments in development, NHS England is working to ensure the diagnostic and treatment capacity, clinical pathway redesign, and investment are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and NICE recommended treatments as soon as possible.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff are employed to (a) process and (b) issue project licences for experiments using animals regulated by the Animal Welfare (Scientific Experiments) Act 1986.

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

The number of staff that are employed to process and issue project licences in the Home Office Regulator, under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, are published in the Regulator’s annual report accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports. At the end of 2023 the total number of Inspector staff in the Regulator was 17.

The Regulator is undertaking a structured programme of reforms. This will increase the total number of Inspectors to 22 by end of 2025. The Regulator will then operate a flexibly resourced licensing function and allocate resource according to demand.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has conducted surveys on trends in the level of public support for releasing beavers into the countryside.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

No surveys on trends in the level of public support for releasing beavers into the countryside have been conducted. However, levels of public support for releasing beavers into the countryside was assessed as part of the 2021 consultation on the approach to beaver reintroduction and management in England. 3095 respondents answered the question “do you agree or disagree with the proposed approach to beaver reintroductions?”. 69% selected agree, while 31% selected disagree.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24031 on Waste: Codes of Practice, if he will publish the 35 responses.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

At this stage, the Government has not yet finalised its assessment of how it can further support local authorities to tackle litter. Any new announcements will be announced in the usual way.

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 (a) invest in diagnostic infrastructure and (b) reduce waiting times.

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

The Darzi Report highlights the significant underinvestment of capital in the National Health Service, with outdated scanners, too little automation, and a failure to enter the digital era. Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need, including diagnostic testing, which is key to the majority of elective and cancer pathways.

Currently, the elective waiting list stands at 7.48 million patient pathways, with over six million people waiting. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the reforms needed to return to the 18-week Referral to Treatment (RTT) constitutional standard by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. This will include ensuring the diagnostic capacity needed to deliver on the standard.

The Elective Reform Plan commits to transforming and expanding diagnostic services and speeding up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times and returning to the RTT standard. This includes investment in Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), expanding the number of CDCs operating seven days a week and 12 hours a day, as well as the tests they offer. We will also develop and roll out Straight to Test pathways, reducing the time taken for patients to receive a test, as well further improvements to the NHS’ digital capabilities. An investment of approximately £1.5 billion, as announced in the Autumn Budget, will enable diagnostics services to build on these foundations in 2025/26, to ensure diagnostic services are fit for the future. This will ensure that patients receive the diagnostic care where and when they need it, including for subtype diagnoses.

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 (a) future proof diagnostic systems and (b) improve access to subtype diagnoses in systems.

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

The Darzi Report highlights the significant underinvestment of capital in the National Health Service, with outdated scanners, too little automation, and a failure to enter the digital era. Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need, including diagnostic testing, which is key to the majority of elective and cancer pathways.

Currently, the elective waiting list stands at 7.48 million patient pathways, with over six million people waiting. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the reforms needed to return to the 18-week Referral to Treatment (RTT) constitutional standard by March 2029, a standard which has not been met consistently since September 2015. This will include ensuring the diagnostic capacity needed to deliver on the standard.

The Elective Reform Plan commits to transforming and expanding diagnostic services and speeding up waiting times for tests, a crucial part of reducing overall waiting times and returning to the RTT standard. This includes investment in Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs), expanding the number of CDCs operating seven days a week and 12 hours a day, as well as the tests they offer. We will also develop and roll out Straight to Test pathways, reducing the time taken for patients to receive a test, as well further improvements to the NHS’ digital capabilities. An investment of approximately £1.5 billion, as announced in the Autumn Budget, will enable diagnostics services to build on these foundations in 2025/26, to ensure diagnostic services are fit for the future. This will ensure that patients receive the diagnostic care where and when they need it, including for subtype diagnoses.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organisation on the UK’s financial contribution to that organisation.

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

We have been consistently clear that US executive orders are matters for the US government and US people. In November 2024, the UK announced new funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in support of its delivery and transformation agenda. The UK will continue to work with the WHO, Member States and other partners to support WHO's ongoing transformation and to strengthen its efficiency, transparency and responsiveness.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to implement a commission lead review on dementia diagnostics.

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

Lord Darzi’s independent review showed that a timely diagnosis is vital to ensuring that a person with dementia can access the advice, information, care, and support that can help them to live well and remain independent for as long as possible.

The 10-Year Health Plan will address the challenges diagnosed by Lord Darzi, and set the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of complex health and care needs. It will set out how we support and enable health and social care services to work together better to provide that joined-up care.

The Government is launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The commission, which is expected to begin in April 2025, will form a key part of the Government’s Plan for Change, recognising the importance of adult social care in its own right, as well as its role in supporting the National Health Service.

It is a once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and engage in genuine debate on how we can deliver a National Care Service, ensuring all voices are heard, and putting the voices of those with lived experience at the heart of the conversation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research, analysis and intelligence WRAP provides his Department to inform policy.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Department works with WRAP on a wide range of areas to support policy development including on reducing packaging; simplifying recycling, supporting local authorities and reducing waste on plastics, textiles and food & drink.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the UK’s compliance with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU in relation to the ban on sandeel fishing.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and it applies to your questions.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment she has made of the likely outcome of the arbitration on the sandeel fishing ban; and what steps she is taking to prepare for an unfavourable outcome.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and it applies to your questions.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the terms of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the UK's ban on sandeel fishing.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May states:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

This is known as the Law Officers’ Convention and it applies to your questions.

Found: Beccy Cooper; Deirdre Costigan; Jen Craft; Josh Fenton-Glynn; Andrew George; Paulette Hamilton; Joe Robertson

Found: Caroline Voaden Sarah Smith, Housing Communities and Local Government Committee, Jen Craft and Joe Robertson

Found: Health and Social Care Committee members present: Jen Craft and Joe Robertson.

Found: Health and Social Care Committee members present: Jen Craft and Joe Robertson.

Found: Mayhew Aphra Brandreth Sarah Bool Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Graham Stuart Helen Whately Joe Robertson

Found: Mayhew Aphra Brandreth Sarah Bool Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Graham Stuart Helen Whately Joe Robertson