Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Care on 5 February (HC27717), whether the undertaking in the Budget of 3 March 2021 of a lifetime funding commitment for thalidomide survivors still applies.

We are committed to meeting the health needs of people affected by thalidomide, known as Thalidomiders, and to ensuring that they can live with dignity and have access the support they need.

The Thalidomide Health Grant exists to meet the health and wellbeing needs, both present and future, of Thalidomiders living in England. This funding helps Thalidomiders to maintain control over their own health and enables them to personalise the way their health and care needs are met, maintain independence, and minimise any further deterioration in their health.

We will provide an update on funding arrangements beyond 2027 in due course.