Kate Osamor Portrait

Kate Osamor

Labour (Co-op) - Edmonton and Winchmore Hill

12,632 (30.8%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 7th May 2015


Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [HL]
6th Nov 2024 - 13th Nov 2024
International Development Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 30th May 2024
International Development Sub-Committee on the Work of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact
10th Mar 2020 - 30th May 2024
Committees on Arms Export Controls
5th Oct 2020 - 16th Jan 2024
Public Accounts Committee
13th Jul 2021 - 4th Jul 2022
Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill
5th Jan 2022 - 12th Jan 2022
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
27th Jun 2016 - 1st Dec 2018
Consolidation Bills (Joint Committee)
9th Nov 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Consolidation, &c., Bills (Joint Committee)
9th Nov 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Junior Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
14th Jan 2016 - 27th Jun 2016
Petitions Committee
20th Jul 2015 - 14th Mar 2016
Education Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 1st Feb 2016


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Kate Osamor has voted in 202 divisions, and 3 times against the majority of their Party.

16 May 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Kate Osamor voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 129 Labour Aye votes vs 200 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 279
16 May 2025 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Kate Osamor voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 127 Labour No votes vs 206 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 239
1 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context
Kate Osamor voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour No votes vs 333 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 335 Noes - 260
View All Kate Osamor Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

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

Sparring Partners
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour)
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
(5 debate interactions)
Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op))
(4 debate interactions)
Nicholas Dakin (Labour)
Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(6 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(4 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(2 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Kate Osamor's debates

Edmonton and Winchmore Hill Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petitions with highest Edmonton and Winchmore Hill signature proportion
Petitions with most Edmonton and Winchmore Hill signatures
Kate Osamor has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Kate Osamor

12th June 2025
Kate Osamor signed this EDM on Monday 16th June 2025

UK Government recognition of the state of Palestine

Tabled by: Andy McDonald (Labour - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East)
That this House notes the high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution of 17-20 June 2025; welcomes the Prime Minister’s remarks that Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people; reaffirms the position of the House …
110 signatures
(Most recent: 21 Jul 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 51
Liberal Democrat: 36
Independent: 12
Scottish National Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Alliance: 1
7th February 2024
Kate Osamor signed this EDM on Monday 19th February 2024

Jagtar Singh Johal

Tabled by: Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party - West Dunbartonshire)
That this House notes that Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist and resident of Dumbarton, will be marking his 37th birthday on 9 February, his sixth in arbitrary detention in India since being abducted from the street during his honeymoon by unidentified assailants who turned out to be undercover police …
41 signatures
(Most recent: 21 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 16
Labour: 9
Liberal Democrat: 5
Independent: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Alba Party: 1
Alliance: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
View All Kate Osamor's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

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

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


Kate Osamor has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Kate Osamor has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Kate Osamor


A Bill to set training standards for NHS 111 service operators; to require NHS 111 services to be overseen by clinical advisors; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 5th February 2020

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending Paid Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave to those who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks.

The loss of a child at any age is incredibly difficult. Parental Bereavement Leave is available to parents who suffer a bereavement from 24 weeks of completed pregnancy up to the age of 18.

Under existing laws, women are protected against any discrimination regarding pregnancy, including miscarriage. We expect employers to treat their employees experiencing miscarriage with compassion, and we encourage them to where possible go further to support their employees. More broadly, the Employment Rights Bill will strengthen protection for new mothers and establish a new right to Bereavement Leave for other loved ones.

24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of banning the advertising of (a) sports utility vehicles, (b) flights and (c) other high carbon products on levels of carbon emissions.

The Government is committed to reducing emissions from road transport, aviation and high carbon products in support of our national missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower. This includes overhauling public transport services to make sustainable choices more convenient for more transport users, turbocharging the rollout of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and making the UK a world-leader in the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels. The government will set out further detail on its plans for reducing emissions from all sectors later this year.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media (print, radio, TV) and online. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sister organisations to the ASA, are responsible for codifying the standards for advertising to the marketing industry as part of their UK Broadcast Advertising Code (‘BCAP Code’) and UK Non-Broadcast Advertising Code (‘CAP Code’), which include standards regarding environmental claims. The government is not involved in these codes, nor in the investigations and enforcement delivered by the ASA.

6th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with animal protection groups on phasing out animal experiments.

