Lisa Smart Portrait

Lisa Smart

Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove

6,500 (14.1%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Home Affairs)

(since September 2024)


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lisa Smart has voted in 54 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Lisa Smart 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
Lucy Powell (Labour (Co-op))
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(6 debate interactions)
Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
Minister for Women and Equalities
(6 debate interactions)
Yvette Cooper (Labour)
Home Secretary
(6 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(16 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(6 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(5 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Lisa Smart's debates

Hazel Grove 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 Hazel Grove signature proportion
Lisa Smart has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Lisa Smart

8th January 2025
Lisa Smart signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Wednesday 8th January 2025

Protecting children from sexual abuse

Tabled by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
That this House believes that no child should ever be subjected to sexual abuse or exploitation; recognises that any perpetrators must face the full force of the law; emphasises that to fully deliver justice for survivors, steps must be taken at all levels of Government to better protect children from …
56 signatures
(Most recent: 15 Jan 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 51
Green Party: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Labour: 1
Independent: 1
27th November 2024
Lisa Smart signed this EDM on Thursday 2nd January 2025

Assistance and access for disabled people at railway stations

Tabled by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
That this House is gravely concerned by the challenges disabled people face in getting support at railway stations, particularly in rural constituencies such as Yeovil; expresses alarm at the absence of available assistance staff in stations such as Yeovil Penn Mill; notes with concern that only one in four train …
35 signatures
(Most recent: 14 Jan 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 28
Independent: 3
Green Party: 2
Labour: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Lisa Smart's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lisa Smart, 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.


1 Urgent Question tabled by Lisa Smart

Wednesday 20th November 2024

Lisa Smart has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Lisa Smart has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lisa Smart has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


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
29th Nov 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee's report entitled Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Scrutiny 2022–23, HC 198, published on 4 March 2024, if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendations of that report.

The previous Government formally responded to the report and its recommendations on 10 May 2024 (HC 774, published on 23 May 2024).

This Government continues to promote the PHSO complaint standards and support NHS England and NHS Resolution to further encourage the use of dispute resolution methods, including mediation, by the NHS.

The Government will consider the case for ombudsman reform alongside other policy and legislative priorities.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make it his policy to require (a) unused and (b) decommissioned (i) laptops, (ii) mobile phones and (iii) other public sector devices to be donated to device banks.

Digital inclusion is a priority for the Government and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to extending the life of its equipment and devices, to reduce our environmental impact and provide more people with access to devices. Device donation is one of the issues we shall be looking at as we develop our approach on digital inclusion.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
6th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the scheduled ending of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in March 2025 on local projects aimed at restoring listed places of worship; and what alternative sources of support her Department plans to provide to ensure the continued preservation and restoration of historic buildings.

The Department monitors the implementation and impact of the grant scheme through the regular reporting of the grant administrator. Since 2010, the grant scheme has returned over £350 million to listed places of worship. We are aware of the importance of the scheme to local projects and listed places of worship across the UK.

Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. We will announce the outcomes of the Business Planning process, including for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme soon.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to create a strategy for embedding financial literacy within the primary and secondary education curricula.

Financial education is currently taught through the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4 and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4, which together cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt and calculating interest.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. That is why the government announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review on 19 July 2024, which is being chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

Following the independent review, the government will, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, legislate to require all state schools to teach the reformed national curriculum. This will give parents certainty over the core of their children’s education.

The review group will publish an interim report early in 2025, setting out their interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work. The final report, with recommendations, will be published in autumn 2025.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a statutory role to coordinate the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, which is underpinned by their robust data collection, including the impact of financial education on young people. The department works closely with MaPS to monitor the evidence for financial education. MaPS’s published research can be found here: https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/research.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of financial education on young people at (a) primary and (b) secondary school level.

Financial education is currently taught through the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4 and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4, which together cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt and calculating interest.

High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. That is why the government announced a Curriculum and Assessment Review on 19 July 2024, which is being chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

Following the independent review, the government will, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, legislate to require all state schools to teach the reformed national curriculum. This will give parents certainty over the core of their children’s education.

