Liz Twist Portrait

Liz Twist

Labour - Blaydon

First elected: 8th June 2017


Opposition Whip (Commons)
12th Feb 2020 - 5th Sep 2023
Shadow Minister (Scotland)
4th Dec 2021 - 5th Sep 2023
Finance (No. 2) Bill
10th May 2023 - 18th May 2023
Scottish Affairs Committee
4th May 2020 - 21st Feb 2023
UK Infrastructure Bank Bill [Lords]
16th Nov 2022 - 22nd Nov 2022
Financial Services and Markets Bill
12th Oct 2022 - 3rd Nov 2022
Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill [HL]
19th Jan 2022 - 27th Jan 2022
Finance (No.2) Bill
8th Dec 2021 - 11th Jan 2022
Judicial Review and Courts Bill
27th Oct 2021 - 23rd Nov 2021
National Insurance Contributions Bill
16th Jun 2021 - 22nd Jun 2021
Compensation (London Capital & Finance plc and Fraud Compensation Fund) Bill
8th Jun 2021 - 15th Jun 2021
Committee on Standards
25th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee of Privileges
25th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
European Statutory Instruments Committee
18th Jul 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Petitions Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
European Statutory Instruments
18th Jul 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee on Privileges
25th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 20th May 2019
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 20th May 2019


Oral Question
Tuesday 5th December 2023
11:30
Department of Health and Social Care
Topical Question No. 3
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
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Scheduled Event
Tuesday 5th December 2023
16:30
Westminster Hall debate - Westminster Hall
5 Dec 2023, 4:30 p.m.
Violence and abuse towards the retail workforce
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Division Votes
Monday 4th December 2023
Victims and Prisoners Bill
voted Aye - in line with the party majority
One of 161 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 193 Noes - 279
Speeches
Tuesday 28th November 2023
Oral Answers to Questions
T9. Over the past year, the north-east has seen a dramatic collapse in the number of homes being upgraded through …
Written Answers
Thursday 30th November 2023
Babies: Blood Tests
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy …
Early Day Motions
Monday 23rd May 2022
50th Anniversary of Age UK Gateshead
That this House congratulates all involved with Age UK Gateshead celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year; notes that the services, …
Bills
Wednesday 13th July 2022
Fashion Supply Chain (Code and Adjudicator) Bill 2022-23
A Bill to provide for a Code of Practice to be followed by retailers of fashion clothing, footwear and accessories …
MP Financial Interests
Monday 30th October 2023
2. (a) Support linked to an MP but received by a local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation
Name of donor: UNISON
Address of donor: UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY
Amount of donation or nature …
EDM signed
Monday 23rd October 2023
Tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton
That this House notes with sorrow the passing of Ashington born World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton; further notes Bobby’s …
Supported Legislation
Wednesday 9th November 2022
Sale of Tobacco (Licensing) Bill 2022-23
A Bill to make provision about the sale by retail of tobacco and related goods; and for connected purposes.

Division Voting information

During the current Parliamentary Session, Liz Twist has voted in 768 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Liz Twist Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 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
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(46 debate interactions)
Penny Mordaunt (Conservative)
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(41 debate interactions)
Matt Hancock (Independent)
(33 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(115 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(111 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(45 debate contributions)
Home Office
(41 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Liz Twist's debates

Blaydon 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 Blaydon signature proportion
Petitions with most Blaydon signatures
Petition Debates Contributed

Millions of UK citizens have a disability or serious medical condition that means they use more energy. Many people need to use a ventilator 24/7. People use electric pumps to feed through a tubes. People need to charge their mobility equipment, such as electric wheelchairs, stair lifts, bath seats.

Disabled people should be included alongside carers in the £650 one off payment as part of the Cost of Living support package. We have larger utilities bills and food costs when compared to non-disabled people. We rely on these utilities and food to stay alive.

We want suicide spoken about in schools in a safe and age-appropriate way. Speaking about suicide saves lives
The Dept for Education are conducting a review of the RSHE curriculum; this petition calls on the DfE to include suicide prevention within the statutory guidelines of the new curriculum.

Now the hedgehog has been listed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK, we are calling on the Government to move hedgehogs to schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to allow them greater protection.

Enact legislation to protect retail workers. This legislation must create a specific offence of abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker. The offence must carry a penalty that acts as a deterrent and makes clear that abuse of retail workers is unacceptable.


Latest EDMs signed by Liz Twist

23rd October 2023
Liz Twist signed this EDM on Monday 23rd October 2023

Tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton

Tabled by: Ian Lavery (Labour - Wansbeck)
That this House notes with sorrow the passing of Ashington born World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton; further notes Bobby’s successful career with Manchester United for whom he played between 1956 and 1973 winning the English First Division three times, the FA Cup and the European Cup; notes Sir Bobby’s …
27 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Oct 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 21
Independent: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
12th September 2023
Liz Twist signed this EDM on Monday 16th October 2023

Calling for a free and democratic Iran

Tabled by: Bob Blackman (Conservative - Harrow East)
That this House is deeply concerned by the ongoing crackdown on peaceful protesters by the regime of Iran, which continues to execute dissidents with total impunity and which is also trying to export its reign of terror abroad, including by targeting dissidents living in Europe with terrorist attacks; condemns illegal …
32 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Oct 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 17
Liberal Democrat: 5
Conservative: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Scottish National Party: 2
Alba Party: 1
Independent: 1
View All Liz Twist's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Liz Twist, 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.


Liz Twist has not been granted any Urgent Questions

4 Adjournment Debates led by Liz Twist

Thursday 7th September 2023
Wednesday 17th May 2023
Wednesday 2nd November 2022
Thursday 25th June 2020

2 Bills introduced by Liz Twist


A Bill to provide for a Code of Practice to be followed by retailers of fashion clothing, footwear and accessories in their relationships with their suppliers; to set up an Adjudicator with the role of enforcing that Code of Practice and encouraging compliance with it; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 13th July 2022
(Read Debate)

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to review the Disabled Facilities Grants system; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 14th July 2020
(Read Debate)

259 Written Questions in the current parliament

(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
2 Other Department Questions
10th Feb 2021
What steps she is taking to tackle inequality during the covid-19 outbreak.

We recognise that COVID-19 is impacting people in different ways, as I noted in my first quarterly report to the Prime Minister. Addressing these disparities is a priority for the whole Government. Our economic response is protecting people right across society – saving jobs, keeping businesses afloat and ensuring those most impacted have the support they need.

We are also working hard through local networks to ensure key information reaches all segments of society – for example through investing in our £23 million Community Champions scheme.

We’re seeing very positive developments in our vaccine roll-out – as recognised recently by the Bank of England. It’s vital the vaccine programme reaches all parts of our community and we have established a National Equalities Board to ensure that happens.

The Government is determined that our recovery from this virus will build back fairer for everyone.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
13th Jan 2021
What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on reducing economic inequality and poverty.

I have regular engagement with ministerial colleagues across Government on a range of equality and progression issues. Throughout this pandemic, we have sought to protect jobs and incomes by spending billions on strengthening welfare support. Our long-term ambition is to level up across the UK, helping people back into work as quickly as possible based on clear evidence around the importance of work in tackling poverty.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
20th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) procurement policies have been applied and (b) invitations to tender have been submitted in respect of Government contracts with (i) Serco and (ii) other private companies being used in the response to the covid-19 outrbreak.

Details of central government contracts above £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search

Julia Lopez
Minister on Leave (Minister of State)
15th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Royal National Institute for Blind People's report entitled Turned out 2019, published October 2020, what plans he has to ensure blind and partially sighted people can receive their poll cards in preferred formats.

The Government is committed to ensuring that elections are accessible for all those eligible to vote and has already been working with the RNIB to improve the voting process for voters with sight loss.

It is important for security purposes that a physical poll card is sent to every elector at the property where they are registered, but we have already considered how electoral information might additionally be made available in more accessible format for those who request it.

Returning Officers already publish details of candidates in the order they will appear on the ballot paper online. We will work with partners in the electoral sector to ensure this information is accessible.

The Government will continue to work with the RNIB, the Electoral Commission and other relevant organisations to make blind and partially sighted voters aware of the support available to them at the polling station, and to consider what additional support could be provided to help blind and partially sighted people to vote including by post.

15th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans he has to publish the names of candidates and their order on the ballot paper in advance, online and in local election offices to allow blind and partially sighted people to know in advance where they wish to place their vote on the ballot paper.

The Government is committed to ensuring that elections are accessible for all those eligible to vote and has already been working with the RNIB to improve the voting process for voters with sight loss.

It is important for security purposes that a physical poll card is sent to every elector at the property where they are registered, but we have already considered how electoral information might additionally be made available in more accessible format for those who request it.

Returning Officers already publish details of candidates in the order they will appear on the ballot paper online. We will work with partners in the electoral sector to ensure this information is accessible.

The Government will continue to work with the RNIB, the Electoral Commission and other relevant organisations to make blind and partially sighted voters aware of the support available to them at the polling station, and to consider what additional support could be provided to help blind and partially sighted people to vote including by post.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero,if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of energy costs on the viability of the businesses of self employed physiotherapists.

The Government has made no such assessment.

However, the Government is committed to ensuring that the costs of the UK's energy transition are fair and affordable for all consumers. The Energy Bills Discount Scheme will continue to provide energy support to businesses until March 2024.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
28th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2023 to Question 147173 on Energy Bills Discount Scheme, what criteria was used to establish that (a) libraries, (b) nature reserves and (c) museums should be classified as Eligible Sectors for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries as part of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme.

The thresholds for eligibility for the higher level of Energy and Trade Intensive Industries support under the Energy Bill Discount Scheme is based on businesses operating in the top 20th percentile for both gas and electricity intensity and 40th percentile for trade/goods intensity. Businesses have to meet all thresholds to be eligible.

The methodology used to determine the eligibility of SIC Codes for the higher Energy and Trade Intensive Industry (ETII) support is published at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-discount-scheme-factsheet.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
17th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason the care sector is not eligible for the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries scheme as part of the Government's Energy Bills Discount scheme.

The Government has taken a consistent approach to identifying the most energy and trade intensive sectors, with all sectors that meet agreed thresholds for energy and trade intensity eligible for ETII support. These thresholds have been set at sectors falling above the 80th percentile for energy intensity and 60th percentile for trade intensity, plus any sectors eligible for the existing energy compensation and exemption schemes. Both of those thresholds must be met to warrant inclusion, meaning that some energy intensive sectors, which are not significantly trade intensive will not be eligible for support.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
13th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the speed of the roll-out of Project Gigabit.

Over 76% of UK premises can access gigabit-capable broadband. We are on track to meet our target of 85% coverage across the UK by 2025 and more than 99% by 2030.

I am proud to see the progress we have made on Project Gigabit, with twelve contracts awarded so far to suppliers to extend gigabit-capable coverage in hard-to-reach areas.

On top of this, over 117,000 vouchers have been issued so far under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and its previous iterations. 89,000 of these have been used to provide a gigabit-capable connection.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Jun 2023
What steps she is taking to support the commercialisation of science and technology research in the North East.

Innovation in the North East is supported by significant public investment. For example, universities in the region received £12 million this year through the Higher Education Innovation Fund, and six received a further £5 million from the Connecting Capability Fund to help spinout their research. We have also invested £5 million in the North East Technology Park to attract more science and technology companies, and the North East hosts Catapult centres that de-risk the transition from research to commercialisation, including the Offshore Renewable Catapult (Blyth), the Digital Catapult (Sunderland) and the Satellite Applications Catapult (County Durham).

17th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the average increase in energy costs for (a) sports and (b) community organisations using alternative fuels since 1 January 2022.

BEIS does not hold information at that level of detail for sports and community organisations.

Latest published statistics on standard grade burning oil show prices were 30.7% higher in December 2022 compared to January 2022 (with prices peaking in June 2022). The price of coal (domestic use only) increased by 29.0% in December 2022 compared to January 2022.

Notes:

1). The latest published data for standard grade burning oil and coal is up to December 2022.

2). Standard grade burning oil is sourced from BEIS Monthly and annual prices of road fuels and petroleum products (table 4.1.1).

3). BEIS figures are based on mid-monthly figures rather than first day of the month.

4). ONS data is sourced from RPI: Average price of smokeless fuel per 50kg dataset within the Consumer price inflation time series

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2023 to Question 121055, on Alternative Fuel Payments: Biofuels, whether he has made an assessment of the impact on the activities of off-grid sports and community organisations of delays in the delivery of the Alternative Fuel Payments scheme.

The Government is committed to delivering the Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme and will announce further details in the near future.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2022 to Question 99945 on Alternative Fuel Payments: Biofuels, when the fixed payment of £150 to off-grid non-domestic consumers will be made.

The Government will deliver support this winter. The UK is in discussions with electricity suppliers and will set out the timings for payments as soon as possible.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the minimum tariffs that energy suppliers are required to offer homeowners who contribute electricity generated by solar panels on their property.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a cost-reflective and market led mechanism and it is for suppliers to determine the value of the exported electricity and to take account of the administrative costs associated when setting their tariffs.

Ofgem reports annually on the range, nature and uptake of tariffs offered by suppliers in response to their SEG obligations. The Government will continue to review this to monitor whether the market is delivering an effective range of options for small exporters. To date, the market has responded positively, with a range of SEG tariffs.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what level of energy requirements his Department expects to set for non-domestic consumers to qualify for the planned top-up payments provided for as part of the Alternative Fuel Payments scheme.

As part of the Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payments, a top-up payment will be available for large users of heating oil (kerosene) in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take account of their higher usage. Further detail on eligibility will be provided shortly.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
20th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the research by the Chartered Institute of Building entitled Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment, published on 11 May 2020, and the research by Mates in Mind and The Institute for Employment Studies entitled Supporting the mental health of self-employed construction workers, published in June 2022, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of procurement demands on the mental health of workers in (a) construction industry supply chains and (b) other parts of the construction industry.

The Government is committed to working to improve health and safety, as well as mental and occupational health in the construction sector, to enable the sector to recruit and retain the workforce that it needs in future. This work is being taken forward through the Construction Leadership Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Group, which brings together the Health and Safety Executive, industry representatives and trade unions to develop and circulate best practice and practical guidance for the industry.

The Government is also aware that procurement and contractual practices in the sector can have an impact on mental health. The Government has set out its commitment to improving procurement processes, and ensure there are fair and transparent payment and contractual provisions in relation to government construction projects and programmes in the Construction Playbook.

20th Oct 2022
To ask Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the research by the Chartered Institute of Building entitled Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment, published on 11 May 2020, and the research by Mates in Mind and The Institute for Employment Studies entitled Supporting the mental health of self-employed construction workers, published in June 2022, if he will take steps to help ensure that (a) employers and (b) suppliers in the construction industry are implementing measures to support the mental health and well-being of workers in that sector.

The Government is committed to working to improve health and safety, as well as mental and occupational health in the construction sector, to enable the sector to recruit and retain the workforce that it needs in future. This work is being taken forward through the Construction Leadership Council’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Group, which brings together the Health and Safety Executive, industry representatives and trade unions, to develop and circulate information about best practice in relation to mental health and practical guidance for the industry.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
29th Mar 2022
What assessment he has made of the impact of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme on local authorities' ability to improve the energy efficiency of homes of low-income households.

BEIS commissioned an independent evaluation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Local Authority Delivery scheme in October 2020. This evaluation includes impact analysis of the scheme’s core objectives to improve energy efficiency in low-income households and will report findings following scheme completion.

25th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance the Government has issued to local authorities on whether physiotherapy clinics that share premises with businesses that are not permitted to operate during the covid-19 lockdown should be required to close.

Healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, can continue operating under the National Lockdown regulations. Where a clinic is based in premises that is required to close, for example a gym, it will be a commercial decision for the gym owner to decide whether the physiotherapists can continue to practice there.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of including a complete ban on gambling marketing communications for consumers who have self-excluded or registered with GAMSTOP within forthcoming regulatory changes to the Gambling Act 2005.

As a condition of their Gambling Commission licences, all operators must offer self-exclusion procedures for customers, with online operators also required to take part in the GAMSTOP multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. As part of the self-exclusion process, licensees must take all reasonable steps to prevent marketing materials being sent to any self-excluded individual, including removing their details from any marketing database within two days of receiving notice of self-exclusion. If a customer has registered with GAMSTOP, all operators are expected to remove them from marketing lists. Operators who fail to comply with self-exclusion requirements are subject to enforcement action from the Gambling Commission.

19th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether safety duties relating to content that is harmful to adults announced as part of the Online Safety Bill in the Queen's Speech 2021 will include content on and related to (a) suicide and (b) self-harm.

Under the new legal duty of care, in-scope companies will need to remove and limit the spread of illegal content and activity online. This includes illegal content which encourages or incites suicide online, with all companies expected to take swift and effective action against such content.

In addition, companies whose services have high-risk functionalities and which have the largest audiences will also be required to take action on content which is legal but which may cause harm to adults such as material which relates to self-harm or suicide. These companies will need to set out in clear terms and conditions what is acceptable on their services, and enforce those terms and conditions consistently and transparently.

We are also ensuring that criminal law is fit for purpose to account for harmful and dangerous communications online. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has sponsored a Law Commission review of harmful online communications. As part of this review, the Government has also asked the Law Commission to examine how the criminal law will address the encouragement or assistance of self harm. We know there is a strong case for making this sort of appalling content illegal. The Law Commission have consulted on their proposed reforms and will produce final recommendations by summer 2021.

4th Feb 2021
What plans he has to provide additional financial support to the civil and voluntary sector during the national covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.

The £750 million sector funding package offered unprecedented support to allow charities and social enterprises to continue their vital work and support our national response to the pandemic.

In addition, the Government continues to make a package of support available across the economy to enable organisations to get through the months ahead. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which continues to be a lifeline to a multitude of organisations.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of his Department working with the Department for Health and Social Care to improve voluntary sector provision for young people who self-harm, as recommended by the Samaritans in their October 2020 report entitled Pushed from pillar to post: Improving the availability and quality of support after self-harm in England.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has overall policy responsibility for children and young people’s mental health.

While DCMS has made no assessment on this specific issue, we are aware of the detrimental impact Covid-19 has had on young people’s mental health.

Officials and Ministers regularly engage with young people, including through our Youth Steering Group and events hosted by the youth sector. In recent conversations young people have highlighted the impact Covid-19 has had on mental wellbeing and loneliness.

A total of £4.7 million from the Government’s £750 million Charities package went to support mental health charities, including support for young people’s mental health.

In addition to this, the Department for Health and Social Care provided £6 million to the Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund, which has supported over 130 charities to date.

John Whittingdale
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
15th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of fan representation on football club boards.

Football clubs are the heart of local communities, they have unique social value and many with a great history. It is vital they are protected.

The Government’s Expert Working Group on football supporter ownership and engagement in 2016 set out a number of recommendations to encourage greater engagement between supporters and those that run their club, while also helping to remove barriers to supporter ownership.

Whilst the Group was broadly supportive of the idea of supporter directors on club boards in principle, it believed that strong, structured dialogue with a representative group of supporters is a more inclusive way of ensuring supporters are informed and able to hold club owners and senior executives to account. The Premier League and English Football League now require clubs to meet with supporters at least twice a year to discuss strategic issues, giving fans the opportunity to shape the direction of the club.

Nigel Huddleston
Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
19th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2023 to Question 198639 on Childcare, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the adequacy of (a) trained staff, (b) safe premises and (c) registered places in Blaydon constituency by the start of September 2025 to offer eligible children aged nine months and above to access 30 hours a week of free childcare for 38 weeks each year until the end of the term before they start at primary school.

