Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has estimated the lifetime public cost of not compensating individuals with complex disabilities caused by sodium valproate exposure, including costs to the NHS, social care and the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Department of Health and Social Care has not made an estimate of the lifetime public cost of not compensating individuals affected by in‑utero exposure to sodium valproate, including potential costs to the National health Service, social care services, or the Department for Work and Pensions.

I met with the Patient Safety Commissioner in December 2025, to discuss progress on the Hughes Report which made recommendations for redress for those harmed by sodium valproate exposure. I made clear the Department’s expectation of continued, proactive engagement with the Patient Safety Commissioner and key stakeholders as the Government considers the issue of redress.