The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal. The government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year. The Government will also be hosting a roundtable shortly with representatives from animal welfare organisations to discuss the strategy.

4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure that social media companies provide adequate support to customers who are the subject of hacking and fraud.

As fraud offences are ‘priority offences’ under the Online Safety Act (OSA), all user-to-user services in scope must prevent illegal fraudulent content from appearing on their platforms and swiftly remove if it does. They must also effectively mitigate the risk of their service being used to facilitate fraud.

The OSA also requires in-scope platforms to provide accessible complaints and appeals procedures for their users. Additionally, those services over the designated threshold (Category 1 services) must uphold their terms of service.

29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking in response to publishers disabling video games that have already been sold.

The Government is aware of the Stop Killing Games campaign and concerns relating to the continued access to video games, including licensed, online-only video games, and we appreciate the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has spoken with the video games industry and has responded to a recent petition on this issue.

There are no plans to amend existing consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), giving clear advice to consumers. Video game sellers must not omit or hide material information, or provide it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating in line with inflation the income threshold for Free School Meals eligibility for children in families with No Recourse to Public Funds.

Children from households with no recourse to public funds can receive free meals in school, subject to meeting income criteria set by the department in our published guidance.

As with all government programmes, we continue to keep free school meals under review.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children are on the SEND waiting list in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill constituency.

The department does not hold information on the number of children waiting to be assessed for an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

The department collects information from local authorities on the number of requests for an EHC needs assessment, the number of EHC needs assessments carried out, and the number of EHC plans issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe. This data is published annually in the statistical release ‘Education, health and care plans’. The release can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans/2024.

16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to meet the demand for (a) special and (b) mainstream school placements for children with SEN in the London Borough of Enfield.

The department has published allocations for £740 million in high needs provision capital allocations for the 2025/26 financial year. The funding can be used to adapt schools to be more accessible for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

Enfield Council has been allocated £6.2 million high needs capital funding for 2025/26. It is up to local authorities to prioritise their funding to meet local needs.

Stephen Morgan
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of publishing an education staff retention strategy.

Supporting our teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child, as the within-school factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcome is high quality teaching.

The department wants to improve the experience of being a teacher and re-establish teaching as an attractive profession, one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to, and new graduates wish to join. Fair pay is key to this, which is why we accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools for 2024/25.

​In addition, new teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing in the first five years of their careers will now receive a targeted retention incentive of up to £6,000 after-tax if working in disadvantaged schools. These targeted incentives are helping schools to retain those specialist teachers in the shortage subjects and schools that most need them.

Our ‘Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders’ study also shows the importance of reducing teacher workload, improving wellbeing and increasing opportunities to work flexibly in retaining more of our excellent school staff. Already we have taken action to remove the requirement for schools to use Performance Related Pay from September 2024 and clarified that teachers can undertake their Planning Preparation and Assessment time at home.

The department is also making available workload and wellbeing resources that were developed with school leaders, through our new improving workload and wellbeing online service, and continuing to promote the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which currently has nearly 4,000 school and college signatories. The department is funding mental health and wellbeing support for school and college leaders, which includes professional supervision and counselling for those who need it. More than 2,000 leaders have benefitted from the support so far. Support continues to be available and can be accessed by visiting Education Support’s website.

High quality continuous professional development is also key to ensuring we have and retain an effective teaching workforce. That is why we have committed to introducing a new teacher training entitlement, to ensure teachers stay up to date on best practice with continuing professional development. This builds on the work the department already does to ensure teachers can access high quality development at key points in their careers, underpinned by our Initial Teacher Training and Early Career frameworks, and onwards through our suite of national professional qualifications.

We are committed to resetting the relationship with the profession and will continue to work with partners to tackle retention issues.

19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024, published by Education Support on 20 November 2024.

Supporting our teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child, as the within-school factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcome is high quality teaching.

The department wants to improve the experience of being a teacher and re-establish teaching as an attractive profession, one that existing teachers want to remain in, former teachers want to return to, and new graduates wish to join. Fair pay is key to this, which is why we accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for teachers and leaders in maintained schools for 2024/25.

​In addition, new teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing in the first five years of their careers will now receive a targeted retention incentive of up to £6,000 after-tax if working in disadvantaged schools. These targeted incentives are helping schools to retain those specialist teachers in the shortage subjects and schools that most need them.

