Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of back pain among 10 to 18 year olds.

Upper tier local authorities in England have responsibility for commissioning public health services, including the promotion of healthy living and physical activity which might help reduce incidence of injury contributing to back pain in young people. They are supported by Public Health England which uses campaigns, the national physical activity framework, and partnerships across national and local government, the third sector and business to promote better public health.

Clinical commissioning groups have responsibility for commissioning services which may be needed by young people suffering from back pain, particularly physiotherapy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently issued updated guidelines for clinicians on low back pain and sciatica in over 16s. These guidelines outline physical, psychological, pharmacological and surgical treatments to help people manage low back pain and aim to improve the quality of life of those suffering from back pain by promoting the most effective forms of care.