Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
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 process that parents and carers have to follow when their child has deteriorating mental health and they are on the waiting list for a mental health service appointment.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England advises that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in North Derbyshire are provided by the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. As of September 2026, the average waiting time for young people on the CAMHS waiting list in North Derbyshire was 14 weeks, with the longest waiting time being 42 weeks.
As of the end of June 2026, 57 children and young people in North Derbyshire were on the CAMHS waiting list for an autism spectrum disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment. Obsessive compulsive disorder is primarily classified as a mental health condition and is not separately identified on the CAMHS waiting list.
CAMHS has a process in place to support and monitor children and young people while they are waiting for an appointment. The relevant Standard Operating Procedure for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was reviewed and ratified through CAMHS governance processes on 13 October 2026.
Supporting children, young people, and their families while they wait for CAMHS is also a priority within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Priority Impact Plan and is subject to ongoing assessment by the Care Quality Commission. As part of work to review and improve the support available, the integrated care board has worked with parents and carers to assess the information and support available to families. This has included a recent update to the Derbyshire Local Offer: Children and Young People's Mental Health Support, which helps families understand the mental health and wellbeing support available to children and young people. Further information on the offer is available at the following link:
The Government’s ambition is for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to provide coverage across 100% of schools in England by the end of 2029, which we are on track to deliver. This does not mean that every school will have its own dedicated counsellor. MHSTs work across groups of schools and provide support through multidisciplinary teams, including Education Mental Health Practitioners. They offer early, evidence-based support for children and young people and help schools develop whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
In Bolsover, an established MHST supports a defined group of schools, although provision does not currently extend directly to every school. Across Derby and Derbyshire, Compass Changing Lives provides an emotional health and wellbeing offer across all schools. Its Early Intervention and Targeted Support Service provides support in areas that are not covered by an MHST.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress she has made on recruiting a counsellor to every school in a) Bolsover constituency and b) Derbyshire.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England advises that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in North Derbyshire are provided by the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. As of September 2026, the average waiting time for young people on the CAMHS waiting list in North Derbyshire was 14 weeks, with the longest waiting time being 42 weeks.
As of the end of June 2026, 57 children and young people in North Derbyshire were on the CAMHS waiting list for an autism spectrum disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment. Obsessive compulsive disorder is primarily classified as a mental health condition and is not separately identified on the CAMHS waiting list.
CAMHS has a process in place to support and monitor children and young people while they are waiting for an appointment. The relevant Standard Operating Procedure for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was reviewed and ratified through CAMHS governance processes on 13 October 2026.
Supporting children, young people, and their families while they wait for CAMHS is also a priority within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Priority Impact Plan and is subject to ongoing assessment by the Care Quality Commission. As part of work to review and improve the support available, the integrated care board has worked with parents and carers to assess the information and support available to families. This has included a recent update to the Derbyshire Local Offer: Children and Young People's Mental Health Support, which helps families understand the mental health and wellbeing support available to children and young people. Further information on the offer is available at the following link:
The Government’s ambition is for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to provide coverage across 100% of schools in England by the end of 2029, which we are on track to deliver. This does not mean that every school will have its own dedicated counsellor. MHSTs work across groups of schools and provide support through multidisciplinary teams, including Education Mental Health Practitioners. They offer early, evidence-based support for children and young people and help schools develop whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
In Bolsover, an established MHST supports a defined group of schools, although provision does not currently extend directly to every school. Across Derby and Derbyshire, Compass Changing Lives provides an emotional health and wellbeing offer across all schools. Its Early Intervention and Targeted Support Service provides support in areas that are not covered by an MHST.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is a) the average and b) the longest waiting time for young people currently on waiting lists to access mental health support under CAMHS North Derbyshire.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England advises that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in North Derbyshire are provided by the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. As of September 2026, the average waiting time for young people on the CAMHS waiting list in North Derbyshire was 14 weeks, with the longest waiting time being 42 weeks.