Our ‘Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders’ study also shows the importance of reducing teacher workload, improving wellbeing and increasing opportunities to work flexibly in retaining more of our excellent school staff. Already we have taken action to remove the requirement for schools to use Performance Related Pay from September 2024 and clarified that teachers can undertake their Planning Preparation and Assessment time at home.

The department is also making available workload and wellbeing resources that were developed with school leaders, through our new improving workload and wellbeing online service, and continuing to promote the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter, which currently has nearly 4,000 school and college signatories. The department is funding mental health and wellbeing support for school and college leaders, which includes professional supervision and counselling for those who need it. More than 2,000 leaders have benefitted from the support so far. Support continues to be available and can be accessed by visiting Education Support’s website.

High quality continuous professional development is also key to ensuring we have and retain an effective teaching workforce. That is why we have committed to introducing a new teacher training entitlement, to ensure teachers stay up to date on best practice with continuing professional development. This builds on the work the department already does to ensure teachers can access high quality development at key points in their careers, underpinned by our Initial Teacher Training and Early Career frameworks, and onwards through our suite of national professional qualifications.

We are committed to resetting the relationship with the profession and will continue to work with partners to tackle retention issues.

14th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory autism training for (a) teachers and (b) teaching assistants.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs. We will strengthen accountability on mainstream settings to be inclusive including through Ofsted, support the mainstream workforce to increase their SEND expertise and encourage schools to set up Resourced Provision or special education needs units to increase capacity in mainstream schools.

High quality teaching and support is the single most important in-school factor in improving outcomes for pupils, including those with autism or other SEND.

All mainstream schools must have a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) who must be a qualified teacher, or the head teacher, working at the school. On 1 September 2024, the government introduced a new mandatory leadership level National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs. The NPQ will play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND by ensuring SENCOs consistently receive high quality, evidence-based training. This is crucial given the central role SENCOs play in supporting pupils with SEND.

Universal SEND Services brings together SEND-specific continuing professional development and support for the school and further education workforce. The programme aims to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with autism. The contract offers autism awareness training and resources. Over 200,000 professionals have received autism training from an Autism Education Trust training partner since the programme launched in May 2022.

25th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department provides support to international students unable to afford university fees due to high inflation in Nigeria.

Our universities are autonomous bodies, independent of government, and are therefore responsible for managing their own budgets. Student Support Regulations ensure that the support provided by British taxpayers is targeted at those who have a substantial and recent connection with the UK.

Higher education (HE) providers operate their own hardship funds to support students who have financial issues. Like domestic students, international students can apply to their provider to request support. HE providers also offer dedicated support to their international students pre-arrival, on-arrival and during their studies. Students experiencing financial difficulties should contact their university to discuss their circumstances.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs offers information and guidance for international students who may be experiencing unexpected financial hardship, which is available here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/Unexpected-financial-hardship.

30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 47556 on Animal Housing, what his Department's planned timeline is for sharing the findings of their review into banning the use of cages.

This is a multifaceted issue with many factors that need to be carefully considered.

The Department has initiated a series of meetings with key stakeholders as part of the development of an overarching approach to animal welfare. We will be outlining more detail of plans in due course.

24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to direct the Circular Economy Taskforce to promote (a) repair and reuse and (b) other waste reduction measures.

This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives. This Government is currently considering the actions that can be taken to promote repair and reuse and address the challenges associated with excessive consumption and waste reduction.

Defra recognises the importance of assessing the impacts of high carbon advertising and the work of AdGreen in this space. As we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England, we will consider the evidence for action from right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed. Sheffield Council has already introduced policy on this issue.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether the Circular Economy Taskforce plans to examine (a) excessive consumption and (b) high carbon advertising.

This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives. This Government is currently considering the actions that can be taken to promote repair and reuse and address the challenges associated with excessive consumption and waste reduction.

Defra recognises the importance of assessing the impacts of high carbon advertising and the work of AdGreen in this space. As we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England, we will consider the evidence for action from right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed. Sheffield Council has already introduced policy on this issue.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether motorcycling will be included in the Integrated National Transport Strategy.

Later this year, the department will publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) and set the long-term vision for transport across England, placing people at the heart of how we plan, build, and operate transport. The Strategy will aim to address fragmentation and inefficiency across the transport system to ensure that people can easily, reliably, and safely carry out the journeys they want to make, however they choose to travel.

