Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to establish a network of relevant stakeholders to advise him on planning for (a) future outbreaks and (b) Mpox.

On behalf of the Secretary of State, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting the nation from the impact of key health threats, including, but not limited to, future outbreaks of infectious diseases. As part of its work to prepare for, prevent and respond to emerging health threats UKHSA regularly engages with a wide network of relevant stakeholders. This includes key delivery partners, such as the National Health Service, Local Authorities and the life sciences industry, academia, civil society organisations and international partners.

In relation to mpox specifically, UKHSA convenes a cross-agency mpox oversight group to consult on key issues relating to the mpox response in the United Kingdom. This group comprises key stakeholders from across UKHSA, the Department, NHS England, local Government, clinical professional bodies and civil society. UKHSA continues to monitor the epidemiology of the mpox outbreak and stands ready to scale up its response as required.