Having enough staff in place to deliver high-quality education and care will be key to ensuring the successful delivery of our record expansion of early years entitlements. Driving up interest in early years careers and ensuring there are enough opportunities for career development is a priority for this government.

In the government’s Spring Budget 2023, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced transformative reforms to childcare for parents, children and the economy. By 2027/28, this Government will expect to be spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education, helping working families with their childcare costs. This represents the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever.

The department is developing a range of new workforce initiatives including the launch of a new national campaign, planned for the beginning of 2024, to boost interest in the sector and support the recruitment and retention of talented staff. To increase interest in early years, we are working to remove unnecessary barriers to entering the sector as well as considering how to make early years qualifications more accessible, coordinated and relevant.

Over the summer the department launched a competition for Early Years Skills Bootcamps with a pathway to an accelerated level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship, and we will consider degree apprenticeship routes so everyone from junior staff to senior leaders can easily move into or indeed enhance their career in the sector. We are also working across government to boost early years career awareness by collaborating with the Department for Work and Pensions and Careers & Enterprise Company to promote the importance and value of a career in early years.

Regarding safe premises, with a growing number of staff joining the sector, the safety of our youngest children remains as important as ever. All new and existing early years providers must keep children safe and promote their welfare. The Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework sets the standards that all early years providers in England must meet to ensure that children are kept healthy and safe. More information can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1170108/EYFS_framework_from_September_2023.pdf.

Under these requirements, all owners and managers of childcare settings have a responsibility to ensure that their premises, including overall floor space and outdoor spaces, are fit for purpose and suitable for the age of children cared for and the activities provided on the premises. All providers must also comply with the requirements of health and safety legislation, including fire safety and hygiene requirements. At all times when children are present, at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on the premises.

Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area. Part B of the Early education and childcare statutory guidance for local authorities highlights that local authorities should report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and to make this report available and accessible to parents. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-education-and-childcare--2.

The Department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action the local authority is taking to address those issues and where needed support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.

David Johnston
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the geographical eligibility of the student loan repayment scheme for teachers.

The ‘Teachers: claim back your student loan repayments’ scheme was announced in 2017 and is targeted at 26 local authorities in England we have identified as having a high need for teachers, as determined by our published data at this time.

We have commissioned an external evaluation of the scheme and expect to publish the final evaluation report this year. Once we receive the final evaluation report, we will consider if eligibility for the scheme should be extended.

13th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the (a) highest ten areas of cross-departmental programme expenditure to which her Department plans to contribute over the spending review period 2022-23 to 2024-25 and (b) amount of programme expenditure allocated to each area over that period.

The Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 settlement provided programme budgets for the department of £76.5 billion for the 2022/23 financial year, £78.7 billion for the 2023/24 financial year and £80.1 billion for the 2024/25 financial year. The ten highest areas of programme expenditure for the 2022/23 financial year are in the table below. Departmental expenditure is subject to an annual planning exercise. For this reason, we are only able to confirm funding figures for the 2022/23 financial year.

Government departments routinely transfer funding where there are shared priority programmes. Across the spending review period, the department will jointly deliver programmes with other government departments such as the Multiply programme to improve adult literacy and creating a network of family hubs to improve access to start for life services.

Further information on departmental and cross-government funding can be found within the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 document, which is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1043689/Budget_AB2021_Web_Accessible.pdf.

Ten highest areas of forecast department programme expenditure, 2022/23 financial year

Schools block of the dedicated schools grant

£40.5 billion

High needs block of the dedicated schools grant

£9.0 billion

16-19 education and T-Levels

£6.4 billion

Early years block of the dedicated schools grant

£3.6 billion

Pupil premium

£2.7 billion

Apprenticeships

£2.5 billion

Adult education budget

£1.4 billion

Strategic Priorities Grant

£1.4 billion

Schools supplementary grant (supporting schools with costs of the Health and Social Care Levy)

£1.2 billion

Education recovery programmes

£1.2 billion

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
13th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish the (a) highest ten areas of programme expenditure under the exclusive control of her Department during the spending review period 2022-23 to 2024-25 and (b) amount of programme expenditure allocated to each area during that period.

The Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 settlement provided programme budgets for the department of £76.5 billion for the 2022/23 financial year, £78.7 billion for the 2023/24 financial year and £80.1 billion for the 2024/25 financial year. The ten highest areas of programme expenditure for the 2022/23 financial year are in the table below. Departmental expenditure is subject to an annual planning exercise. For this reason, we are only able to confirm funding figures for the 2022/23 financial year.

Government departments routinely transfer funding where there are shared priority programmes. Across the spending review period, the department will jointly deliver programmes with other government departments such as the Multiply programme to improve adult literacy and creating a network of family hubs to improve access to start for life services.

Further information on departmental and cross-government funding can be found within the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021 document, which is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1043689/Budget_AB2021_Web_Accessible.pdf.

Ten highest areas of forecast department programme expenditure, 2022/23 financial year

Schools block of the dedicated schools grant

£40.5 billion

High needs block of the dedicated schools grant

£9.0 billion

16-19 education and T-Levels

£6.4 billion

Early years block of the dedicated schools grant

£3.6 billion

Pupil premium

£2.7 billion

Apprenticeships

£2.5 billion

Adult education budget

£1.4 billion

Strategic Priorities Grant

£1.4 billion

Schools supplementary grant (supporting schools with costs of the Health and Social Care Levy)

£1.2 billion

Education recovery programmes

£1.2 billion

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
21st Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the role of early years services is in the Government's Levelling Up agenda.

Levelling up is at the heart of the agenda to build back better after the COVID-19 outbreak and to deliver for every part of the UK. The department takes a dual approach to disadvantage: tackling outcome inequalities nationally while tilting efforts to, and working specifically in, places of greatest need.

In education, ability is evenly spread but opportunity is not. We know that differences in outcomes start early. To really tackle our levelling up challenge, we must look at our support for children and young people at every level, from support for families and childcare, through to university, and to develop skills throughout life.

We are already making progress. On 2 June 2021 we announced an additional £1.4 billion education recovery package, which includes a £153 million investment in evidence-based professional development for early years practitioners, including through new programmes focusing on key areas such as speech and language development.

This is in addition to the £27 million which we are already investing to support children’s early language development in light of the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • £17 million is to deliver the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) in schools that would particularly benefit. Two thirds of primary schools have already signed up for the programme.
  • £10 million will support language development for pre-reception children in the next academic year.

What happens outside of schools and settings is also important. The government is investing over £34 million to champion family hubs. This approach will help to support children of all ages and their families across a broad range of needs in their localities. This investment includes establishing a new national centre for family hubs, run by the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families; a new transformation fund to open family hubs in around 10 local authorities; an evaluation innovation fund; and work with local authorities to develop data and digital products that will support the practical implementation of family hubs.

The government will publish a landmark Levelling Up White Paper later this year, setting out bold new policy interventions to improve livelihoods and opportunity in all parts of the UK.

21st Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of early years provision.

High quality, accessible childcare is important in ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life. The overall quality of provision within the early years sector remains high and, as of 31 March 2021, 96% of providers on the Ofsted Early Years Register were judged good or outstanding, which is a substantial increase from 74% in 2012. Ofsted are responsible for monitoring the quality of provision.

We continue to monitor the sufficiency of childcare through regular attendance data collection and monitoring the open or closed status of providers. We also discuss sufficiency of provision in our regular conversations with local authorities. Local authorities are not currently reporting any significant sufficiency or supply issues and we have not seen any significant number of parents unable to secure a childcare place, either this term or since early years settings re-opened fully on 1 June 2020.

Ofsted data shows that as of March 2021 the number of childcare places available on the Early Years Register has remained broadly stable since August 2015.

22nd Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make a statement on the ways in which early years provision will feature as part of the covid-19 catch-up recovery strategy; and how opportunities for play will be (a) encouraged, (b) supported and (c) facilitated.

On 2 June 2021, as part of the government’s announcement on providing an additional £1.4 billon for education recovery, we announced a £153 million investment for high-quality professional development for early years practitioners. This includes new programmes focusing on key areas such as speech and language development, and physical and emotional development for the youngest children, of which play is an important part. This is in addition to the £18 million announced in February 2021 and the £9 million announced in June 2020 to support early language development for children in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The package will build on our early years foundation stage reforms, which support more effective early years curriculum and assessment, and reducing unnecessary assessment paperwork, so that practitioners and teachers can spend more time engaging children in rich activities, including through play, to support their learning.

21st Jun 2021
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for disadvantaged pupils.

All children have had their education disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, but it is likely that disadvantaged and vulnerable groups will have been hardest hit.

Since 2011 we have spent more than £20 billion to provide Pupil Premium funding for school leaders to use, based on the needs of their disadvantaged pupils. Between 2011 and 2019, the attainment gaps between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils narrowed by 13% at age 11 and 9% at age 16.

On top of this funding, we increased core schools funding by £2.6 billion last year and are increasing core schools funding by £4.8 billion and £7.1 billion in 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively, compared to 2019-20.

In addition, over the past year we have made three major interventions to support education recovery, totalling over £3 billion additional spend: £1 billion in June 2020, a further £700 million in February 2021 and our latest £1.4 billion package announced in June 2021.

Recovery programmes have been designed to allow early years, school and college leaders the flexibility to support those pupils most in need, including the most disadvantaged. The latest announcement expands our reforms in two areas where the evidence is clear our investment will have a significant impact for disadvantaged children, high quality tutoring and great teaching.

We are providing over £1.5 billion for tutoring programmes, including an expansion of the National Tutoring Programme (NTP), an ambitious scheme that supports schools to access targeted tutoring intervention for disadvantaged pupils who have missed out on learning due to school closures. We will also provide greater flexibility to schools to make it easier for them to take on local tutors or use existing staff to supplement those employed through the NTP. This new blended offer ensures that the NTP works for all disadvantaged children, giving schools the flexibility to choose what type of approach best suits their needs and those of individual pupils.

The £302 million Recovery Premium has been weighted so that schools with more disadvantaged pupils receive more funding and includes £22 million to scale up proven approaches to reduce the attainment gap.

We have also invested more than £400 million to provide internet access and over 1.3 million laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children and young people.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children with complex needs that require aerosol generating procedures (AGP) have not been able to return to school as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and if his Department will work with Public Health England on guidance to urgently ensure a safe return to school for all children.

We are aware of a small number of children with complex needs, including those that require Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs), who have found it harder to return to schools. We are working with families, education settings, health services and local authorities to ensure that they are able to attend safely as soon as possible.

We published the Safe Working Guidance to help support schools in keeping everyone safe, including those children with complex medical needs who require AGPs and the staff carrying out the procedures. We are trying to give the best possible guidance to schools while recognising that every school setting is different. This guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The department has worked closely with Public Health England and stakeholders to publish guidance based on a ‘system of controls’ which, when implemented, creates an inherently safer system where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced. This includes guidance on the specific protective measures needed to undertake AGPs in education settings to manage risk effectively. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The guidance on undertaking AGPs in education settings, including where use of a designated room is not possible, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

We have heard examples of good practice locally and are working with Public Health England and NHS England to establish whether any changes to the guidance or further information about practice principles are needed.

The Departments SEND and NHS England Adviser teams are working with local areas affected by this situation to determine whether further local measures can be put in place to secure pupils’ return to school. It is important that schools communicate clearly with parents on progress towards supporting children who need AGPs to return to school safely and provide remote education and support if they are unable to do so.

We do not hold data on the number of schools that do not have a separate room to undertake AGPs.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether Public Health England consulted with schools on the guidance on aerosol generating procedures (AGP); and if his Department will work with Public Health England to provide guidance to schools who cannot comply with measures to have a separate room to undertake AGP so that children are not prevented from going to school.

We are aware of a small number of children with complex needs, including those that require Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs), who have found it harder to return to schools. We are working with families, education settings, health services and local authorities to ensure that they are able to attend safely as soon as possible.

We published the Safe Working Guidance to help support schools in keeping everyone safe, including those children with complex medical needs who require AGPs and the staff carrying out the procedures. We are trying to give the best possible guidance to schools while recognising that every school setting is different. This guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The department has worked closely with Public Health England and stakeholders to publish guidance based on a ‘system of controls’ which, when implemented, creates an inherently safer system where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced. This includes guidance on the specific protective measures needed to undertake AGPs in education settings to manage risk effectively. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The guidance on undertaking AGPs in education settings, including where use of a designated room is not possible, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

We have heard examples of good practice locally and are working with Public Health England and NHS England to establish whether any changes to the guidance or further information about practice principles are needed.

The Departments SEND and NHS England Adviser teams are working with local areas affected by this situation to determine whether further local measures can be put in place to secure pupils’ return to school. It is important that schools communicate clearly with parents on progress towards supporting children who need AGPs to return to school safely and provide remote education and support if they are unable to do so.

We do not hold data on the number of schools that do not have a separate room to undertake AGPs.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools do not have the facilities to allow children with complex needs that require aerosol generating procedures to return to school; and what steps he is taking to support those schools to ensure that all children can return to school during the covid-19 outbreak.

We are aware of a small number of children with complex needs, including those that require Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs), who have found it harder to return to schools. We are working with families, education settings, health services and local authorities to ensure that they are able to attend safely as soon as possible.

We published the Safe Working Guidance to help support schools in keeping everyone safe, including those children with complex medical needs who require AGPs and the staff carrying out the procedures. We are trying to give the best possible guidance to schools while recognising that every school setting is different. This guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The department has worked closely with Public Health England and stakeholders to publish guidance based on a ‘system of controls’ which, when implemented, creates an inherently safer system where the risk of transmission of the infection is substantially reduced. This includes guidance on the specific protective measures needed to undertake AGPs in education settings to manage risk effectively. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

The guidance on undertaking AGPs in education settings, including where use of a designated room is not possible, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings-including-the-use-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe.

We have heard examples of good practice locally and are working with Public Health England and NHS England to establish whether any changes to the guidance or further information about practice principles are needed.

The Departments SEND and NHS England Adviser teams are working with local areas affected by this situation to determine whether further local measures can be put in place to secure pupils’ return to school. It is important that schools communicate clearly with parents on progress towards supporting children who need AGPs to return to school safely and provide remote education and support if they are unable to do so.

We do not hold data on the number of schools that do not have a separate room to undertake AGPs.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to accelerate the roll out of community mental health teams to schools and colleges, and to extend it to universities, as recommended by the Samaritans in their October 2020 report entitled Pushed from pillar to post: Improving the availability and quality of support after self-harm in England.

Supporting and promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing is a priority for this government. We continue to work closely with schools, colleges, the higher education sector, and local areas to provide support, guidance, and encourage good practice.

The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has overall policy responsibility for children and young people’s mental health. The Department for Education works closely with DHSC to take significant steps to support the mental health and wellbeing support for young people across all education settings.

Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are an important part of our long term plan to promote and support children and young people’s mental health in state-funded schools and colleges, and we remain committed to rolling them out to at least a fifth to a quarter of the country by the end of the academic year 2022/23.

There are 59 MHSTs already established in 25 areas across the country. An additional 123 MHSTs are being set up in a further 57 areas this year, and a further 104 teams have been commissioned to begin training in academic year 2020/21. Once established, MHST support schools and colleges to promote good mental health, identify and manage a wide range of issues relating to mental health and wellbeing, and deliver interventions for mild and moderate needs. This may include thoughts of self-harm and providing support with alternative coping strategies.

The NHS Long Term Plan commits to ensure that, by the academic year 2023/24, at least an additional 345,000 children and young people aged 0 to 25 will be able to access support from NHS-funded children and young people’s mental health services (formerly CAMHS) and school–based or college-based mental health support teams. Funding for CYMPHS has grown faster than overall NHS and adult mental health spending.

Every NHS mental health trust in England has provided 24/7 crisis helplines for those in all age groups who need urgent help in a mental health crisis, and will continue to do so over the coming months. We provided funding and support to the people and organisations who play a vital role in young people’s mental health, with over £10 million of funding to support mental health charities, including Young Minds and Place2Be which specifically support the mental health of children and young people. We have invested £8 million in local authorities to fund mental health and wellbeing experts to provide advice and resources for education staff to support and promote children and young people’s mental health.

We recognise that many university students are facing additional mental health challenges due to the disruption and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, and it is important students can still access the mental health support they need.

My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Universities, wrote to Vice Chancellors in October outlining that student welfare should remain a priority, and has convened a working group of representatives from the higher education and health sectors to specifically address the current and pressing issues that students are facing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Higher education providers are expected to continue to support their students. This has included moving services online or making services accessible from a distance and we encourage students to stay in touch with their provider’s student support and welfare teams as these services are likely to continue to be an important source of support. Many providers have bolstered their existing mental health services, and adapted delivery to means other than face to face. Staff at universities and colleges responded quickly to the need to transform mental health and wellbeing services, showing resourcefulness and there are many examples of good practice.

The Office for Students funded Student Space platform bridges gaps in support for students arising from this unprecedented situation and is designed to work alongside existing services. Students struggling with their mental health at this time can also access support via the NHS at: https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/category/mental-health/.

Online resources from Public Health England can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing, along with support from mental health charity, Mind, available here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/student-life/about-student-mental-health/.

29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to provide additional mental health support for students in response to covid-19 restrictions.

Protecting all students', domestic and international, mental health and wellbeing continues to be a priority for this government. The disruption and uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted all age groups, but particularly young people who are making transitions during this time.

Higher education providers are best placed to identify and address the needs of their particular student body as well as how to develop the services needed. Many providers have boosted their existing welfare and counselling services to ensure support services can be accessed, which is particularly important for those students having to self-isolate or who are affected by local restrictions.

Student Space, funded with £3 million from the Office for Students (OfS), provides dedicated support services (phone and text) for students and a collaborative online platform to help students access vital mental health and wellbeing resources. The platform bridges gaps in support for students arising from the outbreak and is designed to work alongside existing services.

The government has recently provided over £9 million to leading mental health charities to help them expand and reach those most in need. In addition, NHS mental health trusts are ensuring 24/7 access to crisis telephone lines to support people of all ages.

We have asked providers to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of students during this period and have enabled them to use funding, worth up to £23 million per month from April to July this year and £256 million for the academic year 2020/21 starting from August, to go towards student hardship funds and mental health support.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on safe home visits for students at Christmas 2020.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has regularly discussed the reopening of higher education (HE) providers with his Cabinet colleagues, including with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The arrangements for the end of the autumn term were discussed on Monday 28 September.

As the Secretary of State for Education announced to the House on Tuesday 29 September, the department is working with universities to make sure that all students are supported to return home safely and spend Christmas with their loved ones, if they choose to do so. Where students choose to stay in their university accommodation over Christmas, universities should continue making sure that they are safe and well looked after. The department will work with universities to publish guidance on students returning home safely at Christmas, shortly.

The safety and wellbeing of staff and students in HE is always our priority, and the government is doing all it can to minimise the risks to those working and studying at HE providers in this unprecedented situation, while mitigating the impact on education.

Michelle Donelan
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
2nd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to support the families of pupils eligible for free school meals in Blaydon constituency during the school summer holidays in 2020.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave on 23 June 2020 to Question 54195.

12th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many hours of training each teacher will receive to deliver the new Relationships education, relationships and sex curriculum.

The Department is committed to supporting schools to deliver high-quality teaching of relationships education, relationships and sex education, and health education.

Many schools are already teaching aspects of these subjects as part of their sex and relationships education provision or their personal, social, health and economic education programme. Schools have flexibility to determine how to deliver the new content, in the context of a broad and balanced curriculum.

To support schools in their preparations, the Department is investing in a central package to help all schools to increase the confidence and quality of their teaching practice. We are currently developing a new online service featuring innovative training materials, case studies and support to access resources. This will be available from April 2020 with additional content added through the summer term, covering all of the teaching requirements in the statutory guidance. We will also publish an implementation guide which will be provided to all schools as part of this service, and face-to-face training will be available for schools that need additional support.

