Wayne David Portrait

Wayne David

Labour - Former Member for Caerphilly

First elected: 7th June 2001

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Shadow Minister (Middle East and North Africa)
5th Sep 2023 - 30th May 2024
Speaker's Conference (2022)
19th Oct 2022 - 30th May 2024
Speaker's Conference
19th Oct 2022 - 30th May 2024
Welsh Grand Committee
18th Jan 2022 - 30th May 2024
Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill
1st May 2024 - 8th May 2024
Welsh Affairs Committee
27th Jun 2022 - 22nd Jan 2024
Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill
19th Jul 2023 - 14th Sep 2023
Ballot Secrecy Bill [HL]
1st Mar 2023 - 7th Mar 2023
High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill Select Committee (Commons)
13th Dec 2022 - 6th Feb 2023
Shark Fins Bill
9th Nov 2022 - 16th Nov 2022
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill
2nd Feb 2022 - 9th Feb 2022
Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
2nd Sep 2020 - 4th Dec 2021
Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
10th Apr 2020 - 2nd Sep 2020
Defence Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 11th May 2020
Defence Sub-Committee
5th Mar 2020 - 11th May 2020
Shadow Minister (Defence) (Armed Forces and Defence Procurement)
12th Oct 2016 - 16th Jan 2020
Shadow Minister (Scotland)
1st Jul 2015 - 27th Jun 2016
Shadow Minister (Justice)
1st Jul 2015 - 27th Jun 2016
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
1st Jul 2015 - 27th Jun 2016
Shadow Minister (Justice) (Political and Constitutional Reform)
11th Oct 2011 - 7th Oct 2013
Shadow Minister (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs)
8th Oct 2010 - 7th Oct 2011
Shadow Minister (Wales)
12th May 2010 - 8th Oct 2010
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
5th Oct 2008 - 6th May 2010
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
2nd Jul 2007 - 5th Oct 2008
Welsh Affairs Committee
4th Jun 2007 - 8th Nov 2007
European Scrutiny Committee
16th Jul 2001 - 6th Nov 2007
Conventions (Joint Committee)
17th May 2006 - 31st Oct 2006
Standards and Privileges
28th Oct 2004 - 12th Jul 2005
Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee
1st Aug 1994 - 31st Jul 1998


Division Voting information

Wayne David has voted in 3151 divisions, and 7 times against the majority of their Party.

2 Dec 2015 - ISIL in Syria - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 56 Labour No votes vs 139 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 211 Noes - 390
2 Dec 2015 - ISIL in Syria - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 65 Labour Aye votes vs 153 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 397 Noes - 223
11 Sep 2015 - Assisted Dying (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 73 Labour Aye votes vs 91 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 330
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 46 Labour No votes vs 126 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 205 Noes - 228
19 Oct 2011 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 71 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 95
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 111 Labour Aye votes vs 197 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 196 Noes - 375
19 Jan 2007 - Sustainable Communities Bill - View Vote Context
Wayne David voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Labour No votes vs 30 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 175 Noes - 17
View All Wayne David Division Votes

All Debates

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
David Lidington (Conservative)
(117 debate interactions)
Mark Harper (Conservative)
(41 debate interactions)
Alun Cairns (Conservative)
(39 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(250 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(189 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(166 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Wayne David's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Wayne David

17th May 2023
Wayne David signed this EDM as a sponsor on Monday 22nd May 2023

International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus

Tabled by: Tony Lloyd (Labour - Rochdale)
That this House notes the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus on 21 May designated by the Viasna Human Rights Centre and further promoted by the Office of the National Leader of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; highlights that 21 May was chosen in memory of Vitold Ashurak, a …
17 signatures
(Most recent: 6 Jun 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 5
Scottish National Party: 4
Independent: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
11th May 2023
Wayne David signed this EDM as the primary signatory on Thursday 11th May 2023

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Tabled by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
This House is concerned at the increasing number of dog attacks and is alarmed that 13 people have been killed as a result of a dog attack since the start of 2022 and more have been seriously injured; notes that the cost to the NHS of dog bites has been …
23 signatures
(Most recent: 26 Oct 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 10
Independent: 6
Conservative: 2
Scottish National Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
View All Wayne David's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Wayne David, 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.


