Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 26637 answered on 7 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty, what assessment has he made about the US Government's position towards the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 7 September to Question 26637.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he intends to raise the issue of the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty in discussions with the US Government.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 7 September to Question 26637.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 26637 answered on 7 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty, whether he intends to raise the issue of the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty in further discussions with the US Government.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 7 September to Question 26637.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport,  what assessment she has made of whether measures used by developers of artificial intelligence systems to prevent harmful eating disorder-related outputs could be applied by social media companies to reduce users' exposure to content that promotes eating disorders.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Tackling eating-disorder content online is a priority for the Government, and we recognise the risks posed by AI systems generating content that could encourage or exacerbate eating disorders.

Generative AI services in scope of the Online Safety Act are required to prevent children from encountering eating-disorder content. As the independent regulator, Ofcom's codes of practice set out the measures it considers appropriate for meeting those duties

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of safeguards introduced by developers of generative artificial intelligence systems to prevent the provision of advice that could encourage or exacerbate eating disorders.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Tackling eating-disorder content online is a priority for the Government, and we recognise the risks posed by AI systems generating content that could encourage or exacerbate eating disorders.

Generative AI services in scope of the Online Safety Act are required to prevent children from encountering eating-disorder content. As the independent regulator, Ofcom's codes of practice set out the measures it considers appropriate for meeting those duties.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 13718 answered on 1 July 2026 about Fires, what steps she is taking with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess the effectiveness of the joint arrangement on wildfire risk anticipation following the wildfires in 2026; and whether the arrangement should be reviewed.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

MHCLG and Defra are jointly coordinating work on current and future risk mapping, including risk hotspots and national-level risk assessments.

Measures have been taken to reduce wildfire risk including the ban on the sale of disposable barbecues introduced on 14 August as well as the use of the emergency alert system within parts of the UK. The Secretary of State for MHCLG also wrote to local authorities across England reminding them of the powers available to restrict activities that could increase fire risk, including the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders to limit barbecues, campfires and other forms of open fire in vulnerable areas.

This sits alongside wider measures including advice being made more visible, including through social media during high-risk periods, the Cabinet Office Prepare website, the Fire Kills campaign and StayWise, the NFCC-led education platform.

Addressing wildfire requires more than emergency response, it depends on coordinated action across prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, with clear roles for MHCLG, Defra, fire and rescue authorities, land managers and wider partners.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the physical estate capacity required to deliver the proposed 59 mental health emergency departments announced on 5 August 2026.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the proposed mental health emergency departments will require new-build facilities and how many will be accommodated within existing NHS estate.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to WPQ 546 answered on 8 July 2026 about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if she will have discussions with [a] NHS England and [b] local ICBs on variations in specialist support and treatment for patients with complex post-traumatic stress disorder in England.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are currently developing a new mental health strategy for England, to be published later this year, which will set out how we will improve access, intervene earlier, reduce waiting times, and support people to stay well in their communities, for everyone experiencing mental ill health, including people with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. This will be informed by the upcoming report of Dr Peter Fonagy’s independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to WPQ 546 answered on 8 July 2026 about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if she will have discussions with [a] NHS England and [b] local ICBs on the reasons for patients being diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder in England.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are currently developing a new mental health strategy for England, to be published later this year, which will set out how we will improve access, intervene earlier, reduce waiting times, and support people to stay well in their communities, for everyone experiencing mental ill health, including people with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. This will be informed by the upcoming report of Dr Peter Fonagy’s independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to WPQ 546 answered on 8 July 2026 about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if she will have discussions with [a] NHS England and [b] local ICBs on levels of complex post-traumatic stress disorder in England.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are currently developing a new mental health strategy for England, to be published later this year, which will set out how we will improve access, intervene earlier, reduce waiting times, and support people to stay well in their communities, for everyone experiencing mental ill health, including people with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. This will be informed by the upcoming report of Dr Peter Fonagy’s independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of the £343 million announced for community mental health centres and mental health emergency departments is intended for capital expenditure on buildings and estate development.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the number of additional staff required to operate proposed community mental health centres and mental health emergency departments.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which professional groups will staff new community mental health centres.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria have been used to determine the location of the 59 proposed mental health emergency departments.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the additional workforce required to operate the proposed 159 new mental health facilities; and whether that estimate has been incorporated into the NHS workforce plan.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of additional mental health access points on existing patient pathways.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what measures will be put in place to ensure patients are not subject to multiple assessments across different mental health services before receiving treatment.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the staffing of new mental health centres will be achieved through (a) new recruitment and (b) redeployment of NHS mental health staff.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether people will be able to self-refer to new community mental health centres.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since coming to office, this Government has recruited thousands of extra mental health staff, increased access to National Health Service talking therapies, and announced a major expansion of community mental health support, with £187 million allocated for 100 community mental health centres (CMHCs) and £156 million for 59 mental health emergency departments (MHEDs).