As of the end of June 2026, 57 children and young people in North Derbyshire were on the CAMHS waiting list for an autism spectrum disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment. Obsessive compulsive disorder is primarily classified as a mental health condition and is not separately identified on the CAMHS waiting list.
CAMHS has a process in place to support and monitor children and young people while they are waiting for an appointment. The relevant Standard Operating Procedure for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was reviewed and ratified through CAMHS governance processes on 13 October 2026.
Supporting children, young people, and their families while they wait for CAMHS is also a priority within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Priority Impact Plan and is subject to ongoing assessment by the Care Quality Commission. As part of work to review and improve the support available, the integrated care board has worked with parents and carers to assess the information and support available to families. This has included a recent update to the Derbyshire Local Offer: Children and Young People's Mental Health Support, which helps families understand the mental health and wellbeing support available to children and young people. Further information on the offer is available at the following link:
The Government’s ambition is for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to provide coverage across 100% of schools in England by the end of 2029, which we are on track to deliver. This does not mean that every school will have its own dedicated counsellor. MHSTs work across groups of schools and provide support through multidisciplinary teams, including Education Mental Health Practitioners. They offer early, evidence-based support for children and young people and help schools develop whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
In Bolsover, an established MHST supports a defined group of schools, although provision does not currently extend directly to every school. Across Derby and Derbyshire, Compass Changing Lives provides an emotional health and wellbeing offer across all schools. Its Early Intervention and Targeted Support Service provides support in areas that are not covered by an MHST.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children and young people are currently on waiting lists for assessment of a) ADHD, b) OCD and c) Autism by CAMHS North Derbyshire.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
NHS England advises that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in North Derbyshire are provided by the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. As of September 2026, the average waiting time for young people on the CAMHS waiting list in North Derbyshire was 14 weeks, with the longest waiting time being 42 weeks.
As of the end of June 2026, 57 children and young people in North Derbyshire were on the CAMHS waiting list for an autism spectrum disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment. Obsessive compulsive disorder is primarily classified as a mental health condition and is not separately identified on the CAMHS waiting list.
CAMHS has a process in place to support and monitor children and young people while they are waiting for an appointment. The relevant Standard Operating Procedure for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust was reviewed and ratified through CAMHS governance processes on 13 October 2026.
Supporting children, young people, and their families while they wait for CAMHS is also a priority within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Priority Impact Plan and is subject to ongoing assessment by the Care Quality Commission. As part of work to review and improve the support available, the integrated care board has worked with parents and carers to assess the information and support available to families. This has included a recent update to the Derbyshire Local Offer: Children and Young People's Mental Health Support, which helps families understand the mental health and wellbeing support available to children and young people. Further information on the offer is available at the following link:
The Government’s ambition is for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) to provide coverage across 100% of schools in England by the end of 2029, which we are on track to deliver. This does not mean that every school will have its own dedicated counsellor. MHSTs work across groups of schools and provide support through multidisciplinary teams, including Education Mental Health Practitioners. They offer early, evidence-based support for children and young people and help schools develop whole-school approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
In Bolsover, an established MHST supports a defined group of schools, although provision does not currently extend directly to every school. Across Derby and Derbyshire, Compass Changing Lives provides an emotional health and wellbeing offer across all schools. Its Early Intervention and Targeted Support Service provides support in areas that are not covered by an MHST.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that people can make emergency phone calls where they have (a) limited and (b) no mobile phone signal in Bolsover constituency.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
It is essential that people can contact emergency services when they need them, and the Government works closely with Ofcom and telecommunications providers to support resilient access to emergency communications.
Where a mobile customer has limited coverage on their own network, emergency 999 and 112 calls automatically connect through an alternative available mobile network where one is available. This emergency roaming capability helps maximise the likelihood that an emergency call can be completed even when a customer's own network signal is unavailable.
People can also make calls using WiFi Calling where they have access to a broadband connection and a compatible device and service. Further information is available from Ofcom and mobile network operators on emergency calling, including the circumstances in which emergency roaming and WiFi Calling may be available.
