Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a dual-tier NHS Right to Choose Tariff for ADHD and autism assessments that distinguishes between straightforward and complex cases.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
The 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme was published on 26 March 2026 and came into effect from 1 April 2026. The scheme governs transactions between providers and commissioners of secondary healthcare. The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism payment guidance has also been updated and sets out national expectations for ADHD and autism services. This guidance is primarily intended for finance, costing, and data teams working in ADHD and autism assessment services, and integrated care boards (ICBs) with commissioning responsibilities for these services. The purpose is to support commissioners and providers to build consistent, transparent, and equitable ADHD and autism diagnostic pathways, with clear data requirements and a shared understanding of what good looks like.
Guide prices for ADHD and autism assessments were published as part of the 2026/27 NHS Payment Scheme. NHS England is engaging on the use of these prices and how they could be developed further, including whether to differentiate between straightforward and complex cases. The current prices already include a separate price for patients receiving a combined assessment for ADHD and autism which is often provided to more complex patients.
NHS England is continuing work on pricing arrangements for autism and ADHD assessment services through the NHS Payment Scheme. This aims to support a more equitable and consistent approach to commissioning and service delivery.
The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in light of the success of previous UK voluntary salt reduction programmes in reducing blood pressure and cardiovascular deaths, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing similar programmes in the near future.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
Since the setting of the Public Health England voluntary salt reduction targets, regulations to limit the promotion and marketing of ‘less healthy’ or high salt, saturated fat, and salt (HFSS) food and drink products have been introduced.
This includes the location promotions restrictions which came into effect in October 2022, and which prohibit the placement of ‘less healthy’ food and drink products in key selling locations in supermarkets, for instance around checkouts. Emerging evidence suggests a positive reduction in HFSS purchasing from retail with two million fewer in-scope ‘less healthy’ products being sold each day.
Restrictions on the use by retailers of volume price promotions offers, for instance buy two for three, came into force on 1 October 2025. The restrictions aim to reduce the disproportionate promotion of ‘less healthy’ products to consumers which are widespread and effective at influencing food preferences and purchases, particularly for families.
Regulations to restrict the advertising of ‘less healthy” food and drink products targeted at children on television and online came into effect in January 2026, although many advertisers and broadcasters started to voluntarily comply with the restrictions from 1 October 2025. There has been a noticeable change in the type of adverts show on television and online since then.
The Healthier Food Targets and Reporting policy is intended to improve the healthiness of food sales. We will consult soon on the design of the measures, a key aspect of which is what metrics to use and what elements of food and drink those metrics should cover such as, but not limited to, levels of salt.
There are currently no United Kingdom taxes that cover the salt content of food and drink. The Government keeps all taxes under regular review. Decisions about the future development of taxes are made by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the Government’s tax policy-making framework.
Monitoring of the overall purchasing of food and drink shows that in 2023, compared to 2022, purchases of salt increased by 1.4%. Further monitoring of purchasing, for 2024 and 2025, is currently underway and will be published later this year.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey will shortly begin fieldwork for a urinary sodium survey, providing objective, updated population salt intakes to inform future targeted policy action.
The Government has set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next 10 years. To accelerate progress on this ambition and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, the Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework was published on 7 July 2026. A delivery plan will follow later in the year to support systems to implement the framework.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the introduction of a) mandatory limits, and b) targeted fiscal measures, to reduce pre-existing levels of salt in foods.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
Since the setting of the Public Health England voluntary salt reduction targets, regulations to limit the promotion and marketing of ‘less healthy’ or high salt, saturated fat, and salt (HFSS) food and drink products have been introduced.
This includes the location promotions restrictions which came into effect in October 2022, and which prohibit the placement of ‘less healthy’ food and drink products in key selling locations in supermarkets, for instance around checkouts. Emerging evidence suggests a positive reduction in HFSS purchasing from retail with two million fewer in-scope ‘less healthy’ products being sold each day.
Restrictions on the use by retailers of volume price promotions offers, for instance buy two for three, came into force on 1 October 2025. The restrictions aim to reduce the disproportionate promotion of ‘less healthy’ products to consumers which are widespread and effective at influencing food preferences and purchases, particularly for families.
Regulations to restrict the advertising of ‘less healthy” food and drink products targeted at children on television and online came into effect in January 2026, although many advertisers and broadcasters started to voluntarily comply with the restrictions from 1 October 2025. There has been a noticeable change in the type of adverts show on television and online since then.
The Healthier Food Targets and Reporting policy is intended to improve the healthiness of food sales. We will consult soon on the design of the measures, a key aspect of which is what metrics to use and what elements of food and drink those metrics should cover such as, but not limited to, levels of salt.
There are currently no United Kingdom taxes that cover the salt content of food and drink. The Government keeps all taxes under regular review. Decisions about the future development of taxes are made by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the Government’s tax policy-making framework.