CMHCs provide a single, open-access offer, available 24/7 to anyone who needs it. People with serious mental illness will be able to walk in without an appointment and receive mental health support, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. This will reduce fragmentation in service delivery and improve continuity of care. Working in partnership with primary care, local authorities, the voluntary sector and family support networks, and with strong links to housing and employment support, the centres will deliver care close to home, tailored to local communities of between 30,000 and 50,000 people.

Alongside the community centres, MHEDs will provide fast, same-day access to specialist mental health support for people in crisis. Co-located with emergency departments, ambulance, and police services, they will offer a calm, therapeutic environment and ensure people are connected quickly to the right ongoing care, whether through inpatient admission, home treatment, or community support. In both cases, CMHCs and MHEDs will draw on the existing NHS workforce, including redeployment of staff to the new locations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are rightly responsible for selecting locations for new facilities to make sure they meet local needs best, with schemes prioritised through regional and ICB processes before being subject to national assurance. The overall distribution of MHEDs and CMHCs was considered alongside factors such as population need, existing provision, local care pathways, strategic alignment, and deliverability. Local systems also remain responsible for ensuring that people can access emergency mental health support through the broader care pathway, including A&E units, crisis services, and other locally commissioned provision.

The first facilities in this tranche are expected to open from autumn 2026, with further sites opening from March 2027. Further details will be set out in due course as the new centres are rolled out across England. Later this year, we will also publish our new mental health strategy for England, setting out our plans to transform mental health care into a system that responds earlier, reduces waiting times for support, intervenes earlier, and supports people to stay active and participate in education, work, family, and community life.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the Government's policy on new oil and gas exploration licences in UK waters with the Secretary of State's statutory consent role for petroleum licences in the Falkland Islands.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit is integral to their right of self-determination. When deciding whether to consent to new hydrocarbons licences in the Falkland Islands, the Secretary of State acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

I met Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on 3 September and discussed ongoing economic development projects in the Falklands.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Falkland Islands Government on the Secretary of State's consent role in relation to oil and gas licences under the Offshore Minerals Ordinance 1994.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit is integral to their right of self-determination. When deciding whether to consent to new hydrocarbons licences in the Falkland Islands, the Secretary of State acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

I met Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on 3 September and discussed ongoing economic development projects in the Falklands.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he would withhold consent for the grant of a new petroleum exploration licence under the Falkland Islands Offshore Minerals Ordinance 1994 where such a licence had been approved by the Falkland Islands Government.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit is integral to their right of self-determination. When deciding whether to consent to new hydrocarbons licences in the Falkland Islands, the Secretary of State acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

I met Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on 3 September and discussed ongoing economic development projects in the Falklands.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Falkland Islands Government on the importance of the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination in relation to offshore oil and gas exploration.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit is integral to their right of self-determination. When deciding whether to consent to new hydrocarbons licences in the Falkland Islands, the Secretary of State acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