We have conducted extensive engagement with stakeholders and members of the public, including motorcyclists and motorcycle user representative groups, through a Call for Ideas, Regional Roadshows, and targeted sessions with seldom heard groups. As the Strategy is still in development, I am unable to comment on specific policy questions, but all the insights gathered through our engagement activities have been analysed and are being considered as the Strategy continues to evolve.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the transition of motorcyclists from petrol and diesel vehicles to zero-emission alternative.

The Government supports the transition of L-category vehicles to zero emission and has been helping people transition to zero emission motorcycles. The Plug-in Motorcycle Grant helps bridge the price gap between zero emission and petrol motorcycles and will continue until at least April 2026 for L3-category motorcycles.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has met with representatives of the Motorcycle Action Group to discuss the role of motorcycling in national transport policy.

The department will publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy later this year and set the long-term vision for transport across England, putting people and the journeys they make at the heart of how transport is planned, built and operated. We have conducted extensive engagement with stakeholders and members of the public at an official level to inform the Strategy and heard directly from motorcyclists and motorcycle representative groups including Motorcycle Action Group (MAG). As the Strategy is still in development, I am unable to comment on specific policy questions, but the insights gathered through our engagement activities have been analysed and are being considered as the Strategy continues to evolve.

On 20 January, I attended the first part of the first meeting of the reconstituted Motorcycle Strategic Focus Group (MSFG), chaired by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, to demonstrate my support and commitment to the motorcycling community and to the work of that group, of which MAG is a member and were in attendance. I think that the MSFG is best placed for MAG to feed in their concerns and requests about Government policy as it affects motorcyclists.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve road safety for motorcyclists.

Improving road safety is a key priority of this Government. For road users who choose to travel by motorcycle, the Department remains committed to ensuring that they are equipped with the specialist skills necessary to stay safe on the road.

Too many people are killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. The Department is developing the Government’s Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to instruct the Civil Aviation Authority to conduct an investigation into the safety of Boeing aircraft models that are in service in the UK.

No. The UK Civil Aviation Authority, as the UK’s aviation safety regulator, are responsible for regulatory oversight of UK airlines and operations. It is for them to assess whether further action is required within the UK. At this time they have ruled out the need for further checks in the UK.

In regard to the recent accident involving Air India flight AI171, currently, we are not aware of any evidence regarding this incident to suggest there is an unsafe condition with any commercial Boeing aircraft types. The preliminary report of this accident ruled out the need for wider action against this aircraft type, engine or manufacturer.

16th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling local authorities to use CCTV enforcement to address unlawful pavement parking; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals to permit such enforcement.

No assessment has been made of the use of CCTV cameras to address pavement parking. The use of CCTV for civil enforcement of parking restrictions is currently limited to contraventions occurring in ‘keep clear’ zig-zag areas outside schools, red routes, bus lanes and mandatory cycle lanes, and at bus stops and bus stands.

More broadly on the issue of pavement parking, the Department has been considering responses to the consultation on pavement parking conducted in 2020 and potential policy options. We will announce our formal response to the consultation and next steps shortly.

Lilian Greenwood
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of extending eligibility to the Winter Fuel Payment to households in receipt of Housing Benefit on pensioner poverty.

The Government wants to expand eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, recognising the goals of supporting these pensioners, meeting need and of sustainable public finances. Any change will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to negotiate reciprocal social security agreements with countries where UK pensioners do not receive annual state pension uprating.

The Department has no plans to negotiate such reciprocal social security agreements.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's report entitled Triggers to claiming personal independence payment, published on 2 May 2025, whether she will publish (a) an updated version of her Department's report entitled Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts, updated on 28 March 2025, (b) a full impact assessment of the proposed reforms to disability benefits in light of that report.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab).

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months. Where relevant, findings included in the report Triggers to claiming Personal Independence Payment - GOV.UK, as well as the numerous other pieces of research and analysis commissioned or undertaken by the Department, have been factored into the impacts analysis already published, and will also feed into future analytical work.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's report entitled Triggers to claiming personal independence payment, published on 2 May 2025, whether she plans to revise the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments in light of that report.

