Tom Randall Portrait

Tom Randall

Conservative - Gedling

First elected: 12th December 2019


Electronic Trade Documents Bill [HL]
14th Jun 2023 - 19th Jun 2023
Lifelong Learning (Higher Education Fee Limits) Bill
15th Mar 2023 - 23rd Mar 2023
Procurement Bill [HL]
30th Jan 2023 - 21st Feb 2023
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform Bill)
2nd Nov 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill
14th Mar 2022 - 22nd Mar 2022
Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Bill
8th Dec 2021 - 15th Dec 2021
Animal (Penalty Notices) Bill
1st Dec 2021 - 8th Dec 2021
Elections Bill
15th Sep 2021 - 26th Oct 2021
National Insurance Contributions Bill
16th Jun 2021 - 22nd Jun 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Tom Randall has voted in 959 divisions, and 7 times against the majority of their Party.

2 Sep 2020 - Recall of MPs (Change of Party Affiliation) - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 41 Conservative No votes vs 47 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 55 Noes - 52
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
22 Jun 2022 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 61 Conservative No votes vs 106 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 70
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 58 Noes - 525
16 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Conservative Aye votes vs 262 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 68 Noes - 529
17 Jan 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Tom Randall voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 59 Conservative Aye votes vs 266 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 65 Noes - 536
View All Tom Randall Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Matt Hancock (Independent)
(13 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(12 debate interactions)
Cat Smith (Labour)
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(36 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(29 debate contributions)
Home Office
(23 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Tom Randall's debates

Gedling Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

I would like the government to review and increase the pay for healthcare workers to recognise the work that they do.

To revoke the Immigration Health Surcharge increases for overseas NHS staff. The latest budget shows an increase of £220 a year for an overseas worker to live and work in the UK, at a time when the NHS, and UK economy, relies heavily on them.

We would like the government to support and regard social care: financially, publicly and systematically on an equal par as NHS. We would like parliament to debate how to support social care during COVID-19 and beyond so that it automatically has the same access to operational and financial support.

Give NHS workers who are EU and other Nationals automatic UK citizenship if they stay and risk their own lives looking after the British people during the COVID crisis.


Latest EDMs signed by Tom Randall

21st February 2024
Tom Randall signed this EDM on Wednesday 21st February 2024

No confidence in the Speaker

Tabled by: William Wragg (Conservative - Hazel Grove)
That this House has no confidence in Mr Speaker.
91 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 45
Scottish National Party: 41
Plaid Cymru: 3
Independent: 2
View All Tom Randall's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Tom Randall, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Tom Randall has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Tom Randall

Thursday 17th September 2020

Tom Randall has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 41 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
1 Other Department Questions
25th Nov 2020
What recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office on civil service impartiality and diversity and inclusion.

The Civil Service is committed to developing inclusive workplaces. We are refreshing our approach based on new evidence of what works.

The focus will be on embedding best practice, ensuring the Civil Service acts as an exemplar employer.

Senior officials are consulting Departments and staff on the new approach, and are working closely with Ministers from across Departments who have an interest.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many applications have been received for Additional Restrictions Grants during each grant period in Nottinghamshire, by local authority.

All data on Government allocations and Local Authority payments of the ARG is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-grant-funding-local-authority-payments-to-small-and-medium-businesses.

The flexibility of the ARG allows Local Authorities to provide support that suits their local area, to determine how much funding to provide to businesses and exactly which businesses to target. The scheme aims to support businesses when most needed, and Local Authorities should use this funding as quickly as possible.

We are working closely with Local Authorities to ensure that grants are delivered swiftly to businesses in scope of this funding. In light of the delay to Step 4 of the Roadmap, we have extended our deadline for Local Authorities to access the top-up payment (part of the £425m) from 30 June to 30 July, 2021. We have also doubled the frequency of our payment rounds of ARG in order that funding can reach businesses as soon as possible.

28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the average time taken is to process a claim for Additional Restrictions Grants from application to payment for each grant period in Nottinghamshire, by local authority.

All data on Government allocations and Local Authority payments of the ARG is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-grant-funding-local-authority-payments-to-small-and-medium-businesses.

The flexibility of the ARG allows Local Authorities to provide support that suits their local area, to determine how much funding to provide to businesses and exactly which businesses to target. The scheme aims to support businesses when most needed, and Local Authorities should use this funding as quickly as possible.