I met Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on 3 September and discussed ongoing economic development projects in the Falklands.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria he would use when deciding on whether or not to consent to new petroleum exploration licences under the Falkland Islands Offshore Minerals Ordinance 1994.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The right of the Falkland Islanders to develop their natural resources for their own economic benefit is integral to their right of self-determination. When deciding whether to consent to new hydrocarbons licences in the Falkland Islands, the Secretary of State acts in accordance with applicable Falkland Islands legislation. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

I met Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly on 3 September and discussed ongoing economic development projects in the Falklands.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to WPQ 21894 answered on 7 September 2026 about Veterans Workplace Pensions, what the date is of the CEV requests being processed by his Department.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence is currently processing Cash Equivalent Value (CEV) requests received in April 2026. For members with more complex circumstances, and for pensioner Remedy cases where implementation of the guidance is still being finalised, the request date being processed may be earlier than April 2026.

The legislative deadline for all schemes is that CEVs should be provided to members within three months of the request. We are aware this is being exceeded at present in some cases. Some cases are currently taking longer due to the impact of 2015 Pension Remedy and implementation of revised actuarial factors.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to WPQ 21894 answered on 7 September 2026 about Veterans Workplace Pensions, what the published turnaround time is for CEV requests.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence is currently processing Cash Equivalent Value (CEV) requests received in April 2026. For members with more complex circumstances, and for pensioner Remedy cases where implementation of the guidance is still being finalised, the request date being processed may be earlier than April 2026.

The legislative deadline for all schemes is that CEVs should be provided to members within three months of the request. We are aware this is being exceeded at present in some cases. Some cases are currently taking longer due to the impact of 2015 Pension Remedy and implementation of revised actuarial factors.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, what recent discussions has she had about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and councillors.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement committed to ensuring there is a clear role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and local councillors. As part of the development of the Devolution White Paper, Ministers and officials are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including mayors and local government representatives on the co-design and implementation of these reforms. Further details will be set out 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, what assessment she has made about whether 'local scrutiny committees' will be a future component of local government reform following the review of the local government reorganisation programme announced on 7 September 2026?.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act establishes Local Scrutiny Committees, which are intended to strengthen oversight of Mayors and Strategic Authorities and improve accountability for decision-making and the use of public funds. Local Scrutiny Committees will be responsible for scrutinising value for money and reviewing the exercise of devolved powers by the Mayor and their Strategic Authority, rather than spending and decision making in their constituent authorities.

These committees will not apply to existing two-tier authorities, nor will they apply to unitary authorities formed through the process of local government reorganisation. Instead, they will apply to Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities from 2027 and be extended to all Mayoral Strategic Authorities from 2028.Constituent authorities will continue to operate their own Overview and Scrutiny Committees following local government reorganisation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, whether recent discussions about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability could include the shaping of transport, housing, economic development, skills and budget decisions.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement committed to ensuring there is a clear role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and local councillors. Mayors are responsible for the areas of competence set out in the devolution framework and will have the autonomy to decide how funding is used to deliver for local residents in these areas. While Mayors will be accountable at the local level, as part of the Devolution White Paper, the Government is considering how MPs can engage with strengthened local accountability arrangements in relation to these responsibilities. Further details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 21883 answered on 7 September 2026 about Fruit Horticulture, will she hold imminent discussions with the British Berry Growers Association to discuss [i] the challenges faced by the drought of Summer 2026 and [ii] the current challenges faced by growers in irrigating their crops.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has frequent engagement with key horticulture stakeholders including berry growers on the range of matters impacting the horticulture sector. Additionally, through the National Drought Group, ministers engage specifically with the National Farmers' Union and Horticulture Trades Association to assess drought impacts and to coordinate action across all sectors, helping to inform planning, response and resilience measures. This engagement informed the Government’s package of support for farmers affected by drought, announced in August.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the farming community on the prospect of higher inheritance tax bills if a farm invests in a new farm reservoir or an irrigation system.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of the farming sector, to discuss a range of issues.