Monitoring of the overall purchasing of food and drink shows that in 2023, compared to 2022, purchases of salt increased by 1.4%. Further monitoring of purchasing, for 2024 and 2025, is currently underway and will be published later this year.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey will shortly begin fieldwork for a urinary sodium survey, providing objective, updated population salt intakes to inform future targeted policy action.
The Government has set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next 10 years. To accelerate progress on this ambition and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, the Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework was published on 7 July 2026. A delivery plan will follow later in the year to support systems to implement the framework.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
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 encourage food producers to reduce the levels of salt in food.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
Since the setting of the Public Health England voluntary salt reduction targets, regulations to limit the promotion and marketing of ‘less healthy’ or high salt, saturated fat, and salt (HFSS) food and drink products have been introduced.
This includes the location promotions restrictions which came into effect in October 2022, and which prohibit the placement of ‘less healthy’ food and drink products in key selling locations in supermarkets, for instance around checkouts. Emerging evidence suggests a positive reduction in HFSS purchasing from retail with two million fewer in-scope ‘less healthy’ products being sold each day.
Restrictions on the use by retailers of volume price promotions offers, for instance buy two for three, came into force on 1 October 2025. The restrictions aim to reduce the disproportionate promotion of ‘less healthy’ products to consumers which are widespread and effective at influencing food preferences and purchases, particularly for families.
Regulations to restrict the advertising of ‘less healthy” food and drink products targeted at children on television and online came into effect in January 2026, although many advertisers and broadcasters started to voluntarily comply with the restrictions from 1 October 2025. There has been a noticeable change in the type of adverts show on television and online since then.
The Healthier Food Targets and Reporting policy is intended to improve the healthiness of food sales. We will consult soon on the design of the measures, a key aspect of which is what metrics to use and what elements of food and drink those metrics should cover such as, but not limited to, levels of salt.
There are currently no United Kingdom taxes that cover the salt content of food and drink. The Government keeps all taxes under regular review. Decisions about the future development of taxes are made by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the Government’s tax policy-making framework.
Monitoring of the overall purchasing of food and drink shows that in 2023, compared to 2022, purchases of salt increased by 1.4%. Further monitoring of purchasing, for 2024 and 2025, is currently underway and will be published later this year.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey will shortly begin fieldwork for a urinary sodium survey, providing objective, updated population salt intakes to inform future targeted policy action.
The Government has set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next 10 years. To accelerate progress on this ambition and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, the Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework was published on 7 July 2026. A delivery plan will follow later in the year to support systems to implement the framework.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if salt reduction targets will be integrated into the Government's Healthy Food Standard.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
Since the setting of the Public Health England voluntary salt reduction targets, regulations to limit the promotion and marketing of ‘less healthy’ or high salt, saturated fat, and salt (HFSS) food and drink products have been introduced.
This includes the location promotions restrictions which came into effect in October 2022, and which prohibit the placement of ‘less healthy’ food and drink products in key selling locations in supermarkets, for instance around checkouts. Emerging evidence suggests a positive reduction in HFSS purchasing from retail with two million fewer in-scope ‘less healthy’ products being sold each day.
Restrictions on the use by retailers of volume price promotions offers, for instance buy two for three, came into force on 1 October 2025. The restrictions aim to reduce the disproportionate promotion of ‘less healthy’ products to consumers which are widespread and effective at influencing food preferences and purchases, particularly for families.
Regulations to restrict the advertising of ‘less healthy” food and drink products targeted at children on television and online came into effect in January 2026, although many advertisers and broadcasters started to voluntarily comply with the restrictions from 1 October 2025. There has been a noticeable change in the type of adverts show on television and online since then.
The Healthier Food Targets and Reporting policy is intended to improve the healthiness of food sales. We will consult soon on the design of the measures, a key aspect of which is what metrics to use and what elements of food and drink those metrics should cover such as, but not limited to, levels of salt.
There are currently no United Kingdom taxes that cover the salt content of food and drink. The Government keeps all taxes under regular review. Decisions about the future development of taxes are made by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the Government’s tax policy-making framework.
Monitoring of the overall purchasing of food and drink shows that in 2023, compared to 2022, purchases of salt increased by 1.4%. Further monitoring of purchasing, for 2024 and 2025, is currently underway and will be published later this year.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey will shortly begin fieldwork for a urinary sodium survey, providing objective, updated population salt intakes to inform future targeted policy action.
The Government has set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next 10 years. To accelerate progress on this ambition and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, the Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework was published on 7 July 2026. A delivery plan will follow later in the year to support systems to implement the framework.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Public Health England Salt Reduction Targets for 2024 will be a) reviewed, or b) revised.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
Since the setting of the Public Health England voluntary salt reduction targets, regulations to limit the promotion and marketing of ‘less healthy’ or high salt, saturated fat, and salt (HFSS) food and drink products have been introduced.