Wayne David has not been granted any Urgent Questions

4 Adjournment Debates led by Wayne David

Thursday 7th July 2022
Friday 19th October 2012
Wednesday 25th April 2012

1 Bill introduced by Wayne David


A Bill to make provision about the misuse of litigation to suppress freedom of speech.

Commons - 60%

Last Event - Committee Stage
Wednesday 8th May 2024
(Read Debate)

Latest 50 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
2 Other Department Questions
16th Nov 2015
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what representations she has made to energy companies to ensure they pass on reductions in the wholesale price of gas and electricity to the consumer.

DECC ministers and officials meet with energy companies on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues.


The government expects suppliers to make sure any reductions in the costs of supplying energy are passed to consumers.



24th Nov 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what investment in regeneration projects the Regeneration Investment Organisation has secured in the last six months.

Having built up a ‘shovel ready’ pipeline of 41 projects within 12 months, UK Trade and Investment’s Regeneration Investment Organisation (RIO) will shortly announce its first win for this financial year. RIO hopes to deliver two more project wins this financial year.

Beyond this, RIO’s £112bn long-term pipeline has the potential to create 640,000 jobs. 41 out of a total 180 projects have undergone technical investment evaluation and this number will soon rise to 100 verified projects. RIO has prioritised its overseas investors from 7 key markets and continues to support investment and supply chain development into ongoing projects such as Manchester Airport City and Battersea Power Station.

7th Nov 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress the Government has made on implementing the recommendations in the report by (a) Sir Robert Francis entitled Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood: Recommendations for a Framework, published on 7 June 2022, and (b) the Infected Blood Inquiry entitled Second Interim Report, published on 5 April 2023; and if he will make a statement.

The Government continues to make progress and is working to be ready to respond soon after the publication of the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, following the interim payments we have already made. On 23 October I issued a public statement on the Government’s current position in responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry. The timetable of the Inquiry is a matter for the chair. I will update the House as soon as I have further information to provide.

17th Oct 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government has made on implementing the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry's report entitled Second Interim Report, published on 5 April 2023.

I refer the Honourable Member to my previous answer to UIN 201237 on 20th October 2023.

22nd Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he has taken with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to implement the recommendations of the second interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023.

I would like to refer the Honourable member to the debate on Thursday 22nd June, where I updated Parliament on the Government’s progress on this important issue. In this update, I shared that part of this work includes chairing a Small Ministerial Group (SMG) to enable in-depth discussion about the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s second interim report and HM Treasury is represented at this group. The SMG is an important forum to work through the recommendations and drive forward the Government’s response to the anticipated Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report.

14th Jul 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by Sir Robert Francis entitled Compensation and redress for the victims of infected blood: recommendations for a framework, published on 7 June 2022, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of recommendation 14 of that report on interim payments; and whether his Department is taking steps to implement that recommendation.

There are a number of complex issues arising from the recommendations in the Compensation Framework Study. These issues are under active consideration across government, including consideration of Sir Robert’s evidence to the independent Inquiry on 11-12 July. I will update the House as this work progresses.

24th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by Sir Robert Francis entitled, Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood, Recommendations for a Framework, published on 7 June 2022, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on providing additional funding allocations to ensure that compensation payments to people affected by contaminated blood products are not funded from existing health and social care budgets.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 16932 on 20 June 2022.

3rd Feb 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether candidates standing for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections will be provided with a freepost to electors.

As for previous Police and Crime Commissioner elections, all candidates standing at the May 2020 Police and Crime Commissioner elections are entitled to have a candidate address published on the choosemypcc.org.uk website. The Government will meet the cost of providing, on request, to eligible electors a printed booklet of all the candidate addresses for their police area.

27th Jan 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to publicise the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 7 May 2020.

The statutory responsibility to raise awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections rests with the Electoral Commission and the Returning Officers running the polls, although political parties and candidates also have a major - but non-statutory - role. It is expected that candidates seeking votes will undertake activity to set out their policies and encourage participation.