We are working closely with Local Authorities to ensure that grants are delivered swiftly to businesses in scope of this funding. In light of the delay to Step 4 of the Roadmap, we have extended our deadline for Local Authorities to access the top-up payment (part of the £425m) from 30 June to 30 July, 2021. We have also doubled the frequency of our payment rounds of ARG in order that funding can reach businesses as soon as possible.

28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which local authorities in Nottinghamshire are accepting applications for the latest round of grant funding for Additional Restrictions Grants.

All data on Government allocations and Local Authority payments of the ARG is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-grant-funding-local-authority-payments-to-small-and-medium-businesses.

The flexibility of the ARG allows Local Authorities to provide support that suits their local area, to determine how much funding to provide to businesses and exactly which businesses to target. The scheme aims to support businesses when most needed, and Local Authorities should use this funding as quickly as possible.

We are working closely with Local Authorities to ensure that grants are delivered swiftly to businesses in scope of this funding. In light of the delay to Step 4 of the Roadmap, we have extended our deadline for Local Authorities to access the top-up payment (part of the £425m) from 30 June to 30 July, 2021. We have also doubled the frequency of our payment rounds of ARG in order that funding can reach businesses as soon as possible.

28th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which local authorities in Nottinghamshire have applied for the latest round of grant funding for Additional Restrictions Grants.

All data on Government allocations and Local Authority payments of the ARG is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-grant-funding-local-authority-payments-to-small-and-medium-businesses.

The flexibility of the ARG allows Local Authorities to provide support that suits their local area, to determine how much funding to provide to businesses and exactly which businesses to target. The scheme aims to support businesses when most needed, and Local Authorities should use this funding as quickly as possible.

We are working closely with Local Authorities to ensure that grants are delivered swiftly to businesses in scope of this funding. In light of the delay to Step 4 of the Roadmap, we have extended our deadline for Local Authorities to access the top-up payment (part of the £425m) from 30 June to 30 July, 2021. We have also doubled the frequency of our payment rounds of ARG in order that funding can reach businesses as soon as possible.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of schools during the covid-19 outbreak on the regularity of Ofsted inspections.

Ofsted’s routine school inspections were paused in March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of routine school inspections was lifted on 28 April 2021. Whilst some graded inspections took place during the 2021 summer term, Ofsted returned to its full programme of routine school inspections in September 2021.

In November 2021, Ofsted announced its aim to inspect every state funded school by the end of summer 2025, so that every school will have at least one inspection between May 2021 and July 2025. Ofsted is confident it can meet this target.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what percentage of schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted were inspected again within four years as recommended by Department for Education guidance in (a) Gedling, (b) Nottinghamshire, (c) the East Midlands and (d) England.

This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman. I have asked her to write to the hon. Member for Gedling directly and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

20th Jan 2020
What plans the Government has to increase the level of per pupil funding.

Next year, our National Funding Formula is delivering an average increase in per pupil funding of 4.2%, while ensuring that pupil-led funding for every school can rise at least in line with inflation. We are levelling up the lowest funding schools to receive minimum per pupil amounts of £3,750 at primary and £5,000 at secondary.

7th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the improvement of flood defences.

In March 2020, the Government doubled its investment in new flood defences to a record £5.2 billion between 2021 and 2027 to better protect communities across England from flooding and coastal erosion.

Additionally, over £200 million per year is invested in maintenance, ensuring flood defences are kept in good working order.

In Gedling, final environmental work is underway on the Nottingham Trent Left Bank flood defence scheme, which has better protected 15,000 properties since 2012.

Robbie Moore
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
11th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of introducing a ban on the overuse of antibiotics on healthy farm animals on levels of antimicrobial resistance.

Defra is a co-signatory with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) of the UK's Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 5 year National Action Plan (2019-2024) and the UK's 20 year Vision to Contain and Control AMR by 2040. These plans both take a One Health, whole of government approach. Defra and DHSC work closely together at all levels, together with other government departments, to deliver this plan. The UK Government is committed to reducing unnecessary use of antibiotics in animals, while safeguarding animal welfare. Since 2014, the UK has reduced sales of veterinary antibiotics by 55%, and over this same period the UK has seen an overall trend of decreasing antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from animals.