This government is committed to protecting the most vulnerable and giving everyone a better future, and that is at the heart of our welfare reforms. We are ensuring that our welfare state is there for people who need it now, and can be there for those who need it long into the future too.

Our intention is that the PIP changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026. This means there will be no immediate changes, and we are consulting on how best to support those impacted by the new eligibility changes.

The changes to PIP will help better target support towards those with the highest needs. This includes introducing a new requirement that, in addition to existing eligibility criteria, claimants must score at least four points in one daily living activity to qualify for the daily living component of PIP.

We have launched a review of the PIP assessment to ensure it is fair and fit for the future and we are working with disabled people and key organisations representing them to consider how best to do this.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled A Clean Start in Life, published by In Kind Direct on 2 May 2025.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. The Child Poverty Taskforce is continuing its urgent work and is exploring all available levers, including considering social security reforms, to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty.

The Strategy will tackle overall child poverty as well as going beyond that to focus on children in deepest poverty lacking essentials, and what is needed to give every child the best start in life. We are focused on reducing and alleviating the effects of child poverty to improve children’s lives and life chances now and tackle the root causes of child poverty in the long term.

The Strategy will look at four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.

The vital work of the Taskforce comes alongside our commitments to triple investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million, introduce a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit, improve the adequacy of the standard allowance with the first sustained above inflation rise in the basic rate of Universal Credit since it was introduced and increase the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour to boost the pay of three million workers.

To further support struggling households, we have provided funding of £742 million to extend the Household Support Fund from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 in England, plus additional funding for the Devolved Governments.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled Paying the Price of Child Poverty, published by Action for Children on 19 March 2025.

This Government values the insights provided by Action for Children and their recommendations have been noted.

The Child Poverty Taskforce is continuing its urgent work and is exploring all available levers, including considering social security reforms, to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. The Strategy will look at four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.

Our focus is on bringing about an enduring reduction in child poverty in this parliament, thereby reversing the trend that is seeing forecasts of child poverty continuing to increase. More details, including on the time horizon, will be set out in the strategy publication.

The vital work of the Taskforce comes alongside our commitments to triple investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million, introduce a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit, improve the adequacy of the standard allowance with the first sustained above inflation rise in the basic rate of Universal Credit since it was introduced and increase the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour to boost the pay of three million workers.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to negotiate a reciprocal social security agreement with Taiwan.

There are no current plans to negotiate a reciprocal social security agreement with Taiwan.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress the Child Poverty Taskforce has made on developing strategies to help reduce child poverty.

Tackling the terrible state of child poverty in this country is our priority every day and the Taskforce is looking at every lever we can pull across Government to do this.

The Taskforce has already heard from charities, experts and families and will publish its strategy in the Spring.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of extending access to benefits for families with children who have no recourse to public funds on levels of child poverty.

In developing a Child Poverty Strategy, the Child Poverty Taskforce is considering all children across the United Kingdom. We recognise the distinct challenges of poverty faced by migrant children. The causes of child poverty are deep-rooted, with solutions that go beyond government, and the Taskforce is exploring all available levers in response.

The Home Office sets the immigration rules and grants immigration leave to individuals which allows them to live and work in the UK. DWP cannot pay public funds benefits to individuals where the Home Office has applied a ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ condition to their immigration status.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the taper rate for housing benefit on young people in supported housing.

The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health.

Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit and will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of maternity pay for mothers of (a) twins and (b) other multiples.

Maternity pay is primarily a health and safety provisions for pregnant working women. It is not intended to replace a woman's earnings completely, rather it provides a measure of financial security to help pregnant working women take time off work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth.

We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work. Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance rates are reviewed annually and were raised again by 6.7% in April from £172.48 to £184.03.

Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance are not paid in respect of each child but in respect of each pregnancy. The qualifying conditions for both are generally based on a woman's recent employment and earnings. They are not intended to assist with the costs associated with the birth of a new child or children.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of Gingerbread’s report entitled They are sanctioning the children, published on 16 September 2024.

The Child Poverty Taskforce will explore how we can harness all available levers to reduce child poverty, including by listening to stakeholders on potential changes, before publishing a strategy in Spring 2025.

Additionally, the Government is committed to reviewing Universal Credit so that it makes work pay and tackles poverty.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
5th Sep 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with trade unions on the (a) pay and (b) conditions of NHS support staff.