The review group will publish an interim report early in 2025, setting out their interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work. The final report, with recommendations, will be published in autumn 2025.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a statutory role to coordinate the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing, which is underpinned by their robust data collection, including the impact of financial education on young people. The department works closely with MaPS to monitor the evidence for financial education. MaPS’s published research can be found here: https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/research.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to improve the teaching of financial literacy through (a) enhanced teacher training programmes, (b) increased funding for financial education (i) resources and (ii) initiatives and (c) other steps.

In general, decisions relating to teachers’ professional development rightly rests with schools, headteachers, and teachers themselves, as they are in the best position to judge their own requirements. The government has committed to introducing a Teacher Training Entitlement which would support teachers to access more high quality continuing professional development across a range of topics.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a statutory duty to coordinate the UK Strategy for Financial Wellbeing 2020. In 2022, MaPS launched a grant-funded programme totalling £1.1 million to test approaches to supporting teachers and practitioners working with children and young people in vulnerable circumstances and to deliver financial education. The evaluation of this programme can be found here: https://maps.org.uk/en/publications/research/2024/evaluating-grants-improving-financial-education-for-vulnerable-young-people.

The department will work with MaPS to use the findings to promote consistent and evidence-informed practice. MaPS has also published financial education guidance for schools, which can be found here: https://maps.org.uk/en/work-with-us/financial-education-in-schools.

Oak National Academy (Oak) is a non-departmental public body which provides free, optional, and adaptable high quality digital curriculum and lesson resources. Oak has completed its initial curriculum resources in mathematics and will produce additional lessons on financial education and applying mathematics in real life contexts across key stages 1 to 4, which is expected from spring 2025. Lessons on finance and the economy also feature in Oak’s new citizenship curriculum, which was launched earlier this academic year, with lessons to be released by autumn 2025. Oak’s resources are available here: https://www.thenational.academy/.

The department continues to work closely with MaPS, and in partnership with others, to monitor the evidence for financial education and assess school support needs.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to ensure England's participation in the OECD’s PISA financial literacy assessment in 2025.

Financial literacy is not an option offered by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation (OECD) in the current (2025) cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) as it has been replaced for this cycle with a foreign-language assessment, so a decision on participation is not imminent.

Departmental officials engage with the devolved governments on a range of areas, including on PISA. We have had initial discussions about the timeline for a decision on participation in future PISA financial literacy assessments and will continue to actively engage with them on this topic as more information is provided by the OECD.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in the devolved Administrations on encouraging participation in the OECD’s next PISA financial literacy assessment, scheduled for 2025.

Financial literacy is not an option offered by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation (OECD) in the current (2025) cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) as it has been replaced for this cycle with a foreign-language assessment, so a decision on participation is not imminent.

Departmental officials engage with the devolved governments on a range of areas, including on PISA. We have had initial discussions about the timeline for a decision on participation in future PISA financial literacy assessments and will continue to actively engage with them on this topic as more information is provided by the OECD.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of resources allocated to enforcement agencies responsible for checking pets entering the UK.

We operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. All dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain non-commercially on approved routes undergo 100% documentary and identity check. We keep resource allocation for these checks under review in close liaison with enforcement agencies.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of puppies illegally smuggled into the UK for sale in the last five years.

By its very nature, we cannot know the true extent of puppy smuggling operations. However, the Animal and Plant Health Agency does hold data on the numbers of interceptions and detentions. In 2023, there were over 500 landings of cats and dogs intercepted at the Port of Dover and found to be non-compliant with the import requirements. Of these, 116 puppies and kittens were quarantined for being below the legally required minimum age for import.

The Government is committed to introducing the most ambitious boost in animal welfare in a generation.  As outlined in the manifesto, this includes ending puppy smuggling.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the illegal smuggling of dogs into the UK.

As outlined in our manifesto, the Government is committed to ending puppy smuggling. We will clamp down on unscrupulous traders who prioritise profit over welfare. We are considering the most effective ways to deliver this and will be setting out next steps in due course

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
29th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to launch a public awareness campaign to promote pedestrian and cyclist visibility on roads by encouraging the use of light or reflective clothing.