Changes to the law on veterinary medicines represent one tool that can be used to help effect reductions in antibiotic prescribing in animals. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 are currently under review, and the feedback from the recently closed public consultation will be analysed and considered. The publicly available consultation documents for the revision of the Veterinary Medicines Legislation set out the rationale for the government’s proposed approach to the use of antibiotics to prevent disease in animals (prophylaxis). In summary, the proposed new legal restrictions on antibiotic prophylaxis prohibit this type [MG1] of use in all but exceptional circumstances to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, protect animal welfare, and allow changes to prescribing practices to be made sustainably.

Officials from DHSC, Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) meet regularly to consider appropriate actions to address AMR across the human and animal health sectors. This has included discussion of the proposed changes to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish Professor Malcolm Bennett’s badger roadkill study of the Edge area.

The Defra-funded survey of TB in badgers in the Edge area of England involved examination and sampling of carcasses of found-dead badgers for the presence of Mycobacterium bovis (the bacterium that causes TB). Professor Bennett’s work formed part of that project. Researchers are currently working on a peer-reviewed publication of their study in a scientific journal and a final report will be published by Defra on the http://randd.defra.gov.uk/ website in due course.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
7th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the Animal and Plant Health Agency maps of the Edge area.

An interactive map showing the different bovine TB risk areas in Great Britain, including England’s Edge Area, can be found here: https://tbhub.co.uk/preventing-tb-breakdowns/bovine-tb-risk-map/.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
7th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) carry out and (b) take into account additional wildlife surveillance when making his decision on whether to extend the badger culling programme.

On 7 September Natural England published licences for areas that will undertake badger control operations in England this autumn. This includes the reauthorisation of licences for 33 existing areas alongside licences for 11 additional areas. All applications received were carefully assessed by Natural England to ensure that each cull company has suitable arrangements and plans in place to carry out an operation that is safe, effective and humane.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bovine-tb-authorisation-for-badger-control-in-2020

This operational publication is a continuation of the long-term strategy to tackle the animal disease Bovine TB which was published in April 2014.

Prior surveillance for TB infection in badgers is not required to grant licences for the removal of badgers to control the spread of TB in the High Risk and Edge Areas of England.

Victoria Prentis
Attorney General
8th Jul 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether her Department authorised the sale and export of (a) tear gas, (b) rubber bullets and (c) riot gear to Hong Kong in the last 24 months.

My Rt Hon. Friend for South West Surrey, then Foreign Secretary, announced on 25th June 2019 that we would not issue any further export licences for crowd control equipment to Hong Kong unless we were satisfied that concerns raised about human rights and fundamental freedoms have been thoroughly addressed. Further, I can confirm that there are no extant licences for crowd control equipment to Hong Kong.

HM Government publishes Official Statistics (on a quarterly and annual basis) about export licences granted, refused and revoked to all destinations on GOV.UK. These reports contain detailed information on export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. This information is available at: gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

The most recent publication will be on 14th July 2020, for licences issued up to the end of March 2020.

19th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the affordability of bus fares.

The Government recognises the importance of affordable public transport. While decisions on the level of fares are for commercial operators, the Government recognised in the National Bus Strategy the need to make bus services cheaper.

We are providing over £1 billion to Local Transport Authorities to help make bus services cheaper. We are also providing £60 million to cap single bus fares across England at £2 from 1 January to 31 March.

The £2 bus fare cap is not only an innovative way of helping people save money on their transport costs, but it helps to take 2 million car journeys off our roads. There are 4,600 routes across England in the scheme, including the 44 bus from Nottingham and the 53 and 39 buses.

I would be delighted to visit you on your constituency soon.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
22nd Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made by the DVLA in reducing the number of vocational driving licence applications being processed.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is prioritising applications for vocational driving licences, including those for HGV entitlement, and has moved additional staff into this area.

On 24 October 2021, there were 29,545 applications for vocational driving licences awaiting processing, this is a significant reduction from the more than 55,000 held in mid-September. The main reason for the backlog was delays due to Coronavirus and ongoing industrial action at the DVLA.

There is no backlog for provisional vocational licences and these are being processed within the normal turnaround time of five working days, reduced from 10 working days.

It is important to note that the large majority of those applying to renew a vocational licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed. The DVLA continues to prioritise applications to renew vocational licences and expects to be back to normal turnaround times by early November.

