Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department is taking steps to assist people with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with the financial costs of (a) adoption and (b) surrogacy; and if he will make a statement.

We know that many people unable to give birth, such as those with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, look to alternatives such as adoption and surrogacy.

The process of adopting a child in England is free for all eligible adopters whether they approach a local authority or a voluntary adoption agency. Local authorities have the power to make discretionary financial payments to adopters for the purpose of supporting the placement of the adoptive child with them or the continuation of adoption arrangements after an adoption order is made. In addition, local authorities are required to assess the need for post-adoption support when requested by adoptive parents or children.

The government has invested significantly in adoption support through the Adoption Support Fund. Since its launch in May 2015, more than £66 million has been provided for thousands of families to access therapeutic support.

Decisions about local NHS services, including assisted conception and fertility treatment, are the responsibility of local Clinical Commissioning Groups and will take into account the overall needs of the local population. Individual cases where patients suffer from conditions such as Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome may be given exceptional consideration.