The Government is taking action to make it easier to build reservoirs. This includes reducing unnecessary barriers, updating planning guidance, and funding up to £15 million to build on-farm reservoirs, helping farmers store water and become more resilient to future droughts.

The Government continues to provide very significant relief from inheritance tax for agricultural and business assets. A couple are able to pass on up to £5 million of such assets tax-free between them, on top of the existing allowances such as the nil-rate band.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will have conversations with animal welfare charities about the possible number of dog owners who may seek withdrawal of their certificate of exemption because they do not believe that their dog is an XL Bully type.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra have continued to engage with animal welfare charities, including on the withdrawal of certificates of exemption.

Defra are still working to develop this process, so that owners who no longer believe that their dog meets the legal definition of an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn. Further details will be shared once the process has been finalised.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with dog welfare charities on issues for dog owners seeking a withdrawal of a certificate of exemption.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra have continued to engage with animal welfare charities, including on the withdrawal of certificates of exemption.

Defra are still working to develop this process, so that owners who no longer believe that their dog meets the legal definition of an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn. Further details will be shared once the process has been finalised.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if she will publish the criteria used to assess whether to use the emergency alerts system on Friday 14 August 2026.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Every Emergency Alert is carefully coordinated with responding public bodies and agencies. This tool is only used in emergency scenarios and where the need is greatest. The Cabinet Office remains committed to reviewing every alert request on a case-by-case basis.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is holding discussions with the industry about whether the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan should include policy measures to support improvements to farming irrigation systems.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Horticulture Sector Plan is an independent sector led plan aiming to identify how the sector can increase productivity, profitability and strengthen the contribution of domestic production to our national food security.  The plan which remains in development draws on sector expertise to set out its priorities, a clear vision for growth and a practical pathway to delivery. Discussions on the plan between industry and government cover the wide range of matters impacting the sector, including access to water.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evaluation has been undertaken of the adequacy of existing (a) mental health emergency departments and (b) community mental health centres and their impact on waiting times, hospital admissions and patient outcomes.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We keep all existing programmes under review. Early implementer mental health emergency departments have provided learning which is informing the next phase of rollout. In addition, the pilot programme for community mental health centres is being evaluated, with a final report expected in October 2026. Further details on the rollout of community mental health centres and mental health emergency departments will be published in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what metrics will be used to determine whether the proposed expansion of community mental health services represents value for money.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We keep all existing programmes under review. Early implementer mental health emergency departments have provided learning which is informing the next phase of rollout. In addition, the pilot programme for community mental health centres is being evaluated, with a final report expected in October 2026. Further details on the rollout of community mental health centres and mental health emergency departments will be published 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, as part of the full review of the local government reorganisation programme announced on 7 September 2026, what steps she is taking to ensure that the strategic priorities facing rural communities are considered as part of any future changes to local government structures.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 7 September 2026 the Secretary of State announced to Parliament that a review of the local government reorganisation programme would be undertaken and that reorganisation activity in affected areas should be paused while the Government considers next steps. The Government wants to ensure that the programme is aligned with its wider ambitions for effective and sustainable local government and the devolution of power to local areas, including in rural areas.

In light of that position and the review, the Government is not currently progressing work on interim warding arrangements and will set out any future requirements relating to local government reorganisation following consideration of these matters. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body responsible for electoral arrangements for local authorities. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to WPQ 13718 answered on 1 July 2026 about Fires, if she will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the New Dimensions 2 programme and the impact of the programme on tackling the wildfires in 2026.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is investing approximately £97m under the New Dimensions 2 programme to uplift and replace national resilience assets. This is the largest scale upgrade of these assets in almost twenty years.

