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Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 26 Feb 2026
Business of the House

"This week, one of my constituents experienced a homophobic attack on Oxford Street from a shopkeeper who runs one of the American candy stores. This is a stark reminder of not only the rogue traders who are operating on Oxford Street but the ongoing presence of homophobia in our society. …..."
Rachel Blake - View Speech

View all Rachel Blake (LAB - Cities of London and Westminster) contributions to the debate on: Business of the House
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 26 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"1. What steps she is taking to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets. ..."
Rachel Blake - View Speech

View all Rachel Blake (LAB - Cities of London and Westminster) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 26 Feb 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"I appreciate the focus and attention that the Minister has brought to this issue, which is so essential in my constituency where about 6,000 homes are lost to short-letting. Will she share with us how she will capture the number of nights that properties are let out, as that is …..."
Rachel Blake - View Speech

View all Rachel Blake (LAB - Cities of London and Westminster) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Written Question
Side Effects: Children
Thursday 26th February 2026

Asked by: Rachel Blake (Labour (Co-op) - Cities of London and Westminster)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, a) what data NHS England holds regarding children who have experienced iatrogenic harm caused by anti-seizure medications (ASMs), and b) what guidance is in place to prevent this harm within NHS England.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England collects and quality assures data about people with congenital conditions and rare conditions across the whole of England. Further information on the NDRS is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs

In the most recent official statistics on congenital conditions in England, which contains information on congenital conditions detected in babies delivered in England between 1 January and 31 December 2022, and in previous publications of this series back to inception in 2018, there were no foetuses or babies reported to have a diagnosis of foetal sodium valproate syndrome. No statistics are available for congenital conditions related to other anti-seizure medications. The most recent official statistics on congenital conditions in England, the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service Congenital Condition Official Statistics Report 2022, is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/ncardrs-congenital-anomaly-statistics-annual-data/ncardrs-congenital-condition-statistics-report-2022

It is likely that while some of the individual conditions, for instance neural tube defects, cardiac, oro-facial clefts, and limb difference, that can be associated with this condition are recorded on the register, the overarching diagnosis of foetal sodium valproate syndrome may not yet be registered because foetal sodium valproate syndrome may take more than a year after birth to be confirmed as a diagnosis. The NDRS is assessing the feasibility and reliability of better ascertainment of foetal sodium valproate syndrome by linking the congenital condition register to primary care prescription data.


NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Guidance requires providers to address problematic polypharmacy. Structured Medication Review (SMR) is both general concept and also a defined clinical activity in general practice. SMRs are an evidence-based and comprehensive review of a patient’s medication, taking into consideration all aspects of their health. In SMRs, clinicians and patients work as equal partners to understand the balance between the benefits and risks of, and alternatives to, taking medicines. Further information on SMRs is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng5

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), continuously monitors the safety of medicines, including their use during pregnancy. MHRA updated the Summary of Product Characteristics, Patient Information Leaflets and educational materials to reflect the latest data for these medicines. The magnitude and type of risks associated with the use of antiseizure medication in pregnancy have been communicated in the MHRA Safety Roundup, Drug Safety Update, and letters through the NHS Central Alerting System. The MHRA, taking advice from the Commission on Human Medicines, has worked with professional bodies to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and patients of the risks of antiseizure medication, particularly valproate and topiramate when taken during pregnancy.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 23 Feb 2026
Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving

"Constituents of mine have told me that they want mainstream schools to be ready to support their children. They have also asked me to ask the Secretary of State who will define complexity, how it will be defined and how local schools will be held to account to ensure that …..."
Rachel Blake - View Speech

View all Rachel Blake (LAB - Cities of London and Westminster) contributions to the debate on: Schools White Paper: Every Child Achieving and Thriving
Division Vote (Commons)
23 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context
Rachel Blake (LAB) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 284 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 73 Noes - 286
Division Vote (Commons)
23 Feb 2026 - Universal Credit (Removal of Two Child Limit) Bill - View Vote Context
Rachel Blake (LAB) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 282 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 361 Noes - 84
Division Vote (Commons)
23 Feb 2026 - Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill - View Vote Context
Rachel Blake (LAB) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 276 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 77 Noes - 280
Division Vote (Commons)
23 Feb 2026 - Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill - View Vote Context
Rachel Blake (LAB) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 271 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 156 Noes - 273
Division Vote (Commons)
23 Feb 2026 - Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill - View Vote Context
Rachel Blake (LAB) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 270 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 161 Noes - 272