THINK!, the Government’s flagship road safety campaign, aims to reduce those killed and seriously injured on the roads in England and Wales by driving awareness of key road safety issues and encouraging attitude and behaviour change among high-risk road users.

We encourage the use of bright or reflective clothing for pedestrians and cyclists through our THINK! social channels, including at key moments such as around school term times, when the clocks change and darker mornings and evenings in the winter.

This advice is also shared via THINK! education resources, which are used widely by schools and other teaching intermediaries to support road safety education for children, and the THINK! campaign works closely with road safety charities and partners to share road safety advice and resources.

The primary audience for THINK! paid campaign activity is young men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over. To maximise the impact of our paid campaigns, these focus on the road safety issues which contribute to the highest numbers of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, such as speeding and drink driving.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to tackle delays arising from block booking of driving tests; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that such tests can only be booked (a) by and (b) on behalf of an individual.

It is not possible to block book car practical driving tests. A driving licence number can only be assigned to one car practical driving test at a time. A survey by The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suggests that only 10% of learner drivers use third parties to book their tests. Most either book appointments themselves or through their approved driving instructor (ADI).

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests. Such apps or bots are not approved by DVSA. They make it harder for candidates to get a test and can also result in people paying more for a test. DVSA will continue to take steps to block cancellation services from accessing the booking system, which are having a positive impact.

DVSA operates an online booking service (OBS) for instructors and trainers so that they can book and manage driving and riding tests for their pupils. DVSA has made changes to the OBS by stopping automatic online registrations to use the service, ensuring each company that registers employs an ADI and removing access for any companies not linked to driving instructors.

In January 2023, DVSA changed the terms and conditions for using the booking service to help prevent anyone from selling tests at profit. Since then, DVSA has issued 283 warnings, 746 suspensions, and closed 689 businesses for misuse of its booking service.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she next plans to update the guidance entitled Strategic road network and the delivery of sustainable development, published on 23 December 2022; and if she will take steps to include new guidance on the placement of fixed speed cameras.

I can confirm to the honourable member that my department continuously monitors the impact of the circular ‘Strategic road network and the delivery of sustainable development’ (Circular 01/2022), published by my department, to consider whether updates are needed. This Circular sets out National Highways’ relationship with the planning system. There is guidance on the placing of speed cameras contained in the document ‘Using speed and red-light cameras for traffic enforcement: deployment, visibility and signing’ (Circular 01/2007), also published by my department.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of financial support available through the benefits system to people with (a) inflammatory bowel disease and (b) other unseen disabilities.

Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provide a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition. These benefits are assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself so are available to those with inflammatory bowel disease and other, hidden conditions.

The extra costs benefits are non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth over £9,500 a year, tax free. Individuals can choose how to use their benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences. The benefit can also be paid in addition to any other financial or practical support someone may be entitled to such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, NHS services, free prescriptions, help with travel costs to appointments or the Blue Badge scheme. The benefits have been consistently uprated in line with inflation since they were introduced and were, like other benefits, increased by 6.7% from 8 April 2024.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to (a) extend Statutory Adoption Pay to self-employed individuals and (b) introduce an equivalent benefit that provides guaranteed financial support to self-employed individuals.

Government very much values people who come forward to take on the challenging but rewarding role of being an adoptive parent. That is why there is provision for Local Authorities to make discretionary payments, equivalent to Maternity Allowance, to self-employed adopters who do not qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay, where they satisfy the relevant criteria. This payment is means-tested and ensures that resources are targeted at those adopters who need it most, as part of a package of post-adoption support.

Prospective adopters and the child or children that they intend to adopt are also entitled to an assessment of their family’s needs. This includes a whole host of support including discretionary means-tested financial support, advice, information and counselling, and support services.

Depending on individual circumstances, additional financial support, such as Universal Credit and Child Benefit, as well as the Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) may also be available to new parents.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring the Jobcentre Plus to signpost people to digital inclusion services.

