Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for replacing Professor Sir Mike Richards as chair of the UK National Screening Committee.

Professor Sir Mike Richards was appointed as Chair of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) on 11 March 2022. Appointments to the UK NSC are made in line with the principles of public appointment as set out by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The first term of Professor Sir Mike Richards’ appointment is due to come to an end on the 10 March 2025 and a chair’s appraisal will be carried out by the English Chief Medical Officer to determine whether the appointment should be extended for a second term. The appointment can be extended up to three terms, not exceeding 10 years.