My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has had recent meetings with a number of general secretaries and health leads from trade unions representing staff on the Agenda for Change contract, including Unison, the Royal College of Nursing and GMB. Those meetings have focused on ways Government can continue to work with trade unions to improve working conditions for National Health Service staff, including NHS support staff, and how we can address concerns with pay within the current economic context.

The Department regularly discusses workforce policy and staff experience matters for NHS support staff through the Social Partnership Forum, which is a national forum where NHS employers, trade unions, and the Department work together on issues that affect the NHS. In addition, the Department also engages with the NHS Staff Council, which has responsibility for maintaining the Agenda for Change system of pay and terms and conditions.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) parents and (b) caregivers in making informed nutritional choices for children.

Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influence many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

The Government has published voluntary industry baby food guidelines as part of our comprehensive strategy to give children the best start in life. The guidelines challenge businesses to reduce the levels of salt and sugar in commercial baby food and drink products aimed at those aged up to 36 months. The guidelines also set out voluntary labelling actions for industry, in addition to reinforcing legislative requirements around labelling and health and nutrition claims. This will help to support parents and carers to make informed choices about what to feed their children.

Businesses have 18 months from the publication of these guidelines, therefore by February 2027, to deliver the required changes. We will monitor industry progress towards implementing the sugar, salt, and labelling guidelines.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we also have regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional, and labelling standards for commercial baby food. These ensure that commercial baby foods are suitable for infants and young children and require businesses to ensure labelling is clear and not misleading. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

The Best Start in Life health website has advice for parents and carers on successful weaning of infants to introduce healthy solid foods, and is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/

It has been updated to provide new advice on shop-bought baby food and healthy weaning practices. The update has been made in light of the increased availability and range of commercial baby food products, highlighting the need for clear and consistent advice for parents and carers.

We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure that the composition of infant food and drinks reflects the latest scientific advice and dietary guidelines. The voluntary industry baby food guidelines should support improvements in this area.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of commercial baby foods being marketed for infants under six months on baby health.

Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influence many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

The Government has published voluntary industry baby food guidelines as part of our comprehensive strategy to give children the best start in life. The guidelines challenge businesses to reduce the levels of salt and sugar in commercial baby food and drink products aimed at those aged up to 36 months. The guidelines also set out voluntary labelling actions for industry, in addition to reinforcing legislative requirements around labelling and health and nutrition claims. This will help to support parents and carers to make informed choices about what to feed their children.

Businesses have 18 months from the publication of these guidelines, therefore by February 2027, to deliver the required changes. We will monitor industry progress towards implementing the sugar, salt, and labelling guidelines.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we also have regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional, and labelling standards for commercial baby food. These ensure that commercial baby foods are suitable for infants and young children and require businesses to ensure labelling is clear and not misleading. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

The Best Start in Life health website has advice for parents and carers on successful weaning of infants to introduce healthy solid foods, and is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/

It has been updated to provide new advice on shop-bought baby food and healthy weaning practices. The update has been made in light of the increased availability and range of commercial baby food products, highlighting the need for clear and consistent advice for parents and carers.

We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure that the composition of infant food and drinks reflects the latest scientific advice and dietary guidelines. The voluntary industry baby food guidelines should support improvements in this area.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) cartoon characters on baby food packaging and (b) other child-directed imagery on baby health.

Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influence many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

The Government has published voluntary industry baby food guidelines as part of our comprehensive strategy to give children the best start in life. The guidelines challenge businesses to reduce the levels of salt and sugar in commercial baby food and drink products aimed at those aged up to 36 months. The guidelines also set out voluntary labelling actions for industry, in addition to reinforcing legislative requirements around labelling and health and nutrition claims. This will help to support parents and carers to make informed choices about what to feed their children.

Businesses have 18 months from the publication of these guidelines, therefore by February 2027, to deliver the required changes. We will monitor industry progress towards implementing the sugar, salt, and labelling guidelines.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we also have regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional, and labelling standards for commercial baby food. These ensure that commercial baby foods are suitable for infants and young children and require businesses to ensure labelling is clear and not misleading. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

The Best Start in Life health website has advice for parents and carers on successful weaning of infants to introduce healthy solid foods, and is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/

It has been updated to provide new advice on shop-bought baby food and healthy weaning practices. The update has been made in light of the increased availability and range of commercial baby food products, highlighting the need for clear and consistent advice for parents and carers.

