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, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 36392, if he will provide an update on funding for lobular breast cancer research.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises the crucial need for research into all forms of cancer, including lobular breast cancer. We remain committed to the role of research in driving a stronger collective understanding of the biology behind lobular breast cancer and to improve outcomes for women.
Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between Department for Health and Social Care, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation, which includes the Medical Research Council.
In November 2025, the NIHR issued a highlight notice encouraging applications for new research into lobular breast cancer, to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients.
The NIHR continues to welcome high quality funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including lobular breast cancer.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has had conversations with colleagues in the English Law Promotion Panel on the potential effects of greater use of mediation within the civil justice system on a) investment, b) economic growth, and c) global competitiveness.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The English Law Promotion Panel has been established to support the growth of the legal sector and to strengthen the global competitiveness of English and Welsh law. This initiative forms part of the Government’s mission to drive economic growth, as outlined in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The Panel’s focus is on the international promotion of English and Welsh law, rather than operational or policy matters relating to the domestic justice system. In so doing, the Panel will also explore the extent to which arbitration and mediation can enhance our competitive position.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the expansion of mediation within the civil justice system on a) delays in the courts, and b) resultant business productivity.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
We recognise the benefits of mediation to individuals and businesses in resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Where mediation is successful, both businesses and their customers will be spared the time and stress of litigation.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation for small claims estimated a 15-55% reduction in hearings, freeing up 1,400 – 5,200 sitting days per year.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation found that businesses make up 58% of all parties to small claims, and that the potential benefit to businesses of earlier settlement through mandatory mediation could be £25 million - £92 million per annum, based on a 15-55% settlement rate.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, a total of 81,206 cases were referred to mediation, 56,268 mediations took place, and 19,536 were successfully settled through mediation, representing an overall settlement rate of approximately 35%.
A formal evaluation will be published in the summer of this year and findings will inform decisions on further expansion of mandatory mediation.
We will consult with organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant partners before making any final decisions on the further expansion of mandatory mediation.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effect on business productivity of expansion of mediation within the civil justice system.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
We recognise the benefits of mediation to individuals and businesses in resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner. Where mediation is successful, both businesses and their customers will be spared the time and stress of litigation.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation for small claims estimated a 15-55% reduction in hearings, freeing up 1,400 – 5,200 sitting days per year.
The impact assessment for the introduction of mandatory mediation found that businesses make up 58% of all parties to small claims, and that the potential benefit to businesses of earlier settlement through mandatory mediation could be £25 million - £92 million per annum, based on a 15-55% settlement rate.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, a total of 81,206 cases were referred to mediation, 56,268 mediations took place, and 19,536 were successfully settled through mediation, representing an overall settlement rate of approximately 35%.
A formal evaluation will be published in the summer of this year and findings will inform decisions on further expansion of mandatory mediation.
We will consult with organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant partners before making any final decisions on the further expansion of mandatory mediation.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in the context of trends in levels of success of mediation for claims under £10,000, whether he has considered the expansion of mediation for higher value claims.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government recognises the benefits of mediation in resolving disputes swiftly and consensually.
Mandatory mediation for small money claims below £10,000 is now integrated into the county court process, saving time and costs. A formal evaluation will be published in the summer of this year and will inform decisions on further expansion of mandatory mediation.
The Civil Procedure Rules were amended in October 2024 to give judges power to order mediation at their discretion in higher value claims over £10,000.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he intends to bring forward legislation regarding litigation funding agreements.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
We intend to introduce legislation to mitigate the effect of the PACCAR judgment when parliamentary time allows. The new legislation will clarify that Litigation Funding Agreements are not Damages Based Agreements and introduce proportionate regulation of Litigation Funding Agreements. The Government recognises the critical role third-party litigation funding plays in access to justice and is committed to ensuring it works fairly for all. We will outline next steps in due course.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to help reduce the time taken for cases to go to trial in the commercial court.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
I am pleased to say there are currently no undue delays in listing trials in the commercial court. However, we are constantly seeking improvements in timeliness.
Listing and case management in the Commercial Court are matters for the judiciary. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) supports the court to progress cases efficiently by:
We continue to monitor performance with HMCTS and the judiciary and will support further operational improvements to help ensure cases are heard in a timely manner.
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 assessment his Department has made of the current age limits for routine breast cancer screening; and whether he plans to review these limits to improve early detection for patients outside of the standard screening range.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is guided by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process. It is only where the committee is confident that screening would provide more good than harm that a screening programme is recommended, as all medical interventions carry an inherent risk.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHS BSP) offers all women in England between the ages of 50 to 71 years old the opportunity to be screened every three years for breast cancer, to help detect abnormalities and intervene early to reduce the number of lives lost to invasive breast cancer.
The AgeX research trial has been looking at the effectiveness of offering some women one extra screen between the ages of 47 to 49 years old, and one between the ages of 71 to 73 years old. The biggest trial of its kind ever to be undertaken, AgeX will provide robust evidence about the effectiveness of screening in these age groups, including the benefit and harms. The UK NSC will review the publication of the age extension trial when it reports.
Women with a very high risk of breast cancer, for example due to family history, may be offered screening earlier and more frequently, sometimes using magnetic resonance imaging rather than a mammogram.
While the NHS BSP does not automatically invite women for breast screening after their 71st birthday, women aged 71 years old or over can still have breast screening every three years if they want to, by calling their local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.
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 his Department is taking to ensure that local cancer treatment facilities, such as mobile chemotherapy units and hospital breast cancer clinics, have sufficient resources to meet demand and reduce waiting times for patients.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
As set out in the plan for reforming elective care, the Government is committed to improving performance on cancer waiting times.
To improve access to cancer treatment, the Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the National Health Service and providing it with the resources it needs, including community diagnostic centres, to ensure patients are diagnosed faster and earlier so that they receive timely access to treatment. £70 million will also be spent on replacing out-of-date radiotherapy equipment so that cancer patients benefit from faster and safer cancer treatment using the most up-to-date technology. Replacing these older machines will save as many as 13,000 appointments from being lost to equipment breakdown.
NHS England has partnered with the charity Hope For Tomorrow to establish mobile chemotherapy units across England, bringing chemotherapy and cancer treatments closer to patients' homes, reducing waiting time for hospital appointments, with units staffed by specialist nurses offering personalised care.
The NHS has made important progress on the treatment of cancer, including breast cancer, delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week to ensure faster treatment for those who need it most.
Asked by: Julian Smith (Conservative - Skipton and Ripon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage businesses and individuals to buy local farming produce.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the key role that regional and local food systems can play in supporting delivery of the growth, health, sustainability, and food security/ resilience outcomes. Defra wants to create an environment that champions UK food cultures and celebrates British food. Connecting local communities can be a key vehicle for achieving this outcome and for harnessing a stronger food culture. The strategy helps strengthen pride in our unique food heritage and cultures and inspire a good food movement around the country.
Alongside, Defra is considering the policy options available to deliver on the Government's ambition for at least half of all food procured by the public sector to be, where possible, locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards, and to make it easier for British suppliers to bid for a share of the £5 billion spent annually on public sector catering contracts. To that end, the Government is conducting the first ever review of food currently bought in the public sector, including where it is bought from.