In parallel to this, poll cards provide electors with details of the Government run freephone telephone number and website to obtain information about candidates, which can be downloaded from the website. A paper booklet can also be requested and sent for free to an elector’s home address. Booklets can be ordered in large print, braille and audio versions.

The Government supports these statutory activities by providing funding to Police Area Returning Officers (PAROs) to raise awareness. The Government also undertakes a range of promotional activities, including via social media and the provision of advertising material to PAROs.

23rd Jan 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress the Government is making on reform of the House of Lords.

The Government is continuing to work constructively with Peers, where there is consensus within the House of Lords, to enable them to achieve reforms that ensure the House continues to work effectively. The Prime Minister has committed to do her bit to reduce the size of the House by continuing the restrained approach she has taken so far to appointments. The Government welcomes the work of Lord Burns and his Committee and his second report which shows that good progress had been made on retirements.

30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the jobs at the Newport Wafer Fab are protected.

The Government understands the importance Nexperia Newport Ltd (formerly Newport Wafer Fab) to the local economy and the South Wales semiconductor Cluster and that this will be an uncertain time for employees. Decisions regarding the day-to-day running of the Newport site are a matter for the owners, but officials will work closely with Nexperia BV to implement the Secretary of State’s decision.

30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the recommendation from the BEIS Investment Security Unit on the Newport Wafer Fab divestment decision.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy takes decisions under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 in a quasi-judicial capacity, based on the facts and evidence. It would not be appropriate to share details of the national security assessment, including advice provided by officials to the Secretary of State in support of his quasi-judicial role.

30th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to meet the Newport Wafer Fab Staff Association.

The decisions of the Secretary of State under the National Security & Investment Act are quasi-judicial. As is required under the NSI Act, the Secretary of State considered all representations made before making the Final Order. It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to discuss his decision.

22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the recommendation from industry to integrate military and civil space operations into a National Space Operations Centre to jointly operate key national infrastructure and maximise data sharing on the UK's space capability.

The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy will consider the ways in which our international and national security strategy must evolve as the world changes. This will include an assessment of the space capabilities needed by the UK in the future.

22nd Jan 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of representations from industry to develop a sovereign space-based positioning, navigation and timing capability on the UK's space capability.

The Government’s Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) is exploring innovative and alternative ways of delivering vital satellite navigation and timing services to the UK. These services are critical for electricity networks, communications systems, and the maritime, aviation and defence sectors, as well as for getting from A to B.

In October a ‘Request for Information’ consultation was opened with industry and academia to ensure the right space-based solutions are explored by the new programme. This has now closed, we are grateful for the inputs received and are now considering this feedback that will set out approach and workstreams going forward.

Once approved, the SBPP Pre-Market Engagement strategy will set out the next steps and timings for engagement with and the opportunities for industry in 2021. Further details will be shared as soon as possible.

This work will boost the UK’s already thriving space industry and expertise, whilst paving the way for a more ’Global Britain’, with greater independence from foreign systems.

5th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions the Government has had with (a) social media and (b) technology companies to help ensure that their platforms are not being used to disseminate Russian propaganda.

The Government takes the issue of disinformation seriously. The DCMS-led Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU) works to identify and counter Russian disinformation, working closely with cross Whitehall partners and the major social media platforms. The CDU encourages platforms to swiftly remove disinformation and coordinated inauthentic or manipulated behaviour, as per their Terms of Service and engages regularly with social media companies and technology companies to understand policy changes and other countermeasures related to Russian information activities, and the effectiveness of these actions.

17th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish its response to the report it commissioned from Middlesex University on dog attacks.

In December 2021, Defra published research in collaboration with Middlesex University to look at responsible ownership across all breeds of dog. The research considers different approaches and the effectiveness of current dog control measures and makes several recommendations including specifically on improving the evidence base. The report will provide the basis for the consideration of reform in this area and the Government is already working with the police, local authorities, and stakeholders to consider the recommendations further.

12th Apr 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to (a) publish the results of the consultation on improvements to animal welfare in transport and (b) bring forward legislative proposals to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening.

The public consultation ended on 25th February and we are currently analysing all the responses we received. We will be publishing the Government response later this year.

We hope to have legislation in place to end live animal exports for slaughter and fattening by the end of the year.

