Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
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 (a) health benefits and (b) cost savings to the NHS of extending eligibility for the shingles vaccination to immunocompetent people who were aged 65 to 69 before 1 September 2023 and are not currently eligible until they reach the age of 70.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has reviewed the decision not to include immunocompetent people who were aged 65 to 69 before 1 September 2023 in the catch-up arrangements for the shingles vaccination programme; and whether he plans to extend eligibility to that cohort before they reach the age of 70.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on how many occasions in the last year have Ministers met with the Chief Public Health Nurse to discuss health inequalities in coastal communities, and when did these meetings occur.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 16 July in response to Question 18268.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is taking to tackle health inequalities in coastal communities.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 16 July in response to Question 18268.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Summer Bus Fare Offer for children in August 2026; and whether she plans to reintroduce the scheme during the summer holidays in 2027.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Summer Bus Fare Offer enabled children aged 5 to 15 to travel free on participating bus services across England throughout August 2026, helping families with the cost of getting around during the school holidays.
Industry has reported that over 14.5 million free child bus journeys were made in August as a result of the scheme and the department will be analysing the evidence to assess the effectiveness of the scheme in the coming months.
The scheme was designed as a targeted, time-limited measure and concluded at the end of August as planned. The Government will consider any further schemes through its wider approach to supporting affordable bus travel.