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 improve public awareness of (a) HPV vaccination, (b) regular cervical screening and (c) other cervical cancer prevention measures.

On 19 June 2025, NHS England launched its first ever cervical cancer elimination creative campaign and communications toolkit for Cervical Screening Awareness Week, which took place between 19 and 24 June 2025. The campaign included digital resources that create a strong sense of shared responsibility and aim to increase awareness of the elimination goal, educate the public about human papillomavirus (HPV), and build confidence in the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.

In March 2025, NHS England published its Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England, setting out how the National Health Service will improve equitable uptake and coverage across HPV vaccination and cervical screening to meet the goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Further information on the Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/

NHS England will build on what is already working well to drive vaccination and screening uptake and coverage, focussing on five cross-cutting themes:

- increasing access;

- raising awareness;

- reducing inequalities;

- improving digital capabilities; and

- strengthening workforce capacity.

Ensuring that people are aware of, and understand the benefits of, HPV vaccination and cervical screening is crucial for informed decision making. Creating effective, nuanced, and culturally sensitive health communications relies on collaborative work with third sector partners and local communities.

NHS England will raise awareness of cervical cancer prevention offers through strategic, long-term and evidence-based communications.