Paul Beresford Portrait

Paul Beresford

Conservative - Former Member for Mole Valley

First elected: 9th April 1992

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Local Government (Disqualification) Bill
24th Nov 2021 - 1st Dec 2021
House of Commons Commission
9th Jul 2015 - 18th Mar 2020
Liaison Committee Sub-committee on the effectiveness and influence of the select committee system
13th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Liaison Committee (Commons)
6th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Administration Committee
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Administration Committee
6th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Members Estimate Committee
9th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee of Privileges
28th Oct 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Administration Committee
21st Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee on Standards
9th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Administration Committee
20th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Liaison Committee (Commons)
10th Sep 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee on Privileges
28th Oct 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Members Estimate
9th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee on Privileges
7th Jan 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Committee of Privileges
7th Jan 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Finance and Services Committee
26th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Committee on Standards
7th Jan 2013 - 30th Mar 2015
Standards and Privileges
26th Jul 2010 - 7th Jan 2013
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
27th Jun 2006 - 6th May 2010
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
27th Jun 2006 - 6th May 2010
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 27th Jun 2006
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee
22nd Jul 2002 - 11th Jul 2005
Transport, Local Government & The Regions
16th Jul 2001 - 22nd Jul 2002
Urban Affairs Sub-Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 22nd Jul 2002
Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs
13th Dec 2000 - 1st Jun 2001
Environment Sub-committee
13th Dec 2000 - 1st Jun 2001
Transport Sub-committee
19th Dec 2000 - 1st Jun 2001
Procedure Committee
31st Jul 1997 - 11th May 2001
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Environment)
20th Jul 1994 - 2nd May 1997
Education
27th Apr 1992 - 27th Oct 1994


Division Voting information

Paul Beresford has voted in 3214 divisions, and 27 times against the majority of their Party.

9 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 105 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 73
27 Mar 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship Votes - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 94 Conservative No votes vs 157 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 160 Noes - 400
27 Mar 2019 - EU: Withdrawal and Future Relationship Votes - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 122 Conservative No votes vs 126 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 139 Noes - 422
14 Mar 2019 - UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 112 Conservative Aye votes vs 188 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 412 Noes - 202
31 Jan 2018 - Restoration and Renewal (Report of the Joint Committee) - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 66 Conservative Aye votes vs 164 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 220
31 Jan 2018 - Restoration and Renewal (Report of the Joint Committee) - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 68 Conservative Aye votes vs 166 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 234 Noes - 185
23 Feb 2015 - Serious Crime Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 78 Conservative No votes vs 151 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 201 Noes - 292
24 Nov 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 63 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 236 Noes - 65
4 Dec 2013 - Recall of Elected Representatives - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Conservative No votes vs 66 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 127 Noes - 17
13 Oct 2010 - Public Houses and Private Members’ Clubs (Smoking) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 74 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 86 Noes - 141
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 111 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 206 Noes - 298
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 107 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 194 Noes - 306
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 39 Conservative No votes vs 101 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 183 Noes - 308
22 Oct 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Conservative Aye votes vs 82 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 355 Noes - 129
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 114 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 190 Noes - 332
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 84 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 173 Noes - 309
20 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 26 Conservative No votes vs 130 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 304
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 77 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 176 Noes - 336
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 110 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 223 Noes - 286
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 50 Conservative No votes vs 80 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 181 Noes - 314
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 79 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 163 Noes - 342
19 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 33 Conservative No votes vs 103 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 200 Noes - 293
12 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative Aye votes vs 44 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 340 Noes - 78
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 80 Conservative Aye votes vs 96 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 150 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 418
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Conservative Aye votes vs 134 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 392
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Beresford voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
View All Paul Beresford Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Jane Ellison (Conservative)
(15 debate interactions)
Simon Burns (Conservative)
(14 debate interactions)
Chris Grayling (Conservative)
(14 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(87 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(53 debate contributions)
Home Office
(40 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Paul Beresford's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Paul Beresford

30th November 2022
Paul Beresford signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Wednesday 30th November 2022

Local Government

Tabled by: Paul Beresford (Conservative - Mole Valley)
That the draft Mole Valley (Electoral Changes) Order 2023, which was laid before the House on 18 November 2022, be not made.
1 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Nov 2022)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 1
View All Paul Beresford's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Paul Beresford, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Paul Beresford has not been granted any Urgent Questions