We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure that the composition of infant food and drinks reflects the latest scientific advice and dietary guidelines. The voluntary industry baby food guidelines should support improvements in this area.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of sugar in snacks for children under two.

Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influence many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

The Government has published voluntary industry baby food guidelines as part of our comprehensive strategy to give children the best start in life. The guidelines challenge businesses to reduce the levels of salt and sugar in commercial baby food and drink products aimed at those aged up to 36 months. The guidelines also set out voluntary labelling actions for industry, in addition to reinforcing legislative requirements around labelling and health and nutrition claims. This will help to support parents and carers to make informed choices about what to feed their children.

Businesses have 18 months from the publication of these guidelines, therefore by February 2027, to deliver the required changes. We will monitor industry progress towards implementing the sugar, salt, and labelling guidelines.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we also have regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional, and labelling standards for commercial baby food. These ensure that commercial baby foods are suitable for infants and young children and require businesses to ensure labelling is clear and not misleading. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

The Best Start in Life health website has advice for parents and carers on successful weaning of infants to introduce healthy solid foods, and is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/

It has been updated to provide new advice on shop-bought baby food and healthy weaning practices. The update has been made in light of the increased availability and range of commercial baby food products, highlighting the need for clear and consistent advice for parents and carers.

We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure that the composition of infant food and drinks reflects the latest scientific advice and dietary guidelines. The voluntary industry baby food guidelines should support improvements in this area.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve the availability of tuberculosis medication.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated, and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and are outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues, and regulatory issues. There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply. Where there are supply issues, these are managed at a national level across the UK rather than at a regional level.

NHS England has been notified of some issues with medicines used to treat tuberculosis (TB), however there is sufficient stock available from alternative suppliers to meet normal demand for most of them. The products facing current disruptions include Voractiv tablets until late June 2025, and rifampicin 150 milligram capsules until mid-August 2025, both due to manufacturing delays. Comprehensive management plans were communicated to healthcare professionals on 1 June 2025, highlighting issues with TB medicines and advising of the actions to take during this time.

NHS England is actively working with the affected suppliers to address these supply issues as quickly as possible to ensure that UK patients have access to the medications they need.

The team are working intensively to improve the availability of TB medicines, which includes co-ordinating with the British Thoracic Society to ensure centres treating active TB have access to available supplies, and directing trusts to build buffer stocks of unlicensed imports of TB medicines whilst there is a supply issue with some UK licensed products. The team are also supporting the impacted supplier and trusts to ensure that the available TB medicine supplies are equitably distributed and allocated fairly across the UK. The team is continuing to explore medium to long term solutions to the supply issues, working with those mentioned as well as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and clinicians within the NHS.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
23rd Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the availability of tuberculosis medication on the provision of healthcare in London.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated, and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and are outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues, and regulatory issues. There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply. Where there are supply issues, these are managed at a national level across the UK rather than at a regional level.

NHS England has been notified of some issues with medicines used to treat tuberculosis (TB), however there is sufficient stock available from alternative suppliers to meet normal demand for most of them. The products facing current disruptions include Voractiv tablets until late June 2025, and rifampicin 150 milligram capsules until mid-August 2025, both due to manufacturing delays. Comprehensive management plans were communicated to healthcare professionals on 1 June 2025, highlighting issues with TB medicines and advising of the actions to take during this time.

NHS England is actively working with the affected suppliers to address these supply issues as quickly as possible to ensure that UK patients have access to the medications they need.

The team are working intensively to improve the availability of TB medicines, which includes co-ordinating with the British Thoracic Society to ensure centres treating active TB have access to available supplies, and directing trusts to build buffer stocks of unlicensed imports of TB medicines whilst there is a supply issue with some UK licensed products. The team are also supporting the impacted supplier and trusts to ensure that the available TB medicine supplies are equitably distributed and allocated fairly across the UK. The team is continuing to explore medium to long term solutions to the supply issues, working with those mentioned as well as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and clinicians within the NHS.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase public awareness of the role of naloxone in preventing opioid-related deaths.

