To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Speech and Language Disorders: Young Offender Institutions
Tuesday 18th December 2018

Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, based on the read codes in the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool’s SystmOne, how many young people currently in young offender institutions have (a) evidence of lack of understanding, (b) difficulty understanding verbal language, or (c) difficulty with speech.

Answered by Jackie Doyle-Price

The information requested is not collected centrally.


Written Question
Speech and Language Disorders: Children and Young People
Tuesday 4th December 2018

Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England has plans to support NHS providers to collect data on the quality and the outcomes of interventions for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs by (a) recommending the inclusion of outcome measures in the community services dataset and (b) expanding the model hospital dashboard to include quality metrics.

Answered by Caroline Dinenage

The Community Services Data Set is developing in phases. At present it has the capacity to record coded assessments, and this facility is mainly used for the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, which assesses the development performance of children in a variety of areas, including communication. NHS Digital publishes data relating the Ages and Stages Questionnaire scores at 24, 27 and 30 months, including the children’s scores in the communication domain. NHS Digital continues to work with stakeholders from NHS England, Public Health England and elsewhere to understand further requirements around the Community Services Data Set, including in relation to outcomes.

When outcomes measures are included in the Community Services Data Set, these will be reflected in the Model Community Health Services site, which will be a resource providing metrics on services delivered in the community.


Written Question
Speech and Language Disorders: Children
Monday 3rd December 2018

Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2018 to Question 165670 on Speech and Language Disorders: Children, what steps Public Health England plans to take to draw on expertise from a speech, language and communications expert to inform its work on mental ill health prevention.

Answered by Jackie Doyle-Price

Public Health England (PHE) is working in partnership with the Department for Education as part of the Social Mobility Action Plan for Education, to improve early language acquisition and reduce the ‘word gap’.

To support this work an Expert Advisory Group has been established. This group helps to shape and develop the work, providing insights and advice on latest research, policy imperatives and priority issues. This group comprises experts from a range of disciplines with expertise in speech and language. These experts can also inform the work on mental health prevention.

PHE has established a Special Interest Group which aims to deliver the best applied evidence to public mental health improvement and reduction of inequalities in children and young people in England.

The group has representation from research and academia, Government Departments, arm’s length bodies, local commissioners, public health professionals and young people.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 05 Nov 2018
Prevention of Ill Health: Government Vision

"I welcome the focus on physical activity in the new prevention strategy. First, how will the Secretary of State work with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on this? Secondly, would not travelling to work provide a great opportunity? Activities such as walking, cycling, tennis before work, Mr …..."
Rebecca Pow - View Speech

View all Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) contributions to the debate on: Prevention of Ill Health: Government Vision

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 16 Oct 2018
Clinical Waste Incineration

"I thank the Minister for his clear words. I remember just how emotive the whole issue of incineration can be, because I was a news reporter at the time of the foot and mouth and BSE sagas, and it is something that worries the public. Can I have an assurance …..."
Rebecca Pow - View Speech

View all Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) contributions to the debate on: Clinical Waste Incineration

Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 09 Oct 2018
Dangerous Waste and Body Parts Disposal: NHS

"I am pleased that new contracts have been signed and enforcement action has been taken—and quickly—but what is really important are the lessons learned, so will the Minister expand on that? While this is a sensitive matter—understandably, it evokes all kinds of concerns for the public—will the Minister assure us …..."
Rebecca Pow - View Speech

View all Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) contributions to the debate on: Dangerous Waste and Body Parts Disposal: NHS

Written Question
Speech and Language Disorders: Children
Wednesday 25th July 2018

Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 2018 report by ICAN, Bercow: Ten Years On, what plans he has to make sure that the special interest group convened by Public Health England to identify key mental health prevention evidence and its relevance to practice and to highlight gaps and make recommendations for these to be addressed through further research includes an expert in speech, language and communication and the links with mental health.

Answered by Jackie Doyle-Price

Public Health England (PHE) welcomes the Bercow Ten Years On Report and is working towards the recommendations for PHE.

The Special Interest Group will meet for the first time on 25 July with representation from research/ academia, Government Departments, arm’s length bodies, local commissioners, public health professionals and young people. The aim of the Special Interest Group will be to identify the best evidence for improving public mental health and reducing inequalities in children and young people in England.

The terms of reference and membership will be discussed at the first meeting and PHE will draw on expertise from a speech, language and communications expert to inform this work.


Written Question
Speech and Language Disorders: Children
Wednesday 4th July 2018

Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to implement the recommendations of the I CAN and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ report of 20 March 2018, Bercow: Ten Years On, as part of the Government's long-term settlement for the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Caroline Dinenage

The Department will consider the implications of this independent report with all the relevant organisations for which there are recommendations, and respond in due course.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 25 Jun 2018
Childhood Obesity Strategy: Chapter 2

"I, too, want to welcome the Daily Mile initiative. We should not be arguing about who was first to introduce it; I know we are competitive, but this is competitive for the schools. Does the Minister agree that any sporting activity in schools should be encouraged? Does he also agree …..."
Rebecca Pow - View Speech

View all Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) contributions to the debate on: Childhood Obesity Strategy: Chapter 2

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 18 Jun 2018
NHS Long-Term Plan

"This announcement is really welcome and the Secretary of State’s commitment shines forth. The financial commitment is much needed, but, as two GPs said to me on the platform as I left Taunton this morning, waste in the NHS must be tackled, as well as funding. On top of that, …..."
Rebecca Pow - View Speech

View all Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) contributions to the debate on: NHS Long-Term Plan