18 Adjournment Debates led by Paul Beresford

Thursday 22nd February 2024
Friday 15th July 2022
Monday 8th November 2021
Tuesday 28th January 2020
Thursday 25th April 2019
Thursday 26th October 2017
Tuesday 11th July 2017
Tuesday 29th November 2016
Thursday 14th July 2016
Wednesday 3rd February 2016
Tuesday 1st July 2014
Monday 13th January 2014
Tuesday 13th November 2012
Monday 27th February 2012
Thursday 23rd June 2011
Thursday 28th April 2011
Monday 29th November 2010

9 Bills introduced by Paul Beresford


A Bill to make provision about the grounds on which a person is disqualified from being elected to, or holding, certain positions in local government in England.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 28th April 2022 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to consolidate and amend provisions about the House of Commons Members’ Fund; and to make provision about the House of Commons resources estimates.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 12th May 2016 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision about interference with wireless telegraphy in prisons and similar institutions.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 19th December 2012 and was enacted into law.


This Bill received Royal Assent on 8th March 2012 and was enacted into law.


The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend section 62 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to apply additionally to the possession of prohibited written material about children; to make consequential amendments to the Act; and for connected purposes

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading: House Of Commons
Friday 19th October 2012

A Bill to create an offence of child criminal exploitation; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 23rd February 2024

A Bill to amend section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 15th October 2014

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend section 62 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 so as to apply additionally to the possession of pornographic written material about children; to make consequential amendments to the Act; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 9th October 2013

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to provide for tax relief on medical insurance premiums for people above a certain age; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
24th Mar 2016
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with officials of the Home Office and the police on proposals to allow members of the public to take their own ID photos for official documents on their own digital devices and the potential effect of this on ID fraud and quality of images.

Government departments are fully committed to ensuring that the risks of identity fraud are minimised in transactions requiring photographs to be submitted. Currently applicants send paper photographs through the postal service. Technology now enables digital photographs to be submitted in online applications. In whichever channel is used the applicant must attest that the picture is a true likeness and departments put processes in place to assess the end-to-end risks of identity fraud. New technology has the potential to reduce fraud in this process, and we are investigating how technology can be used in a way that is both safe and cost effective.

27th Oct 2014
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what liaison is taking place between his Department and the Home Office on the (a) design of, (b) structure of and (c) security for the new digital vault for storing and processing digital ID pictures for use in passports; and if he will make a statement.

The Government Digital Service is working closely with HM Passport Office. The Government is fully committed to protecting public data, including in all aspects of the passport application process.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many confirmed cases of oro-pharyngeal cancer there were in the last five years for which figures are available; and how many of those cases resulted in death.

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.

5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 9 November 2022 to Question 75748 on Energy Bills Rebate: Park Homes, for what reason park home owners have not yet received financial support under Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding.

There is no single register of all households eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding, and it therefore requires a separate approach from the main Energy Bills Support Scheme, which was delivered through suppliers. The Government is developing the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme to support these households, including park homes, and will announce further details on eligibility, delivery mechanisms and timing soon.

1st Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when park home owners can expect to receive the financial support provided by the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

As announced on 29 July, the EBSS Alternative Funding will be available to provide equivalent support of £400 for energy bills for the households who will not be reached through the EBSS. This includes those who do not have a domestic electricity meter or a direct relationship with an energy supplier, such as park home residents.

The Government is working to make the support available to applicants as soon as possible and is working with a range of organisations, such as local authorities, Devolved Administrations and across the UK Government, to finalise the details of the Alternative Funding and have the process up and running for applications this winter.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment the Government has made, ahead of schools returning in September 2020, of the (a) effectiveness and (b) safety of the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers in schools.

The Government has been clear that all pupils, in all year groups, should return to school full-time from the beginning of the autumn term and on 2 July we published guidance to help schools prepare for this. The guidance can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools.

The guidance sets out a system of controls which provide a framework for school leaders to put in place proportionate protective measures to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission, including cleaning hands thoroughly more often than usual.