Jobcentre work coaches will consider the range of barriers faced by claimants to best support them into work and to progress in their careers. Digital inclusion is amongst the challenges that some claimants may experience and work coaches are encouraged to take action to address issues relating to poor digital skills and/or digital connectivity (access).

Where claimants have poor Essential Digital Skills, work coaches will consider referral to locally available skills provision to help them address these needs.

Where claimants are digitally excluded due to issues relating to access to digital equipment or connectivity, work coaches are able to use the Flexible Support Fund to procure devices, internet dongles, talk time, and broadband in the home on the basis that this will support labour market progression.

DWP has also ensured that all operational staff in Jobcentres, Universal Credit service centres, Pension Centres, and partnership managers who engage with claimants and stakeholders are able to signpost to information promoting broadband social tariffs.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take to improve support for employers who hire people with autism.

Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting autistic people to thrive as part of the workforce. Our current support to employers includes the Disability Confident scheme and a digital information service for employers which offers tailored guidance on supporting health and disability in the workplace.

In our plan to Make Work Pay, we committed to raising awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace. Our forthcoming employment White Paper considers how to improve employment outcomes and experiences for disabled people and people with health conditions. We are exploring how we can build on the earlier, independent, Buckland Review which was focused more narrowly on autism and employment, to improve understanding and support for all neurodivergent people at work.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to deliver a long-term (a) funding settlement and (b) strategy for local crisis support when the Household Support Fund ends in March 2025.

The Government announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.

As set out by the Chancellor in July, the Government has inherited a number of significant pressures within public spending and took immediate action to reduce spending in-year and set out a clear process to a Budget this autumn and a full Spending Review to follow. The Government will set out its overall fiscal and spending plans then.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to include Annatto (E160b) on the list of allergens that must be labelled under UK food labelling regulations.

There are many potential food ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction to sensitised people. The current 14 regulated allergens are recognised as being the most common and potent allergens of public health concern across Europe.   Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/allergen-guidance-for-food-businesses

The prevalence of allergy to the additive Annatto (E160b) is currently unknown in the United Kingdom. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently working with the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology and other stakeholders on gathering information on hidden and emerging food allergens which will help in assessing the need for further research and work in this area. If further information is received on the prevalence of Annatto as an allergy we will review this evidence. The FSA continues to monitor the situation closely but has no current recommendations to Ministers on amending the list of 14 regulated allergens.

The FSA continues to work to make it easier for people with food hypersensitivities, namely allergies, intolerances, and coeliac disease, to have access to clear and accurate information which is a fundamental part of their work. Their research is available at the following link:

https://www.food.gov.uk/research/food-hypersensitivity

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) encourage NHS trusts in Greater Manchester to participate in the Early Access Programme for Givinostat and (b) to help tackle barriers to participation.

NHS England does not have any initiatives to encourage participation in compassionate use schemes, which are the responsibility of individual pharmaceutical companies.

Participation in the Early Access Programme (EAP) for givinostat, which must be through one of the 23 NorthStar Centres in the United Kingdom, is decided at an individual National Health Service trust level although there is general advice that trusts should engage with the relevant commissioner if they choose to participate. A NorthStar Centre will not be able to provide givinostat if its local trust has not approved participation. Under the EAP, givinostat is free to both patients taking part in it and to the NHS, but the trusts must still cover the cost of administering it to patients. Only Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinicians can make requests for givinostat for their patients. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis for individual named patients aligned to eligibility criteria.

NHS England hopes that all NHS trusts, including in Greater Manchester, who receive a request from a NorthStar Centre to provide givinostat to an eligible patient approve this request. NHS England will work with partners to ensure that Trusts understand the urgent need to make access possible for eligible patient.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
6th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the diagnosis and recognition of Lyme Disease.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire on 12 November 2024 to Question 13156.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the new additional funding for new radiotherapy machines aligns with the (a) NHS Long-Term Plan and (b) the upcoming 10-year cancer strategy.

The £70 million investment in new radiotherapy machines will ensure that the most advanced treatment is available to patients. Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish the new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including improving waiting times for patients.