14th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the fire on the X-Press Pearl, what recent assessment he has made of fire safety on container ships.

The recent fire and explosion on board the X-Press Pearl and the subsequent environmental impact of the incident highlights the importance of fire safety on container ships. There are two main international standards applicable in these cases, these are the International Code for Fire Safety Systems and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. These are implemented in the UK and compliance is monitored through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) survey and inspection regime.

The MCA is part of an international working group assessing certain provisions of the IMDG Code and developing amendments which would enhance safety and fire prevention. These amendments will be made to the next edition of the IMDG Code.

The MCA is also reviewing existing legislation related to the carriage of dangerous goods by sea and fire safety systems on ships and will be consulting on these later this year. The proposed amendments would allow a swifter implementation of new provisions and standards so that the UK can quickly embed the latest provisions for dangerous goods and fire safety on containers ships into domestic regulations.

Robert Courts
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
17th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure prompt action on missed child maintenance payments to avoid the accrual of large arrears.

Where someone fails to pay on time or in full, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will contact the parent concerned and aim to re-establish compliance to avoid the build-up of arrears.

The CMS also has a range of strong enforcement powers, which can be used to to ensure children receive the financial support they deserve.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps through the forthcoming Major Conditions Strategy to help improve the diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis.

On 24 January 2023, we announced our plan to publish the Major Conditions Strategy. This strategy will explore how we can tackle the key drivers of ill-health in England, reduce pressure on the National Health Service and reduce ill-health-related labour market inactivity.

The Strategy will focus on six major groups of conditions, including musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. MSK conditions affect people across the life course and cover a range of conditions, including inflammatory conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis.

We have now published our initial report ‘Major Conditions Strategy: Case for change and our strategic framework’. It sets out what we have learned so far, and shares what we plan to focus on next to develop the final strategy.

For MSK conditions, it sets out that we will look to: improve secondary prevention and the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions, embedding a biopsychosocial and personalised approach and building upon the progress made through the NHS Long Term Plan; advocate the use of population health management methodologies to target the right kind of support based on individual circumstances and need to those who need it most; and aim to improve services where medical treatment is necessary.

Following publication of the strategic framework, we will continue to develop the strategy, informed by the Call for Evidence and ongoing engagement with stakeholders.

26th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the document entitled An improvement framework to reduce community musculoskeletal waits while delivering best outcomes and experience published by NHS England in January 2023, what plans his Department has to implement that framework to reduce community musculoskeletal waiting times.

Integrated care systems are responsible for commissioning musculoskeletal services for their local populations.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
14th Apr 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the level of risk to human health of antimicrobial-resistant superbugs originating from industrial farms.

Resistant bacteria and/or resistance genes can transfer between people and animals in both directions. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate conducts two surveillance schemes for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals, including regular monitoring of AMR in major food-producing species such as pigs and poultry. The results of these surveillance schemes are published annually in the ‘UK Veterinary Antibiotic Resistance and Sales and Surveillance Report’ which can be found at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1126450/FOR_PUBLICATION_-_UK-VARSS_2021_Main_Report__Final_v3_-accessible.pdf

Since 2014, the United Kingdom has reduced sales of veterinary antibiotics by 55%, and over this same period the UK has seen an overall trend of decreasing AMR in bacteria from animals. The UK has a cross-Government contingency plan to mitigate the risk to public health of resistant bacteria found in animals, a copy of which can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resistant-bacteria-from-animals-of-possible-risk-contingency-plan/response-to-the-identification-from-an-animal-of-a-resistant-bacterial-isolate-of-risk-to-human-or-animal-health-contingency-plan

Maria Caulfield
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of appointments published by NHS Digital as part of its Appointments in General Practice data, how many recorded GP appointments are in-person appointments following up on triage appointments.

This data is not held in the format requested.

24th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the progress made in carrying out the October 2021 Plan for Improving Access to GP appointments.

The plan announced by the Government and NHS England in October 2021 set out a package of measures to support general practice (GP) over the winter period and in the longer term. This included making £250 million available for a Winter Access Fund to increase capacity, a short term telephony solution for GP practices, expanding the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service and NHS England’s Access Improvement Programme and a £5 million fund to facilitate essential upgrades to practice security measures.

Examples of how the Winter Access Fund was used include the creation of additional hubs and helplines, expanding home visiting capacity, funding additional sessions from staff.