The Department is currently working with lead teachers, non-specialist teachers, schools and subject experts to develop this central programme of support to help ensure it meets the needs of schools and teachers. It will complement the wide range of training opportunities that are being provided by local authorities and sector organisations.

12th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether content on domestic abuse will be included in the new Relationships education, relationships and sex curriculum.

The Department wants to support all children and young people to be happy, healthy and safe. Through the new subjects of relationships, sex and health education, we want to equip them for adult life and to make a positive contribution to society.

These subjects will help in ensuring all young people, at age appropriate points, know the signs of unhealthy or abusive relationships, and that violence in relationships and domestic abuse is unlawful and never acceptable. Throughout these subjects there is a focus on ensuring pupils know how to get further support.

The guidance can be accessed via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/relationships-and-sex-education-and-health-education.

29th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of food price inflation on levels of demand for emergency parcels from food banks.

Tackling inflation is this Government’s number one priority. We continue to support households through our £94 billion package, worth £3,300 on average per household this year and last. We are also providing £100 million of support for charities and community organisations in England targeted at supporting critical frontline services.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a single social tariff for water.

As the Secretary of State stated during the House of Lords inquiry into the work of Ofwat, Defra is minded not to introduce a single social tariff scheme due to the complexities involved with a national scheme, as well as due to legislative timetables, which would mean we would not be able to introduce a single social tariff to align with the start of the next price review – 1 April 2025.

However, I am very mindful that consumers are concerned about their bills. My officials continue to explore options to improve existing social tariff arrangements, focussing on improving consistency and fairness across existing regional social tariff schemes - a sensible and pragmatic approach given time constraints.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment for the implications of her policies of Dogs Trust’s recommendation to introduce a requirement to visually check animals entering the country at ports to ensure that the pet animal is (a) the same as the animal listed on the pet passport, (b) the age stated, (c) not heavily pregnant and (d) not suffering from poor welfare conditions.

We do not intend to make such an assessment. We already operate one of the most rigorous and robust pet travel checking regimes in Europe. All non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain on approved routes (every route other than Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies) under the Pet Travel rules undergo 100% documentary and identity checks by authorised pet checkers.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
8th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in the Environment Agency's funding in the last 10 years on the control of sewage output into the natural environment.

Defra and its agencies received an additional £4.3 billion in the last Spending Review much of which is invested, through the Environment Agency, in protecting our environment. This included new funding for the Environment Agency to undertake 500 additional water company inspections over the spending review period. This is in addition to their routine regulation of water companies, funded through annual subsistence charges. We are also introducing new legal requirements to increase the monitoring of sewage discharges.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
24th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of stakeholder support for the introduction of the single social tariff scheme proposed by the CCW independent affordability review; and if he will bring forward legislative proposals to implement that scheme.

Initial stakeholder reaction to a single social tariff scheme has been positive. However, further analysis is needed to understand the implications, costs and benefits of a possible new scheme. Legislation will be required to implement any such scheme.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that the data sharing powers conferred under the Digital Economy Act 2017 are being fully utilised to help ensure that water companies (a) identify and (b) support financially vulnerable households.

Eight water companies have established data sharing agreements with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The water sector and DWP are working together to roll out agreements with the remaining companies.

Initial feedback from water companies who have secured data sharing agreements has been positive. The data shares have enabled water companies to identify financially vulnerable customers who may benefit from specially discounted and capped water tariffs, and where appropriate, to proactively add eligible customers to these tariffs.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the recommendation of the CCW independent affordability review to implement a single social tariff scheme; and if he will bring forward legislative proposals to implement that scheme.

Defra has established a Development Group, consisting of representatives from the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), Ofwat, water companies and charities to explore the review’s recommendations of a single social tariff scheme.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the role of the Landlord TAP scheme in helping water companies to identify financially vulnerable tenants before they fall into debt; and if he will make that scheme mandatory in England.

The Consumer Council for Water's (CCW) Affordability Review suggested that Defra should make the Landlord and Tenant Address Portal compulsory in England to raise the visibility of residents who may need help.

Since the publication of CCW's report, Defra has had initial discussions with CCW and Landlord Tap Ltd on this recommendation and look forward to further engagement. Data sharing agreements enabled under the Digital Economy Act 2017 and the pilots that have evolved out of the CCW's report, should also help identify vulnerable tenants. We will work with CCW and industry on how water companies can better identify and support their customers.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
16th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the Water Direct scheme; and if he will ensure that that scheme enables customers to pay water bills through deductions from universal credit regardless of whether they are in debt with water chargers.

Water Direct is not intended as a budgeting tool or an alternative method of paying bills for those receiving benefit.

All water companies offer WaterSure and social tariffs to help reduce bills for households who struggle to pay their bills in full. Water companies also offer a range of financial support measures to assist households to better manage their budgets including payment holidays, bill matching, benefit entitlement checks and money/debt advice referral arrangements.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reconcile (a) low average bills, (b) the need to support vulnerable customers and (c) other short-term deliverables in the water industry with long-term investment needs to deliver on net-zero commitments and environmental objectives.

(a) Ofwat, the independent economic regulator, is responsible for ensuring that water companies charge fair prices and deliver quality services, through a process called the Price Review.

(b) All water companies offer reduced bills for eligible customers via the WaterSure scheme and social tariffs. Water companies also offer a range of other financial support measures such as payment holidays, bill matching and advice on debt management and water efficiency. Last October, Defra commissioned the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) to review the effectiveness of existing support schemes in water to ensure they are fit for purpose now and in the future. Defra is working with CCW and industry to explore CCW’s recommendations (see Independent Affordability Review | CCW (ccwater.org.uk)) further.

(c) As part of Ofwat's 2019 Price Review process, water companies have set out their investment needs and associated costs up to 2024/2025. The Government has set its future expectations for Ofwat in a new strategic policy statement ( The government's strategic priorities for Ofwat: draft for consultation (defra.gov.uk)) which sets out the significant Government ambitions on the environment and climate change, and how the water industry should contribute to that work.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to provide long-term investment certainty for water companies to assist them in playing a greater role in delivering on the Government’s environmental objectives.

The Government is consulting on a draft strategic policy statement for Ofwat. This will set priorities for the economic regulator in the following areas:

  • Protecting and enhancing the environment – including supporting delivery of the 25 Year Environment Plan, net zero, nature-based solutions and catchment approaches by water companies,
  • Delivering a more resilient water sector; and
  • Serving and protecting customers, including those who are vulnerable.

The consultation for the strategic policy statement can be accessed via the link here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/water-industry-governments-strategic-policy-statement-for-ofwat

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling the use of catchment approaches and nature-based solutions by water companies in delivering their regulated obligations in the forthcoming Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat.

The Government is consulting on a draft strategic policy statement for Ofwat. This will set priorities for the economic regulator in the following areas:

  • Protecting and enhancing the environment – including supporting delivery of the 25 Year Environment Plan, net zero, nature-based solutions and catchment approaches by water companies,
  • Delivering a more resilient water sector; and
  • Serving and protecting customers, including those who are vulnerable.

The consultation for the strategic policy statement can be accessed via the link here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/water-industry-governments-strategic-policy-statement-for-ofwat

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of mandating Ofwat to incentivise long-term outcomes on (a) net-zero and (b) the delivery of the 25 Year Environment Plan through the forthcoming strategic policy statement.

The Government is consulting on a draft strategic policy statement for Ofwat. This will set priorities for the economic regulator in the following areas:

  • Protecting and enhancing the environment – including supporting delivery of the 25 Year Environment Plan, net zero, nature-based solutions and catchment approaches by water companies,
  • Delivering a more resilient water sector; and
  • Serving and protecting customers, including those who are vulnerable.

The consultation for the strategic policy statement can be accessed via the link here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/water-industry-governments-strategic-policy-statement-for-ofwat

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that people in Great Britain who use assistance dogs do not face hardship as a result of new administrative requirements when they travel to Northern Ireland.

The health and documentary requirements for pet travel to the EU are set out under the EU Pet Travel Regulations. Under the Northern Ireland Protocol, EU rules also apply to the non-commercial movements of pets into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. There are no derogations for assistance dogs under the legal framework of the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

We will continue to press the European Commission in relation to securing Part 1 listed status, recognising that achieving this would alleviate some of the new requirements for pet owners and assistance dog users travelling to the EU and to Northern Ireland. We are clear that we meet all the animal health requirements for this, and we have one of the most rigorous pet checking regimes in Europe to protect our biosecurity.

The Government is engaging with the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to explore means to streamline pet travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland recognising the high standards of animal health that we share. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has also written to the European Vice-President seeking to ensure that an agreement can be made to address the barriers imposed on pet travel between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

In the meantime, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland has recently published guidance on a pragmatic enforcement approach to pets entering from Great Britain. Northern Ireland-based pets and assistance dogs returning to Northern Ireland from Great Britain can continue to use a Northern Ireland-issued EU Pet Passport to re-enter Northern Ireland and will not need an animal health certificate. Pets and assistance dogs entering from Great Britain will not be subject to routine checks until July 2021. Current guidance on pet travel to Northern Ireland is available on DAERA's NIDirect website.

We are proactively engaging with the assistance dog community and relevant stakeholders on the impacts on dog movements from Great Britain to the EU and to Northern Ireland. We will continue to work closely with assistance dog organisations to share the latest advice and guidance (in accessible formats) with their members on pet travel requirements

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
19th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has for the management of (a) supertrawlers and (b) supertrawler fleets under the the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

We are reviewing our policies for these vessels operating in UK waters. Any action taken will align with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and must be evidence-based.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the hen harrier from extinction.

The Government is committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. The Hen Harrier Action Plan sets out what will be done to increase hen harrier populations in England and includes measures to stop illegal persecution. The long-term plan was published in January 2016 and we believe that it remains the best way to safeguard the hen harrier in England. A copy of the plan is available at:

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491818/hen-harrier-action-plan-england-2016.pdf.

Natural England has recorded the best year for hen harrier breeding in England since Natural England’s hen harrier recovery project was established in 2002. Illegal persecution of raptors such as the hen harrier is one of the UK's wildlife crime priorities. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife. Those convicted of committing an offence can face an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to review regulation of driven grouse shooting to help protect (a) hen harriers and (b) other birds of prey.

The Government recognises the conservation and economic benefits that shooting sports bring to rural communities.

All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There are strong penalties in place for offences committed against birds of prey and other wildlife; significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of wildlife crimes. Most wildlife crimes carry up to an unlimited fine and/or a six-month custodial sentence.

To address concerns about illegal killing of birds of prey, senior government and enforcement officers have identified raptor persecution as a national wildlife crime priority. Since 2016 Defra has contributed approximately £165,000 annually to the National Wildlife Crime Unit that monitors and gathers intelligence on wildlife crime, including raptor persecution, and aids police forces in their investigations when required.

We are committed to securing the long-term future of the hen harrier as a breeding bird in England. The Hen Harrier Action Plan sets out what will be done to increase hen harrier populations in England and includes measures to stop illegal persecution. The long-term plan was published in January 2016 and we believe that it remains the best way to safeguard the hen harrier in England. A copy of the plan is available at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491818/henharrier-action-plan-england-2016.pdf

Whilst the Government has no current plans to carry out a review of the management of grouse moors, we recognise that it is vital that wildlife and habitats are respected and protected, and that the law is observed. We will continue to work to ensure a sustainable, mutually beneficial relationship between shooting and conservation.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
19th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of franchising more local bus services.

The Government will support any Local Transport Authority wishing to franchise their bus services.

The Bus Services Act 2017 provides automatic access to franchising powers to Mayoral Combined Authorities in England.

Other authorities can request those powers from the Secretary of State but need to demonstrate that they have the capability and resources to deliver franchising, and that franchising is the best option to deliver improvements for passengers.

The Department is currently revising the Bus Services Act 2017 Franchising Scheme Guidance, published in November 2017, to provide updated and detailed advice on the franchising process.

Regarding the current action on Go North East, I hope both sides can come to a mutually acceptable agreement that delivers for passengers.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation on ending the sale of new non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.

The National Bus Strategy contained a commitment to set a legal end date for the sale of new diesel buses and set an expectation for when the entire bus fleet will be zero-emission.

In spring 2022, the Department consulted on determining the exact date for ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses. Calls for evidence about the decarbonisation of coaches and minibuses were also held. We will provide further updates in due course.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when his Department plans to publish guidance on socially and economically necessary bus services.

We plan to publish new guidance on socially and economically necessary services (SENS) in this Parliament.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
18th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 50 of the National Bus Strategy for England, when his Department plans to commence the review of the rights of local authorities to set up new municipal bus companies.

We will publish a Call for Evidence during this Parliament, as the first part of a review into whether it remains right that local authorities cannot set up new municipal bus companies.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will issue guidance to local authorities recommending a minimum proportion of accessible parking spaces (a) in local authority car parks and (b) on high streets.

The Department has already published guidance for local authorities on provision of accessible parking spaces in off-street car parks in Inclusive Mobility: A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure. This is available free to download at

www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mobility-making-transport-accessible-for-passengers-and-pedestrians

Provision of on-street disabled parking bays is a matter for local authorities. There are no recommended minimum proportions, it is for them to determine what provision is appropriate based on local circumstances.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will increase funding for public transport services.

Public transport plays a key role in supporting several Government policy areas including decarbonisation, levelling up and growth.

I was delighted to visit Gateshead recently to launch the Get Around for £2 bus fare cap. We are also pushing ahead with the National Bus Strategy and the Integrated Rail Plan.

Following the confirmation of our budgets in the 2022 Autumn Statement, we are working through how we continue to deliver our priorities whilst managing the impact of inflation.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has taken recent steps to provide support to (a) Nexus and (b) other transport companies to help with increased energy prices.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by the light rail sector caused by higher energy costs. Light rail systems are eligible under the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme which provides a discount on wholesale electricity prices. This scheme is in place from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 and is reducing financial pressures across the light rail sector by millions of pounds this winter.

The Government has announced the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, which will provide a level of support with energy costs for a further 12 months for non-domestic customers from 1 April 2023 to March 2024.

The Department continues to engage with Nexus and all local transport authorities that have light rail systems to fully understand the ongoing impacts of higher energy prices.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increased energy prices on (a) the Tyne and Wear Metro and (b) other light rail systems.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by the light rail sector caused by higher energy costs. Light rail systems are eligible under the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme which provides a discount on wholesale electricity prices. This scheme is in place from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 and is reducing financial pressures across the light rail sector by millions of pounds this winter.

The Government has announced the new Energy Bill Discount Scheme, which will provide a level of support with energy costs for a further 12 months for non-domestic customers from 1 April 2023 to March 2024.

The Department continues to engage with Nexus and all local transport authorities that have light rail systems to fully understand the ongoing impacts of higher energy prices.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will prioritise the installation of tactile paving at all mainline rail stations.

Platform edge tactiles are part of the scope for more than 100 accessible routes due to be installed under our Access for All programme by 2024. In addition, whenever the industry installs, replaces or renews platform infrastructure they are required to install tactiles.

I have asked Network Rail to work up a costed plan for a wider roll out of tactiles for stations where tactiles are not being delivered under another programme.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding will be made available for the acceleration of the installation of tactile paving at mainline rail stations.

Platform edge tactiles are part of the scope for more than 100 accessible routes due to be installed under our Access for All programme by 2024. In addition, whenever the industry installs, replaces or renews platform infrastructure they are required to install tactiles.

I have asked Network Rail to work up a costed plan for a wider roll out of tactiles for stations where tactiles are not being delivered under another programme.

Chris Heaton-Harris
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to take immediate action against Airlines that fail to comply with consumer rights legislation during the covid-19 pandemic.

The Department has been clear that airlines and travel agents should not deny consumers their legal right to a refund, if it is requested and this should be done in a timely manner. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) undertook a review of the refund policies of all UK airlines, as well as a number of international airlines that operate flights to and from the UK. The CAA has utilised this review to influence airlines to change their processes and practices in order to improve performance in providing refunds. The CAA’s actions have led to an improved quality of service and performance from most airlines. The CAA continues to work with carriers to drive down waiting times, but balancing the support businesses need during this unprecedented situation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a number of challenges. The department is keen to work with the regulator, industry and consumer groups to learn lessons from pandemic, to make changes that are practicable and deliverable.

15th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to identifying additional financial resources for (a) bus operators and (b) passenger transport authorities in the North East to help ensure continuation of bus services after the end of the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant.

The Department has been working closely with bus operators to understand the issues they face in providing services whilst ensuring social distancing for both passengers and staff. We are also working urgently to provide further support to the bus sector to enable operators, working with local transport authorities, to ramp up service provision for people returning to work. An announcement will be made shortly on the further support that will be provided.

15th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to provide funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro after the end of the Covid-19 Bus Services Support Grant in June 2020.

A further £29 million was announced by the Transport Secretary on 23 May to increase tram and light rail services across the country so that people who need to travel, including critical workers in the NHS, can do so safely. The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (NEXUS) is estimated to receive £7.6 million of that funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

15th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans the Government has to help tackle financial shortfalls in Nexus’ funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

A further £29 million was announced by the Transport Secretary on 23 May to increase tram and light rail services across the country so that people who need to travel, including critical workers in the NHS, can do so safely. The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive (NEXUS) is estimated to receive £7.6 million of that funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

13th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2023 to Question 199184 on Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment: Internet, which postcodes are eligible for the online application service for PIP launched on 27 July; and what criterion was used to select these postcodes.

One key element of the Health Transformation Programme is a new online application service for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). As explained in my answer to Question 199184, this is currently being tested in selected postcode districts across England.

It is vital that we develop an online claim service that works for all claimants across the country. The initial range of postcodes were carefully selected to ensure they are representative of the wider population and allow us to robustly evaluate the impact of the service.

Limiting the number of claimants during the testing phase means we can test the functionality and stability of the new service, learning and making improvements before we gradually and carefully increase the number of people who can use it. As we scale the service, this list of postcode districts will gradually increase until the service is available nationally across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2024.

A list of postcodes can be found below*. People can check if they are able to apply for PIP online through our ‘How to Claim’ GOV.UK page and using the postcode checker which will be constantly updated.

B16

B18

B21

B42

B66

B67

B68

B69

B70

B71

BD11

BD12

BD4

BH1

BH10

BH11

BH12

BH13

BH14

BH15

BH16

BH17

BH18

BH2

BH22

BH3

BH4

BH5

BH6

BH7

BH8

BH9

BN20

BN22

BN23

CB11

CM24

CW12

DE21

DE7

DE72

DE75

DY11

DY13

E11

E12

E18

E7

GL1

GL10

GL5

HD1

HD4

HP23

HR7

HR8

IG1

IG2

IG3

IG4

IG5

IG6

IG7

IG8

IG9

IP10

IP11

IP12

IP13

IP15

IP16

IP17

IP18

IP19

IP20

IP3

IP4

IP5

IP6

KT10

KT12

KT6

KT7

KT8

KT9

L10

L21

L22

L23

L29

L30

L38

L9

LE13

LN10

LN11

LN12

LN13

LN9

LU1

LU2

LU3

LU4

LU7

M15

M16

M23

M31

M32

M33

M41

NE1

NE2

NE4

NE5

NE98

NG10

NG15

NG17

NR31

NR32

NR33

NR34

NR35

PE21

PE23

PE24

PE25

PE34

RG14

RG20

RG21

RG22

RG23

RG24

RH7

RH8

RM10

SG7

SK11

SO24

ST13

TN8

TW16

TW17

WA14

WA15

WF13

WF15

WF16

WF17

WR13

WR14

WR2

WR5

WR6

WS6

YO11

YO12

YO13

YO14

YO22

YO25

CM17

* This list will change as we continually scale the new online PIP service.

