Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the (a) implications of his policies of the report published by Salford University on 18 January 2021 entitled the prevalence of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders: an overview of current evidence and activities in the UK, published by Salford University on 18 January 2021, and (b) adequacy of service provision for people with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

No specific assessment has been made of the report published by Salford University. However, the Government is taking action to raise awareness and education on the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant and improve support for those living with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and its consequences. We have also asked the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to produce a quality standard in England for FASD to help the health and care system improve diagnosis and care of those affected, which is expected to be published later this year.

The Department will consider the report and its recommendations when developing future policies on FASD.