31st Jan 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) animal welfare organisations and (b) UK Border Force on the post-implementation review of the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order since the end of his Department's consultation exercise on 26 October 2016.

The post implementation review will evaluate the effectiveness of the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order. A public consultation was conducted and responses published in June 2017. A final report will be published in due course.

Ministers and officials have ongoing engagement with animal welfare NGOs on a range of issues including the movement of pet animals. Defra officials work with Border Force across a range of animal import matters including those covered by the review.

31st Jan 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take as a result of the post-implementation review of the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order.

The post implementation review will evaluate the effectiveness of the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order. A public consultation was conducted and responses published in June 2017. A final report will be published in due course.

Ministers and officials have ongoing engagement with animal welfare NGOs on a range of issues including the movement of pet animals. Defra officials work with Border Force across a range of animal import matters including those covered by the review.

26th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with breeders deemed low-risk in the new dog breeding regulations on the effect of those regulations on those breeders.

Defra is developing revised regulations on dog breeding and other licensable animal activities in close liaison with key stakeholders including members of the Canine and Feline Sector Group. Underpinning the new regulations will be a risk-based system whereby those deemed low risk will benefit from longer licences, fewer inspections and a lower fee. The risk based system is being developed by key stakeholders including those that represent dog breeders. No specific discussions have taken place with dog breeders themselves but the proposals have been widely consulted upon.

25th Oct 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of incorporating the assured breeder scheme into the new dog breeding regulations.

We recognise that the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeders Scheme provides benefits for animal welfare and is a hallmark by which potential purchasers can obtain a puppy.

Under our proposals anyone who is a member of an organisation that has been certified by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service will benefit from being assessed as lower risk and attract fewer inspections, a lower fee and be able to show a higher star rating on any merchandising or advertising they may employ.

15th Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with the Trade Remedies Authority on the potential impact that the ending of anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium will have on UK manufacturers.

Department for International Trade’s Ministers and officials meet with the Trade Remedies Authority regularly to understand on-going trade remedy cases and related issues, including this one. Ministers consider all recommendations from the Trade Remedies Authority carefully before making a decision, including the assessment of whether it is in the UK’s economic interest to have a trade remedies measure in place.

15th Sep 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on ensuring that residents of Caerphilly Borough are able to claim refunds on holidays they are unable to take as a result of the local covid-19 lockdown.

The legal obligations of airlines to issue refunds is a reserved matter. The CAA is the independent regulator that enforces these obligations of airlines across the whole of the UK.

Both the CAA and the Department have urged travel businesses to act fairly and offer a refund to all customers who are entitled, depending on the terms and conditions of the contract in place. Consumers who are entitled to refund should contact travel providers or their credit card issuers for reimbursement.

17th Nov 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 1 February 2016 to Question HL5729, if his Department will discuss with representatives of local highway authorities the Government's recommendation that those authorities consider scanning any deceased cats or dogs found on the highway for which they are responsible as a matter of standard practice.

The Department for Transport has already highlighted to local highway authorities the importance of scanning deceased dogs and cats found on the highway as part of standard practice. This advice was included in a letter sent in March 2015 to highway authorities in England, outside London. It is the responsibility of each highway authority to determine whether to do so or not based on their own policies and procedures. However, the Department for Transport will look for opportunities to highlight the issue to local authorities.

Jesse Norman
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
27th Mar 2017
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has conducted an assessment of the (a) reasons for the change in the number of drink-driving convictions between 2004 and 2014 and (b) the implications of that change for the Government's policy on drink-driving.

We have made no assessment of changes in drink-driving convictions; however, drink drive casualties went down in the period 2004 to 2014 and drink drive fatalities are at their lowest ever level; the proportion of people who tested positively for alcohol following a reported road traffic accident has fallen from 4% in 2004 to 3% in 2014; and the overall proportion of drivers who tested positively on a roadside screening test fell from 18% in 2004 to 11% in 2014. We continue to promote our THINK! Campaign and we have no plans for lowering the drink drive limit.

20th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has had discussions with the Cabinet Office on the potential merits of amending the benefits assessment process for victims of the contaminated blood scandal.

