Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the needs of (a) all populations and (b) people from low income backgrounds are supported in the development of the sexual and reproductive healthcare strategy.

The Department is currently developing a Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy, which is planned for publication later this year. The Strategy seeks to ensure that the sexual and reproductive health needs of all population groups are met, including people from low income backgrounds. We are engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure these populations are represented in the development process.

The new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will continue to monitor and publish data relating to inequalities in access to contraception and other sexual and reproductive health services, including how key indicators vary by Index of Multiple Deprivation. Public Health England has also recently published the Variation in Outcomes Toolkit that supports local and regional partners to address inequalities in sexual and reproductive health services.