The Government has amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. The legislation means more services and professionals can supply this medication without prescription, which in turn means easier access to it for people at risk, and for their loved ones. The Department has recently published guidance that sets out essential practical information such as who can supply naloxone, the products available, how to use naloxone and other basic lifesaving tools, and the training required. Additionally, guidance is also available for local areas to prepare for potent synthetic opioid incidents and to strengthen their preparedness.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment services as part of their public health responsibilities, and they provide funding for naloxone supplied through drug treatment services based on their assessment of local need. In addition to the Public Health Grant, in 2025/26 the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted grants to improve drug and alcohol services and recovery support, including naloxone provision.

Raising awareness of naloxone and its lifesaving potential amongst the general public is important. The Government has a drug and alcohol information and advice service called Talk to FRANK which aims to reduce drug and alcohol use and their harms by providing information and increasing awareness for young people, parents, and concerned others. This website has a page providing detailed information on when and how to use naloxone, which is available at the following link:

https://www.talktofrank.com/get-help/what-to-do-in-an-emergency

Department of Health and Social Care and Home Office ministers have written to festival organisers, asking them to work closely with police and health partners on their harm reduction and first aid measures, which includes ensuring that naloxone is readily available. The Department has also worked with the National Police Chiefs’ Council on a joint letter and advice for the police and local authorities about festivals, drugs, and alcohol, to minimise the risk of harm to individuals at these events. The advice highlights that naloxone remains an effective, life-saving tool in the face of a synthetic opioid overdose.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve tuberculosis (a) screening, (b) diagnosis and (c) treatment services for (i) people experiencing homelessness and (ii) asylum seekers.

The Department works collaboratively with Government departments, local authorities, and third-sector organisations to overcome barriers to healthcare access for people seeking asylum and those experiencing homelessness, ensuring they can access and receive necessary care.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) collects and publishes data on tuberculosis (TB). The UKHSA and NHS England’s joint TB Action Plan for England 2021 to 2026 outlines outcomes and indicators to achieve a 90% reduction in people with TB by 2035, which is aligned with the World Health Organization’s elimination targets.

There are specific actions within the collaborative UKHSA and NHS England TB Action Plan 2021 to 2026 to strengthen the prevention and detection of active disease in groups at higher risk of TB, such as those experiencing homelessness and seeking asylum, through targeted screening and active engagement with local authorities, their public health teams, and the third sector.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce competition ratios for specialty training for doctors.

We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

To reform the NHS and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of Government’s five long-term missions. Ensuring we have the right people, in the right places, with the right skills will be central to this vision. We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to increase the number of entry-level positions for newly qualified physiotherapists.

Decisions about the employment of newly qualified physiotherapists are a matter for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

We will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to establish a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Taiwan.

Department officials continue to engage with Taiwanese officials. Any new reciprocal healthcare agreement between the United Kingdom and Taiwan would be subject to negotiations.

9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will extend the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 to (a) restaurant menus and (b) non-pre-packed food.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has policy responsibility for food safety, including food allergen labelling, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and is working to improve the availability and accuracy of allergen information for non-prepacked foods, which includes foods made to order in restaurants.

Last year, the FSA board agreed that businesses selling non-prepacked foods, such as cafes and restaurants, should be required to provide allergen information to consumers in writing, as well as having a conversation.

As a non-ministerial department, the FSA cannot make legislation, but has written to ministers in England and Wales, the Executive in Northern Ireland, and Food Standards Scotland, who would ultimately decide whether to change the law.

Any new legislation needs to be carefully considered, taking into account the views of all stakeholders and the balance of costs and benefits, and the FSA will provide more information to support a decision on legislation if needed.

To make improvements more quickly, the FSA is creating best practice guidance for businesses, which makes it clear that they should provide both written allergen information and support this with a conversation. A public consultation on this guidance has recently concluded and the guidance, along with tools to assist businesses in following it, will be published early next year.

The FSA has conducted a number of research projects looking at the provision of allergen information by businesses, including those in the hospitality sector. The FSA is currently carrying out another two research projects, a consumer survey and a food business survey, to understand the allergen information provision landscape and allow for evaluation of change.

Food business operators are legally required to ensure that food handlers are supervised, instructed, or trained, or both, in food hygiene and safety measures.

The FSA provides support for food businesses through guidance and training to help drive up knowledge and compliance with allergen regulations and safe practices. For example, free allergen e-learning was launched in 2020 and has over 700,000 users to date.