This investment includes a pilot national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training positioned across England to support fire and rescue services during major incidents.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) funds the national resilience lead authority in Merseyside to deliver a range of services, including capability assurance, to ensure National Resilience Capabilities operate effectively across the country.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 13604 answered on 2 July 2026 on Fires, what discussions she has had with executive agencies and ALBs about the effectiveness of wildfire management plans in the context of effective mitigations during the large-scale wildfires in Summer 2026.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Land managers have an important role in assessing and managing wildfire risk. Defra is supporting land managers to manage risk and put in place proportionate wildfire management plans, reflecting local risks and circumstances. These plans may include considerations of risk, control measures and monitoring mechanisms.

Defra officials are working with ALBs to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. Defra’s agencies have a central role in resilience and preparedness, and officials in Defra’s agencies are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Defra to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. The Forestry Commission supports wildfire resilience through forest and land management, risk assessment and operational preparedness, and Natural England provides evidence-based advice on environmental impacts, habitat management and nature recovery, including burning licence applications.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with NHS leaders to [a] assess the progress being achieved with the aims of the 2026 extension of the Rare Disease Framework and [b] and determine the needs to improve outcomes for people with rare diseases and conditions over the longer term.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Ministers from all four nations have agreed to extend the UK Rare Diseases Framework by one year, recognising the continued relevance of its four priorities.

The framework is overseen through UK-wide governance arrangements, including the UK Rare Diseases Framework Board, co-chaired by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the other devolved administrations on a rotational basis. The board last met on 20 February 2026 and provides high-level coordination of rare disease policy across the four nations.

Each United Kingdom nation also has its own delivery or implementation group to agree and monitor nation-specific action plans. We continue to engage with National Health Service leaders, delivery partners, devolved administrations, and the rare disease community, including through Genetic Alliance UK-led engagement, to inform future policy options and improve outcomes over the longer term.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has held any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on (a) offshore oil and gas exploration in the waters around the Falkland Islands and (b) the Foreign Secretary’s statutory consent role for petroleum licences in the Falkland Islands.

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

Ministers engage regularly across the Government on a range of issues.

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. This is integral to their right of self-determination, which is grounded in international law. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has provided advice to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on the granting of future petroleum exploration licences in the Falkland Islands, in the context of the Foreign Secretary’s statutory consent role in the last five years.

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

Ministers engage regularly across the Government on a range of issues.

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. This is integral to their right of self-determination, which is grounded in international law. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has held any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination in decisions relating to offshore oil and gas exploration.

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

Ministers engage regularly across the Government on a range of issues.

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. This is integral to their right of self-determination, which is grounded in international law. UK oil and gas licensing policy does not apply in the Falkland Islands.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of social media content and recommendation algorithms on the levels of eating disorders among children and young people.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on the Modern Service Framework for Severe Mental Illness of Beat's news story entitled 1 in 20 people affected by eating disorders in UK, new figures show.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Modern Service Framework for Severe Mental Illness will contain commitments relating to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of NHS eating disorder services to meet projected demand.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase research into the causes, prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve access to early intervention eating disorder services in community settings.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of eating disorders among boys and young men.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to improve awareness and identification of eating disorders among boys and young men.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the prevention and treatment of eating disorders will be included in the Mental Health Strategy for England.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On the overall issue of eating disorder services and mental health, I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 9 June in response to Question 5242.

On eating disorders among boys and young men, we highlighted the increase in hospital admissions for these groups in the Men’s Health Strategy for England, and we are committed to take action to improve early identification, prevention, and access to treatment for all children and young people with eating disorders, regardless of their sex.

NHS England has invested an additional £54 million per year since 2023/24 to increase the capacity and capability of community eating disorder services, with specialist services now available in every local area. New national guidance published in January 2026 also recommends that targeted prevention interventions are adapted for boys and girls, alongside a greater focus on early identification and treatment.

We will continue to ensure that eating disorder services are accessible and responsive to the needs of boys and young men, as part of our wider commitment to improving men’s health and tackling health inequalities.

