Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
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 impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the risk of vapers returning to traditional cigarettes.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The health advice is clear that whilst vapes are less harmful than smoking and can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and adult non-smokers should never vape. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been carefully designed to get this balance right, ensuring we take definitive action to tackle youth vaping, whilst ensuring that vapes, alongside other forms of quit aids, remain accessible to adult smokers.
The Government has published a comprehensive impact assessment for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which includes the health benefits and the impact on people who vape currently. This assessment was reviewed in full by the Regulatory Policy Committee, which deemed it ‘fit for purpose’ in its published opinion on 5 November 2024.
Importantly, the bill introduces a progressive age of sale policy for tobacco, the smoke-free generation policy, and also includes policies that further restrict the sale and appeal of tobacco products. This will have a dissuasive effect on consumers considering tobacco products, which will mitigate any potential risks of people that vape returning to tobacco use.
Tobacco duty will also be increased alongside the upcoming vaping products duty to maintain the financial incentive to choose vaping over smoking.
To support current smokers to quit, we are providing £70 million of additional funding into local stop smoking services and delivering Tobacco Dependency Treatment through National Health Service inpatient and maternity services. These services provide access to a range of medicines, nicotine replacement therapies, and vapes, alongside behavioural support. Vapes are a popular quit aid among adult smokers and we have commissioned guidance from the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training to maximise their use and ensure practitioners are trained to deliver the best advice.
Our national public health marketing campaigns, such as Stoptober and our annual campaigns, motivate adults to quit smoking. Public health messaging will continue to educate smokers about smoking quit aids and will support the promotion of vapes as a means for adult smokers to quit smoking, as outlined on the Better Health and NHS websites.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what evidential basis his Department has assessed the public health implications of (a) the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and (b) encouraging the use of less harmful alternatives to tobacco.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The health advice is clear that whilst vapes are less harmful than smoking and can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and adult non-smokers should never vape. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been carefully designed to get this balance right, ensuring we take definitive action to tackle youth vaping, whilst ensuring that vapes, alongside other forms of quit aids, remain accessible to adult smokers.
The Government has published a comprehensive impact assessment for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which includes the health benefits and the impact on people who vape currently. This assessment was reviewed in full by the Regulatory Policy Committee, which deemed it ‘fit for purpose’ in its published opinion on 5 November 2024.
Importantly, the bill introduces a progressive age of sale policy for tobacco, the smoke-free generation policy, and also includes policies that further restrict the sale and appeal of tobacco products. This will have a dissuasive effect on consumers considering tobacco products, which will mitigate any potential risks of people that vape returning to tobacco use.
Tobacco duty will also be increased alongside the upcoming vaping products duty to maintain the financial incentive to choose vaping over smoking.
To support current smokers to quit, we are providing £70 million of additional funding into local stop smoking services and delivering Tobacco Dependency Treatment through National Health Service inpatient and maternity services. These services provide access to a range of medicines, nicotine replacement therapies, and vapes, alongside behavioural support. Vapes are a popular quit aid among adult smokers and we have commissioned guidance from the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training to maximise their use and ensure practitioners are trained to deliver the best advice.
Our national public health marketing campaigns, such as Stoptober and our annual campaigns, motivate adults to quit smoking. Public health messaging will continue to educate smokers about smoking quit aids and will support the promotion of vapes as a means for adult smokers to quit smoking, as outlined on the Better Health and NHS websites.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to educate consumers about less harmful alternatives to smoking.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The health advice is clear that whilst vapes are less harmful than smoking and can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and adult non-smokers should never vape. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been carefully designed to get this balance right, ensuring we take definitive action to tackle youth vaping, whilst ensuring that vapes, alongside other forms of quit aids, remain accessible to adult smokers.
The Government has published a comprehensive impact assessment for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which includes the health benefits and the impact on people who vape currently. This assessment was reviewed in full by the Regulatory Policy Committee, which deemed it ‘fit for purpose’ in its published opinion on 5 November 2024.
Importantly, the bill introduces a progressive age of sale policy for tobacco, the smoke-free generation policy, and also includes policies that further restrict the sale and appeal of tobacco products. This will have a dissuasive effect on consumers considering tobacco products, which will mitigate any potential risks of people that vape returning to tobacco use.
