Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of his Department's employees work on a fully remote basis.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The DWP has 407 members of staff that are recorded as being permanent Homeworkers which equates to 0.46%. This is data as of 30th November 2023.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the system readiness to introduce whole genome sequencing for newborns as part of the NHS.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The Generation Study is a research study that will evaluate the utility and feasibility of screening newborns for a larger number of childhood-onset rare genetic conditions in the National Health Service, using whole genome sequencing. Genomics England are working closely with the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) to ensure the research generates the right evidence to inform any potential screening recommendations by the UK NSC and commissioning decisions by the NHS. If the evidence from the study indicates that the use of whole genome sequencing in newborn screening is effective, meets the criteria set by the UK NSC and a positive recommendation is made by the UK NSC, health ministers in the United Kingdom will then decide if this recommendation should be accepted. In the meantime, the UK NSC continues to assess proposals for additional conditions for newborn screening as they are received.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress has been made on the NHS Generation Study.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Genomics England has established a set of four principles to determine which rare genetic conditions should be looked for as part of their research study. In October 2023, Genomics England published a list of over 200 conditions which will be screened for as part of the study. Recruitment to the study is due to begin in early 2024. Genomics England have been working with a group of National Health Service sites who will be among the first to recruit participants.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
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.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
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.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
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.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
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.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
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.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of franchising more local bus services.
Answered by Richard Holden
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.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
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.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
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.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
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.
Answered by Maria Caulfield
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.
Asked by: Liz Twist (Labour - Blaydon and Consett)
Question to the Department for Transport:
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.
Answered by Richard Holden
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.