The funding will be spent in 2025/26, with the exact timetable and allocation of machines still to be determined. The funding will be used to replace outdated machines, and allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England is currently developing. These criteria will be shared with providers in due course.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is to spend the additional funding allocated for new radiotherapy machines on 28 October 2024.

The £70 million investment in new radiotherapy machines will ensure that the most advanced treatment is available to patients. Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish the new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including improving waiting times for patients.

The funding will be spent in 2025/26, with the exact timetable and allocation of machines still to be determined. The funding will be used to replace outdated machines, and allocated to trusts using criteria that NHS England is currently developing. These criteria will be shared with providers in due course.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to create a cross-governmental strategy for the prevention of ill health that would include measures on tackling (a) health and (b) other lifestyle factors that affect a person's risk of developing dementia that are (i) within and (ii) not within people's control, such as air pollution.

As part of the Government’s health mission, we will shift from sickness to prevention, to tackle ill health, prevent premature deaths, and build a fairer United Kingdom where everyone lives longer, healthier lives.

We have committed to developing a 10-year plan to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future. We will carefully be considering policies, including those that impact people with dementia care needs, with input from the public, patients, and health staff as we develop the plan.

Since 2018, dementia risk reduction has been incorporated in the NHS Health Check to increase dementia awareness and motivate people to make positive changes to reduce their risks.

We recognise that air pollution is one of the risk factors for dementia. The National Institute for Health and Care Research is supporting research to explore the link between dementia and air pollution, including a project to address how air pollution mitigation measures impact on neurological endpoints.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) support and (b) care pathways in the NHS for people diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.

NHS England’s National Bladder and Bowel Health Project is delivering better care for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a focus on developing best practice clinical pathways. NHS England commissions specialised colorectal services nationally to support equity of access to high-quality treatment for patients with IBD requiring complex surgery. This work is supported within NHS England by the clinical leadership of the Specialised Colorectal Services Clinical Reference Group.

NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time Programme on gastroenterology aims to reduce variations in care, increase early diagnosis and proactive management of Crohn’s disease and colitis, and increase access to IBD specialist nurses.

We have also committed more broadly to ensuring patients get the care they need as quickly as possible. Funding announced in the Autumn Budget for elective care will also support the delivery of an additional 2 million operations, scans, and appointments during our first year in Government, which is equivalent to 40,000 per week, across all specialties, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring that patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks. As part of this package, £1.5 billion of capital funding in 2025/26 will enable new surgical hubs and diagnostic scanners to build capacity for over 30,000 additional procedures and over 1.25 million diagnostic tests, as they come online.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of dentists in Hazel Grove constituency.

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Hazel Grove constituency, this is the Greater Manchester ICB.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of (i) endometriosis and (ii) adenomyosis.

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines support healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat conditions. The NICE has published a Women’s and reproductive health guidelines, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/hub/indevelopment/gid-hub10001

In April 2024, the NICE published updated recommendations on the treatment of endometriosis when fertility is a priority, and in November 2024, published updated recommendations on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis. The NICE has also published a guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding assessment and management. This guideline contains recommendations for the diagnosis of women with suspected adenomyosis. Women's health is also embedded into the Royal College of General Practitioners’ curriculum for trainee general practitioners.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of the Government’s Health Mission, and we are urgently looking into waiting times for gynecological issues, including for endometriosis and adenomyosis. Funding has been confirmed to support the delivery of our commitment of an extra 40,000 National Health Service operations, scans, and appointments per week, as a first step to delivering on the 18-week standard.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential (a) impact of the Greater Manchester Dental Quality Access Scheme on access to NHS dental services in Greater Manchester and (b) merits of replicating that scheme in other areas.

The Department and NHS England are aware of several local access schemes across the country and are keen to learn from all initiatives, including the Greater Manchester Dental Quality Access Scheme.

Local schemes are considered in the development of national policy. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local populations, and to determine the priorities for investment.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure insulin is distributed to (a) large and (b) small pharmacies across the UK.

