Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how the Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship reforms will support apprenticeships in labour-intensive service sectors such as hair and beauty.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Apprenticeship standards supporting the hair and beauty sector include the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional and Level 2 Barbering Professional standards.

The Government is investing £2.5 billion by 2029 through the Youth Guarantee and the additional funding for the Growth and Skills Levy, creating opportunities for young people to access work, training and apprenticeships.

We are providing financial support to employers to recruit young apprentices, including hiring payments, Youth Jobs Grants and incentive payments for eligible apprentices.

Apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s, while the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network supports employers to recruit and retain apprentices. Skills England continues to engage with the sector to understand and address barriers to apprenticeship take-up.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps are being taken to help increase the number of apprenticeships in the hair and beauty sector.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Apprenticeship standards supporting the hair and beauty sector include the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional and Level 2 Barbering Professional standards.

The Government is investing £2.5 billion by 2029 through the Youth Guarantee and the additional funding for the Growth and Skills Levy, creating opportunities for young people to access work, training and apprenticeships.

We are providing financial support to employers to recruit young apprentices, including hiring payments, Youth Jobs Grants and incentive payments for eligible apprentices.

Apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s, while the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network supports employers to recruit and retain apprentices. Skills England continues to engage with the sector to understand and address barriers to apprenticeship take-up.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the planned increase in Income Tax rates on rental income from April 2027 on the supply of privately rented housing.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

In April, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility published supplementary forecast information regarding the changes to property income tax announced at Budget 2025. This includes an assessment of impacts on rental prices and incorporation. This is available at: Supplementary-forecast-information-non-labour-components-of-incomes-tax-costing.pdf

This is in addition to the Economic and Fiscal Outlook which was published at Budget 2025: CP 1439 – Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the supplantation of individual landlords by corporate investors on tax revenues.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

In April, the independent Office for Budget Responsibility published supplementary forecast information regarding the changes to property income tax announced at Budget 2025. This includes an assessment of impacts on rental prices and incorporation. This is available at: Supplementary-forecast-information-non-labour-components-of-incomes-tax-costing.pdf

This is in addition to the Economic and Fiscal Outlook which was published at Budget 2025: CP 1439 – Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with NHS England and other relevant bodies on improving ADHD services, including shared care arrangements, waiting times for assessment and access to post-diagnostic support.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The General Medical Council has published guidance which supports integrated care boards and National Health Service organisations in developing and using shared care agreements, and which helps general practitioners decide whether to accept shared care responsibilities.

If a shared care agreement cannot be put in place after treatment has been initiated, the responsibility for continued prescribing falls upon the specialist clinician, and this applies to both NHS and private medical care. There is no requirement at present for further guidance or standards on this point.

The Department has regular discussions on various matters with NHS England and other relevant bodies, but it is the responsibility of integrated care boards to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including on access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services.

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 improve national consistency in shared care arrangements for patients prescribed medication for ADHD; and whether he plans to introduce national (a) standards and (b) guidance to reduce regional variation in access to ongoing treatment.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The General Medical Council has published guidance which supports integrated care boards and National Health Service organisations in developing and using shared care agreements, and which helps general practitioners decide whether to accept shared care responsibilities.

If a shared care agreement cannot be put in place after treatment has been initiated, the responsibility for continued prescribing falls upon the specialist clinician, and this applies to both NHS and private medical care. There is no requirement at present for further guidance or standards on this point.

The Department has regular discussions on various matters with NHS England and other relevant bodies, but it is the responsibility of integrated care boards to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including on access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a reduced rate of VAT on labour-intensive personal care services; and on its potential effect on employment, apprenticeships and tax revenues in the sector.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Supplies of welfare services, including the provision of care, are already exempt from VAT if they are supplied by eligible bodies, such as public bodies or charities.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate or extensions of existing reliefs have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of restricting the GP reimbursement scheme to salaried GP contracts on smaller GP practices and practices in deprived areas that are unable to sustain permanent salaried posts.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and NHS England continue to monitor the implementation and utilisation of the practice level general practice (GP) reimbursement scheme and consider feedback from practices, including those in deprived areas, and stakeholders for any potential changes to the scheme.