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 potential impact of the National Bereavement Care Pathway on levels of consistent, individualised and sensitive care for fathers and partners.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Bereavement Care Pathway sets standards and guidance aimed at ensuring all bereaved parents, including fathers and partners, receive consistent, individualised, and sensitive care. NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Framework sets an expectation that all National Health Service trusts implement the pathway for stillbirth and neonatal death.

The Department’s engagement with bereaved fathers and other families helps ensure that their experiences inform work to improve bereavement care and support. The National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is also supported by family expert reference groups, including people with experience of bereavement, whose chairs represent members’ views and priorities on the taskforce. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with bereaved families, including fathers and partners, as this work develops.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what outcomes arose from meetings with bereaved fathers as part of her Department's wider engagement with families.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Bereavement Care Pathway sets standards and guidance aimed at ensuring all bereaved parents, including fathers and partners, receive consistent, individualised, and sensitive care. NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Framework sets an expectation that all National Health Service trusts implement the pathway for stillbirth and neonatal death.

The Department’s engagement with bereaved fathers and other families helps ensure that their experiences inform work to improve bereavement care and support. The National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is also supported by family expert reference groups, including people with experience of bereavement, whose chairs represent members’ views and priorities on the taskforce. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with bereaved families, including fathers and partners, as this work develops.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she will conduct a further meeting with bereaved fathers as part of the impact of baby loss on fathers and support services.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Bereavement Care Pathway sets standards and guidance aimed at ensuring all bereaved parents, including fathers and partners, receive consistent, individualised, and sensitive care. NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Framework sets an expectation that all National Health Service trusts implement the pathway for stillbirth and neonatal death.

The Department’s engagement with bereaved fathers and other families helps ensure that their experiences inform work to improve bereavement care and support. The National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is also supported by family expert reference groups, including people with experience of bereavement, whose chairs represent members’ views and priorities on the taskforce. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with bereaved families, including fathers and partners, as this work develops.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to WPQ 8165 answered on 29 July 2026 about Chagos Islands: Sovereignty and with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, during Departmental Questions on 1 September 2026, what recent representations he has made to the Treasury about the proportion of the budget that needs to be allocated to the Chagos treaty in the context of future UK defence expenditure needs.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the response I provided to his question 26635 of 2 September 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-09-02/26635

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Minister for International Development's contribution in response to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth during the Oral Statement of 8 September 2026 on Falkland Islands: Sovereignty, Official Report, column 877, what steps he is taking to ensure the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination in relation to offshore oil and gas exploration.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The UK Government maintains a consistent position on the right of the Falkland Islands to develop their natural resources. This is integral to their right of self-determination, which is grounded in international law, and this government will resolutely uphold it.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will consider the potential impact of system challenges on the cause of avoidable delays in the diagnosis of leukaemia.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided to the Hon Member for South Northamptonshire and the Hon Member for Hinckley and Bosworth on 3 and 15 July 2026 in response to Questions 13714 and 14438.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to WPQ 13604 answered on 2 July 2026 on Fires, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of public communications during periods of high wildfire risk during the Summer 2026; and whether she plans to enhance the communications strategy for future Summer seasons.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Following the devastating wildfires this summer, the Prime Minister has committed to holding a Wildfire Summit later this year. The summit will bring together a range of partners to turn the lessons of the exceptional wildfire and extreme heat events of 2026 into practical action.

We recognise that clear public information helps stop wildfires starting and helps people protect themselves and their property. We are making wildfire advice more visible, including through social media during high-risk periods, the Cabinet Office Prepare website, the Fire Kills campaign and StayWise, the NFCC-led education platform. We will consider what more we can do as part of the wildfire summit.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to close the labour productivity gap in the East Midlands.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Government's ambition is to support good growth across all parts of the United Kingdom. As set out in the Prime Minister's recent Machinery of Government Statement, No10 North will be responsible for driving good growth through devolution and working in close partnership with local leaders, businesses, and communities to strengthen place-based growth.

We are also committed to fundamentally rewiring the way our country works, transferring greater powers, funding and accountability to the local leaders who know what it takes to drive growth and productivity in their areas.