Tobacco duty will also be increased alongside the upcoming vaping products duty to maintain the financial incentive to choose vaping over smoking.
To support current smokers to quit, we are providing £70 million of additional funding into local stop smoking services and delivering Tobacco Dependency Treatment through National Health Service inpatient and maternity services. These services provide access to a range of medicines, nicotine replacement therapies, and vapes, alongside behavioural support. Vapes are a popular quit aid among adult smokers and we have commissioned guidance from the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training to maximise their use and ensure practitioners are trained to deliver the best advice.
Our national public health marketing campaigns, such as Stoptober and our annual campaigns, motivate adults to quit smoking. Public health messaging will continue to educate smokers about smoking quit aids and will support the promotion of vapes as a means for adult smokers to quit smoking, as outlined on the Better Health and NHS websites.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
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 1 September 2025 to Question 69609 on Defibrillators in non-emergency ambulances, whether his Department has made an assessment of the consistency of Integrated Care Boards’ contractual requirements in respect of defibrillators on non-emergency patient transport service vehicles; and if he will take steps to ensure minimum national standards are in place.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has not made an assessment centrally. It is local NHS commissioners who are responsible for managing the NHS budget and arranging NHS healthcare services which meet the needs of their respective populations.
Patients should undergo assessment for patient transport service (PTS) journeys. If significant clinical issues are identified as part of that assessment, then the PTS provider could allocate additional measures for that patient. This might include having particular equipment, including a defibrillator, on board, and/or having crews with a higher training level.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
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 implications for his policies of the BBC Panorama programme The Truth About Baby Food Pouches; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of existing regulations on (a) front-of-pack labelling, (b) permitted sugar content, and (c) minimum nutritional standards for commercial baby food.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influence many aspects of wellbeing in later life.
The BBC Panorama programme highlighted issues with levels of sugar and misleading labelling and nutrition claims in some commercial baby food products. The Government has recently published voluntary industry guidelines for commercial baby food and drink which challenge manufacturers to reduce levels of sugar and salt in their products. The guidelines also set out actions that businesses should take to improve the labelling and marketing of these products. Businesses have 18 months to deliver the required changes, and we will monitor and publish their progress towards achieving this. The guidelines are available at the following link:
We have regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional and labelling standards for commercial baby food. We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure that the composition of infant food and drinks reflect the latest scientific advice and dietary guidelines. The voluntary industry baby food guidelines should support improvements in this area.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the availability of ultrasound scans to pregnant women who (a) report reduced foetal movement before 28 weeks’ gestation and (b) present on more than one occasion after 24 weeks' gestation.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has not made a recent assessment of the availability of ultrasound scans to pregnant women who report reduced foetal movement before 28 weeks’ gestation and present on more than one occasion after 24 weeks' gestation. Pregnant women are advised to seek professional help immediately if there is a reduction or change in the pattern of their baby’s movements at any gestation.
At any point in the pregnancy, if there is a repeat episode of reduced or changed foetal movements, they should contact their maternity team immediately and a plan for care will be made based on personal circumstances and the number of weeks gestation. Whether further ultrasound scans are recommended will depend on clinical need and be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on the roll-out of Fracture Liaison Services.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Fracture Liaison Services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.
Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.
The Department is working closely with NHS England to consider a range of options to ensure better quality and access to these important preventative services.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
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 ensure that new mothers experiencing (a) anxiety, (b) postnatal depression and (c) other difficulties after birth are routinely referred to local third-sector or community-based support services.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise that supporting women’s mental health is a crucial aspect of care at all stages of pregnancy and post-partum.
General practitioners (GPs) can offer initial support for mild to moderate mental health problems including depression and anxiety. If a pregnant woman needs further support, a range of specialist mental health services have been made available to access during the perinatal period. For women with or at risk of more serious mental health problems, such as severe depression, who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or have a baby up to two years old, specialist perinatal mental health services provide care in all 42 integrated care system areas of England. As of June 2025, Maternal Mental Health Services are now available across all areas of England. They are available for women experiencing mental health difficulties directly arising from, or related to, their maternity or neonatal experience, such as post-natal depression. Women can be referred to these services, which are often community-based, by any healthcare professional, including midwives, health visitors, GPs, hospital-based teams, mental health services and social workers. Self-referrals are accepted by some services.