This includes the location promotions restrictions which came into effect in October 2022, and which prohibit the placement of ‘less healthy’ food and drink products in key selling locations in supermarkets, for instance around checkouts. Emerging evidence suggests a positive reduction in HFSS purchasing from retail with two million fewer in-scope ‘less healthy’ products being sold each day.
Restrictions on the use by retailers of volume price promotions offers, for instance buy two for three, came into force on 1 October 2025. The restrictions aim to reduce the disproportionate promotion of ‘less healthy’ products to consumers which are widespread and effective at influencing food preferences and purchases, particularly for families.
Regulations to restrict the advertising of ‘less healthy” food and drink products targeted at children on television and online came into effect in January 2026, although many advertisers and broadcasters started to voluntarily comply with the restrictions from 1 October 2025. There has been a noticeable change in the type of adverts show on television and online since then.
The Healthier Food Targets and Reporting policy is intended to improve the healthiness of food sales. We will consult soon on the design of the measures, a key aspect of which is what metrics to use and what elements of food and drink those metrics should cover such as, but not limited to, levels of salt.
There are currently no United Kingdom taxes that cover the salt content of food and drink. The Government keeps all taxes under regular review. Decisions about the future development of taxes are made by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the Government’s tax policy-making framework.
Monitoring of the overall purchasing of food and drink shows that in 2023, compared to 2022, purchases of salt increased by 1.4%. Further monitoring of purchasing, for 2024 and 2025, is currently underway and will be published later this year.
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey will shortly begin fieldwork for a urinary sodium survey, providing objective, updated population salt intakes to inform future targeted policy action.
The Government has set an ambition to reduce premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% in the next 10 years. To accelerate progress on this ambition and tackle unwarranted variation across the country, the Cardiovascular Modern Service Framework was published on 7 July 2026. A delivery plan will follow later in the year to support systems to implement the framework.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the food industry meeting salt reduction targets; and the potential impact of this on a) the number of people with coronary heart disease, b) the number of people having strokes, and c) the NHS budget.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
If salt reduction policies were implemented, we would consider the health benefits of these as part of the policy development cycle. It is recognised that if the food industry lowered the salt content of commonly consumed foods, it would help to support reducing the population’s salt intake.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of encouraging lower salt intake amongst the general population on health inequalities.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
If salt reduction policies were implemented, we would consider the health benefits of these as part of the policy development cycle. It is recognised that if the food industry lowered the salt content of commonly consumed foods, it would help to support reducing the population’s salt intake.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making nutritional information on pre-packaged food a) clearer, and b) more visible, especially with regard to salt.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
Food labelling legislation means that pre-packaged food must include back of pack nutritional information. This includes total salt content.
In addition, food businesses can voluntarily provide nutritional information on the front-of-pack. Front-of-pack nutrition labelling helps to support healthier choices by showing complex nutritional information, including salt, to consumers in a way that is easy and quick to understand. The United Kingdom was one of the first to introduce a national front-of-pack labelling system, and the voluntary Multiple Traffic Light scheme has been in place across the UK since 2013. Manufacturers and retailers are encouraged to provide a label on as many of their products as possible where the information is meaningful for consumers.
We will continue to review the evidence on front-of-pack nutrition labelling and consider, with devolved administrations, whether further action is needed in the future. If changes to front-of-pack nutrition labelling are required, we will consult on proposed policy changes.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
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 high quality assessments for autism and ADHD.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
The Government is committed to supporting people to have equitable access to safe, effective, and high-quality autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment services, irrespective of their service provider. We recognise that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for autism and ADHD has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The independent sector provides important service capacity within autism and ADHD services.
The Government announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and wider public services can respond to increasing demand for assessment and support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place. The interim report was published in March, and the next stage of the review will look at service design and how services might respond more effectively to rising need, including the role of earlier intervention, community-based provision, and more integrated pathways across health, education, and other public services. The review will also look at the question of what role the private sector plays in diagnostic services.
It remains the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism and ADHD services in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
In October 2025, NHS England issued advice to systems on ADHD service delivery and prioritisation, including guidance on managing service provisions, reviewing waiting lists, and providing patient support. In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidance
This guidance intends to help providers of National Health Services improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred to a service.
We are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding autism and ADHD assessment-only services, including around consistency, quality, and regulation, and officials are considering these issues with relevant partners.
The Department has not made an assessment of the number of inconclusive autism or ADHD assessments or of those resulting in misdiagnosis, nor of the potential impact of such outcomes on long-term health expenditure. However, NICE guidance sets out evidence-based requirements for assessment and diagnosis, including consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. This is intended to support accurate and robust diagnostic decision-making.