Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to extend shingles vaccine eligibility to all immunocompetent people aged over 65.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

In 2019, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that the shingles vaccination programme should switch to using a two-dose vaccine called Shingrix, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the health system. The committee also advised that the vaccine should be given to everyone at the age of 60 years old, rather than 70 years old.

Based on this advice, the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and NHS England decided to phase the expansion of the shingles programme. During the first phase, which commenced in September 2023, those who reach the ages of 65 or 70 years old will be called in for vaccination on or after their 65th or 70th birthday. During the second phase, from September 2028, individuals will be called in for vaccination on or after their 60th or 65th birthday. From 1 September 2033 onwards, vaccination will be routinely offered to those turning 60 years of age on or after their 60th birthday.

Phasing the roll-out of the shingles vaccination over time to everyone aged 60 years old maximises cost-effectiveness and population benefit, ensures consistent messaging over time to maximise coverage, and takes account of National Health Service capacity, all while being consistent with the approach taken by all four nations in the United Kingdom.

This is a newly expanded programme and anyone who is unsure if they are eligible for the shingles vaccination should check online, on the NHS.UK website, or should speak to their general practice.

In November 2024, the JCVI provided further advice to the Department on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme. This included advice that the Government should consider expanding the shingles vaccination offer to include older adult cohorts aged 80 years old and over. The Government will consider this latest advice when setting the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations, and will update in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Ground 4A in the Renters’ Rights Bill on landlords who rent (a) one and (b) two-bedroom properties to students.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The proposed new ground for possession (Ground 4A) in the Renters’ Rights Bill is intended to facilitate the maintenance of the annual cycle of student letting for most typical students, namely groups of full-time students living together in Houses in Multiple Occupancy.

Less typical students who may require greater security of tenure, for example postgraduate couples who have put down roots in their area, will be able to enjoy the benefits of the new tenancy system the Bill introduces.

The Renters’ Rights Bill Impact Assessment looked across the package of reforms and received a ‘green’ rating from the Regulatory Policy Committee, meaning it is ‘fit for purpose’.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether people living near (a) new and (b) certain upgraded network transmission infrastructure and who would otherwise be an eligible person under clause 22 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill but their (i) landlord and (ii) park home site owner pays for their electricity and therefore they do not have a direct relationship to an electricity supplier will be eligible for any financial benefit scheme; and whether that financial benefit will be in the form of (A) electricity bill discounts and (B) compensation.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We know that some eligible households do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, so will not be able to receive a bill discount automatically. This includes households whose electricity is paid by their landlord or park home site owner. We want to ensure that these households benefit from hosting new electricity network transmission infrastructure and are putting measures in place to ensure that persons living in such properties can benefit. The exact delivery methods of financial benefit for these households are under consideration and will be subject to stakeholder consultation.

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