The Department continues to work with all suppliers to ensure that insulin products are distributed and available for both small and large pharmacies.

There are ongoing global supply issues with Tresiba FlexTouch 100 units per millilitre pre-filled pens and Fiasp FlexTouch 100 units per millilitre pre-filled pens. We have issued communications to National Health Service healthcare professionals, providing comprehensive management guidance, advice, and information to allow them to support their patients in the management of the supply issues.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to reduce waiting times for autism diagnosis; and what steps he is taking to improve access to diagnostic services for (a) children and (b) adults.

The Department is currently considering next steps to improve diagnostic assessment and support for autistic people. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including autism assessment and support services, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to deliver improved outcomes in all-age autism assessment pathways. This guidance will help ICBs and the National Health Service to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people, and adults referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance also sets out what support should be available before an assessment and what support should follow a recent diagnosis of autism, based on the available evidence.

In 2024/25, £4.3 million is available nationally to improve services for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment services.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that people diagnosed with autism are actively consulted on the support they require by (a) addressing healthcare barriers, (b) improving health outcomes and (c) implementing necessary adjustments in health services.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines for autism highlight the importance of working in partnership with autistic people and, where appropriate, with their families, partners, and carers. The national framework and operational guidance for all-age autism assessment pathways, published by NHS England, set out what types of support autistic people may benefit from following diagnosis.

From 1 July 2022, service providers registered with the Care Quality Commission are required to ensure their staff receive learning disability and autism training appropriate to their role, as set out in the Health and Care Act 2022. To support this, we are rolling out the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. Over 1.7 million people have now completed the e-learning module, which is the first part of the training.

To make it easier for autistic people to use health services, NHS England has mandated the use of a Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag in health records from April 2024. This shows where a disabled person needs a reasonable adjustment to their care. In addition, in June 2024, NHS England published a Health and Care Passport guidance and template. Owned by the individual, hospital passports aim to support personalised care for people with a learning disability and autistic people, enabling better informed clinical decisions and shared decision making.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure ADHD testing is accessible to children in Greater Manchester.

The Department is currently considering next steps to improve access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including ADHD care pathways, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

We are supporting a taskforce that NHS England is establishing to look at ADHD service provision and its impact on patient experience. The taskforce will bring together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD and help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand.

NHS Greater Manchester advises that it has launched a public engagement exercise to gather views on improving children and young people’s ADHD services in Greater Manchester. The engagement exercise, which runs until 29 November 2024, seeks to address several issues including long wait times, levels of ongoing support for patients, the referral and assessment process, and how services vary across Greater Manchester.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that people diagnosed with autism at the age of 30 or later receive comparable (a) support and (b) resources to people diagnosed in childhood; and what plans he has to tackle disparities in services.

The Department is currently considering next steps to improve support for autistic people of all ages. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including support services for autistic people of all ages, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The NICE guideline, Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management, aims to improve access and engagement with interventions and services, and the experience of care, for autistic adults.

On 5 April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance to deliver improved outcomes in all-age autism assessment pathways. This guidance will help ICBs and the National Health Service to deliver improved outcomes for children, young people, and adults referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance sets out what support should be available before an assessment and what support should follow a recent diagnosis of autism based on the available evidence. This includes setting out specific considerations for developing post-diagnostic support for adults diagnosed as autistic.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing Government oversight of self-regulating acupuncture bodies.

The Government has no plans to introduce statutory regulation for acupuncture practitioners in the United Kingdom, and we have no plans to make such assessments. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates an accredited voluntary registers programme, providing a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers.

The British Acupuncture Council holds a voluntary register of acupuncturists, which is accredited by the PSA. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent, representative bodies and as such, they do not fall under Government oversight and therefore any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for those organisations and their members.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating that acupuncture providers disclose potential (a) risks, (b) side effects and (c) outcomes before treatments.

The Government has no plans to introduce statutory regulation for acupuncture practitioners in the United Kingdom, and we have no plans to make such assessments. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates an accredited voluntary registers programme, providing a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers.