In areas where there is no mobile signal available from any network, mobile emergency calls cannot be connected. In those circumstances, fixed line services remain an important means of contacting the emergency services. Communications providers are required under Ofcom's General Conditions of Entitlement, made under the Communications Act 2003, to ensure continued access to the Public Emergency Call Service through 999 and 112.
More broadly, the Government continues to work closely with network operators to improve mobile connectivity across the UK, in line with the ambition for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have access to higher quality standalone 5G coverage by 2030.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the three main UK mobile phone operators about eradicating mobile signal blackspots in rural and semi rural areas.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
In their Connected Nations Spring update (13 May 2026), Ofcom reported that, as of January 2026, almost 100% of the Bolsover constituency landmass has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile network operators (MNOs), with standalone 5G available outside almost 100% of premises across the constituency from at least one MNO.
While these statistics are positive, mobile connectivity is about more than having a signal. What matters is whether people can make calls, use data reliably and stay connected when needed. Ofcom is increasingly reflecting this through performance data in its Map Your Mobile tool and Mobile Matters Report, published on 16 October 2026.
Ministers regularly engage with representatives from the network operators to discuss relevant topics, including the rollout of mobile networks to improve coverage across the UK.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (i) 4G and (ii) 5G coverage across Bolsover constituency.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
In their Connected Nations Spring update (13 May 2026), Ofcom reported that, as of January 2026, almost 100% of the Bolsover constituency landmass has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile network operators (MNOs), with standalone 5G available outside almost 100% of premises across the constituency from at least one MNO.
While these statistics are positive, mobile connectivity is about more than having a signal. What matters is whether people can make calls, use data reliably and stay connected when needed. Ofcom is increasingly reflecting this through performance data in its Map Your Mobile tool and Mobile Matters Report, published on 16 October 2026.
Ministers regularly engage with representatives from the network operators to discuss relevant topics, including the rollout of mobile networks to improve coverage across the UK.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with international counterparts to help tackle organised immigration crime.
Answered by Seema Malhotra
We are determined to disrupt the small boats gangs and work with international partners more closely to take Organised Immigration Crime (OIC), and this is why the Foreign Secretary convened leading Foreign Ministers to discuss this at the Munich Security Conference in February.
In the 18 months to 31 January 2026, 58,539 foreign nationals were returned;
Last year, 3625 disruptions of OIC were recorded, up to 37% on the previous year.
With new agreements including with Ethiopia and Angola we are determined to remove those who have no right to be here further undermining the business model of people smuggling gangs.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2026 to question 119539, whether she plans to take action against a) Yorkshire Water for monitoring sewage overflow levels at Palterton Main Street Combined Sewage Overflow and b) Severn Trent Water for monitoring sewage overflow levels at South Normanton Sewage Treatment Works.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Environment Agency ensures that water companies are properly monitoring discharges to the environment. It analyses Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data from all water companies to assess compliance and, where appropriate, take enforcement action. This approach applies to Yorkshire Water for Palterton Main Road Combined Sewer Overflow and to Severn Trent for South Normanton Sewage Treatment Works.
Asked by: Natalie Fleet (Labour - Bolsover)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to question 98962, what discussions he has had with Derbyshire County Council in the time taken to issue education, health and care plans, since an improvement notice for its SEND services was issued in January 2025.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
Since issuing the improvement notice to Derbyshire County Council in January 2025, the department is regularly and closely monitoring and tracking outcomes against Derbyshire’s local area partnership’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) improvement plan, including the time taken to issue high quality education, health and care plans in line with statutory expectations, so that children and young people can access the support they need in a timely manner.
The department has commissioned a SEND adviser to identify barriers, challenge, support and monitor progress against the partnership’s plan. Departmental officials scrutinise reports through a series of formal stocktakes and meetings with local leaders and attend the partnership’s SEND Improvement and Advisory Board which meets monthly and is overseen by an independently appointed chair.