The Infected Blood Inquiry is ongoing, and it is only reasonable that the inquiry concludes and provides its final recommendations before the Government responds. The Government is undertaking the necessary work to enable a swift response to the full report, when it is published.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise from needs related to a long-term health condition or disability. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is an income-replacement benefit for individuals who have a health condition or disability that limits their capability to work.

People whose ability to work or to live independently which has been affected as a consequence of receiving infected blood can claim, and in many cases are already claiming, these benefits. The department has talked to people affected and improved its processes to ensure these claims are dealt with quickly and accurately.

Eligibility for these benefits is not based on the diagnosis of a health condition or disability. Instead, both the Work Capability Assessment, which determines entitlement to ESA and the additional health-related amount of Universal Credit, and the PIP assessment, assess the impact of a person’s health condition or disability on doing everyday tasks to determine eligibility for the benefit. In practice, these assessments will often be a paper-based process where people are seriously ill.

29th Mar 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of freezing the rates of Local Housing Allowance on the number of people who will be unable to meet their housing costs.

The Department does not hold this information, therefore no such estimate had been made.

Mims Davies
Shadow Minister (Women)
1st Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Written Statement of 5 March 2019, Official Report column WS1376, what the implementation dates are for the new stipulations on personal independence payment.

In March 2019 the Secretary of State announced that people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who have reached State Pension Age will no longer have their awards regularly reviewed, instead moving to a light touch review at 10 years. From 31 May 2019 new claimants to PIP whose review would have been scheduled after they had reached State Pension age will receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at 10 years. Claimants already in receipt of PIP will be moved to on-going awards from this July.

This change is an important step in improving the claimant experience by reducing reviews for these claimants whose needs are less likely to change.

1st Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Written Statement of 5 March 2019, HCWS1376,what assessment she has made of the effect of new provisions for reviews of personal independence payments on the review timescale for claimants who are state pension age and over.

In March 2019 the Secretary of State announced that people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who have reached State Pension Age will no longer have their awards regularly reviewed, instead moving to a light touch review at 10 years. From 31 May 2019 new claimants to PIP whose review would have been scheduled after they had reached State Pension age will receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at 10 years. Claimants already in receipt of PIP will be moved to on-going awards from this July.

This change is an important step in improving the claimant experience by reducing reviews for these claimants whose needs are less likely to change.

1st Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to her Written Statement of 5 March 2019, WS1376, whether there will be regular reviews of personal independence payment awards to people (a) at and (b) above state pension age.

In March 2019 the Secretary of State announced that people receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who have reached State Pension Age will no longer have their awards regularly reviewed, instead moving to a light touch review at 10 years. From 31 May 2019 new claimants to PIP whose review would have been scheduled after they had reached State Pension age will receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at 10 years. Claimants already in receipt of PIP will be moved to on-going awards from this July.

This change is an important step in improving the claimant experience by reducing reviews for these claimants whose needs are less likely to change.

5th Feb 2018
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with a brain tumour as their main disabling condition have (a) applied for and (b) received personal independence payments in each year since 2013.

The information requested is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Brain tumour is not recorded as a separate category in the main disabling condition list as recorded on the PIP computer system.

Information is published in relation to primary disabling conditions where available, this can be found on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/.

Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore can be found here: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/index.html.

Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these published statistics.

In the application process, claimants’ main disabling condition is only recorded for collation by the Department at assessment. It is not recorded at the point of application. The Department does not therefore hold data on the number of applicants to PIP with particular conditions. Only those who have a disability assessment determination decision will have a main disabling condition recorded for them.

4th May 2016
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria his Department has set to ensure that people who carry out personal independence payment assessments for Capita are fully qualified medically.

All Health Professionals (HPs) undertaking assessments on behalf of DWP must be registered practitioners who have also met requirements around training, experience and competence.

Approval to work as an HP must be conferred by the DWP Chief Medical Adviser on behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

For the delivery of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments, they must be an occupational therapist, level 1 nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic or doctor. They must also be fully registered and have at least two years’ post full-registration experience.