We have not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of restricting reimbursement to salaried GP arrangements on smaller practices or practices serving deprived communities. The scheme is available to all practices in England and was designed to support increased GP capacity across all practices and improve access for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to review the eligibility criteria of the GP reimbursement scheme during the 2026/27 financial year to allow for reimbursement of locum GP sessions.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and NHS England continue to monitor the implementation and utilisation of the practice level general practice (GP) reimbursement scheme and consider feedback from practices, including those in deprived areas, and stakeholders for any potential changes to the scheme.

We have not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of restricting reimbursement to salaried GP arrangements on smaller practices or practices serving deprived communities. The scheme is available to all practices in England and was designed to support increased GP capacity across all practices and improve access for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the £292 million practice-level GP reimbursement scheme to include sessions delivered by self-employed locum GPs, in addition to salaried GPs.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department and NHS England continue to monitor the implementation and utilisation of the practice level general practice (GP) reimbursement scheme and consider feedback from practices, including those in deprived areas, and stakeholders for any potential changes to the scheme.

We have not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of restricting reimbursement to salaried GP arrangements on smaller practices or practices serving deprived communities. The scheme is available to all practices in England and was designed to support increased GP capacity across all practices and improve access for patients.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research into the diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcomes of PANS and PANDAS her Department is currently supporting through the National Institute for Health and Care Research; and if she will take steps to encourage further applications in this area.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has had discussions with the devolved Governments on adopting a consistent UK-wide approach to the diagnosis and treatment of PANS and PANDAS.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to collect data on the number of children and young people affected by PANS and PANDAS in England.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

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 evidence on early treatment with antibiotics for suspected cases of PANS and PANDAS; and whether she will support the issuing of advice to GPs on prescribing a course of antibiotics where those conditions are suspected.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will commit to formally reviewing and adopting the UK clinical guidelines for Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) once they are published in autumn 2026.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department will take to ensure that the forthcoming UK clinical guidelines on PANS and PANDAS are consistently disseminated and embedded across integrated care boards in England.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Department will develop an awareness and training package on PANS and PANDAS for frontline clinicians, developed in conjunction with clinicians, families and specialist bodies.

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

Further to the answer provided on 20 July in response to Question 18432, the clinical guideline remains in development through the PANS PANDAS Steering Group, under the leadership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. The Steering Group brings together clinicians, professional organisations, families, and patient representatives, and as well as developing the clinical guideline, its work includes supporting education, research, and improved awareness of these conditions.

Once finalised, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence anticipates reviewing the guideline and, if it considers it to be of sufficient quality, will signpost to it on its website with commentary on its strengths and limitations. The guideline will also help inform any future awareness and education activity, including the training curricula produced jointly by regulators, royal colleges, and professional bodies.

Clinical decisions, including prescribing decisions, will remain for the treating clinician, informed by professional judgement, the available evidence, and relevant guidance. Each clinician is responsible for keeping that knowledge up to date. Integrated care boards, primary care providers, and National Health Service trusts are also expected to keep abreast of emerging evidence and guidance and consider it through their clinical governance arrangements.

There is currently no routine national data collection on the number of children and young people affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

The Steering Group’s Research Group is progressing work to improve understanding of the number of children and young people affected. Applications have been made to the independent British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Surveillance System.

Information on research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) relating to PANS and PANDAS is available through the NIHR Funding and Awards website. The NIHR welcomes applications for research into all aspects of human health, including PANS and PANDAS. The NIHR Funding and Awards website is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure local authorities meet their duties under Section 19 of the Education Act 1996 in respect of children with PANS and PANDAS who are unable to attend school; and when the forthcoming local authority guidance on supporting these children will be published.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) are uncommon acute-onset conditions that can cause a sudden deterioration in a child’s emotional, cognitive and functional abilities. Symptoms can lead to the acute onset of special educational needs and can have an immediate impact on learning, wellbeing, participation and attendance.

Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions, including those with PANS and PANDAS. Schools should ensure that pupils with medical conditions can access and enjoy the same opportunities as their peers, including school trips and physical education.

In doing so, schools must have regard to the department’s statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils with medical conditions at school’ which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-pupils-at-school-with-medical-conditions--3.

In March, the department consulted on revised guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions. This will be published in due course.

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