Additionally, 165 Mother and Baby Unit beds have now been commissioned, with 153 currently operational. These units provide inpatient care to women who experience severe mental health difficulties during and after pregnancy, including postpartum psychosis. A mother could be admitted to a mother and baby unit for treatment of severe depression or an anxiety disorder.
NHS England guidance sets out that all women who have given birth should be offered a postnatal check-up with their GP after six to eight weeks. This check-up provides an important opportunity for women to be listened to by their GP in a discreet, supportive environment, and for women to be assessed and supported not just in their physical recovery post-birth but also their mental health. In line with the National Health Service guidance, during this appointment, GPs have a duty to ask every woman about her mental health, and to prioritise identifying and addressing serious mental health concerns such as severe depression. This means any woman needing extra mental health support can be referred to primary care mental health support including Talking Therapies or to a specialist perinatal mental health team, if appropriate.
On 17 July 2025, the Prime Minister also announced the launch of Diagnosis Connect, a new service that will better-connect patients to both local and national charities. This will ensure that patients are referred directly to trusted charities and support organisations as soon as they are diagnosed, providing personalised advice, information and guidance to help them manage their condition and feel more in control. This support will include physical and mental wellbeing in the perinatal period.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a duty to refer new mothers experiencing mental distress to appropriate local services.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise that supporting women’s mental health is a crucial aspect of care at all stages of pregnancy and post-partum.
General practitioners (GPs) can offer initial support for mild to moderate mental health problems including depression and anxiety. If a pregnant woman needs further support, a range of specialist mental health services have been made available to access during the perinatal period. For women with or at risk of more serious mental health problems, such as severe depression, who are planning a pregnancy, pregnant or have a baby up to two years old, specialist perinatal mental health services provide care in all 42 integrated care system areas of England. As of June 2025, Maternal Mental Health Services are now available across all areas of England. They are available for women experiencing mental health difficulties directly arising from, or related to, their maternity or neonatal experience, such as post-natal depression. Women can be referred to these services, which are often community-based, by any healthcare professional, including midwives, health visitors, GPs, hospital-based teams, mental health services and social workers. Self-referrals are accepted by some services.
Additionally, 165 Mother and Baby Unit beds have now been commissioned, with 153 currently operational. These units provide inpatient care to women who experience severe mental health difficulties during and after pregnancy, including postpartum psychosis. A mother could be admitted to a mother and baby unit for treatment of severe depression or an anxiety disorder.
NHS England guidance sets out that all women who have given birth should be offered a postnatal check-up with their GP after six to eight weeks. This check-up provides an important opportunity for women to be listened to by their GP in a discreet, supportive environment, and for women to be assessed and supported not just in their physical recovery post-birth but also their mental health. In line with the National Health Service guidance, during this appointment, GPs have a duty to ask every woman about her mental health, and to prioritise identifying and addressing serious mental health concerns such as severe depression. This means any woman needing extra mental health support can be referred to primary care mental health support including Talking Therapies or to a specialist perinatal mental health team, if appropriate.
On 17 July 2025, the Prime Minister also announced the launch of Diagnosis Connect, a new service that will better-connect patients to both local and national charities. This will ensure that patients are referred directly to trusted charities and support organisations as soon as they are diagnosed, providing personalised advice, information and guidance to help them manage their condition and feel more in control. This support will include physical and mental wellbeing in the perinatal period.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
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 reduce the under-diagnosis of ADHD in girls; and what targets have been set for improving identification rates by 2026.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise that diagnosis rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are lower in women and girls and lower than the best evidence on prevalence. This may reflect differences in how ADHD present in males and females, which may make ADHD more difficult to identify in women and girls.
ADHD assessments should be undertaken by appropriately skilled clinicians who consider several factors before coming to a clinical decision. Integrated care boards and health professionals should have due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when commissioning and providing health care services, including ADHD assessment services. NICE guidelines on ADHD set out considerations for clinicians when assessing for ADHD, including highlighting that ADHD may be under-recognised in women and girls.
NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is bringing together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June 2025, with the final report expected to be published later in the year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.