__________________________________________________________________________

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling applicants for Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments who are unable to complete application forms by hand to complete them online.

We recognise it is essential to consider the impacts which disabilities and health conditions can have on a person’s ability to apply for support.

For the vast majority of people who claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), their claim begins with a phone call to start their application. To complete the claim, applicants are either signposted to an online form to provide further information, or sent forms in the post if they prefer. Both options are available to everyone who applies and are not dependent on having any specific accessibility needs.

The Health Transformation Programme is going further and transforming the entire PIP service. A key element of this transformation will be the option for people to apply for PIP entirely online should they wish to.

On 27 July we launched a service for limited numbers of people to make their claim for PIP entirely online, 24/7, without needing to call the department. The service is currently available on a limited basis while it is being tested. It is currently open to those living in selected postcodes in England, claiming PIP for the first time, who do not have a third party acting on their behalf and are not claiming under the Special Rules for End of Life criteria.

Over 3000 claimants have so far applied fully online; we will gradually and carefully expand the scope of the service in the months ahead. We intend to make online PIP applications an option for everyone who needs to apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024. Offering telephony, postal and now online applications will increase the choice available for those who need to claim PIP and allow them to apply for support in whichever way best suits their needs and circumstances.

As DLA has been replaced for adults by PIP and Attendance Allowance, new applications are no longer accepted. For child DLA, a digital form can be completed online provided it can then be printed and posted in. A home visit can also be arranged to facilitate a new claim in exceptional circumstances. We are reviewing the processes of applying for child DLA as part of the department’s service modernisation strategy.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the time taken for those joining the Access to Work scheme on people with sight loss accessing employment.

Access to Work has received a significant increase in applications over the last year and we have recruited new staff to meet the increased demand and reduce the time it takes to make decisions.

Customers making new applications where they are starting work within the next four weeks, or have a grant coming to an end that requires renewal, are prioritised to ensure customers can enter and remain in the labour market. The department is working hard to reduce the wait times for all disabled people. All processes are kept under review in the light of management information and feedback from stakeholders including, for example, the recommendations from the recent Royal National Institute of Blind People report.

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the number of people who are eligible for both the (a) £650 Cost of Living Payment and (b) £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment.

I refer the honourable Member to the answer given to PQ97604.

Mims Davies
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he make an estimate of the number of people who are eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment by each qualifying benefit.

The answer to this is subject to a future publication, however we did publish estimates in the impact assessment which can be found here:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-03/0013/Social%20Security%20(Additional%20Payments)ImpactAssesment%20.pdf

Tom Pursglove
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the economic benefits of assisting people with severe asthma to participate fully in the labour market.

The Government recognises the important economic contribution of disabled people in the labour market and is committed to seeing 1 million more disabled people in work. DWP delivers a range of programmes to support disabled people, including those with severe asthma, to stay in or move into work.

These include the Work and Health Programme, Intensive Personalised Employment Support, Access to Work, Disability Confident and initiatives in partnership with the health system, including Employment Advice in NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy services and Individual Placement and Support.

14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 21 April 2021 to Question 179362, if she will make an assessment of the causes of inequality in pay and job prospects for people with severe asthma.

Analysis published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that disabled employees are generally under-represented in higher skilled and typically higher paying occupation groups, while they are over-represented in lower-skilled and lower paying occupations when compared to non-disabled employees. Disabled workers are also less likely to move into and be in work, as well as more likely to move out of work.

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith is currently leading a commission looking at how DWP, wider Government and employers can best support people to progress out of low pay, especially for those groups more likely to be in persistent low pay, such as disabled workers.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everybody, including people with asthma, has equal access to employment opportunities and offers a range of support to help disabled people to stay in or move into work.

In 2019, the Government consulted on ways to support and encourage employers to minimise the risk of ill-health related job loss among their employees in Health is Everyone's Business: proposals to reduce ill-health related job loss. Our response is due shortly.

The Government will also publish a National Strategy for Disabled People which will focus on issues that disabled people say affect them the most in all aspects of life, including employment.

14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference Demos' report entitled the economic cost of uncontrolled asthma, published February 2021, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people with asthma are able to stay in work.

The Government is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities and health conditions are able to stay in work and offers a range of support. Access to Work (ATW) is a demand-led, discretionary grant scheme administered by Jobcentre Plus (JCP). The scheme facilitates recruitment and retention of disabled people for employers by contributing towards covering the costs of employment –related support above the level of reasonable adjustment. The scheme can fund up to £60,700 worth of flexible, personalised support per person per year.

In 2019, the Government consulted on ways to support and encourage employers to minimise the risk of ill-health related job loss among their employees in Health is Everyone's Business. Our response is due shortly.

24th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many families with children have received the £20 per week uplift in universal credit standard allowance payments in Blaydon in each month since that uplift was introduced.

The available information on the number of households with children with Universal Credit in payment, by parliamentary constituency, is published and can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:

https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure the maintenance of the triple lock on pensions in the 2019 Parliament.

The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and the State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people.

In April 2020, both the basic and new State Pensions (excluding protected payments) increased by 3.9%, in line with average earnings. The full yearly basic State Pension is worth over £1,900 more in 2020/21 than it was in 2010.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
16th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that mental health support is available for people who (a) have recently become unemployed and (b) are experiencing long-term unemployment in order to prevent suicide associated with job loss.

A range of mental health support is available. We have delivered mental health training to all work coaches to support claimants with mental health conditions. The Department has developed an enhanced mental health training programme, which has been delivered to all work coaches and managers. Work Coaches will tailor the support to the needs of the individual and work closely with local organisations that provide additional specialist support.

NHS mental health services have remained open for business throughout the covid-19 pandemic, and have used digital tools to connect with people and provide ongoing support. For those with severe needs or in crisis, NHS England has instructed all NHS mental health trusts to establish 24/7 mental health crisis lines and every mental health provider has at least one line. The Government is also working with the NHS and a wide range of stakeholders to assess potential need in all areas over the coming weeks and months and to plan accordingly.

27th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the capacity of the UK National Screening Committee to review new rare conditions for inclusion in a national newborn heel prick screening programme.

The UK National Screening Committee’s (UK NSC) remit was expanded last year to consider targeted, and risk stratified screening proposals, in addition to covering population screening programmes. A recruitment campaign is ongoing to expand capacity to be able to manage the increased volume of work expected. In terms of reviewing the evidence for newborn blood spot conditions the UK NSC has an annual call mechanism where proposals to screen for new topics can be submitted. The annual call for 2024 will open in July.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating the use of carbon monoxide alarms in all health settings.

There are no plans to make an assessment. Guidance on ventilation and air filtration systems in National Health Service facilities is provided in Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 03-01: Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises. As with all guidance provided on the NHS estate, it is reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be updated to reflect changes in approach to relevant areas. The memorandum is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/HTM0301-PartA-accessible-F6.pdf

There is a range of national resources available to promote carbon monoxide safety. This includes guidance on GOV.UK, the NHS website and from the Health and Safety Executive. The UK Health Safety Agency also has a programme of work, much of it delivered in partnership with other organisations, to increase awareness of carbon monoxide exposure risks and help to prevent them.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
24th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating the use of carbon monoxide alarms in all health settings.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
19th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to help (a) prevent and (b) diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning in (i) healthcare settings and (ii) the homes of vulnerable people.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works with national and local stakeholders, public health partners and Government Departments to develop advice and actions which can be taken to improve diagnosis and prevent accidental exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) in healthcare settings and homes, including the homes of vulnerable people.

It has a programme of work to increase awareness and prevent exposure to CO. This includes participating in the cross-Government group on gas safety and carbon monoxide awareness and providing updated and consistent evidence, for example, for medical professionals diagnosing and managing CO poisoning in patients, and during antenatal checks.

UKHSA produces advice for the public on the risks from CO and regularly issues national press releases to raise public awareness of the dangers. In addition, UKHSA has published research quantifying CO exposure in the population, identifying risk factors for exposure and interventions to reduce the risk to the public.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
19th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to findings in the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group's report entitled Prepare, Practice, Protect: Improving Carbon Monoxide Safety in Health and Care Services, published July 2023, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for national resources on carbon monoxide funding.

No recent assessment has been made.

There is a range of national resources available to promote carbon monoxide safety. This includes guidance on GOV.UK, the National Health Service website and from the Health and Safety Executive. The UK Health Security Agency also has a programme of work, much of it delivered in partnership with other organisations, to increase awareness of carbon monoxide exposure risks and help to prevent them.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2023 to Question 183537 on Rare Diseases, for what reason the proposal to provide patients with alert cards was not included in the England Rare Diseases Action Plan 2023; and how his Department plans to ensure adequate co-ordination of care for people with rare conditions in emergency settings.

There are currently no plans to include a proposal to provide alert cards to patients with rare diseases in the England Rare Diseases Action Plan in the next five years.

In the Second Progress Report from the Rare Disease Policy Board (2018), NHS England proposed to give every patient with a rare disease an ‘alert card’, which would include information about the patient’s rare disease. This proposal to develop ‘alert cards’ was not progressed at the time due to capacity constraints.

This proposal has not featured in the subsequent England Rare Diseases Action Plans (2022 and 2023), and NHS England is now focussing on delivering against the actions identified in these new plans. Progress is being made on existing actions to improve coordination of care and awareness of rare diseases amongst all health care professionals, including those who work in emergency settings.

18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the needs of people affected by rare conditions will be considered in the development of the Major Conditions Strategy; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the overlapping needs of individuals with (a) rare conditions and (b) major conditions covered in the strategy will be adequately met.

The Major Conditions Strategy will set out a vision for how systems can be better organised around patients, rather than in silos around single diseases. Support and management for people with multiple conditions will increasingly require the management of complexity and moving from a single condition approach. The National Health Service will need to adapt to manage the complexity of multiple conditions with the consequent need to co-ordinate clinical support across primary, community and secondary care.

18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of Bluebird Bio from the (a) UK and (b) European market on access to gene therapy treatment for people with (i) beta thalassemia and (ii) cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the withdrawal of Bluebird Bio from the United Kingdom and European markets on access to gene therapy treatment for people with beta thalassemia and cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy. NHS England continues to make cost-effective treatments available to patients in England as determined by NICE’s technology appraisal and highly specialised technologies programmes.

18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered the potential merits of taking steps to help prevent the withdrawal of medical (a) products and (b) treatments for rare conditions from the UK market where that withdrawal would leave patients without access to such a product or treatment.

Companies may decide to stop manufacturing a medicine for several reasons including commercial decisions, manufacturing capacity restraint and production problems. Companies are free to review their portfolios as they think necessary, and the Department has no powers to insist that a company continues to keep a product on the market.

There is a team within the Department that deals specifically with medicine supply problems. It has well-established procedures to deal with medicine shortages and discontinuations, whatever the cause, and works closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England, and others operating in the supply chain to help prevent shortages and to ensure that the risks to patients are minimised when shortages do arise. The team will also communicate management advice to the National Health Service advising clinicians on how to manage medicine supply issues.

6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many inspections of (a) adult social care providers, (b) primary medical services, (c) hospitals and (d) mental health services were carried out by the Care Quality Commission in the (i) south east and (ii) south west in each of the last 24 months.

A table showing how many inspections of (a) adult social care providers, (b) primary medical services, (c) hospitals and (d) mental health services were carried out by the Care Quality Commission in (i) London (ii) East of England network (iii) the South East and (iv) the South West, in each of the last 24 months, is attached.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many inspections of (a) adult social care providers, (b) primary medical services, (c) hospitals and (d) mental health services were carried out by the Care Quality Commission in the (i) London and (ii) East of England network in each of the last 24 months.

A table showing how many inspections of (a) adult social care providers, (b) primary medical services, (c) hospitals and (d) mental health services were carried out by the Care Quality Commission in (i) London (ii) East of England network (iii) the South East and (iv) the South West, in each of the last 24 months, is attached.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
28th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the results of the Special School Eye Care Service trial; and what steps he is taking to support the long-term commissioning of that service.

I refer the hon. Member to the written statement HCWS861 that I gave to the House on 19 June 2023 regarding Sight Testing in Special Schools. The Department will continue to support NHS England with implementation, including considering whether any regulatory changes may be necessary. The written statement is available at the following link:

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2023-06-19/hcws861

13th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what proportion of the funding for suicide prevention and bereavement services in the NHS Long Term Plan has been spent on a) suicide prevention and b) bereavement services.

A total of £57 million was allocated through the NHS Long Term Plan to enable every area of the country to receive funding for suicide prevention and bereavement services by 2023/24. Approximately two thirds of this £57 million, £38 million, has been spent on suicide prevention and the remainder on suicide bereavement services.

The ‘NHS Mental Health Implementation Plan 2019/20 – 2023/24’ provides a detailed breakdown of this investment and the activity that it is due to fund. This is available at the following link: https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/nhs-mental-health-implementation-plan-2019-20-2023-24.pdf.

The NHS Mental Health Dashboard sets out year by year spending plans for local and national NHS commissioning organisations, which is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/taskforce/imp/mh-dashboard/

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
2nd Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide stop smoking services in Gateshead.

We continue to provide funding to local authority stop smoking services via the Public Health Grant. The local authority in Gateshead commission a highly effective Stop Smoking Service which is available to all smokers locally.

3rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Government will publish guidance to implement the Down Syndrome Act 2022; and if he will publish the current mandate to the guidance's drafting team.

We are analysing all the responses to the Down Syndrome Act guidance call for evidence which ran from July to November 2022. The responses to the call for evidence will inform the development of the guidance, required by the Act, which will be consulted on at the earliest opportunity.

The Act places a duty on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to publish guidance for relevant authorities, including health, social care, education and housing, on the steps it would be appropriate to take to meet the needs of people with Down syndrome. Guidance will cover these areas and others highlighted as important by the call for evidence. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders and a working group will be set up in due course to support development of the guidance.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
3rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) clinicians and (b) other professionals responded to the Down Syndrome Act 2022 guidance: call for evidence.

We are undertaking analysis of the consultation responses received from the Down Syndrome Act guidance call for evidence and will issue a report in due course. This report will include a detailed breakdown of respondents and information about what capacity individuals or organisations were responding in, and the area they work in, for example healthcare, social care, or local Government.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
3rd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to respond to the closed consultation entitled Down Syndrome Act 2022 guidance: call for evidence; and if he will place in the House of Commons Library copies of (a) the complete set of consultation responses and (b) a breakdown of respondents by profession.

We are undertaking analysis of the consultation responses received from the Down Syndrome Act guidance call for evidence and will issue a report in due course. This report will include a detailed breakdown of respondents and information about what capacity individuals or organisations were responding in, and the area they work in, for example healthcare, social care, or local Government.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to review the process for genome testing in the NHS to address delays in getting diagnostic test results.

Minimising the time taken to deliver a genomic test is a key priority for NHS England. NHS England has implemented a monthly data collection and monitoring system across all seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs) to better identify variation, implement service improvements and to ensure agreed national turnaround times are met in every region for all patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an ongoing impact on the genomic testing pathway. NHS England are providing the GLHs with additional funding to support recovery and reduce backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

GLHs are also undertaking clinical risk assessments on all cases waiting for results so that any can be prioritised for early reporting as needed.

Clinicians are also able to classify cases as ‘urgent’ when a patient has a deteriorating or unstable condition that requires a quicker diagnosis.

2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to address the backlog in NHS Genomics Medicines Service.

Minimising the time taken to deliver a genomic test is a key priority for NHS England. NHS England has implemented a monthly data collection and monitoring system across all seven Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs) to better identify variation, implement service improvements and to ensure agreed national turnaround times are met in every region for all patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an ongoing impact on the genomic testing pathway. NHS England are providing the GLHs with additional funding to support recovery and reduce backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

GLHs are also undertaking clinical risk assessments on all cases waiting for results so that any can be prioritised for early reporting as needed.

Clinicians are also able to classify cases as ‘urgent’ when a patient has a deteriorating or unstable condition that requires a quicker diagnosis.

2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on the delivery of the SWAN Pilot Programme as part of the England 2023 Rare Diseases Action Plan.

Several of the actions in the 2022 and 2023 England Rare Diseases Action Plans focus on genomic approaches to provide faster diagnosis for people with undiagnosed rare conditions, including genetic conditions. However, for some people living with extremely rare diseases, the complex and rare nature of their conditions may mean that they never receive a diagnosis. We are committed to ensuring that these people and their families also receive the support and care they need.

In the England Rare Diseases Action Plan 2022 NHS England committed to ‘pilot new approaches for patients with undiagnosed conditions’ (action 5). To address this commitment, during 2022, NHS England developed a proposal for a syndrome without a name (SWAN) Pilot Programme for people whose conditions remain undiagnosed. It will progress through the NHS England finance and governance processes and there will be a clearer plan for delivery in the next few months. If the SWAN Pilot Programme expands such that there is a need for a service specification, the normal processes would be followed in terms of engaging with stakeholders, including consulting with patients and the public on the delivery of the Programme.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to consult with (a) patients and (b) the public on the (i) development and (ii) delivery of the SWAN Pilot Programme under the England 2023 Rare Diseases Action Plan.

Several of the actions in the 2022 and 2023 England Rare Diseases Action Plans focus on genomic approaches to provide faster diagnosis for people with undiagnosed rare conditions, including genetic conditions. However, for some people living with extremely rare diseases, the complex and rare nature of their conditions may mean that they never receive a diagnosis. We are committed to ensuring that these people and their families also receive the support and care they need.

In the England Rare Diseases Action Plan 2022 NHS England committed to ‘pilot new approaches for patients with undiagnosed conditions’ (action 5). To address this commitment, during 2022, NHS England developed a proposal for a syndrome without a name (SWAN) Pilot Programme for people whose conditions remain undiagnosed. It will progress through the NHS England finance and governance processes and there will be a clearer plan for delivery in the next few months. If the SWAN Pilot Programme expands such that there is a need for a service specification, the normal processes would be followed in terms of engaging with stakeholders, including consulting with patients and the public on the delivery of the Programme.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support people with undiagnosed genetic conditions.

Several of the actions in the 2022 and 2023 England Rare Diseases Action Plans focus on genomic approaches to provide faster diagnosis for people with undiagnosed rare conditions, including genetic conditions. However, for some people living with extremely rare diseases, the complex and rare nature of their conditions may mean that they never receive a diagnosis. We are committed to ensuring that these people and their families also receive the support and care they need.

In the England Rare Diseases Action Plan 2022 NHS England committed to ‘pilot new approaches for patients with undiagnosed conditions’ (action 5). To address this commitment, during 2022, NHS England developed a proposal for a syndrome without a name (SWAN) Pilot Programme for people whose conditions remain undiagnosed. It will progress through the NHS England finance and governance processes and there will be a clearer plan for delivery in the next few months. If the SWAN Pilot Programme expands such that there is a need for a service specification, the normal processes would be followed in terms of engaging with stakeholders, including consulting with patients and the public on the delivery of the Programme.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on the development of medical alert cards for people with rare and genetic conditions following the commitment made in the Implementation Plan for the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases.

In the Second Progress Report from the Rare Disease Policy Board (2018), NHS England proposed to give every patient with a rare disease an ‘alert card’, which would include information about the patient’s rare disease.