The British Acupuncture Council holds a voluntary register of acupuncturists, which is accredited by the PSA. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent, representative bodies and as such, they do not fall under Government oversight and therefore any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for those organisations and their members.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to (a) integrate acupuncture practitioners into the broader healthcare system and (b) ensuring their treatments are in alignment with (i) standard medical practices and (ii) patient safety protocols.

The Government has no plans to introduce statutory regulation for acupuncture practitioners in the United Kingdom, and we have no plans to make such assessments. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates an accredited voluntary registers programme, providing a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers.

The British Acupuncture Council holds a voluntary register of acupuncturists, which is accredited by the PSA. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent, representative bodies and as such, they do not fall under Government oversight and therefore any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for those organisations and their members.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating statutory regulation for acupuncture practitioners.

The Government has no plans to introduce statutory regulation for acupuncture practitioners in the United Kingdom, and we have no plans to make such assessments. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates an accredited voluntary registers programme, providing a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers.

The British Acupuncture Council holds a voluntary register of acupuncturists, which is accredited by the PSA. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent, representative bodies and as such, they do not fall under Government oversight and therefore any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for those organisations and their members.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help support the rights of women in Afghanistan.

We condemn the Taliban’s destruction of nearly every element of women and girls’ freedoms. FCDO officials engage with the Taliban to urge them to reverse their barbaric decisions and we work with our international partners to maintain collective pressure. The UK uses its prominent position in multilateral forums, such as the UN Security Council, to hold the Taliban to account for their deeply repressive policies.

Anneliese Dodds
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring banks to notify account holders when a new direct debit is established against their account.

The government believes there should be strong protections in place to ensure that customers can make payments in a secure and informed way. There are already such protections in place for Direct Debit payments under the rules made by its operator, Pay.UK, which is regulated by the Bank of England and the Payment Systems Regulator. As such, the government does not currently have plans to legislate in this area.

Under these rules, when a Direct Debit is established the receiving organisation is required to verify that the Direct Debit instruction has been authorised by the payment account holder. Notice of the amounts and dates of collection for each Direct Debit payment must also be given to customers in advance, unless otherwise agreed, enabling customers to review their upcoming outgoing payments and plan ahead.  In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk

13th Dec 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help tackle the potential misuse of customer bank details by merchants when setting up direct debits.

The government believes there should be strong protections in place to ensure that customers can make payments in a secure and informed way. There are already such protections in place for Direct Debit payments under the rules made by its operator, Pay.UK, which is regulated by the Bank of England and the Payment Systems Regulator. As such, the government does not currently have plans to legislate in this area.

Under these rules, when a Direct Debit is established the receiving organisation is required to verify that the Direct Debit instruction has been authorised by the payment account holder. Notice of the amounts and dates of collection for each Direct Debit payment must also be given to customers in advance, unless otherwise agreed, enabling customers to review their upcoming outgoing payments and plan ahead.  In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk

13th Dec 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require explicit consumer consent for each direct debit set up on a bank account.

The government believes there should be strong protections in place to ensure that customers can make payments in a secure and informed way. There are already such protections in place for Direct Debit payments under the rules made by its operator, Pay.UK, which is regulated by the Bank of England and the Payment Systems Regulator. As such, the government does not currently have plans to legislate in this area.

Under these rules, when a Direct Debit is established the receiving organisation is required to verify that the Direct Debit instruction has been authorised by the payment account holder. Notice of the amounts and dates of collection for each Direct Debit payment must also be given to customers in advance, unless otherwise agreed, enabling customers to review their upcoming outgoing payments and plan ahead.  In the case of any incorrect or fraudulent payments, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider under the Direct Debit Guarantee scheme. Further information about Direct Debits is available at: www.directdebit.co.uk

8th Oct 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing draught duty relief for (a) beer and (b) cider served in pubs in Hazel Grove constituency.

