Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to promote the importance of regular eye tests and vision screening for children; and what further steps he plans to take to increase the uptake of eye tests among children.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Free National Health Service sight tests are widely available for children under 16 years old, and under 19 years old in full time education. The NHS.UK website sets out the importance of regular sight tests whilst also providing information about who is entitled to free NHS sight tests. The Department also looks for opportunities to promote the importance of NHS sight tests, such as through National Eye Health Week.
All babies should receive a routine eye screening within 72 hours of birth as part of the newborn physical examination, and again at around six weeks of age. The UK National Screening Committee also recommends vision screening in school for children aged four to five years old to look for reduced vision in one or both eyes. Providers of this service will send information to parents, carers, or guardians, setting out why vision screening is important to encourage uptake.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility requirements for the NHS Health Check to adults aged between 25 to 39.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The NHS Health Check, a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, assesses the risk factors for CVD in people aged 40 to 74 years old, provides advice on how to reduce the risk of developing CVD, and refers people to behaviour support programmes, clinical assessment, and treatment where appropriate.
Data shows that the older a person is, the more likely it is they will attend their NHS Health Check, with the highest uptake in the 70 to 74 year old age group.
We are undertaking a review of the evidence for expanding eligibility to people under 40 years of age. This work will inform the ongoing policy for the NHS Health Check programme.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure children in (a) key stage 1 and (b) key stage 2 have sufficient access to (i) high-quality play provision and (ii) adequate time for play at school.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
Play is essential to development and learning for young children. This is recognised in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, and schools, governing bodies and academy trusts are responsible for ensuring the school day includes opportunities for social interaction, physical activity and enrichment activities.
Government guidance sets out the expectation that a school week is a minimum of 32.5 hours inclusive of breaks, providing lots of opportunity for schools to incorporate time for play and other activities.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support jobs in the defence sector.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Defence is not just the cornerstone of national security, but it is also an engine for growth.
The Defence Industrial Strategy will deliver good jobs and rewarding careers in Defence, that support communities across our nations.
I am also working with my Ministerial colleagues as part of a cross-Government effort to identify and grow the skills the UK defence sector will need for the future.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the classification of ketamine as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing that classification.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
No recent assessment has been made. Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B in 2014, in accordance with advice provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD’s recommendation was based on evidence of ketamine’s potential for harm at that time. The Government continues to assess any emerging evidence of harm and keeps drugs controls under review. Any decisions about drug classification are made after seeking expert advice from the ACMD.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024 to Question 10959 on British Nationality: Assessments, what her planned timescale is for reviewing the Life in the UK handbook; and if she will take steps to introduce practical citizenship classes to support the integration process.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The Life in the UK handbook is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains up to date and correct. The current impression of the handbook, published in 2023, was reviewed earlier this year. We aim to publish the next impression, with amendments, before the end of 2024. We expect to finalise the next periodic review of the handbook towards the end of 2025.
The Home Office works with its commercial partners to ensure a range of learning materials are available to support those who wish to study for the Life in the UK test. These include a mobile app, an e-learning zone and study guides available in digital and paper formats.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of support available to businesses developing technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government policies supporting businesses to develop technologies to reduce carbon emissions adhere with the Department's published monitoring and evaluation framework, which sets out our commitment to robust and proportionate monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of our policies (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/desnz-monitoring-and-evaluation-framework).
Example programmes through which the Government provides support for low carbon technology development include the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and its predecessor, the Energy Innovation Programme. Both of these are monitored through Key Performance Indicators and subject to external evaluations. An evaluation of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, for instance, found that it was effective at accelerating technological progress (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-entrepreneurs-fund-phases-1-7-final-evaluation).
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) updating the Life in the UK (i) handbook and (ii) citizenship test and (b) introducing integration classes to help people adjust to life in the UK.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The Life in the UK test is important for anyone applying to settle permanently in the UK to ensure they have an understanding of the democratic principles underlying British society and aspects of our culture and traditions. The handbook and questions are periodically reviewed to ensure the information is up to date and correct.
Individuals granted asylum have access to work and to mainstream services that support their integration, and receive a Welcome Guide to provide information to support their cultural orientation and integration into life in the UK.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to question 726 on Emergency Services: Medals, if she will take steps to introduce a medal for seriously injured and medically retired emergency service personnel.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and the Home Office is happy to consider proposals for new medals for members of the emergency services.
Any official policing medal is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new medal requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Independent - Burnley)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle Islamophobia.
Answered by Angela Rayner - Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Islamophobia, and all forms of religious and racial hatred, have absolutely no place in our society. No one should be targeted because of the colour of their skin, or their faith. This Government is clear that perpetrators of such hate crimes will face the full force of the law.
Up to £29.4 million per year will be made available for protective security at mosques and Muslim faith schools until 2027/28. The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides physical protective security measures (such as CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques and associated Muslim faith community centres.
British Muslims are a crucial part of Britain’s history and British life today. This Government will not tolerate Islamophobia in any form and has committed to a more cohesive and integrated approach to ensure that all forms of hatred are stamped out of our communities. We will keep the House updated on this work to strengthen our communities.