This proposal to develop ‘alert cards’ was not progressed at the time due to capacity constraints. This proposal has not featured in the subsequent England Rare Diseases Action Plans (2022 and 2023), and NHS England is now focussing on delivering against the actions identified in these new plans. Under the coordination of care priority this has included developing a toolkit for virtual consultations to help people with complex, multi-system rare diseases access multiple specialists without needing to travel. The England 2023 Rare Diseases Action Plan includes actions to provide the evidence needed to operationalise better coordination of care in the National Health Service and to include the definition of coordination of care in service specifications for patients with rare diseases.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
26th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for NHS Parkinson's care in England on people who provide unpaid care to their partners who have Parkinson's.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are required to undertake a carer’s assessment for any unpaid carer who appears to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from the carer. We have not made any assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for National Health Service Parkinson's disease care in England on people who provide unpaid care to their partners who have Parkinson's.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
26th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the trends in the number of A&E admissions of people with Parkinson's in (a) North East and North Cumbria ICS area and (b) England; and if he will make a statement.

No assessment has been made by the Department.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
21st Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 4.24 of the Spring Budget 2023, HC1183, published on 15 March 2023, on Suicide Prevention Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Grant Fund, by what mechanism the grant fund will be allocated; and what his timescale is for allocation of the funding.

As the Chancellor announced in the Spring Budget, we will assign an extra £10 million over the next two years for a Suicide Prevention Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Grant Fund. Further information about the fund will be set out in due course.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
21st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to address gaps in the usage of insulin pumps between (a) people with diabetes living in the most deprived areas and (b) people with diabetes living in the least deprived areas.

NHS England firmly supports and encourages local integrated care boards to adopt National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance in relation to the management of Type 1 diabetes, which includes recommended use of insulin pump.

NHS England is using the Core20PLUS5 approach to support the reduction of healthcare inequalities at both national and system level. A clinical focus for Core20PLUS5 for children and young people includes diabetes.

The approach targets populations living in 20% of the most deprived areas as identified by the national Index of Multiple Deprivation and identifies five focussed clinical areas requiring accelerated improvement.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Major Conditions Strategy will (i) tackle social determinants of ill health and (ii) address the relationship between poverty and incidence of Type 2 Diabetes.

The Major Conditions Strategy will include both immediate and long-term action to tackle major conditions.

The Strategy’s focus is on tackling conditions that contribute most to morbidity and mortality across the population in England: cancers; cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes; chronic respiratory diseases; dementia; mental ill health; and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Strategy will cover treatment and prevention for all six conditions and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders, citizens and the National Health Service in the coming weeks to identify actions that will have the most impact.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Major Conditions Strategy will be delivered by multiple Government departments.

The Department of Health and Social Care will deliver the Major Conditions Strategy in consultation with NHS England and other Government Departments.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer 31 January 2023 to Question 133742 on Health Services, which mental health conditions will be included in the Major Conditions Strategy.

The Major Conditions Strategy will cover prevention to treatment for six broad conditions including mental ill health and we will continue to work closely with stakeholders, citizens and the National Health Service in coming weeks to identify actions that will have the most impact. No decisions have yet been made on which specific mental health conditions might be included in the strategy.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
7th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Major Conditions Strategy will include policies to (a) help tackle children's mental health needs and (b) support children's mental health services.

We received over 5,000 submissions to our mental health and wellbeing call for evidence, and we appreciate the engagement work many stakeholders carried out with children and young people, to inform their responses. We have analysed these responses and we will consider them as part of the process for developing the mental ill health content in the Major Conditions Strategy.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
30th Jan 2023
NHS
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will set out a timetable for the publication of the refreshed NHS Long Term Plan.

The Department and NHS England are working together on an ongoing basis to review progress of commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan. The Hewitt Review is currently looking at the scope and options for national targets and how to empower local leaders to improve outcomes for their populations and the Department looks forward to considering its conclusions. The Government is building on the commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan through the ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’, the ‘Delivery plan for recovering urgent and emergency care services’, the upcoming general practice access recovery plan, as well as the long term workforce plan and the major conditions strategy which will be published in due course.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of recognising gambling as a public health issue; and what steps is he taking to address the relationship between gambling and suicide.

The Government remains committed to tackling gambling-related harms and prioritising gambling as a public health issue. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the lead Government department responsible for gambling policy, is currently leading a review of the Gambling Act (2005). The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work with DCMS to strengthen the current public health approach, including encouraging actions to prevent harms from arising in the first place.

To address the relationship between gambling and suicide, we are focused on ensuring those experiencing harms are able to access the right treatment and support in a timely manner. NHS England remain on track to deliver against their Long Term Plan commitment to create 15 specialist gambling treatment clinics by 2023/24. As at time of writing, there are now eight of these clinics in operation across England.

On 24 January 2023, we announced that we will publish a new National Suicide Prevention Strategy later this year. As part of the development of the strategy, we will consider the changing pattern of risk of suicide associated with issues such as harmful gambling and the Department will engage with key stakeholders, across both the gambling and health sector, during this process.

23rd Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 January 2023 to Question 117924 on Life Expectancy, when the Government will set out its plans to reduce health disparities.

The Government announced on 24 January 2023 that it will publish a Major Conditions Strategy. An interim report will be published in the summer. The strategy will set out a strong and coherent policy agenda that sets out a shift to integrated, whole-person care. Interventions set out in the strategy will aim to alleviate pressure on the health system, as well as support the Government’s objective to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity.

The strategy will tackle conditions that contribute most to morbidity and mortality across the population in England including, cancers, cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, dementia, mental ill health and musculoskeletal conditions.

Health disparities exist across a wide variety of conditions from cancer to mental health, and contribute to stark and unacceptable variation in the number of years people live in good health. Therefore, the Major Conditions Strategy will apply a geographical lens to each condition to address regional disparities in health outcomes, supporting the levelling up mission to improve health and reduce disparities. As material for the Major Conditions Strategy will cover many of the same areas as the Health Disparities White Paper (HDWP), we will no longer be publishing the HDWP.

11th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including early intervention measures within the upcoming Mental Health Bill.

The Government published a draft Mental Health Bill on 23 June 2022. It is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-mental-health-bill-2022

The draft Bill is focused on modernising the Mental Health Act 1983, which provides the legislative framework under which people may be detained and treated for a severe mental disorder. The draft Bill is currently subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by a joint Parliamentary Committee. Information on the Committee is available at the following link:

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/605/joint-committee-on-the-draft-mental-health-bill/

Following pre-legislative scrutiny, the Government will bring forward a Mental Health Bill when Parliamentary time allows.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
6th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it remains his Department’s policy to narrow the gap in healthy life expectancy between areas where it is highest and lowest by 2030.

The ambition to improve healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 and reduce the gap by 2030 remains Government policy. A significant proportion of ill-health is preventable. We are focusing on the major conditions which contribute to early mortality and reduce years of good health and factors such as smoking, poor diet and alcohol which disproportionately impact some communities.

The measures include the ambition for England to be smoke-free by 2030 and addressing obesity through working with the food industry to ensure it is easier to make healthier choices and to increase progress on the reformulation of foods. We will set out more information on plans to address health disparities in due course.

13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2022 to Question 98800 on Memory Clinics: Waiting Lists, how many (a) memory assessment services and (b) patients waiting for an appointment with such a service there were in each NHS Trust in England on 29 November 2022.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are waiting for an appointment with a memory assessment service in (a) Tyne and Wear and (b) England as of 29 November 2022.

There are currently two memory assessment services provided by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, with 682 patients currently waiting to attend a first appointment, of which 527 are yet to be offered an appointment date. The data requested for England is not held centrally.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many memory assessment services there are in (a) Tyne and Wear and (b) England as of 29 November 2022.

There are currently two memory assessment services provided by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, with 682 patients currently waiting to attend a first appointment, of which 527 are yet to be offered an appointment date. The data requested for England is not held centrally.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the data quality for NHS Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services in (a) Tyne and Wear and (b) England.

NHS England has made guidance available for services related to specific care pathways to improve the data submitted to the Mental Health Services Dataset and issued guidance for the recording of outcomes data, access data and for the measurement of waiting times for non-urgent access to community children and young people’s mental health services. NHS England is providing additional support to assist local areas to overcome local data flow challenges and to make data products such as dashboards routinely available for services to review. Existing guidance is being improved to support local National Health Service commissioners supporting voluntary and community sector providers to submit data to the Mental Health Services Dataset and question and answer sessions have been delivered to respond to enquiries and examine barriers to submitting the data.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
2nd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the findings of the report from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on UK Cystic Fibrosis Service Resourcing 2019 to 2021, published on in June 2022, whether the Government is taking steps to ensure cystic fibrosis centres have fully staffed Multi-Disciplinary Teams, including cystic fibrosis specialist social workers and clinical psychologists.

England’s adult and paediatric cystic fibrosis service specification sets out national standards for cystic fibrosis services, including the importance of multi-disciplinary teams involving clinical psychologists and social workers. There are regular discussions between regional commissioning teams and providers, which include reviewing compliance with service standards and service quality issues in the services commissioned.

Service specifications are contractual documents between commissioners and providers. However, it does not mandate the number of staff in a multi-disciplinary team, as that is determined by the local trust according to the size of the service and the needs of the patient population. There are no plans to review staffing levels in cystic fibrosis multi-disciplinary teams.

24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on staff retention of the 20 per cent rise in registration fees proposed by the Health and Care Professions Council.

No specific assessment has been made. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is independent of Government and is responsible for setting its registration fees policy. Any changes to its fees are included in rules which must be laid before Parliament.

On 22 September 2022, the HCPC opened a consultation on a proposal to increase the fees it charges registrants and applicants, which is due to close on 15 December 2022. The HCPC published an online equality impact assessment alongside its consultation document.

24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will discourage the Health and Care Professions Council from proceeding with proposals to increase their registrants’ fees by 20 per cent.

No specific assessment has been made. The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is independent of Government and is responsible for setting its registration fees policy. Any changes to its fees are included in rules which must be laid before Parliament.

On 22 September 2022, the HCPC opened a consultation on a proposal to increase the fees it charges registrants and applicants, which is due to close on 15 December 2022. The HCPC published an online equality impact assessment alongside its consultation document.

24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of the Professional Standards Authority on the adequacy of their funding model.

There have been no discussions between the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and representatives of the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) on the organisation’s funding model.

Section 25A of the NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002 sets out the process for setting the PSA’s fee. PSA funding is reviewed as part of an annual fees consultation process and the Privy Council is responsible for making the regulations requiring the healthcare regulatory bodies to pay fees to the PSA and for determining the amount they should pay.

24th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to mitigate the potential costs of regulatory reform to the health and care sector.

Reforms to professional regulation is not expected to add costs to the health and care sector. The current model of regulation for healthcare professionals will be reformed to provide further protection for patients, support health services and allow the workforce meet future challenges.

14th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time for free flap or autologous breast reconstruction has been since March 2020.

Hospital Episode Statistics data is collected by financial year. In 2020/21, the mean average waiting time between a decision to admit and admission to hospital for free flap or autologous breast reconstruction was 319 days, with a median average of 301 days. Provisional data for 2021/22 shows a mean average waiting time of 388 days and a median average of 330 days.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
14th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time for breast reconstruction has been since March 2020.

This information is not held in the format requested as Hospital Episode Statistics data is collected by financial year. In 2020/21, the mean average waiting time for breast reconstruction between a decision to admit and admission to hospital was 209 days, with an average median waiting time of 140 days. Provisional data for 2021/22 shows that the mean average waiting time was 256 days, with a median average of 132 days.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
26th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to include a primary care incentive within the Investment and Impact Fund to help ensure that asthma patients receiving frequent courses of oral corticosteroids are referred to specialist care in line with clinical guidelines.

While there are no current plans to do so, there are two existing indicators within the Investment and Impact Fund (IIF) aimed at improving the care of people with asthma. NHS England and NHS Improvement will continue to work with representatives of general practitioners (GPs) to refine the IIF. Within the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), practices are incentivised to establish and maintain a register of patients with an asthma diagnosis. The QOF also incentivises GPs to develop a written, personalised asthma plan for each patient to identify the best courses of treatment.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
26th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average waiting time is for patients to be first seen at each severe asthma centre.

This information is not collected in the format requested.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
26th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to allow initiation of biologic treatments for severe asthma to take place in secondary care.

Asthma biologics were selected for tailored support by the Accelerated Access Collaborative’s (AAC) Rapid Uptake Products programme. This aimed to increase adoption in the National Health Service for the treatment of severe asthma in 2021/22. The AAC has now concluded its support following an additional 2,185 patients initiated on asthma biologics through the programme. The Academic Health Sciences Network continues to support NHS organisations to improve access to these medicines in 2022/23.

All asthma biologics are prescribed following a decision by a specialist severe asthma multi-disciplinary team under specialised commissioning arrangements. Severe asthma networks are configured to meet local needs and in some areas biologics may be prescribed in secondary care through these networks, with the appropriate governance in place.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
26th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to extend the NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative's rapid uptake programme for severe asthma.

Asthma biologics were selected for tailored support by the Accelerated Access Collaborative’s (AAC) Rapid Uptake Products programme. This aimed to increase adoption in the National Health Service for the treatment of severe asthma in 2021/22. The AAC has now concluded its support following an additional 2,185 patients initiated on asthma biologics through the programme. The Academic Health Sciences Network continues to support NHS organisations to improve access to these medicines in 2022/23.

All asthma biologics are prescribed following a decision by a specialist severe asthma multi-disciplinary team under specialised commissioning arrangements. Severe asthma networks are configured to meet local needs and in some areas biologics may be prescribed in secondary care through these networks, with the appropriate governance in place.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
24th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of dentists in Gateshead who (a) treat NHS patients and (b) have left the NHS to work in private practice since March 2020; and what the average size of dentist patient lists are in Gateshead for (i) NHS and (ii) private patients for which the latest figures are available.

This information is not held in the format requested as data on the number of dentists treating National Health Service patients is collected at national, regional and clinical commissioning group level. Patients are registered with a dental practice for the duration of their treatment and do not routinely join dental waiting lists.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
2nd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the availability of Hormone Replacement Therapies for the menopause (a) privately and (b) on the NHS; and what plans his Department has to ensure that NHS patients have access to the most recent innovations in treatment.

The Department is aware of supply issues affecting a limited number of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products. However, most products including alternatives to those experiencing supply issues, remain available. We are working with all suppliers of HRT medicines to maintain overall supply to patients in the United Kingdom and share regular updates with the National Health Service and the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists.


The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline on the diagnosis and management of menopause includes recommendations on the use of HRT and is currently being updated. It is for clinicians to take decisions on the prescribing of HRT if appropriate, in discussion with patients and taking account of NICE guidance.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
2nd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to provide patients access to (a) hormone replacement therapy and (b) other innovative treatments for the menopause.

The menopause will be a priority within the forthcoming Women’s Health Strategy. We are working with the National Health Service and the UK Menopause Taskforce on improving access to hormone replacement therapy. This includes reviewing implementation options for reducing the cost of NHS prescriptions. The Life Sciences Vision sets out the aim of establishing the United Kingdom as a centre for the development, trialling and adoption of innovative new medicines. This includes the role of the NHS as a testbed for innovative treatments, creating new commercial partnerships with industry and a culture of innovation.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
2nd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) barriers faced by area prescribing committees in reviewing new treatments for the menopause and (b) impact of area prescribing committee backlogs on patient access to treatment.

No specific assessment has been made. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a guideline on the diagnosis and management of menopause that includes recommendations on the use of hormone replacement therapies (HRT). NICE’s guideline is currently being updated. It is for clinicians in discussion with their patients and taking account of NICE guidance to take decisions on the prescribing of HRT. NICE aims to publish recommendations on the clinical and cost effectiveness of all new medicines approximately at the time of licensing. National Health Service commissioners are legally required to fund medicines positively appraised by NICE.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
10th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is his policy for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has to update Quality Standard 2 in QS47 on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding to state that all women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy should be offered pain relief, in line with Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidance.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for maintaining its published guidelines and quality standards.

NICE quality standards draw on existing NICE guidelines or NICE-accredited guidance and describe high-priority areas for quality improvement in a defined care or service area. NICE’s guideline on the assessment and management of heavy menstrual bleeding recommends that women are advised to take pain relief before hysteroscopy and have the option of hysteroscopy under general or regional anaesthesia. This is in line with recommendations made by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

NICE currently has no plans to update or review its quality standard or guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding. NICE maintains close surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance, and would consult on proposed changes if significant new evidence were to emerge.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
10th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to develop national guidelines on the provision of hysteroscopies for investigating suspected gynaecological conditions.

The National Institute for Health and Care’s guidelines for heavy menstrual bleeding suggest that hysteroscopy should be used as a diagnostic tool only when ultrasound results are inconclusive, for example, to determine the exact location of a fibroid or the exact nature of the abnormality. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidelines outlines best practice in outpatient hysteroscopy and identifies that outpatient treatment has both clinical and economic benefits. The Royal College is updating its clinical guidelines which are expected to be published in 2023.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
10th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of fear of painful hysteroscopy has had on uptake of procedures.

No specific assessment has been made. The National Health Service advises women to consult a clinician prior to the procedure to discuss any concerns and pain relief options, including a local or general anaesthetic. Women can also discuss the option of alternative treatment, such as a pelvic ultrasound. If a woman experiences pain during the hysteroscopy, she should alert the clinician who can halt the procedure at any time. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guideline also stresses the minimisation of pain during hysteroscopies.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
10th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his officials have had with NHS England about the meeting held on the 4 February 2022 with the Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy; and if he will make a statement.

NHS England and NHS Improvement’s National Speciality Adviser for Gynaecology met with representatives of the Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and The Royal College of Anaesthetists. Officials have been advised that all attendees agreed that hysteroscopy is an effective way of assessing and treating abnormalities in the cavity of the uterus and it is essential women feel able and safe to have the procedure.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are consulting on a good practice paper ‘Pain relief and informed decision-making for outpatient hysteroscopy and procedures’. This paper makes clear that all doctors or nurses carrying out hysteroscopies must make sure women are listened to before, during and after their procedure.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
10th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to ensure the forthcoming Women’s Health Strategy responds to the views of women who have experienced pain due to gynaecological examinations and procedures.

On 23 December 2021, we published ‘Our Vision for the Women’s Health Strategy for England’ with the results of the call for evidence survey. The analysis of the call for evidence showed that women have often felt they were not listened to by healthcare professionals with regards to pain related to menstruation and other gynaecological conditions. The Department will be informed by the views of women as we develop the Strategy, which will be published in spring 2022.

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of vaccinating children aged five to 11 against covid-19 who (a) have complex respiratory and neurological conditions that make them more vulnerable to severe illness from covid-19 and (b) are clinically extremely vulnerable for other reasons; and whether that is a priority for his Department.

On 22 December 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided advice on the primary vaccination of five to 11 year olds. The potential merits from vaccination were assessed according to the presence or absence of underlying health conditions that increase the risk of serious COVID-19. It advised that children aged five to 11 years in a clinical risk group, which includes complex respiratory and neurological conditions, or who were household contacts of someone who is immunosuppressed should be offered two 10 micrograms doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) with an interval of eight weeks between the first and second doses. The minimum interval between any vaccine dose and recent COVID-19 infection should be four weeks. Further advice regarding COVID-19 vaccination for other five to 11 year olds will be issued in due course following consideration of additional data.

4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to protect children who (a) have complex respiratory and neurological conditions and (b) other clinically extremely vulnerable children aged five to 11 from covid-19.

On 22 December 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provided advice on the primary vaccination of five to 11 year olds. The potential merits from vaccination were assessed according to the presence or absence of underlying health conditions that increase the risk of serious COVID-19. It advised that children aged five to 11 years in a clinical risk group, which includes complex respiratory and neurological conditions, or who were household contacts of someone who is immunosuppressed should be offered two 10 micrograms doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) with an interval of eight weeks between the first and second doses. The minimum interval between any vaccine dose and recent COVID-19 infection should be four weeks. Further advice regarding COVID-19 vaccination for other five to 11 year olds will be issued in due course following consideration of additional data.