NHS England’s short term telephony solution is already helping practices to free up lines for incoming calls and from this month, January 2023, NHS England is accelerating work to support all GP practices to procure cloud-based telephony systems.

In the 12 months up to December 2022, there were on average 1.32 million GP appointments per working day, excluding COVID-19 vaccinations. Compared to the 12 months up to December 2021, which was 1.23 million, this is an increase of 7%.

We recognise that some people are still struggling to access general practice services in a timely way. We will soon be publishing our Recovery Plan for primary care.

2nd Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to increase provision of paediatric neurology treatment in Nottinghamshire.

The majority of paediatric neurology services are recognised as specialised or ‘tertiary level’. Paediatric neurology services in Nottinghamshire are provided by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, with clinics delivered across several sites. To assist with increased activity and meet the requirement of its service specification for tertiary centres, NHS England has awarded additional funding to the Nottingham paediatric neurology service to recruit a full complement of multi-disciplinary staff. This funding will support increased activity and reduce wating times for new and follow-up appointments.

2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to NICE’s Methods and Process on patients with very rare diseases.

A number of changes adopted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) following its updated methods and processes manual for health technology assessments, will support access to innovative medicines for patients with rare diseases. NICE has introduced a new modifier to consider the severity of the disease or condition under consideration when making recommendations. As many rare conditions are also severe, its committees can give additional weight to the treatment benefits for these conditions.

Where there is uncertain evidence in relation to a medicine, which can affect patients with rare diseases where the population is small, NICE will now adopt a more flexible and proportional attitude towards evidence uncertainty within its decision making.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made for the implications of his policy on the commitment in the Life Sciences Vision to have an ambitious National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Methods Review.

As reflected in the Life Sciences Vision, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is introducing a number of changes to ensure that its methods and processes are fairer, more consistent and accelerate the introduction of emerging technologies.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on end of life patients of NICE’s proposed severity modifier being introduced in a opportunity cost neutral package.

Analysis carried out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the development of the modifier indicates that the vast majority of medicines previously eligible for the end of life modifier, will also be eligible for a weighting under the severity modifier.

A severity modifier reflects evidence that society values health benefits for severe conditions more highly and will apply to a broad range of conditions, including end of life.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to implement NICE Quality Standard 170 on spondyloarthritis.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) promotes quality standards and other guidance via its website, newsletters and other media. Whilst providers and commissioners must have regard to NICE quality standards in planning and delivering services, they do not provide a comprehensive service specification and are not mandatory.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
19th Feb 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of NICE Quality Standard 170 on spondyloarthritis in reducing delays in diagnosis for people with axial spondyloarthritis.

We have made no such assessment. Quality standards issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and represent best practice for the health and care system. National Health Service organisations and healthcare professionals should take them fully into account in ensuring that services meet the needs of patients.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
28th Sep 2020
What steps his Department is taking to increase Covid-19 testing capacity.

We are increasing our testing capacity, both through current swab testing and new, rapid lateral flow tests to cut the spread of COVID-19 nationwide.

The United Kingdom’s daily testing capacity passed 500,000 on 31 October. Testing capacity in the UK across all pillars between 29 October and 4 November was at 4,367,049 tests - an increase of 21% compared to the previous week.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Feb 2024
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of reports of weapons being found in schools in Gaza.

We are aware of reports of Hamas using schools and other infrastructure for their operations. We are strongly condemn Hamas' ongoing use of civilian areas. By embedding themselves in the civilian population and civilian infrastructure, Hamas is putting Palestinian civilians at grave risk. We have been clear that for a lasting peace, removing Hamas' capacity to continue launching attacks against Israel and ensuring Hamas is no longer in charge of Gaza are both vital steps.

However, we also remain deeply concerned about the impact of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations on the civilian population in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister have underlined the need for Israel to ensure effective deconfliction in Gaza. We want to see Israel take greater care to limit its operations to military targets and avoid harming civilians and destroying homes.

Andrew Mitchell
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
23rd Nov 2023
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart about reports Hamas is using ambulances to travel within Gaza.

We maintain regular contact with the Government of Israel on a full range of issues relating to conflict in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary met his counterpart Foreign Minister Cohen on 23 November in Israel where they discussed aspects relating to the conflict. The safety of humanitarian personnel and healthcare workers in Gaza is critical to enable aid to reach those who need it most. We strongly condemn all forms of violence and incitement to violence directed towards humanitarian personnel and healthcare workers and we have been consistently clear that everything must be done to protect lives. The wounded and critically ill in Gaza should be able to access the urgent medical care they need.