In addition to their profession, the Department recognises the importance of ensuring that individuals also have sufficient experience, skills and training to carry out their duties and PIP providers are required to ensure that the HPs carrying out assessments have knowledge of the clinical aspects and likely functional effects of a wide range of health conditions and impairments. This means that all HPs receive comprehensive training in disability analysis which includes a functional evaluation as to how medical conditions and the long-term medical treatment of those conditions affect an individual’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. Prior to carrying out an assessment the HP routinely refreshes their knowledge of any condition with which they are not fully familiar.

5th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of expanding the FibroScan rollout to community diagnostic centres in areas with high prevalence of liver disease.

There are currently plans for 12 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) to offer FibroScan testing, of which five are currently operational. A further seven CDCs plan to offer this service by the end of March 2024.

The CDC modality offer is based on the recommendations in the Sir Mike Richards Review, and decisions on what modalities are offered outside of the core requirements of CDCs will be based on local need and decisions. The Government is working with the National Health Service to deliver and consider the result from the pilot of the community liver health check programme, which in its first year delivered over 17,000 FibroScans to individuals at particular risk of cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis, using 40 FibroScanners, across 19 local areas.

1st Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department's workforce strategy will make an assessment of trends in the rates of (a) alcohol related liver disease and (b) non-alcohol related fatty liver disease.

No assessments will be made in the Long Term Workforce Plan in regards to assessing the trends in rates of alcohol related liver disease and non-alcohol related fatty liver disease.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities publishes liver disease hospital admission and mortality rates for England and all local authorities, updated annually, in the Liver Disease Profiles. The profiles and further details can be accessed at the following link:

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/liver-disease

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
31st Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the efficacy of (a) transient elastography and (b) liver function blood tests in supporting the earlier detection of liver disease.

No recent assessment has been made of the efficacy of (a) transient elastography and (b) liver function blood tests in supporting the earlier detection of liver disease.

The Government recognises the importance of earlier detection of liver disease and from April 2022, NHS England introduced a Commissioning for Quality and Innovation scheme indicator to incentivise testing for cirrhosis or advanced liver fibrosis for alcohol-dependent in-patients in acute and mental health services.

Helen Whately
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of patient care pathways for the early detection of liver disease in England by (a) region and (b) integrated care system.

No specific assessment has been made. However, in 2021, NHS England commissioned a stocktake of health inequalities in liver disease and the relevant care pathways, which recognised the association of regional variation with many risk factors, morbidity and mortality.

The Hepatobiliary Clinical Reference Group is reviewing the findings of this stocktake, which will inform priorities for action in 2022/23. NHS England is developing a policy on screening and treatment of patients commencing chemotherapy who may be unaware they are living with hepatitis B. The hepatitis C programme has reduced the prevalence of the disease through identifying patients in the community in a range of settings.

16th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring alcohol product labels to display the Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines.

The Government has worked with the alcohol industry to ensure that alcohol labels reflect the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) low risk drinking guidelines for drinks produced after 1 September 2019.

We have announced the intention to consult on whether to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on prepacked alcohol and alcohol sold in on-trade businesses such as pubs and restaurants. The consultation will also seek views on whether the provision of the UK CMOs’ low risk drinking guidelines should be mandatory or continue on a voluntary basis.

16th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) increase awareness of the links between alcohol abuse and cancer and (b) introduce a health warning on alcohol labels.

The consultation to seek views on whether to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on prepacked alcohol and alcohol sold in on-trade businesses such as pubs and restaurants will be launched in due course. The consultation will also seek views on whether the provision of the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) low risk drinking guidelines and a drink-driving warning should be mandatory or continue on a voluntary basis. Respondents to the consultation will be able to provide suggestions for additional labelling requirements, including additional warnings pertaining to health.

The UK CMOs’ low risk drinking guidelines highlight that the risk of developing a range of health problems, including cancer, increases with greater alcohol consumption on a regular basis. We continue to promote these guidelines through public health messaging, including the ‘Better Health’ campaign and the Drink Free Days app.

16th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he will publish (a) the consultation on calorie labelling of alcoholic products and (b) the labelling elements under consideration by that consultation.

The consultation to seek views on whether to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on prepacked alcohol and alcohol sold in on-trade businesses such as pubs and restaurants will be launched in due course. The consultation will also seek views on whether the provision of the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) low risk drinking guidelines and a drink-driving warning should be mandatory or continue on a voluntary basis. Respondents to the consultation will be able to provide suggestions for additional labelling requirements, including additional warnings pertaining to health.