The government has invested £10m into Team Derby – a city wide partnership between business and regional government designed to turn major national investments into local jobs, skills and regeneration opportunities. The wider East Midlands is receiving £2bn via the Transport for City Regions fund which will enable design of a new mass transit system to connect Derby and Nottingham and drive growth and productivity by better integrating transport networks.

The Chancellor has announced that the Green Book discount rate will be reduced from 3.5% to 3.0%, in line with recommendations from independent academics. This will place greater value on the long-term benefits of investment and strengthen the case for transformational projects that drive growth – wherever they take place.

At Budget, the government will publish a fiscal devolution roadmap which will set out a path to replacing grants from central government with a share of local income tax for every mayor beginning in 2028, such that where a region grows its tax base, it benefits from the increased receipts. This will sit alongside greater retention of the revenue from business rates for local councils and strategic authorities. The long-term certainty of funding via taxation will provide more flexibility and enable greater investment to fund interventions that will deliver a return.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to WPQ 106603 answered on 26 January 2026 about Marriage Relatives, what recent discussions the National Disease Registration Service has had with hospital trusts on improve the quality and completeness of data arising from health issues due to first cousin marriage.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Disease Registration Service has the responsibility to collect information pertaining to congenital conditions and continuously works with providers to improve data quality and completeness, including for the data item on consanguinity.

This includes ongoing data quality and data liaison activities and adopting a multisource approach to data collection.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of his Department supporting the national response to wildfires, and whether an assessment may be required to consider how bambi buckets could be used to quell the spread of future fires.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question 24227 on the 8 September 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-08-28/24772

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions she has had with [i] emergency services and [ii] public bodies on the impact of the use of the emergency alerts system on Friday 14 August 2026 to highlight fire prevention and the risks of wildfires.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

Following every activation of the Emergency Alert system, the Cabinet Office carries out an internal evaluation with key stakeholders. After the 14th August, the Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council noted that the Emergency Alert heightened public awareness of the risks affecting firefighters. It was reported that there was a reduction in the number of wildfires in the 72 hours following the Emergency Alert.

The Cabinet Office is committed to continuously improving this valuable service to keep people safe. The government remains ready to deploy the capability at short-notice in response to risks that pose a danger to life, including but not limited to flooding, severe weather and wildfires.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment she has made about the [i] relevance and [ii] effectiveness of the current level of threshold for the use of the national emergency alerts system.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

All Emergency Alerts must meet an agreed set of criteria for use. Those criteria were met on the 14th August. On the day the Alert was issued, the National Fire Chiefs Council reported 43 active fires and 11 major incidents nationwide. Mutual aid was in play, with fire and rescue services across the country supporting each other. In south Wales, the military had been deployed to tackle major wildfires.

We took the decision working with fire and rescue services on the ground, in response to the latest understanding of the risk picture.

Encouragingly, in the 72 hours following the Emergency Alert, the Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council Phil Garrigan noted there was a reduction in the number of wildfires. The Alert was effective in heightening the public’s awareness of the risk affecting the country.

The government remains ready to deploy the capability at short-notice in response to risks that pose a danger to life, including but not limited to flooding, severe weather and wildfires.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to tackle the practices of illegal and unlicensed gambling operators to ensure that consumers are supported from gambling harm.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is acutely aware of the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families, and is committed to strengthening protections for those at risk. We are also committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed.

As part of the 2025 Budget, the Treasury announced that the Gambling Commission will receive an additional £26 million across three years to increase investment, resources and capacity to tackle the illegal market. In addition, the Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent in April 2026, enables the Commission to apply for new powers to obtain orders to suspend internet protocol addresses and internet domain names linked to illegal gambling.

We launched the Illegal Gambling Taskforce at the beginning of this year which brings together a wide range of stakeholders to take action against the illegal market. We are also consulting on banning physical manifestations of unlicensed gambling sponsorships and advertising in Great Britain across all sectors, including sport.

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