4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much of the £1.2 million allocated by the Government to establish a real time suicide surveillance system in England (a) has been spent and (b) is remaining.

The Department is assessing options for delivering a near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System as part of the national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance pilot (nRTSS). The next steps for establishing a national nRTSS system, including a timetable, will be considered once the findings from the current pilot project are available. The pilot project is due for completion at the end of March 2022. We have identified 16 areas in England where a system that aims to deliver near real time suspected suicide surveillance has been established. The Department is currently working with 37 of the local authorities covered by existing systems to develop and pilot a national system by the end of March 2022.

An effective national system has the potential to improve local bereavement support by reducing the time taken for suicide-related information to be made available to local service providers and commissioners. This could include proactive approaches to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide.

The ongoing funding requirement for a national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance system in England, and the potential contribution of coroners and the police will be assessed following the findings of the pilot. To date £360,000 of revenue funding has been spent or is committed to delivering the pilot by 31 March 2022. Capital funding of £140,000 is currently being distributed to the seven participating local areas, which are submitting bids against the remaining £700,000 of capital funding to meet further costs required to deliver the pilot this year.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) police and (b) coroners will regularly contribute to a national real time suicide surveillance system in England.

The Department is assessing options for delivering a near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System as part of the national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance pilot (nRTSS). The next steps for establishing a national nRTSS system, including a timetable, will be considered once the findings from the current pilot project are available. The pilot project is due for completion at the end of March 2022. We have identified 16 areas in England where a system that aims to deliver near real time suspected suicide surveillance has been established. The Department is currently working with 37 of the local authorities covered by existing systems to develop and pilot a national system by the end of March 2022.

An effective national system has the potential to improve local bereavement support by reducing the time taken for suicide-related information to be made available to local service providers and commissioners. This could include proactive approaches to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide.

The ongoing funding requirement for a national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance system in England, and the potential contribution of coroners and the police will be assessed following the findings of the pilot. To date £360,000 of revenue funding has been spent or is committed to delivering the pilot by 31 March 2022. Capital funding of £140,000 is currently being distributed to the seven participating local areas, which are submitting bids against the remaining £700,000 of capital funding to meet further costs required to deliver the pilot this year.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the ongoing funding requirements for a national real time suicide surveillance system in England.

The Department is assessing options for delivering a near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System as part of the national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance pilot (nRTSS). The next steps for establishing a national nRTSS system, including a timetable, will be considered once the findings from the current pilot project are available. The pilot project is due for completion at the end of March 2022. We have identified 16 areas in England where a system that aims to deliver near real time suspected suicide surveillance has been established. The Department is currently working with 37 of the local authorities covered by existing systems to develop and pilot a national system by the end of March 2022.

An effective national system has the potential to improve local bereavement support by reducing the time taken for suicide-related information to be made available to local service providers and commissioners. This could include proactive approaches to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide.

The ongoing funding requirement for a national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance system in England, and the potential contribution of coroners and the police will be assessed following the findings of the pilot. To date £360,000 of revenue funding has been spent or is committed to delivering the pilot by 31 March 2022. Capital funding of £140,000 is currently being distributed to the seven participating local areas, which are submitting bids against the remaining £700,000 of capital funding to meet further costs required to deliver the pilot this year.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of a national real time suicide surveillance system to suicide bereavement support planning in England.

The Department is assessing options for delivering a near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System as part of the national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance pilot (nRTSS). The next steps for establishing a national nRTSS system, including a timetable, will be considered once the findings from the current pilot project are available. The pilot project is due for completion at the end of March 2022. We have identified 16 areas in England where a system that aims to deliver near real time suspected suicide surveillance has been established. The Department is currently working with 37 of the local authorities covered by existing systems to develop and pilot a national system by the end of March 2022.

An effective national system has the potential to improve local bereavement support by reducing the time taken for suicide-related information to be made available to local service providers and commissioners. This could include proactive approaches to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide.

The ongoing funding requirement for a national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance system in England, and the potential contribution of coroners and the police will be assessed following the findings of the pilot. To date £360,000 of revenue funding has been spent or is committed to delivering the pilot by 31 March 2022. Capital funding of £140,000 is currently being distributed to the seven participating local areas, which are submitting bids against the remaining £700,000 of capital funding to meet further costs required to deliver the pilot this year.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many local areas in England have established a real time suicide surveillance system; and of those areas, how many are contributing to a national system as of 4 January 2022.

The Department is assessing options for delivering a near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System as part of the national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance pilot (nRTSS). The next steps for establishing a national nRTSS system, including a timetable, will be considered once the findings from the current pilot project are available. The pilot project is due for completion at the end of March 2022. We have identified 16 areas in England where a system that aims to deliver near real time suspected suicide surveillance has been established. The Department is currently working with 37 of the local authorities covered by existing systems to develop and pilot a national system by the end of March 2022.

An effective national system has the potential to improve local bereavement support by reducing the time taken for suicide-related information to be made available to local service providers and commissioners. This could include proactive approaches to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide.

The ongoing funding requirement for a national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance system in England, and the potential contribution of coroners and the police will be assessed following the findings of the pilot. To date £360,000 of revenue funding has been spent or is committed to delivering the pilot by 31 March 2022. Capital funding of £140,000 is currently being distributed to the seven participating local areas, which are submitting bids against the remaining £700,000 of capital funding to meet further costs required to deliver the pilot this year.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
4th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his timetable is for a national real time suicide surveillance system being operational in England.

The Department is assessing options for delivering a near Real Time Suspected Suicide Surveillance System as part of the national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance pilot (nRTSS). The next steps for establishing a national nRTSS system, including a timetable, will be considered once the findings from the current pilot project are available. The pilot project is due for completion at the end of March 2022. We have identified 16 areas in England where a system that aims to deliver near real time suspected suicide surveillance has been established. The Department is currently working with 37 of the local authorities covered by existing systems to develop and pilot a national system by the end of March 2022.

An effective national system has the potential to improve local bereavement support by reducing the time taken for suicide-related information to be made available to local service providers and commissioners. This could include proactive approaches to individuals and families who have been bereaved by suicide.

The ongoing funding requirement for a national near Real Time Suicide Surveillance system in England, and the potential contribution of coroners and the police will be assessed following the findings of the pilot. To date £360,000 of revenue funding has been spent or is committed to delivering the pilot by 31 March 2022. Capital funding of £140,000 is currently being distributed to the seven participating local areas, which are submitting bids against the remaining £700,000 of capital funding to meet further costs required to deliver the pilot this year.

Gillian Keegan
Secretary of State for Education
25th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with representatives from (a) NICE and (b) NHS England on the potential merits for rare disease patients of the proposed changes to accepting greater uncertainty, as set out in NICE’s ongoing review of its methods and processes.

The Department regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England and NHS Improvement, including NICE’s methods review. However, NICE is an independent body and is responsible for its own methods and processes.

NICE has consulted on a range of proposals although it is too soon to comment on the changes that may be implemented. However, NICE expects to consult on the draft programme manual in the summer, with implementation of the changes from early 2022. NICE and NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together on the development of proposals for the Innovative Medicines Fund. We expect NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE to lead an engagement exercise later this year. A detailed timescale for this will be confirmed in due course.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of how the Innovative Medicines Fund and NICE Methods and Process Review can together improve access to new medicines for patients with rare diseases.

The Department regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England and NHS Improvement, including NICE’s methods review. However, NICE is an independent body and is responsible for its own methods and processes.

NICE has consulted on a range of proposals although it is too soon to comment on the changes that may be implemented. However, NICE expects to consult on the draft programme manual in the summer, with implementation of the changes from early 2022. NICE and NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together on the development of proposals for the Innovative Medicines Fund. We expect NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE to lead an engagement exercise later this year. A detailed timescale for this will be confirmed in due course.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
25th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of potential changes to NICE’s methods and processes to improve access to new medicines for patients with rare diseases.

The Department regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England and NHS Improvement, including NICE’s methods review. However, NICE is an independent body and is responsible for its own methods and processes.

NICE has consulted on a range of proposals although it is too soon to comment on the changes that may be implemented. However, NICE expects to consult on the draft programme manual in the summer, with implementation of the changes from early 2022. NICE and NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together on the development of proposals for the Innovative Medicines Fund. We expect NHS England and NHS Improvement and NICE to lead an engagement exercise later this year. A detailed timescale for this will be confirmed in due course.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the (a) amount of overtime worked and (b) cost of that overtime worked by NHS staff throughout the course of the covid-19 outbreak.

The amount of overtime worked is not held centrally. The total value of overtime worked by National Health Service staff working in the hospital and community health sector between March 2020 and December 2020 is £1,340 million.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
8th Jun 2021
What recent progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review.

All recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review are being considered carefully. The Government will respond in full to the report later this year.

14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Asthma UK’s report entitled Asthma Care in a Crisis, Annual Asthma Survey 2020, if he will take steps to help ensure that people who are most at risk of having an asthma attack are prioritised and seen face-to-face when clinically necessary.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Rapid Guidance on severe asthma during the pandemic recommend using technology to reduce in-person appointments.

NHS England’s letter of 13 May 2021 outlined that patients and clinicians have a choice of consultation mode. Patients’ input into this choice should be sought and practices should respect preferences for face to face care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary. The letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/B0497-GP-access-letter-May-2021-FINAL.pdf

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to restore normal levels of respiratory care.

NHS England and NHS Improvement asked general practice to restore activity to usual levels where clinically appropriate and reach out proactively to clinically vulnerable patients and those whose care may have been delayed.

The cardiovascular disease and respiratory programme focussed its work in 2020/21 on the response to COVID-19 and has spent £5.5 million to support the response to the disease, including work on ‘long COVID-19’. This included bringing forward the implementation of respiratory clinical networks by one year. The networks are vital in promoting an integrated approach to respiratory care during COVID-19, in parallel with supporting delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan’s priorities.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Asthma UK’s report, Asthma Care in a Crisis, Annual Asthma Survey 2020, what plans he has to improve the percentage of people with asthma who are receiving all elements of basic asthma care.

The content of the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) asthma review, which ensures all general practitioner practices establish and maintain a register of patients with an asthma diagnosis, has been amended to incorporate the key elements of basic asthma care positively associated with better patient outcomes and self-management, including:

- An assessment of asthma control;

- A recording of the number of exacerbations;

- An assessment of inhaler technique; and

- A written personalised asthma action plan.

The QOF for 2021/22 has been implemented from April 2021 with these updated indicators for asthma.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 19 April 2021 to Question 179363, what steps his Department is taking to expedite guidance on medicines that have taken longer than the 90 days to receive final guidance from NICE; and whether his Department has plans to prioritise appraisals of medicines for clinically extremely vulnerable groups.

The 2019 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access commits the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to publishing recommendations on all newly licensed treatments within 90 days of marketing authorisation wherever possible.

NICE may not always be able to meet this timescale for individual topics for a range of reasons, including where companies request a longer appraisal timescale. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, NICE adapted its priorities to support the health and care system at a time of unprecedented pressure. This involved pausing the publication of topics that were not COVID-19 related or regarded as therapeutically critical during the period of March to June 2020.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients with (a) severe asthma and (b) other conditions that place them at higher risk from covid-19 are able to access new medicines; and whether his Department has plans to prioritise appraisals for those medicines for review.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for providing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service in England on whether medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. Wherever possible, NICE aims to publish final guidance for new medicines, including those used to treat patients with severe asthma and other high risk conditions, within 90 days of licensing. NHS commissioners are legally required to make funding available for treatments recommended by NICE, normally within three months of the publication of NICE’s final guidance.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of the finding in the report published in February 2021 by Demos entitled Potential Limited that uncontrolled asthma is linked to a £2 billion loss each year to the economy due to lower pay.

No such assessment has been made.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for its policies of the finding in the report published in February 2021 by Demos entitled Potential Limited that people in work who suffer from uncontrolled asthma earn around £3,000 less per year than the average adult.

No such assessment has been made.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the finding by Asthma UK that one in every five severe asthma patients receive a referral, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients with severe asthma receive timely referrals to specialist care.

Information on patients who were first made aware of their severe asthma via shielding letters is not held centrally. However, respiratory disease is a national clinical priority in the NHS Long Term Plan. NHS England and NHS Improvement are working in close partnership with patients and partners, including the British Lung Foundation, and are developing and implementing policy on provisions of respiratory services in England.

NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) programme supported by the severe asthma toolkit, is increasing treatment adherence, biologic choice, optimising multidisciplinary teams and has been shared widely with the severe asthma clinical community. The AAC programme for severe asthma biologics has increased uptake of asthma drugs including ones covered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Technology Appraisals where it has been identified that there is suboptimal uptake.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients who were first made aware of their severe asthma via shielding letters received in 2020 have been seen in a specialist asthma clinic.

Information on patients who were first made aware of their severe asthma via shielding letters is not held centrally. However, respiratory disease is a national clinical priority in the NHS Long Term Plan. NHS England and NHS Improvement are working in close partnership with patients and partners, including the British Lung Foundation, and are developing and implementing policy on provisions of respiratory services in England.

NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) programme supported by the severe asthma toolkit, is increasing treatment adherence, biologic choice, optimising multidisciplinary teams and has been shared widely with the severe asthma clinical community. The AAC programme for severe asthma biologics has increased uptake of asthma drugs including ones covered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Technology Appraisals where it has been identified that there is suboptimal uptake.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the (a) amount of overtime worked by NHS staff during the covid-19 outbreak to date and (b) expenditure on overtime worked by NHS staff during that timescale.

The amount of overtime worked is not held centrally. The total value of overtime worked by National Health Service staff working in the hospital and community health sector between March 2020 and September 2020 is £926.4 million.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has made of the implications for prioritisation in the next phase of the covid-19 vaccination programme of the 2020 findings of King’s College London that people with asthma may be at increased risk of hospitalisation and of developing long covid.

Adults with asthma which requires continuous or repeated use of systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission, will be vaccinated in phase one, priority group six which includes all individuals aged 16 to 64 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. Individuals with more severe asthma may have been included in the clinically extremely vulnerable group, in which case they will be vaccinated in priority group four in phase one. All other adults aged 50 years old or above with asthma are being vaccinated within the phase one priority group associated with their age.

25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether people with asthma not included in groups 4 and 6 are planned to be prioritised in the next phase of the covid-19 vaccination programme.

Adults with asthma which requires continuous or repeated use of systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission, will be vaccinated in phase one, priority group six which includes all individuals aged 16 to 64 years old with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. Individuals with more severe asthma may have been included in the clinically extremely vulnerable group, in which case they will be vaccinated in priority group four in phase one. All other adults aged 50 years old or above with asthma are being vaccinated within the phase one priority group associated with their age.

25th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report on Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2019, published by the ONS on 2 February 2021, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of increasing alcohol duty.

Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care and HM Treasury have discussed alcohol duty and its impact on health in the context of the report and responses are currently being analysed.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support (a) end of life care for people dying at home and (b) their family members during the national covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.

A second national hospice grant of up to £125 million was provided until 31 March 2021 with provision to support 46,500 community contacts per day, which included supporting people at the end of their life within their own home. There are a range of resources available to support family members on providing end of life care in a variety of settings. This includes the end of life care toolkit for carers at home, created by the Helix Centre in conjunction with colleagues at the Central North West London NHS Trust which is available at the following link:

https://helixcentre.com/project-end-of-life-toolkit

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
26th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to NICE Clinical Guideline (NG101) Early and Locally Advanced Breast Cancer: Diagnosis and Management (2018), what steps he is taking to ensure that all people who have had treatment for breast cancer have a written care plan including the signs and symptoms to look for of metastatic breast cancer.

The NHS Long Term Plan sets a clear ambition that where appropriate every person diagnosed with cancer should have access to personalised care by 2021. This includes providing personalised care and support planning, and information to support health and wellbeing. The key signs and symptoms of cancer recurrence are included in an end of treatment summary.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are supporting staff to offer personalised care to people affected by cancer by promoting awareness and understanding of the personalised care interventions. This includes providing resources such as a handbook on personalised stratified follow up, a checklist on health and wellbeing information and support, webinars, and a collaborative online workspace for staff. Cancer Alliances are leading programmes of work to embed personalised care within local providers.

The latest public data from December 2019 show that 94% of trusts offered personalised care and supporting planning for breast cancer patients.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
26th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to recommendation 65 of the document, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer 2015-2020, what progress his Department has made on providing information on potential markers of recurrence and metastatic breast cancer.

The NHS Long Term Plan, which was published in January 2019 and followed on from the Cancer Taskforce Strategy, sets a clear ambition that where appropriate every person diagnosed with cancer should have access to personalised care by 2021. The key signs and symptoms of cancer recurrence are included in an end of treatment summary.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the (a) comparative effectiveness against covid-19 of generic face coverings versus face masks with FFP3 protection and (b) potential merits of supplying FFP3 face masks to the general populace.

Public Health England (PHE) has studied the evidence on the efficacy of different types of face coverings, and some of these studies have compared face coverings with surgical masks, although not specifically FFP3s. This evidence, from laboratory studies, suggests that face coverings made of materials such as cotton and polyester materials might block droplets with a filtering efficiency similar to medical masks when folded in two or three layers. The PHE rapid review on this topic is available at the following link:

https://phe.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-retrieve-file.pl?id=5f043ca658db1188ffae74827fa650d9

FFP3s are classed as personal protective equipment (PPE), which is used by frontline health and social care workers in relevant settings. PHE has published guidance setting out who needs PPE and when, based on United Kingdom clinical expertise and World Health Organization standards. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of commissioning research to improve understanding of how to support people who self-harm without intending to take their own lives.

In 2017, we expanded the scope of the national suicide prevention strategy to include addressing self-harm as an issue in its own right, and we have funded the Multicentre Study of Self-harm – the most in-depth analysis and monitoring of self-harming trends in England.

The aim of the Multicentre Study’s work is to conduct a series of related studies on the epidemiology, causes, clinical management, outcome and prevention of self-harm.

The cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan includes a commitment to establish a wider mental health research programme to inform our thinking in many of the areas that may impact suicide and self-harm prevention. We continue to provide funding for research projects through the National Institute for Health Research including for suicide and self-harm prevention.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to work with NHS England to ensure that psychosocial assessments are undertaken for everyone who discloses self-harm (a) to their GP and (b) in any other clinical setting.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s clinical guideline ‘Self-harm in over 8s: long-term management (CG133)’ covers the initial management of self-harm and the provision of longer-term support for children and young people aged eight years and older and adults. It includes guidance on referring patients in primary and community care and in other specialist mental health settings for an assessment if presenting with a history of self-harm and a risk of repetition.

In the NHS Long Term Plan, we committed to establishing new models of integrated primary and community mental health care for adults and older adults with severe mental illnesses, with a new community-based offer explicitly including – among other elements – improved self-harm support. New models are currently being tested in 12 early implementer sites, and all areas are developing plans to expand and transform services from 2021/22.

22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in (a) Blaydon constituency and (b) England in each of the last five years.

Hospital trusts submit data for secondary breast cancer diagnoses through the Cancer Outcomes and Services Dataset (COSD) or Cancer Waiting Times (CWT) data collection mechanisms. Data on the reported number of people diagnosed with secondary breast cancers in 2014-2017 in England are available in the following table. Data for 2018 will be published in November 2020.