Pubs make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason her Department discontinued the Refugee Employability Programme.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 17 December to Question UIN 18515.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the decision to discontinue the Refugee Employability Programme on the ability of refugees to (a) secure employment, (b) integrate into local communities, and (c) access local childcare and healthcare services.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 17 December to Question UIN 18515.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the (a) accuracy and (b) reliability of personal immigration status information generated by the Government View and Prove system; and what safeguards her Department plans to introduce to avoid system failures.

The transition towards eVisas is already underway, with millions of people already receiving and using eVisas successfully, by logging into the View and Prove service using their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

While most people are able to use the online services successfully without problems, where issues do occur, we have robust processes in place. Any person experiencing issues with their eVisa should contact the UKVI Resolution Centre which provides a full range of digital and telephone support. The Resolution Centre can assist users who are experiencing technical issues with their eVisa, and where necessary, enable a person’s status to be verified through alternative means.

As part of our move to an immigration system which is more digital and streamlined, we stopped issuing any new BRPs and BRCs on 31 October 2024. People with existing permission in the UK are encouraged to take action now to create a UKVI account if they have not already done so, to access their eVisa. Most people will be able to see their status right away. Anyone who cannot do so should be able to see their status shortly. Those who cannot see their status can use the existing Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Prove your right to rent in England: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) online services in the meantime, and, if they still have it, use their BRP to prove their rights for other purposes. Otherwise, they should contact the UKVI Resolution Centre.

We have designed our digital services to be highly resilient, with rigorous testing to build assurance, and deployed across multiple data centres. Our online services and their constituent parts are also proactively monitored for failures, which highlight any potential problems to allow support teams to triage and resolve them as quickly as possible. We are constantly improving the accuracy, reliability and accessibility of our digital status services, including the View and Prove service. This includes proactive work to enhance the service as well as resolving issues reported to us by customers. We also continue to engage with stakeholders to test whether any improvements to implementation or our communications need to be made. The View and Prove platform is rigorously tested for security and stability and proven to be reliable in terms of availability.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of police officers are currently classified as deployable; and what the primary reasons are for officers being deemed non-deployable.

The Home Office does not have an official measure of ‘deployable’.

The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the number and proportion of police officers available for duty as at 31 March each year in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.

Table H1 of the data tables accompanying the publication provides the number and proportion of police officers available for duty, by Police Force Area, as at 31 March 2024. The number of police officers available for duty is calculated by excluding those on long-term absence (that has lasted for more than 28 calendar days). Long-term absence includes career breaks, compassionate leave, maternity or paternity leave, sickness, special leave, study leave and suspension.

The number of police officers available for duty includes police officers that are on recuperative (duties falling short of full deployment, undertaken by a police officer following an injury, accident, illness or medical incident) or adjusted (duties falling short of full deployment, in respect of which workplace adjustments have been made to overcome barriers to working) duties. The Home Office does not collect data on the reason for recuperative or adjusted duties.

Table W5 and W6 of the data tables accompanying the publication provide the number and proportion of police officers on recuperative and adjusted duties, by Police Force Area, as at 31 March 2024.

The Home Office does not collect data on officers that are non-deployable due to management restricted duties.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of (a) recruitment and (b) retention in police forces.

The latest Home Office statistics for the overall Police Workforce show a 1.2% increase when compared to the previous year. The total paid police workforce in the 43 territorial police forces in England and Wales was 236,588 full-time equivalents (FTE) as at 31 March 2024; an increase of 2,752 FTE, compared to 233,836 FTE as at 31 March 2023. This includes 147,746 FTE police officers (up 0.2% on 147,434 in March 2023); and 81,303 FTE police staff and designated officers (up 3.4% on 78,596 in March 2023).

This Government is committed to ensuring police forces are supported to tackle crime effectively. As part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission, the Home Secretary has made a clear commitment to strengthen neighbourhood policing through the introduction of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This includes getting thousands of additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs back on the beat in communities across the country.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
6th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate her Department has made of the average processing times for deputyship applications by the Court of Protection.

Data on the average processing time for deputyship applications, from receipt to disposal by the Court of Protection, is not currently available.

The court has recently migrated to a new case management system and work is in hand as part of the HMCTS data strategy to develop management information data.

Sarah Sackman
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)