The UK CMOs’ low risk drinking guidelines highlight that the risk of developing a range of health problems, including cancer, increases with greater alcohol consumption on a regular basis. We continue to promote these guidelines through public health messaging, including the ‘Better Health’ campaign and the Drink Free Days app.

7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 November 2021 to Question 69076, what assessment he has made of the level of uptake of the RightCare Headache and Migraines Toolkit by local clinical commissioning groups; and if he will make a statement.

No specific assessment has been made. The RightCare Headache and Migraines Toolkit is a downloadable resource which provides optional guidance for clinical commissioning groups.

7th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help ensure eligible people with migraines can access NICE-approved calcitonin gene-related peptide antibody medicines.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance recommending erenumab, galcanezumab and fremanezumab, all of which are calcitonin gene-related peptide antibody medicines, for preventing migraine in adults for routine funding in the National Health Service in England, subject to specified criteria. NHS England is legally required to fund medicines recommended in a NICE technology appraisal, usually within three months of final guidance. This funding requirement ensures that there is consistency of access for to NICE recommended medicines. The NHS Constitution states that patients have the right to drugs and treatments recommended by NICE for use in the NHS, if their doctor believes they are clinically appropriate.

Edward Argar
Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
8th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment he has made of outcomes in liver disease care in England compared to (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) other comparable countries.

Public Health England (PHE) has not made a direct comparison of outcomes in liver disease care in England, Scotland and Wales.

In 2017, PHE published the Second Atlas of Variation in risk factors and healthcare for liver disease in England. This included comparisons of liver disease outcomes across the European Union, in particular France and Sweden as comparable countries to the United Kingdom. The Second Atlas of Variation in risk factors and healthcare for liver disease in England is available at the following link:

https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/atlas-of-variation

8th Sep 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the increasing trend in alcohol consumption and harm; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle that increase.

There is a programme of work underway to address alcohol-related health harms and their impact on life chances, including the establishment of specialist alcohol care teams in hospitals and support children of alcohol dependent parents.

The new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will lead our efforts to improve treatment and support, with £80 million of new investment. We have also committed to publish a new United Kingdom-wide cross-Government addiction strategy which will consider a range of issues, including drugs, alcohol and problem gambling. We will consider the emerging evidence around increased alcohol harms during the pandemic and what further action is needed as we develop the strategy.

19th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the (a) Welsh Government and (b) other devolved Administrations on ensuring there is parity of support for all victims of the contaminated blood scandal across the UK.

My Rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care recently met with his counterparts in the devolved administrations to discuss this issue.

25th Mar 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to improve the diagnosis and treatment of neurofibromatosis.

NHS England has commissioned a national specialised service to address the healthcare needs of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients with rare complications that cause major health problems (called complex-NF1). There are two centres responsible for the diagnosis and long-term care of complex NF1 which are based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. These centres also provide education with the National Health Service to raise and maintain awareness of NF1 and are expected to form a relationship with local health and social care providers to help optimise any care for complex NF1 patients provided locally.

In 2010, a nationally funded service was established for patients in England with a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The purpose of this service is to ensure patients are managed consistently by experienced doctors within a multi-disciplinary setting and that they receive the highest standard of care. The service for NF2 is co-ordinated from four major clinic centres: Manchester, Cambridge, Oxford and London. Each centre has a clearly defined geographical area of responsibility and runs peripheral clinics within that area, contributing their expertise to ensure the same standard of service and care is maintained.

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the awareness of NF through more training of doctors and nurses, particularly through community paediatricians, development of guidelines with nurses, and links with genetic and neurology clinics. Links between expert centres have developed and improved the transfer of patients whose condition is complex to the centres. Professionals at the expert centres including consultants and specialist nurses also undertake the usual range of activities to raise awareness of the condition by giving lectures and presentations, attending conferences and publishing papers in medical journals.

In April 2018, the former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health and Primary Care (Steve Brine MP) met the Childhood Tumour Trust to discuss, amongst other things, raising awareness of NF.