Leo Docherty
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is involved in the trafficking of Captagon across the Middle East.

The production and smuggling of captagon is a multi-billion dollar trade, essentially emanating from Assad-regime control within Syria. This trade is destabilising the region and provides illicit revenue to multiple malign actors, notably the Assad regime and its co-conspirators, including Hizballah and other Iranian-backed militias. The UK has drawn international attention to this (through an intervention at the UN Security Council on 25 January) and increased our cooperation with regional states to combat this. We have made clear our concerns about the malign activity of Hizballah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both organisations we have sanctioned in their entirety.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
16th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent reports he has received on Hezbollah's reported acquisition of precision-guided missiles from Iran.

It is the longstanding policy of successive British Governments that we do not comment on intelligence matters. Iran's political, financial and military support to a number of militant groups, including Hizballah in Lebanon is unacceptable. We work closely with our partners to deter destabilising Iranian activity in the region, including through a range of sanctions designations.

David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Jun 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assistance the Government has provided to Sri Lanka following the (a) fire on and (b) sinking of the X-Press Pearl.

The UK Government remains concerned about the environmental impact caused by the fire on the X-Press Pearl ship. We have engaged regularly with the Sri Lankan authorities and international experts on the ground to determine how the UK can best support the response.

The UK Government is providing marine pollution expertise to Sri Lanka to help respond to the potentially devastating impact on the marine life and coastal habitats of Sri Lanka. The UK will also provide expertise and analytical capacity to support plastic pollution monitoring, as well as environmental and socioeconomic impact assessments. The UK's Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science will partner with Sri Lankan Government Departments, academics and responsible authorities to support effective emergency response and implementation of a post spill integrated monitoring plan.

29th Aug 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress he has made on reducing inflation.

High inflation is the greatest immediate economic challenge that we must address. That is why the Government has made it a priority to halve inflation this year, on the path back to the 2% target. Our commitment to this target is iron-clad and applies at all times. The Bank of England has the Government’s full support as they take action to return inflation to target.

Inflation has already fallen by more than a third from the peak in October. We are on track to halve inflation this year: the majority of major forecasters agree in forecasting inflation to halve by the end of the year and subsequently return to target. However, this is not inevitable, and we must remain vigilant.

Andrew Griffith
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
9th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of reports of increased attempts by Syrian and Iranian-linked groups to traffic Captagon into Europe.

The UK recognises that the production and smuggling of captagon is a lucrative trade, which provides illicit revenue streams to multiple actors, notably the malign Syrian Asad regime and its co-conspirators, principally Hezbollah and other Iranian militias.

The UK is stepping up its efforts to work with likeminded partners and regional states to combat this and is drawing international attention to the issue (for example in an intervention at the UN Security Council on 25 January) to ensure accountability.

HMG regularly assess the threat posed to the UK by the trafficking of illicit drugs, and currently assess that there is little/no direct UK facing threat. To date, no instances of Captagon being seized at a UK border have been recorded.

In December 2021, the Government launched its ten-year drugs plan to cut crime and save lives. As part of this, £300 million has been allocated to fund activity to break drug supply chains from end-to-end. This includes restricting upstream flow, securing the UK border, and ensuring we remain agile in the face of changing threats.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
20th Jul 2020
What additional support he is providing to local authorities during the covid-19 outbreak.

Government recognises the pressures councils face from Covid-19. We are providing councils with an unprecedented package of support, allocating £4.3 billion for spending pressures, including £3.7 billion of unringfenced grants and the £600 million Infection Control Fund.

Overall, Government has committed nearly £28 billion to support councils, their communities and businesses.

18th Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of prison places.

We have a significant prison build programme, delivering safe, secure and modern prison places across the country. More than 3,100 places have already been delivered.

As part of this, we are building brand new prisons with a design focused on security and rehabilitation, supporting family ties and resettlement into the community. These include HMP Five Wells which opened earlier this year and was the first of its design to be built; HMP Fosse Way near Leicester which is due to open next year; and a new prison next to the existing HMP Full Sutton where construction has started, and the prison is due to open in 2025.