Year

Diagnoses recorded in COSD

Diagnoses recorded in CWT

2017

4,754

6,739

2016

4,746

6,824

2015

4,218

6,808

2014

3,395

6,817

Notes:

  1. Source:

http://www.ncin.org.uk/cancer_type_and_topic_specific_work/topic_specific_work/recurrence

  1. Where a recurrence record has been reported by multiple trusts it will be included once per trust. This means the totals will include some double-counting of recurrences.
  2. Counts from COSD and CWT cannot be combined as there will duplication between the datasets.

The number of reported cases is accepted as being significantly below the estimated number of secondary breast cancers. The National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service is working closely with cancer charities to improve data collection and submission by hospital trusts, looking at how they can help improve completion rates and thus gain a better picture of the burden of recurrence and metastatic disease across the health service.

Data for secondary breast cancer diagnoses are not available at constituency level. Data on how many people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer who were diagnosed less than and more than five years after a diagnosis of primary breast cancer are not available.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
20th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the mental health effects of restrictions on care home visits during the covid-19 outbreak on care home residents suffering from (a) Alzheimers and (b) dementia-related diseases.

We recognise the hardship visiting restrictions pose for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases.

We want to enable residents in care homes to have visits, while protecting them, other residents, staff and visitors from COVID-19. Clinical advice is clear that extra footfall in care homes increases risk. That is why we have published guidance to advise care homes on visiting during this period of new national restrictions, and how to reduce the risk. This guidance is intended to enable visiting, recognising the benefits to health and wellbeing of both residents and their loved ones.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when Professor Sir Mike Richard's report on diagnostic capacity across the NHS is planned to be published; and how that report will assess the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on NHS diagnostic capacity.

The report, ‘Diagnostics: recovery and renewal’, was discussed at the NHS England and NHS Improvement public Board meeting on 1 October 2020. The report reflects the impact of COVID-19 on diagnostic provision and was published with the Board papers at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BM2025Pu-item-5-diagnostics-recovery-and-renewal.pdf

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
14th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the he is taking to provide the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation with the necessary information to add people living with rare and genetic conditions to the prioritised groups for access to a future covid-19 vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and the JCVI sub-committee on COVID-19 are currently reviewing evidence on clinical risk factors associated with serious disease and mortality from COVID-19. Following a review of the evidence the Committee will develop advice on risk groups for any future COVID-19 vaccination programme. The minutes of JCVI committee meetings and statements on COVID-19 vaccination are available on the JCVI website at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to update the Commissioning Guidance for Rehabilitation.

As part of the Government’s continued commitment to ensure high-quality, accessible rehabilitation services for patients, NHS England has commenced work on refreshing this guidance. This has included engagement with professional bodies’ clinicians, alongside many other stakeholders, societies and third sector organisations who represent the patient voice.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
7th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to recover the monetary cost of faulty personal protective equipment supplied from Turkey in May 2020.

Gowns and overalls were ordered by the Royal Free Trust from a new supplier in Turkey. Further supply from the manufacturer was held in country as it was already clear looking at the first batches that the quality was suspect and not suitable for use in the National Health Service.

Once the first batches were seen and the quality was identified as a concern, the United Kingdom Embassy team in Turkey and the Turkish Government helpfully stepped in and provided some Turkish Government-sourced gowns which met UK standards to make up the order.

Discussions are underway between the Royal Free Trust and the UK distributor to agree a refund or acceptable alternative product.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the effect on student mental health of covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

We recognise that there is the potential for an increase in demand for mental health services amongst students as a result of COVID-19.

We are working with the Department for Education, the National Health Service, Public Health England and others to gather evidence and assess the potential longer-term mental health impacts of COVID-19, including on students.

29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the GP-to-patient ratio for female patients aged 15 to 45 with epilepsy in Blaydon constituency.

Data on the general practitioner (GP) to patient ratio for female patients between the ages of 15 to 45 years old with epilepsy is not available at national or regional levels.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether GPs are required to (a) record and (b) report each instance when they have warned a female patient of the risks of prescribed valproate.

Within the terms of the valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme, general practitioners (GPs) are required to identify all relevant women and girls in their practice who are taking valproate and refer them for specialist review annually. Specialists should review treatment and ensure that an Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form is signed by the prescriber and the patient and shared with the patient’s GP. GPs should check that the patient has a signed, up-to-date Annual Risk Acknowledgment Form each time a repeat prescription is issued. A GOV.UK toolkit on valproate use by women and girls is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valproate-use-by-women-and-girls.

29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) funding and (b) training his Department plans to provide to GPs on supporting women diagnosed with epilepsy and carrying out the Pregnancy Prevention Program.

It is a Care Quality Commission regulatory requirement for general practitioners to follow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) guidance on valproate prescribing. The MHRA advises that ‘Valproate medicines must no longer be used in women or girls of childbearing potential unless a Pregnancy Prevention Programme is in place’.

In 2019/20 NHS England implemented a quality improvement module worth approximately £44 million nationally to encourage practices to improve their prescribing safety. This aimed to improve engagement with women of childbearing age being prescribed sodium valproate and pregnancy prevention for these patients.

The standard of medical training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC), which is an independent statutory body.?The GMC has the general function of promoting high standards of education and co-ordinating all stages of education to ensure that medical students and newly qualified doctors are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for professional practice.

29th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on home visits for students at Christmas 2020.

The Department of Health and Social Care has been working closely with the Department for Education to make sure students are safe at university. We understand that many students are keen to go home for Christmas and we are working together to ensure that they will have plenty of notice to make plans to do so, as announced by the Secretary of State for Education on Tuesday 29 September 2020.

We do not want to single out students for tougher restrictions than other members of society, as we all have our part to play in controlling this virus.

16th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Public Health England on testing (a) capacity and (b) allocations in the regions of England.

We allocate more testing to higher prevalence areas in line with the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s reporting. Allocation decisions are frequently and systematically reviewed to ensure we are using our testing where it can be most effective. We are working with Public Health England to manage the prioritisation process to ensure that we are able to provide appropriate testing for both outbreak management and surveillance purposes. We have exceeded our target of reaching 500,000 testing capacity by the end of October.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to retain physiotherapists who have entered NHS employment temporarily during the covid-19 outbreak.

In total, 3,754 physiotherapists have joined the Health and Care Professions Council’s COVID-19 temporary register.

A recent survey of returners indicated that around 50% across all professions were interested in continuing to work in the health and social care system.

There are existing return to practice schemes designed to support physiotherapists who have been out of the workforce for a number of years to safely re-start their careers.

NHS England is working with the Department and other local employing organisations to consider a range of flexible options to make it easier for professionals including physiotherapists who are interested in re-joining the National Health Service workforce to do so.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the ability of the NHS to increase the number of rehabilitation support staff to help the rehabilitation of people who have had covid-19.

NHS England recently announced that people suffering from longer term symptoms of COVID-19 will be offered specialist help at clinics across England.

A range of professionals, including physiotherapists, other specialists and general practitioners will all help assess, diagnose and treat thousands of sufferers who have reported ongoing symptoms. £10 million will be invested this year in additional local funding to help initiate and designate ‘long COVID-19’ clinics in every area across England, to complement existing primary, community and rehabilitation care.

As at May 2020 there are 2,548 (14.4%) more full-time equivalent (FTE) physiotherapists and 861 (23.7%) more FTE support staff to physiotherapists than in May 2015 to provide care to patients.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the additional number of physiotherapists and physiotherapy support workers required to support people who have had covid-19 to rehabilitate.

NHS England recently announced that people suffering from longer term symptoms of COVID-19 will be offered specialist help at clinics across England.

A range of professionals, including physiotherapists, other specialists and general practitioners will all help assess, diagnose and treat thousands of sufferers who have reported ongoing symptoms. £10 million will be invested this year in additional local funding to help initiate and designate ‘long COVID-19’ clinics in every area across England, to complement existing primary, community and rehabilitation care.

As at May 2020 there are 2,548 (14.4%) more full-time equivalent (FTE) physiotherapists and 861 (23.7%) more FTE support staff to physiotherapists than in May 2015 to provide care to patients.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to review the referral pathway to allow CA125 blood tests and ultrasound tests to be done at the same time, rather than sequentially, to diagnose and treat ovarian cancer.

There are currently no plans in place. The CA125 Blood test, followed by an ultrasound for raised CA125, is the current process recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) are being rolled out across England as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. One of the key principles of RDCs is the coordination of testing, including implementation of multiple-same day testing to provide timely diagnosis of cancer.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
16th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the correlation between loneliness and suicide, what steps his Department is taking to support mental health for people during the recovery from the covid-19 outbreak.

We recognise that social distancing, self-isolation and shielding are likely to have increased the risk of loneliness and mental health issues for some people.

Mental health services have remained open for business throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering support digitally, over the phone and face to face where possible. We are working with the National Health Service, Public Health England and others to understand the specific impacts and to improve support for people experiencing these issues as we move into the ‘recovery’ phase.

From 2019/20, we are investing £57 million in suicide prevention through the NHS Long Term Plan. This will see investment in all areas of the country by 2023/24 to support local suicide prevention plans and establish suicide bereavement support services plan.

13th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 59 of the Government's report of January 2017 entitled, Preventing suicide in England: Third progress report of the cross-government outcomes strategy to save lives, what progress NHS England has made on its plans to develop an evidence-based treatment pathway for self-harm for people of all ages as it committed to doing so for 2017-18 and 2018-19; and what the timetable is for that treatment pathway to come into existence.

The Cross-Government Suicide Prevention Workplan, published January 2019, set out that NHS England is working with the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health to develop a framework for adult and older adult community mental health services, including for people who self-harm.

Following advice from members of NHS England’s Expert Reference Group, the framework replaced the planned pathways. It will consider the needs of people who self harm while being cared for in the community, giving due regard to existing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on the longer-term management of people who self harm.

The Framework was published in September 2019 and is available on the NHS England and NHS Improvement website.

For children and young people, the NHS Long Term Plan makes commitments to expand children and young people’s services to provide an enhanced crisis offer. This expansion includes further work to strengthen local pathways between community, crisis and inpatient services, which will improve the evidence based self-harm pathway.

22nd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which recommendations made in the Exercise Cygnus report his Government plans to implement.

The Government accepted all the recommendations from Exercise Cygnus. The lessons identified from Exercise Cygnus have been incorporated into an ongoing programme of work on our pandemic flu response plans.

The lessons learned from Exercise Cygnus continue to be considered by the Government and a range of stakeholders, including expert advisory groups and local emergency planners. We continue to work across Government and with key stakeholders to develop coordinated multi-sector response plans for a future influenza pandemic.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish the Exercise Cygnus report and its related documents.

The publication of the Exercise Cygnus report is currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings, so it would be inappropriate to comment at this point.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to monitor oral corticosteroid use by asthma patients who have not been able to access specialist respiratory services during the covid-19 outbreak.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence COVID-19 rapid guideline on severe asthma provides guidance on the use of oral corticosteroids and starting or continuing on biological treatments, which aim to minimise oral corticosteroid exposure, for people with severe asthma during the COVID-19 outbreak. The guideline is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng166

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to (a) monitor and (b) tackle over-reliance by asthma patients on reliever inhalers during the covid-19 outbreak.

The monitoring and prescribing of asthma medication are performed in accordance with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to manage the condition. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80/chapter/Recommendations#self-management

The NHS England and NHS Improvement clinical guide for the management of respiratory patients during the COVID-19 pandemic states that the majority of community respiratory services should be switched to telephone or virtual consultation. Routine annual reviews should continue virtually to reassure patients and ensure they are happy with their management plans to avoid hospital attendance. The clinical guide is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/C0063-Specialty-guide-_Respiratory-and-Coronavirus-_v1_26-March.pdf

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to tackle over-reliance on short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) by asthma patients.

Respiratory disease is a clinical priority of the NHS Long Term Plan, acknowledging medicines optimisation as a key intervention for people with respiratory disease. Pharmacists in primary care networks will also undertake a range of medicine reviews, including educating patients on the correct use of inhalers.

The Quality and Outcomes Framework ensures all practices establish and maintain a register of patients with an asthma diagnosis in accordance with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
12th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to protect (a) unborn children and (b) infants from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide gas can damage an unborn baby. Babies exposed to carbon monoxide during pregnancy are at risk of a low birth weight; stillbirth; death that occurs within the first four weeks of birth; and behavioural problems.

Women are tested for the presence of carbon monoxide at the antenatal booking appointment and as appropriate throughout pregnancy to identify smokers, or those exposed to tobacco smoke, and offer them a referral for support from a trained stop smoking advisor. Carbon monoxide testing may also highlight a household problem and the need to take measures to prevent further exposure.

12th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of carbon monoxide poisoning during pregnancy on the unborn child; and if he will make a statement.

Long-term exposure to carbon monoxide gas can damage an unborn baby. Babies exposed to carbon monoxide during pregnancy are at risk of a low birth weight; stillbirth; death that occurs within the first four weeks of birth; and behavioural problems.

Women are tested for the presence of carbon monoxide at the antenatal booking appointment and as appropriate throughout pregnancy to identify smokers, or those exposed to tobacco smoke, and offer them a referral for support from a trained stop smoking advisor. Carbon monoxide testing may also highlight a household problem and the need to take measures to prevent further exposure.

12th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department provides to the health profession on treating (a) pregnant women and (b) unborn children for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Guidance on the management of treatment of pregnant women and unborn children for carbon monoxide poisoning is provided and accessible to healthcare professionals on TOXBASE and the United Kingdom Teratology Information Service (UKTIS) website.

If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, the initial management is the same as for a non-pregnant patient and consists of identifying and removing the patient from the source of exposure, followed by administration of high concentration oxygen. The patient’s carboxyhaemoglobin concentration should be measured initially and monitored. Treatment may need to be continued for longer in pregnant patients compared to a non-pregnant patient.

It is advised that all cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnancy are discussed with the UKTIS.

11th Mar 2020
What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the start date for the consultation on accessible housing.

We have been working across government on accessible housing provision and will consult shortly on options to raise accessibility standards in new homes.

The consultation will consider making higher accessibility standards mandatory, recognising the importance of suitable homes for older and disabled people.

11th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that accessible Government advice on covid-19 is provided to people (a) who use British Sign Language as their primary language and (b) with hearing loss.

All guidance, statements and public information released by the Government are readily available to read online. Information on COVID-19 from Public Health England and the Department is translated into British Sign Language videos can be found at the following link:

https://www.signhealth.org.uk/

In addition to this, the Chancellor has advised that the National Health Service will get whatever resources it needs to cope with a COVID-19 epidemic.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
11th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure NHS compliance with the Accessible Information Standard in the event that more NHS services are delivered online and by phone because of the covid-19 outbreak.

NHS England has undertaken significant communications activities to raise awareness of the Accessible Information Standard with organisations required to implement and follow it, including National Health Service trusts. A range of resources have been made available to support effective implementation and compliance. Conformance with the Standard is a specific legal duty – as set out in section 250 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. It is also a requirement of the NHS Standard Contract.

In developing the Standard, we have worked alongside a number of partners, including the Care Quality Commission, who have stated that they will be looking at how services implement the Accessible Information Standard as part of their inspections.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
11th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote alternative methods for contacting 111 for people with hearing loss through (a) GPs and (b) other healthcare professionals.

The National Health Service produces a range of materials to promote the NHS 111 service (including ways for deaf people to access the service), which are available to all healthcare professionals. NHS England also engages with a wide number of charities and third-party organisations to promote NHS 111 to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

A deaf or hard of hearing person can speak to NHS 111 through a British Sign Language interpreting service. Relay UK is also available for people who have difficulty communicating or hearing whilst the online NHS 111 service can also be accessed if medical advice is required.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
11th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will ensure that informative videos on covid-19 are provided with (a) British Sign Language interpretation and (b) subtitles.

All guidance, statements and public information released by the Government are readily available to read online information on COVID-19 from Public Health England and the Department is translated into British Sign Language videos can be found at the following link:

https://www.signhealth.org.uk/

In addition to this, the Chancellor has advised that, the National Health Service will get whatever resources it needs to cope with a coronavirus epidemic.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
11th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the NHS 111 British Sign Language service has sufficient capacity to handle calls in the event of a covid-19 outbreak.

All guidance, statements and public information released by the Government are readily available to read online information on COVID-19 from Public Health England and the Department is translated into British Sign Language videos can be found at the following link:

https://www.signhealth.org.uk/

In addition to this, the Chancellor has advised that, the National Health Service will get whatever resources it needs to cope with a coronavirus epidemic.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
11th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will ensure that public health information provided by (a) Ministers and (b) the Chief Medical Officer is delivered with a British Sign Language interpreter present.

All guidance, statements and public information released by the Government are readily available to read online.

Information on COVID-19 from Public Health England and the Department is translated into British Sign Language. Videos can be found at the following link:

https://www.signhealth.org.uk/

NHS England operates an accessible information standard which sets out a specific, consistent approach to identifying, recording, flagging, sharing and meeting the information and communication support needs of patients, service users, carers and parents with a disability, impairment or sensory loss. More information can be found at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/accessibleinfo/

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reported use of flights to and from Russia via Serbia on the effectiveness of the EU-wide ban on flights in and out of Russia; and what steps she is taking to ensure that travel-based sanctions are (a) comprehensive and (b) effective.

The UK has prohibited all Russian owned, operated or chartered aircraft from entering UK airspace and landing in the UK. The EU, the US and other allies have also implemented similar flight bans to Russian aircraft. We are working with our international allies and partners, to encourage other countries to introduce similar bans.

In addition, since Russia's invasion, the UK has issued travel bans and asset freezes to over a thousand of Russia's most significant and high-value individuals, this includes 18 of Russia's leading oligarchs. The travel bans imposed by the UK and EU apply wherever the individual flies from.

James Cleverly
Home Secretary
6th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on their Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic.

The UK Government is working closely with international partners to deliver a robust and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the G7, G20 and other fora, and has been advocating for economic resilience and recovery to be at the heart of this approach. With India, the UK pressed for the G20 Action Plan that agreed a package of measures to mitigate the economic impact on the worst affected countries, including through debt relief. On 30 September, during the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Secretary co-hosted "Accelerating the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic" with the UN Secretary General, WHO Director General and Health Minister of South Africa. This event brought together world leaders, UN agencies, scientists, pharmaceutical companies and donors to pledge additional support and agree new ways of working together in the international fight against COVID. The Foreign Secretary also visited Vietnam and South Korea from 28 September to 1 October, where he discu ssed the UK's leading role in supporting global efforts to develop and equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccines. On 21 September, the Foreign Secretary and Canadian Minister Karina Gould co-chaired a meeting of the informal Development Ministers' Contact Group on COVID-19. The group includes members from the G7 and Five Eyes, plus Sweden and Norway.

6th Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Italian counterpart on that Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic.

The Foreign Secretary last discussed the Italian Government's response to the covid-19 pandemic with Foreign Minister Di Maio on 25 June. Our embassy in Rome is in constant contact with Italian officials in order to monitor the situation and seek opportunities to share best practices, and senior UK scientific advisers and health officials have also been in regular contact with their Italian counterparts since the start of the pandemic. On 1-3 October, a delegation of British ministers including Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Kemi Badenoch MP and FCDO Minister for the Pacific and Environment Lord Goldsmith, met with their counterparts in Italy at the Pontignano Conference. They discussed our respective governments' response to the pandemic and how the UK and Italy can continue to work together.

20th Oct 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that all complaints of racism and discriminatory behaviour by HMRC officers are investigated; and if he will make a statement.

