Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8929, if his Department will consult with civil society organisations with expertise relating to rare and less survivable cancers when developing the cancer manuals in order to ensure that they fulfil the National Cancer Plan's aim of reducing disparities in cancer survival.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

The Department and NHS England continue to work with cancer stakeholders on the implementation of the National Cancer Plan and will discuss the development of cancer manuals with relevant stakeholders.

As set out in our National Cancer Plan, the first wave of manuals will include an equal balance of rare cancers, where survival has been slowest, and the most common cancers. It is in the combination of both points that we will maximise progress against our ambition to reduce disparities in cancer survival.

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 the number of trusts where maternity services have had culturally sensitive training on racism and discrimination on Black women’s experiences and engagement with maternity care.

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

We are rolling out an anti-discrimination programme to all trusts by the end of this year, to be completed by the end of 2027, which will equip leaders and frontline staff to use tried and tested approaches to tackle discriminatory practices. A robust, independent evaluation of this programme has been commissioned and is being undertaken.

This is part of a broader set of actions to tackle the root causes of racism and discrimination. We have also established an inequalities dashboard, to identify areas where specific populations face the greatest disparities, enabling tailored interventions and more equitable support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the affordability of compulsory school uniform items for families; and if she will consider introducing a (a) recommended maximum price (b) price cap for such items.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Too many families report that school uniform costs remain a financial burden and the government has legislated to limit the number of branded uniform items that schools can require, helping to reduce costs for parents and remove barriers to children accessing sport and other school activities.

Schools can now require no more than three branded items, or four in secondary and middle schools where a branded tie is compulsory, saving families up to £50 per child on their back-to-school shop.

We have also strengthened expectations on affordability through statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms. This guidance is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms.

Schools will be expected to consider the cost of individual items, particularly higher-cost items such as blazers, and the overall uniform cost when assessing affordability.

Our approach gives parents choice in how they manage uniform costs, including the option to buy items from a range of retailers. A cost cap would be complex, difficult to enforce and burdensome for schools, and the government has no plans to introduce a maximum price or cost cap.

Found: Thurrock) Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour; Calder Valley) Andrew George (Liberal Democrat; St Ives) Paulette Hamilton

Found: the chair) Alex Barros-Curtis Markus Campbell-Savours Wendy Chamberlain Daniel Francis Paulette Hamilton

Found: : Layla Moran, in the Chair Danny Beales Ben Coleman Josh Fenton-Glynn Andrew George Paulette Hamilton

Found: Daniel Francis (Labour; Bexleyheath and Crayford) Amanda Hack (Labour; North West Leicestershire) Paulette Hamilton

Found: Daniel Francis (Labour; Bexleyheath and Crayford) Amanda Hack (Labour; North West Leicestershire) Paulette Hamilton

Found: Daniel Francis (Labour; Bexleyheath and Crayford) Amanda Hack (Labour; North West Leicestershire) Paulette Hamilton

Found: ); Danny Beales; Ben Coleman; Dr Beccy Cooper; Jen Craft; Josh Fenton-Glynn; Andrew George; Paulette Hamilton

Found: were also present (Standing Order No. 137A): Jen Craft, Josh Fenton-Glynn, Andrew George, Paulette Hamilton