COVID-19 is an easy virus to kill when it is on skin. This can be done with soap and running water or hand sanitiser. Schools must ensure that pupils clean their hands regularly, including when they arrive at school, when they return from breaks, when they change rooms and before and after eating.

Schools have been advised to consider whether they have enough hand washing or hand sanitiser ‘stations’ available so that all pupils and staff can clean their hands regularly. Schools have also been asked to supervise hand sanitiser use given risks around ingestion. Small children and pupils with complex needs should be helped to clean their hands properly. Skin friendly cleaning wipes can also be used as an alternative where required.

7th May 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department has issued on how the new regulations on hedge cutting apply to commercial hedgelaying.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the hedge-cutting rules in the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 will apply to commercial hedge-laying only where it takes place on agricultural land. The Rural Payments Agency as regulator will provide advice and guidance to all those who will need to comply with these new regulations. Full guidance will also be published on gov.uk.

3rd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many deaths and injuries have been caused by prohibited animals which are (a) not on and (b) on the Index of Exempted Dogs in each of the last five years.

There are no records held on the numbers of deaths or injuries caused by dogs held on the Index of Exempted Dogs. However, annual statistics for the last full five years, published by the Health & Social Care Information Centre, on Counts of Finished Admission Episodes for dog bites and strikes is contained in the attached table (the figures should be read in conjunction with the footnotes to the table).

In addition, the number of people killed by dogs each year for the last full five years is as follows:

20102
20110
20123
20134
20145


Counts of Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs)1 for dog bites and strikes2, 2009-10 to 2013-143

Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector

Year

FAEs

2009-10

5,837

2010-11

6,005

2011-12

6,580

2012-13

6,317

2013-14

6,836

Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

1. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.

2. External cause codes

A supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. Only the first external cause code which is coded within the episode is counted in HES.

ICD-10 code used: W54 - Bitten or struck by dog

3. Assessing growth through time (Admitted patient care)

HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Conversely, apparent increases in activity may be due to improved recording of diagnosis or procedure information.

Note that Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) include activity ending in the year in question and run from April to March, e.g. 2012-13 includes activity ending between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposals relating to reform of the licensing process for L-Category vehicles published by the Motorcycle Industry Association in its document entitled A Licence to Net Zero on (a) the cost of L-Category licensing for (i) the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and (ii) riders and (b) DVSA L-Category test capacity.

The Government is open to discussing ideas for reform of the existing licensing regime for powered light vehicles known as L category vehicles where they do not compromise safety standards. The Government intends to engage with the Motorcycle Industry Association in the coming weeks to discuss and consider how they align with existing work and planning linked to licencing reform.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposals relating to reform of Compulsory Basic Training published by the Motorcycle Industry Association in its document entitled A Licence to Net Zero on (a) road safety, (b) quality of rider training and (c) the skill levels of riders.

The Minister for Roads and Local Transport intends to engage with the Motorcycle Industry Association on its proposals, in the near future, to consider how they align with existing work and plans on Compulsory Basic Training and licence reform.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had discussions with his officials on the potential merits of introducing bespoke phase out dates for powered light vehicles following the extension of phase out for vans and cars announced on 20 September 2023.

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement. The Department is now in the process of analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of granting a longer transition period for (a) manufacturers and (b) consumers to adapt to the phase out of new non zero emission L-category vehicles.

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement. The Department is now in the process of analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Government's proposed phase out dates for new non zero emission mopeds and motorcycles on the level of (a) attractiveness for investment of the UK's L-category market and (b) consumer choice within that market.

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement. The Department is now in the process of analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

26th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Third Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of 2023-24 on Defined benefit pension schemes, HC 144, published on 26 March 2024 and the Fifty-Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of 2022-23 on AEA Technology Pension Case, HC 1005, published on 14 June 2023, if he will publish a redress scheme for AEA Technology pension scheme members by 23 July 2024.

This is a complex issue, which spans the responsibility of several departments. My officials are in discussion with their counterparts at the Cabinet Office.

As part of the government’s response to the Third Report of the Work and Pensions Committee of 2023-24 on Defined Benefit pension schemes (HC144) we will carefully consider this issue, involving other relevant departments as appropriate and respond in due course.

13th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Vespex, a product manufactured by Merchento for controlling wasp populations, is under consideration for use in the UK.

No, the company has not made an application for a biocidal product authorisation and so the product Vespex is not under consideration for use in the UK.

Mims Davies
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
1st Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to respond to the Canadian Government’s request for a reciprocal social security agreement.

The UK has reciprocal social security agreements, covering pensions and some other benefits, with the following Commonwealth countries: Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, Malta, Cyprus, Canada and New Zealand. All the agreements except for Canada and New Zealand provide for state pension up-rating.

The Department plans to respond to the request from Canada in due course.

1st Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with which Commonwealth countries the UK has reciprocal social security arrangements.

The UK has reciprocal social security agreements, covering pensions and some other benefits, with the following Commonwealth countries: Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, Malta, Cyprus, Canada and New Zealand. All the agreements except for Canada and New Zealand provide for state pension up-rating.

The Department plans to respond to the request from Canada in due course.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans the Government has to review the regulatory regime for hand sanitiser products to ensure those on sale are both safe and effective.

The EU Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012 (BPR) has applied since 2013. In line with the EU Exit Withdrawal Agreement, the BPR is being retained with changes to reflect the position at the end of the Transition Period. This process does not allow the UK to make policy changes. Thus, there are no current plans to review the procedures within the UK biocides legislation. HSE has no evidence that the current regulatory approach is ineffective.

BPR requires that all the active substances used in hand sanitiser products are reviewed for their safety, both to people and the wider environment. Only products containing active substances that are undergoing that review process are allowed to be marketed.

Once the review of an active substance has been completed and the active is approved as being suitable to continue being used, each product containing that substance is then assessed, both for safety and for efficacy. While the review of an active substance is ongoing, products containing that substance can continue to be marketed subject to the requirements of general legislation relating to product safety and the supply of chemicals.

The BPR does not regulate the price of hand sanitiser products.

There are no current plans to review the regulation of sales of hand sanitiser products.

Mims Davies
Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities
2nd Jun 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what training is provided to people who carry out assessments for employment and support allowance or personal independence payment on sufferers of hidradenitis suppurativa.

All healthcare professionals who carry out either Work Capability Assessments or Personal Independence Payment assessments undergo broad and thorough training in disability analysis, as well as training in specific conditions, including progressive conditions. Centre for Health and Disability Assessments, Atos Healthcare and Capita are required to conform to a rigorous set of quality and recruitment standards which are closely monitored by the Department for Work and Pensions.

27th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation to work towards replacing palivizumab with nirsevimab in 2022, what steps his Department plans to take to work with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to agree an innovative procurement route to enable an expanded immunisation programme for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related lower respiratory tract infections for the 2023-24 winter season.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that the current respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, should be replaced by nirsevimab for the existing, targeted cohort. The Department, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England are engaging with the manufacturer to support this change in time for the 2023/24 winter season.

The JCVI is actively reviewing evidence about a potential expanded RSV programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their review of evidence and any advice is made, the Department will support the implementation of any changes advised by the JCVI as soon as is practicable, including working closely with NHS England and UKHSA.

27th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to work with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation manufacturers to support the implementation of a universal immunisation programme for the prevention of RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections in infants, to reduce winter pressures on the NHS.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provides the Government with advice on all immunisation programmes, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The JCVI is actively reviewing evidence around available products and the potential for an expanded or universal RSV programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their review of evidence and any advice is made, the Department will work with manufacturers, alongside the UK Heath Security Agency and NHS England, to support the implementation of advice as soon as is practicable.

27th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the minute of meeting held on 1 February 2023 by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), for what reason a budget has not been allocated for a national respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation programme for the prevention of RSV related lower respiratory tract infections in infants for 2023-24.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are actively considering the potential for an expanded or universal respiratory syncytial virus programme. Once the JCVI have concluded their robust review of evidence, the Department will support the implementation of any advice with NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency as soon as is practicable, including, if necessary, engaging with HM Treasury to seek budgetary support for a potential programme.

28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance by NHS England entitled The two-week wait skin cancer pathway, published on 4 April 2022, if he will make an estimate of the median cost to trusts of establishing a teledermatology service.

The Outpatient Recovery and Transformation (OPRT) programme has delivered a series of webinars and processes to raise awareness of various outpatient improvement initiatives to support Integrated Care Systems, with signposting to online resources and contacts for support in implementation.

The OPRT in collaboration with the National Cancer team and other stakeholders have published the Implementing a timed skin cancer diagnostic pathway guidance for local health and care systems (in October 2022), including for teledermatology pathways to support two week wait skin cancer delivery.

NHS England provide support, funding and guidance to help cancer alliances improve outcomes and reduce variation. This includes programme management to support delivery and implementing guidance for achieving best practice. Estimates of costs of establishing teledermatology services are the remit of commissioner and provider organisations.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance by NHS England entitled The two-week wait skin cancer pathway, published on 4 April 2022, whether his Department plans to take steps to help tackle regional variations in the use of teledermatology within dermatology services in England; whether his Department has provided funding for the implementation of new pathways proposed within that guidance; and whether accountability mechanisms have been put in place to help ensure that integrated care systems implement those pathways in England.

The Outpatient Recovery and Transformation (OPRT) programme has delivered a series of webinars and processes to raise awareness of various outpatient improvement initiatives to support Integrated Care Systems, with signposting to online resources and contacts for support in implementation.

The OPRT in collaboration with the National Cancer team and other stakeholders have published the Implementing a timed skin cancer diagnostic pathway guidance for local health and care systems (in October 2022), including for teledermatology pathways to support two week wait skin cancer delivery.

NHS England provide support, funding and guidance to help cancer alliances improve outcomes and reduce variation. This includes programme management to support delivery and implementing guidance for achieving best practice. Estimates of costs of establishing teledermatology services are the remit of commissioner and provider organisations.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of referral services for patients with skin conditions; and whether he is taking steps to improve those services.

While the Department has not made any formal assessment of the adequacy of referral services, the Department continues to support the National Health Service to recover all elective services, including for patients with skin conditions. This includes providing funding and setting direction through the elective recovery delivery plan published last year.

Most adult and paediatric dermatology services are commissioned locally through integrated care boards. However, to support patients with more complex or severe conditions, NHS England directly commissions some specialised services for example specialised adult and child dermatology clinics.

A recent NHS guide on referral optimisation for people with skin conditions outlines how systems can implement specialist advice and guidance. The approach enables local systems to embed personalised care, strengthen the primary and secondary care interface, and streamline collaboration between generalists and specialists so that more patients can be treated closer to home.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the level of variation in access to treatment for patients with inflammatory skin conditions in England.

While the Department has not made any formal assessment, NHS England is working to ensure fair and equitable access to treatment for elective services in England, including for patients with inflammatory skin conditions.

NHS England’s outpatient recovery and transformation programme has introduced a number of initiatives, such as the virtual teledermatology two-week wait pathway, as well as patient-initiated follow-up and remote consultations, all of which provide opportunities to reduce the number of patients attending face-to-face appointments. This means capacity can be released for patients that need to be seen face-to-face, such as those with extensive inflammatory skin disease.

In addition, a document focusing on equity of access has recently been published and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/ensuring-equity-of-access-to-care-when-redesigning-dermatology-pathways/

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential (a) merits of teledermatology and (b) impact of teledermatology on the level of waiting list backlogs caused by covid-19 in England.

While the Department has not made a formal assessment of the potential merits of teledermatology or the impact of teledermatology on waiting list backlogs caused by COVID-19 in England, the Department continues to support the National Health Service in working to ensure the recovery and transformation of all elective services, including for patients with skin conditions. This includes providing record levels of funding and setting direction through the elective recovery delivery plan published last year. NHS England’s outpatient recovery and transformation programme published a teledermatology roadmap in 2021.


The outpatient recovery and transformation programme has also introduced a number of initiatives such as using advice and guidance and the virtual teledermatology two-week wait pathway, as well as patient initiated follow-up and remote consultations, all of which provide opportunities to reduce the number of patients attending face-to-face appointments. This means capacity can be released for patients that need to be seen face-to-face, such as those with extensive inflammatory skin disease.

Through these approaches, NHS providers are tackling the backlogs caused by the pandemic and transforming service provision for all patients.

28th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance by NHS England entitled Referral optimisation for people with skin conditions, published on 27 September 2022, what steps his Department is taking to help support the adoption of referral optimisation.

The Department is supporting the National Health Service to improve outpatient services, including referral optimisation.

NHS England’s Outpatient Recovery and Transformation Programme runs a series of Action on Outpatients webinars to raise awareness of outpatient improvement initiatives. In December 2022, the series focused on outpatient referral optimisation, drawing on principles from NHS England guidance on referral optimisation for people with skin conditions, published September 2022.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is the Government is taking to restore routine meningococcal immunisation programmes following disruption caused by the covid-19 outbreak.

The delivery of the MenACWY vaccine was interrupted by the closure of schools from 23 March 2020. Vaccine delivery was resumed as soon as possible and NHS England and NHS Improvement continue to ensure any students affected by this disruption have the opportunity to be vaccinated.

Vaccines against meningococcal B, given to children at one year old, were not paused during the pandemic. General practices continued to offer routine vaccination services, using social distancing and personal protective equipment. However, any child who did not receive their routine vaccinations during the pandemic remains eligible and general practitioners are able to provide the service to any child who has missed a vaccination.

21st Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the waiting times for referral for atopic eczema patients on patient access to treatment; and what plans his Department has taken to reduce such waiting times in dermatology services.

No formal assessment has been made.

21st Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what impact assessment has been undertaken of the effect of covid-19 on the provision of NHS dermatology services.

There has been no central formal impact assessment. Local systems delivering dermatology services carry out their own assessments.

21st Jul 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to develop (a) national clinical guidelines and (b) quality standards for the management of atopic eczema in adults and adolescents.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent, expert body responsible for developing authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service. NICE has received a referral from NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop a guideline on atopic dermatitis or eczema in those aged over 12 years old, which will be commissioned for development in due course. There are no plans for NICE to develop a quality standard on atopic dermatitis in those aged over 12 years old.

10th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the proposal in his Department's Integration and innovation White Paper for a Secretary of State duty to publish a report every Parliament to support workforce planning responsibilities, whether he plans to include an audit of clinical nurse specialists who work in prostate cancer in that report.

There is no plan for this duty to entail undertaking an audit in relation to clinical nurse specialists working in prostate cancer, nor any other health professions or medical conditions.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
10th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in (a) urology and (b) prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months.

The Department does not hold information on the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in urology and prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months. No audit has been undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for either urology or prostate cancer.

We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health Education England and employers to determine our future workforce and people priorities which will inform the NHS People Plan and future workforce planning requirements in key areas such as cancer. In 2021/22 Health Education England is offering training grants for up to 250 nurses to become cancer nurse specialists and up to 100 nurses to become chemotherapy nurse specialists.

10th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for (a) urology and (b) prostate cancer.

The Department does not hold information on the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in urology and prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months. No audit has been undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for either urology or prostate cancer.

We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health Education England and employers to determine our future workforce and people priorities which will inform the NHS People Plan and future workforce planning requirements in key areas such as cancer. In 2021/22 Health Education England is offering training grants for up to 250 nurses to become cancer nurse specialists and up to 100 nurses to become chemotherapy nurse specialists.

10th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has plans to undertake an audit of the prostate cancer workforce prior to the next iteration of the NHS People Plan.

The Department does not hold information on the number of clinical nurse specialists who specialise in urology and prostate cancer who plan to retire in the next 12 months. No audit has been undertaken an audit of the clinical nurse specialist workforce for either urology or prostate cancer.

We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health Education England and employers to determine our future workforce and people priorities which will inform the NHS People Plan and future workforce planning requirements in key areas such as cancer. In 2021/22 Health Education England is offering training grants for up to 250 nurses to become cancer nurse specialists and up to 100 nurses to become chemotherapy nurse specialists.

27th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional support his Department is providing to dermatology services in 2021.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
27th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve dermatology waiting times; and whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the collection of waiting times data in dermatology.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.
Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
27th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the implications for his policies of the 23 recommendations in the Dermatology Getting it right first time Programme National Specialty Report: Proposed Recommendations, published on 15 September 2020.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
27th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timetable is for publishing the Getting It Right First Time dermatology national specialty report.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before prorogation.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
20th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidential threshold will be used when reviewing the travel status of countries under the new traffic light system.

Travel status decisions are taken by Ministers informed by evidence including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s analysis as well as other relevant information about the risk of the spread of variant. The advice, evidence and methodology which informs these decisions relates to on-going development of Government policy and therefore cannot be published at this time.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Government has made of the (a) effect of alcohol-based hand sanitisers on people with skin conditions and (b) effectiveness of alternatives available to people who cannot use alcohol-based hand sanitisers due to skin conditions or allergies.

Providers of National Health Service care in England use the evidence cited and ensure that appropriate training is provided to health care workers in hand hygiene, providers also ensure that products are purchased that are consistent with the best available evidence. All healthcare workers have access to occupational health assessment and are referred for assessment and treatment in the event of developing skin complications. Using the guidelines, recommendations made by occupational health are followed by NHS providers as part of risk assessment and mitigation for the individual and the patient.

As Health and Safety Executive guidance for the general public states, and in line with WHO guidance, alcohol does not have to be “active ingredients” to be effective in hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization recommend that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but non-alcohol based sanitisers can also be effective when combined with other social distancing measures.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of guidance on hand sanitisers for people who cannot use alcohol-based hand rubs as a result of (a) eczema, (b) dermatitis, (c) other skin conditions and (d) allergy reactions.

Providers of National Health Service care in England use the evidence cited and ensure that appropriate training is provided to health care workers in hand hygiene, providers also ensure that products are purchased that are consistent with the best available evidence. All healthcare workers have access to occupational health assessment and are referred for assessment and treatment in the event of developing skin complications. Using the guidelines, recommendations made by occupational health are followed by NHS providers as part of risk assessment and mitigation for the individual and the patient.

As Health and Safety Executive guidance for the general public states, and in line with WHO guidance, alcohol does not have to be “active ingredients” to be effective in hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization recommend that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but non-alcohol based sanitisers can also be effective when combined with other social distancing measures.

28th Aug 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will undertake a review of whether alcohol-free hand sanitisers which are independently lab-certified to be effective can be included in public guidance alongside alcohol-based products.

Providers of National Health Service care in England use the evidence cited and ensure that appropriate training is provided to health care workers in hand hygiene, providers also ensure that products are purchased that are consistent with the best available evidence. All healthcare workers have access to occupational health assessment and are referred for assessment and treatment in the event of developing skin complications. Using the guidelines, recommendations made by occupational health are followed by NHS providers as part of risk assessment and mitigation for the individual and the patient.

As Health and Safety Executive guidance for the general public states, and in line with WHO guidance, alcohol does not have to be “active ingredients” to be effective in hand sanitizer. The World Health Organization recommend that hand sanitiser should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol, but non-alcohol based sanitisers can also be effective when combined with other social distancing measures.

7th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much Government funding was allocated to biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis in the financial years (a) 2017-18, (b) 2018-19 and (c) 2019-20.

The following table shows how much Government funding was allocated to biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) for financial years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Financial Year

£

2017-18

226,470

2018-19

396,467

2019-20

443,719

In addition to the funding set out above, the National Institute for Health Research, funded through the Department, and the Medical Research Council have recently announced a £3.2 million award to fund research into potential genetic connections to ME/CFS. The project will analyse samples from 20,000 people with ME/CFS to search for genetic differences that may indicate underlying causes or increase the risk of developing the condition.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
12th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for who will provide staff security and security management advice to primary care contractors after the dissolution of NHS Protect.

Employers in the National Health Service are responsible for assessing risks to staff and addressing those risks. Any abuse of NHS staff and primary care contractors is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Any form of abuse should be reported and primary care organisations should have no hesitation in involving the police. The role of NHS Protect was to develop national guidance to assist NHS organisations locally in their security management work. Comprehensive and detailed guidance is available to NHS employers to assist them in assessing and managing the risks accordingly and involving the police where appropriate.

The standards for security management work are imposed through the relevant clauses of the standard commissioning contract between commissioners and providers. It is commissioners’ responsibility to ensure that security management standards are met in accordance with the contract. NHS England is responsible for the standard commissioning contract and the clauses within it and the standards to which it refers.

12th Jul 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans for the work of the next Adult Dental Health Survey to commence.

No decisions have been taken yet on the funding or timing of the next Adult Dental Health Survey.