Bullying, harassment, and discrimination of any kind, including racial discrimination, has no place whatsoever at HMRC. The wellbeing of all staff is a top priority, and HMRC does not tolerate any behaviour that makes staff, or taxpayers, feel uncomfortable. HMRC has policies which cover what action individuals can take if they experience discrimination within the workplace, and has developed comprehensive guidance on how to raise a concern. All concerns are investigated in accordance with the Civil Service investigation standards. HMRC has introduced a number of services to ensure staff can speak up if they see, hear, or experience anything that gives them a cause for concern. It has also introduced steps to ensure that complaints are investigated impartially with the decision taken by an independent decision manager with full support from expert HR advisers.


Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
20th Oct 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how long it takes to be trained as an authorised officer of HMRC with the power of arrest.

Within HMRC, only authorised officers in the Fraud Investigation Service have the power of arrest. These officers receive extensive training in HMRC’s criminal investigation powers, procedures, and safeguards, including the power of arrest. This training takes 69.5 weeks and is a combination of taught class room training and assessed practical training and is accredited by the University of Northumbria.
Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
20th Oct 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average (a) level of experience and (b) salary is of a Grade 7 HMRC officer; and whether a trainee would be ranked as Grade 7.

HMRC are unable to answer the question on the average level of experience of a Grade 7 (G7) HMRC Officer. There are several thousand G7 officers in HMRC each of whom have their own unique career history. In total, the group covers over 27 professions and a significant number of different role types. Each individual will retain their own career history, including experience and qualifications which will be discussed with their manager. In view of the significant variances in experience and roles, no central record is retained.

For similar reasons, HMRC are unable to answer the question on whether a trainee would be ranked as a G7 as in some roles and professions it would and others not. It can take anywhere from 3 years for fast-track training roles or up to 20 years plus for average career progression from junior entry grade.

Below is a table showing both the National and London pay ranges for a HMRC G7:

2022 Grade 7 Pay Ranges - 01 June 2022

Grade

National
Minimum

National
Maximum

London
Minimum

London
Maximum

Grade 7 (7)

£52,598

£59,294

£59,182

£66,712

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC officers are trained in respect on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 including on data protection.

All HMRC officers are required to complete mandatory training on data protection, which includes topics such as data retention, the need for a legal basis for personal data processing, and the need to be aware of other relevant legislation.

HMRC does not mandate specific training on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 but officers are able to access training on other areas according to need.

25th Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many meetings officials in his Department have had on alcohol duty with representatives of the (a) alcohol industry and (b) public health organisations in each of the last six months.

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet with representatives of the alcohol industry, and public health stakeholders, to discuss alcohol duty and related issues, including the health impacts of alcohol as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
25th Feb 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many meetings he has had with representatives (a) of the alcohol industry and (b) from public health organisations to discuss alcohol duty in the last six months.

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet with representatives of the alcohol industry, and public health stakeholders, to discuss alcohol duty and related issues, including the health impacts of alcohol as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
20th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what financial support is available for single parents who cannot work from home and whose children are instructed to self-isolate without having a positive covid-19 test.

The Government has committed to an unprecedented package of support for individuals through this difficult time. This includes the introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Job Support Scheme, and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, as well as injecting an additional £9 billion into the welfare system according to Office for Budget Responsibility estimates.

If an employee earns average weekly earnings of at least £120 per week, they will be eligible for SSP if they are self-isolating under Government guidance and cannot work from home. This includes parents living in the same households as children self-isolating with symptoms of COVID-19. The Government has changed the rules so that SSP is now payable from day 1, not day 4, for COVID-19 cases.

Parents of children who are self-isolating under Government guidance may be eligible for “new style” contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if they are ineligible for SSP and unable to work from home. The Government has made it easier for people to claim by removing the seven-day waiting period which means people can get support from day one.

The welfare system is best placed to provide support for those not eligible for SSP. This group will benefit from changes to the welfare system to support the most vulnerable. These changes include a £20 per week increase to the UC standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for UC and Housing Benefit claimants.

24th Sep 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families with children have received the £20 per week uplift in working tax credit basic element payments in Blaydon in each month since it was introduced.

The latest available information on the number of families with children receiving Working Tax Credit at the parliamentary constituency level is for April 2020. In April 2020, the number of families with children receiving Working Tax Credit in Blaydon was 1,000.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-and-working-tax-credits-statistics-provisional-awards-geographical-analyses-december-2013.

Information on following months is not readily available. The next update to this publication will provide statistics relating to December 2020 and will be available in January 2021.

Final annual information on families with children receiving Working Tax Credits is published once a year and updated each July.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/child-and-working-tax-credits-statistics-finalised-annual-awards-2018-to-2019.

20th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide a breakdown by nation of origin of the number of physiotherapists granted visas in the last 12 months.

Data for workers and temporary worker visas by occupation can be found at published occupation data

The Home Office does not routinely publish data that breaks this down by nationality or nation of origin.

Robert Jenrick
Minister of State (Home Office) (Immigration)
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the time frame is for the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s review of community-based support.

To understand the complex landscape for community-based support, in the Government’s further response to the Joint Committee on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill (CP 214), published on 3 March, we indicated that the Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner has agreed to undertake an in-depth exploration of the current community-based support landscape over 2020/21.

The Government also indicated that we must better understand the existing routes by which support services are commissioned and funded and establish best practice within services in order to ensure quality provision. The precise scope and timing of the review is a matter for the independent Commissioner. I understand, however, that the review is expected to take some 12 months.

The Government does not collect statistics on the number of domestic abuse victims who do not live in safe accommodation. I would like us to look more into data in the coming months.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the scope is of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s review of community-based support.

To understand the complex landscape for community-based support, in the Government’s further response to the Joint Committee on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill (CP 214), published on 3 March, we indicated that the Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner has agreed to undertake an in-depth exploration of the current community-based support landscape over 2020/21.

The Government also indicated that we must better understand the existing routes by which support services are commissioned and funded and establish best practice within services in order to ensure quality provision. The precise scope and timing of the review is a matter for the independent Commissioner. I understand, however, that the review is expected to take some 12 months.

The Government does not collect statistics on the number of domestic abuse victims who do not live in safe accommodation. I would like us to look more into data in the coming months.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
5th May 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will estimate the number of domestic abuse victims who do not live in safe accommodation and would not qualify for statutory support as set out in clause 53 of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

To understand the complex landscape for community-based support, in the Government’s further response to the Joint Committee on the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill (CP 214), published on 3 March, we indicated that the Designate Domestic Abuse Commissioner has agreed to undertake an in-depth exploration of the current community-based support landscape over 2020/21.

The Government also indicated that we must better understand the existing routes by which support services are commissioned and funded and establish best practice within services in order to ensure quality provision. The precise scope and timing of the review is a matter for the independent Commissioner. I understand, however, that the review is expected to take some 12 months.

The Government does not collect statistics on the number of domestic abuse victims who do not live in safe accommodation. I would like us to look more into data in the coming months.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
12th Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that (a) frontline practitioners and (b) public bodies adopting the definition of domestic abuse in the Domestic Abuse Bill take account of the needs of children affected by domestic abuse.

While the definition of “domestic abuse” in clause 1 of the Domestic Abuse Bill applies for the purposes of the Bill, we expect the definition to be adopted more generally, for example by public authorities and frontline practitioners.

As provided for in clause 66(2)(b), the statutory guidance which will accompany the Bill will recognise the effect of domestic abuse on children. The guidance will outline the range of impacts domestic abuse can have on children, as well as appropriate support and referral mechanisms. We will ensure that the guidance is widely publicised.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what data his Department holds on the proportion of car parking spaces allocated to blue badge holders in local authority car parks by local authority.

The information requested is not held centrally.

Jacob Young
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
18th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the press release entitled Supply of accessible homes to receive vital boost, published on 29 July 2022, what recent progress his Department has made on raising the minimum accessibility standard for new homes; and what his planned timetable is for the implementation of this standard.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN HL8422 on 26 June 2023.

1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will publish a breakdown of the number of Ukrainian refugees hosted by each household under (a) the Homes for Ukraine scheme and (b) the Ukraine Family Scheme in the last (i) three months, (ii) six months and (iii) since those schemes began.

Data on the number of visa applications, issued and arrivals in to the UK by sponsor location for Ukrainian refugees and at a local authority level can be accessed here.

Data on the number of Ukrainian households, including single households and those with children, who have been owed a statutory homelessness duty is published here.

The Ukraine Family Scheme data is owned by Home Office.

Felicity Buchan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make a comparative assessment of the risk of homelessness in Ukrainian refugees who are hosted as part of (a) larger than average and (b) smaller than average family groups within the same household.

Data on the number of visa applications, issued and arrivals in to the UK by sponsor location for Ukrainian refugees and at a local authority level can be accessed here.

Data on the number of Ukrainian households, including single households and those with children, who have been owed a statutory homelessness duty is published here.

The Ukraine Family Scheme data is owned by Home Office.

Felicity Buchan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
9th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will make a comparative assessment of the total amount of funding available to local councils in England in Financial Year 2023-24 and the amount needed to meet their existing commitments; and if he will take steps to provide more funding for councils.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £54.1 billion of taxpayer subsidy in 2022/23 for local government in England, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22, including, over £1 billion specifically for councils to meet social care pressures.

Further announcements will be made on the proposed local Government finance settlement in the coming weeks ahead.

We are working closely with the sector, as we always do, to monitor the impact on service delivery and budgets.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department provides guidance to local authorities on which services to prioritise when services need to be reduced or removed due to financial shortfalls.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £54.1 billion of taxpayer subsidy in 2022/23 for local government in England, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22, including, over £1 billion specifically for councils to meet social care pressures.

Further announcements will be made on the proposed local Government finance settlement in the coming weeks ahead.

We are working closely with the sector, as we always do, to monitor the impact on service delivery and budgets.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support is available to councils who inform his Department that they face significant financial shortfalls.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £54.1 billion of taxpayer subsidy in 2022/23 for local government in England, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22, including, over £1 billion specifically for councils to meet social care pressures.

Further announcements will be made on the proposed local Government finance settlement in the coming weeks ahead.

We are working closely with the sector, as we always do, to monitor the impact on service delivery and budgets.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of councils using all of their reserves to balance their budgets on their (a) short and (b) medium-term financial sustainability.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £54.1 billion of taxpayer subsidy in 2022/23 for local government in England, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22, including, over £1 billion specifically for councils to meet social care pressures.

Further announcements will be made on the proposed local Government finance settlement in the coming weeks ahead.

We are working closely with the sector, as we always do, to monitor the impact on service delivery and budgets.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
8th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps to help financially support councils using reserves to cover shortfalls in spending.

The Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £54.1 billion of taxpayer subsidy in 2022/23 for local government in England, an increase of up to £3.7 billion on 2021/22, including, over £1 billion specifically for councils to meet social care pressures.

Further announcements will be made on the proposed local Government finance settlement in the coming weeks ahead.

We are working closely with the sector, as we always do, to monitor the impact on service delivery and budgets.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
27th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of amending the monthly £350 thank you payments under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to account for the needs of sponsors hosting larger numbers of Ukrainian refugees.

We recognise the growing pressure on family finances, and are continuing to work with local councils and sponsors to support them with their hosting arrangements.

Felicity Buchan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what progress the Government has made on halving the number of non-decent rented homes by 2030.

The Government remains committed to levelling up the country and tackling non-decency. The Government has committed to review the Decent Homes Standard to make sure it is fit for the present day and responses from a recent consultation on a Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector are currently being analysed.

For those who live in poor quality social housing, we have introduced new legislation to improve the quality and regulation of social housing, give residents performance information so they can hold their landlord to account and ensure that when residents make a complaint, landlords take quick and effective action to put things right.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if it remains his policy to help ensure 300,000 new homes are built year by 2025; and how many new homes a year will be built for social rent.

The Government remains committed to ensuring more homes are built in the right places both to give people support where they need it and also to give more people the opportunity to own their own homes in the future.

With regards to social rent, the Government has committed £11.5 billion of taxpayer funded grant to the latest Affordable Housing Programme. This is intended to provide tons of thousands of new homes across the country. A substantial number of these will be for social rent.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that public sector workers who are key workers have access to affordable homes.

An additional £11.5 billion of taxpayer-funded grant has been allocated to the Affordable Homes Programme, which is intended to provide tens of thousands of new homes across the country. Half the homes will be for Affordable and Social Rent, to help those in need


The Government has brought forward a range of interventions in recent years to promote home ownership. As an example, the First Homes programme is designed to help local first-time buyers and key workers on to the property ladder, by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price. The discount is passed on to all future purchasers in perpetuity, so these homes will keep helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder for generations to come.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to UNISON’s report entitled a decent place to live: Homes Fit for Key Workers, published in July 2021, what recent assessment he has made of the findings of that report.

In terms of housing and social housing, the Government has a clear set of policies:

  • Build more social and affordable homes, including a further £11.5 billion of taxpayer funded grant to support that endeavour in the coming years. We are also using the programme to fund a First Homes pilot to help key workers and local first-time buyers on the property ladder. It will offer homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to market price.
  • Support the delivery of the new model for Shared Ownership and extend it as widely as possible through the Affordable Homes Programme.
  • Maintain the Right to Buy scheme for social housing tenants, which has helped over 2 million to become homeowners since 1980. We believe that anybody who works hard across the country and aspires to own their own home should have the opportunity to realise that dream.
Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he will announce his future policy on housing; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers will ensure that the House is updated on policy announcements in the usual way.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which Minister has responsibility for parks and green spaces.

Parks and green spaces share joint responsibility between the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). DLUHC is responsible for urban parks and green spaces and I am the responsible minister. In DEFRA, the responsible minister for the domestic natural environment, is Rebecca Pow MP and Lord Benyon is responsible for landscape, including national parks.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
29th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a ring-fenced grant to assist local authorities in meeting their statutory duty to provide short breaks and respite for seriously ill children.

Supporting the most vulnerable children and young people, and local authorities in maintaining their statutory services, continues to be a key priority for this Government.

The Spending Review 2020 confirmed that the Core Spending Power of local authorities will rise by 4.6% in cash terms from £49.0 billion in 2020-21 to up to £51.3 billion in 2021-22, which is a real terms increase. This real-terms increase builds on the largest year-on-year increase in spending power in a decade and recognises the resources councils need to meet their pressures and maintain children’s services, including their statutory duty to assess the social care needs of seriously ill children and young people, and to provide respite care where necessary.

The Government has also given over £6 billion in un-ringfenced funding directly to councils to support them with the immediate and longer-term impacts of Covid-19 spending pressures. This unprecedented level of funding is un-ringfenced in recognition that local authorities are best placed to decide how to meet service pressures in their local area, including for children and young people.

11th Jan 2021
What steps he is taking to help ensure the provision of accessible homes for older and disabled people.

By April 2022, the Government will have invested over £4 billion through the Disabled Facilities Grant, which will have funded adaptations to almost 400,000 homes since 2010.

In addition, 10 per cent of units delivered under the new Affordable Homes Programme will be used to increase the supply of specialist or supported housing.

Our current planning rules mean councils must consider the needs of older people and those with disabilities when planning new homes, and the Government recently consulted on options that include introducing higher mandatory accessibility standards for all new homes.

8th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what additional protections for nature will result from the reforms to the planning system set out in the Planning for the Future White Paper.

In Planning for the Future we proposed a quicker and simpler framework for assessing environmental effects: one which does not compromise on environmental standards, and indeed encourages opportunities for environmental enhancements to be identified and pursued early in the development process. Proposals will leave an inheritance of environmental improvements with environmental assets protected, more green spaces provided, more sustainable development supported and new homes that are more energy efficient.

Though we are still considering the responses to the White Paper consultation, I can assure you that legal protection for landscape, habitat and wildlife will remain in force, and reforms will support the implementation of the proposals in the Environment Bill, including the commitment to a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain requirement. Consultation on the White Paper closed on 29 October 2020. The Government will publish its response following consideration of all the feedback received.

8th Dec 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local communities are consulted on the environmental impact of the proposed developments for (a) growth and (b) renewal zones outlined in the Planning for the Future White Paper.

Our proposals are designed to put effective community engagement at the heart of planning. The current planning system has a poor record in this area, with information that is hard to find, and difficult to understand.

By taking a digital-first approach to modernise the planning process, we can use new tools and platforms to make it easier for people to understand what is being proposed, and to feed their views into the system at the right time. This will help ensure local people can have real influence over both the location and design of development, and have a meaningful say over its environmental implications.

They will be able to do this both at the plan-making stage – when the important decisions are being made about the scale and location of growth – and as the details of proposed developments come forward. We have proposed a quicker, simpler framework for assessing environmental effects to support this: one which will be easier for communities to engage with, while protecting what matters and leaving an inheritance of environmental improvement.

We are grateful for the many responses received to these proposals. They are being analysed at present, and we will take them into account as we consider how to move forward.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent covid-19 related evictions following the lifting of the eviction ban.

The stay on possession proceedings has been extended until 20 September 2020, meaning that in total no tenant can have been legally evicted for 6 months at the height of the pandemic.

Legislation has been introduced that means, from 29 August 2020, landlords must give tenants six months’ notice before they can evict in most circumstances, apart from the most egregious cases such as incidents of anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse perpetrators. This will be in force until 31 March 2021.

In addition, new court rules, which will come into force on 20 September, will mean landlords will need to set out in their claim any relevant information about a tenant’s circumstances, including information on the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. Where this information is not provided, judges will have the ability to adjourn proceedings.

We will keep these measures under review?and decisions?will continue?to be guided by the latest public health advice.

10th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reform the criminal justice system to help tackle violence against women and girls.

In 2021, HMG published the VAWG Strategy and the End-to-End Rape Review, in which the Government committed to more than doubling the number of adult rape cases reaching court. The number of people convicted of an adult rape offence went up by 65 percent over the past year (from 323 in the year to June 2021 to 532 in the year to June 2022).

As part of this we are rolling out Operation Soteria, a joint police and CPS programme to make investigations suspect-focussed rather than focussed on victim credibility. This has begun operating across nineteen police forces, with a national rollout ready from June 2023.

We are also increasing the number of Independent Sexual and Domestic Abuse Advisors to over 1,000 by 2024/25.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
22nd Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps his Department is taking to support women in Northern Ireland with the cost of living crisis.

We have taken decisive action to help UK households tackle increases in the cost of living. Women across Northern Ireland will benefit from our package of measures, including energy bill support and support for the most vulnerable, including an additional £900 Cost of Living Payment in 2023-24 for households on means-tested benefits.

Steve Baker
Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
16th Jun 2021
What assessment he has made of the effect of Budget 2021 on the ability of the Northern Ireland Executive to reduce NHS waiting times in Northern Ireland.

It is clear that waiting times in Northern Ireland are too long and the Executive has committed to the transformation of the health service and tackling waiting times.

Naturally, the Executive’s focus over the last year has been on responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. But, as we now recover from the pandemic, I know the Executive will want to build back better and I welcome the fact that the Executive’s Health Minister yesterday set out his plan to tackle these waiting times by 2026. That is why it is important we continue to see the Executive in place to deliver for all the people of Northern Ireland.

In support of this, the UK Government is providing substantial funding to enable the Executive to deliver excellent public services, with £15.6bn provided in 2021/22. This is in addition to £445m explicitly to support the transformation of public services from NDNA and Confidence and Supply.

1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether Ministers in his Department have sent any privileged Government information to and from their personal email addresses.

There is a place for the use of a variety of digital channels in fast moving modern environments. Ministers will have informal conversations from time to time, in person or remotely, and relevant content from such discussions is passed back to officials. They will also use a variety of digital communications channels for personal, political and Parliamentary matters.

Alister Jack
Secretary of State for Scotland
9th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions he has had with the First Minister of Wales on the Shared Prosperity Fund.

My Right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, and I have regular discussions with the First Minister of Wales on a range of issues, including how the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to level up communities right across Wales.

Simon Hart
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip)