Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of specialist Long Covid clinics on the collection of data on the long-term health impacts of Covid-19; and what steps he is taking to ensure that these conditions are not under-recognised or under-resourced as a result.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While no central assessment has been made of the impact of local closures of post-COVID-19 services on patient outcomes and data collection, the Government understands the scale of the issue at hand, particularly the impact of long COVID-19 on health, employment, and the economy.
The Government is aware that post-acute infection conditions, such as long COVID-19, can have a devastating effect on those who suffer from them. We are committed to taking a comprehensive and compassionate approach to supporting individuals with post-acute infection conditions such as long COVID-19, recognising the unique challenges these conditions present.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning specialist services for long COVID-19 that meet the needs of their population, subject to local prioritisation and funding. NHS England has published commissioning guidance for post-COVID-19, or long COVID-19, services, which sets out a blueprint for best practice in supporting people with long COVID-19 and is designed to be adapted to local needs. This guidance is avaiable at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-commissioning-guidance-for-post-covid-services/
Anyone who is concerned about long lasting symptoms after having COVID-19 should contact their general practitioner (GP). If appropriate, their GP will refer them to a National Health Service long COVID-19 service where available, or a suitable alternative, which will assess people and direct them into care pathways which provide appropriate support, treatment, and rehabilitation.
To support clinical leadership in this area, NHS England worked in partnership with the British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine to establish the International Post- Covid and Post-Infection Conditions Society to facilitate the ongoing sharing of best practice to support people affected by long COVID-19.
Ongoing projects funded through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Medical Research Council (MRC) aim to improve our understanding of the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of long COVID-19 and the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and interventions, as well as to evaluate clinical care. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including long COVID-19. The NIHR and MRC remain committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment of post-viral conditions, including long COVID-19, and are actively exploring next steps for research into post-viral conditions.
On 6 November 2025, the NIHR and MRC hosted a showcase event for post-acute infection conditions, including long COVID-19, research. This brought together people with lived experience, researchers, clinicians, and research funders to help stimulate further research in this field. We are now considering discussions from the showcase event to explore next steps to stimulate further vital research in this area.
We are determined to accelerate progress in the treatment and management of long COVID-19. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award which is focussed on the feasibility of a phase 2 platform clinical trial that tests multiple repurposed pharmaceutical interventions and/or non-pharmacological interventions and devices. This targeted funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including long COVID-19.
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the closure of dedicated Long Covid services on patient outcomes; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the long-term effects of Covid-19 are (a) properly identified, (b) monitored and (c) treated.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While no central assessment has been made of the impact of local closures of post-COVID-19 services on patient outcomes and data collection, the Government understands the scale of the issue at hand, particularly the impact of long COVID-19 on health, employment, and the economy.
The Government is aware that post-acute infection conditions, such as long COVID-19, can have a devastating effect on those who suffer from them. We are committed to taking a comprehensive and compassionate approach to supporting individuals with post-acute infection conditions such as long COVID-19, recognising the unique challenges these conditions present.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning specialist services for long COVID-19 that meet the needs of their population, subject to local prioritisation and funding. NHS England has published commissioning guidance for post-COVID-19, or long COVID-19, services, which sets out a blueprint for best practice in supporting people with long COVID-19 and is designed to be adapted to local needs. This guidance is avaiable at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-commissioning-guidance-for-post-covid-services/
Anyone who is concerned about long lasting symptoms after having COVID-19 should contact their general practitioner (GP). If appropriate, their GP will refer them to a National Health Service long COVID-19 service where available, or a suitable alternative, which will assess people and direct them into care pathways which provide appropriate support, treatment, and rehabilitation.
To support clinical leadership in this area, NHS England worked in partnership with the British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine to establish the International Post- Covid and Post-Infection Conditions Society to facilitate the ongoing sharing of best practice to support people affected by long COVID-19.
Ongoing projects funded through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Medical Research Council (MRC) aim to improve our understanding of the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of long COVID-19 and the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and interventions, as well as to evaluate clinical care. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including long COVID-19. The NIHR and MRC remain committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment of post-viral conditions, including long COVID-19, and are actively exploring next steps for research into post-viral conditions.
On 6 November 2025, the NIHR and MRC hosted a showcase event for post-acute infection conditions, including long COVID-19, research. This brought together people with lived experience, researchers, clinicians, and research funders to help stimulate further research in this field. We are now considering discussions from the showcase event to explore next steps to stimulate further vital research in this area.
We are determined to accelerate progress in the treatment and management of long COVID-19. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award which is focussed on the feasibility of a phase 2 platform clinical trial that tests multiple repurposed pharmaceutical interventions and/or non-pharmacological interventions and devices. This targeted funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including long COVID-19.
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on patient outcomes for those with Long-Covid following the closure of dedicated services; and how many former Long Covid patients are being supported through ME/CFS services.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
While no central assessment has been made of the impact of local closures of post-COVID-19 services on patient outcomes and data collection, the Government understands the scale of the issue at hand, particularly the impact of long COVID-19 on health, employment, and the economy.
The Government is aware that post-acute infection conditions, such as long COVID-19, can have a devastating effect on those who suffer from them. We are committed to taking a comprehensive and compassionate approach to supporting individuals with post-acute infection conditions such as long COVID-19, recognising the unique challenges these conditions present.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning specialist services for long COVID-19 that meet the needs of their population, subject to local prioritisation and funding. NHS England has published commissioning guidance for post-COVID-19, or long COVID-19, services, which sets out a blueprint for best practice in supporting people with long COVID-19 and is designed to be adapted to local needs. This guidance is avaiable at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-commissioning-guidance-for-post-covid-services/
Anyone who is concerned about long lasting symptoms after having COVID-19 should contact their general practitioner (GP). If appropriate, their GP will refer them to a National Health Service long COVID-19 service where available, or a suitable alternative, which will assess people and direct them into care pathways which provide appropriate support, treatment, and rehabilitation.
To support clinical leadership in this area, NHS England worked in partnership with the British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine to establish the International Post- Covid and Post-Infection Conditions Society to facilitate the ongoing sharing of best practice to support people affected by long COVID-19.
Ongoing projects funded through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Medical Research Council (MRC) aim to improve our understanding of the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of long COVID-19 and the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and interventions, as well as to evaluate clinical care. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including long COVID-19. The NIHR and MRC remain committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment of post-viral conditions, including long COVID-19, and are actively exploring next steps for research into post-viral conditions.
On 6 November 2025, the NIHR and MRC hosted a showcase event for post-acute infection conditions, including long COVID-19, research. This brought together people with lived experience, researchers, clinicians, and research funders to help stimulate further research in this field. We are now considering discussions from the showcase event to explore next steps to stimulate further vital research in this area.
We are determined to accelerate progress in the treatment and management of long COVID-19. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award which is focussed on the feasibility of a phase 2 platform clinical trial that tests multiple repurposed pharmaceutical interventions and/or non-pharmacological interventions and devices. This targeted funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including long COVID-19.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what guidance her Department issues to British diplomatic missions overseas on supporting Pride events.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Across our global diplomatic network, missions collaborate with local partners to challenge discriminatory laws and policies that enable violence and discrimination against LGBT+ people, and to mark key moments including Pride, but there is no central recording of each of these activities.
In multilateral settings, the UK engages likeminded partners in the Equal Rights Coalition, the UN LGBTI Core Group, and the Council of Europe to champion the universality of human rights, and to promote global action to end violence, persecution, and discrimination.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers and officials also collaborate with other government departments, including the Office for Equality and Opportunity, to align domestic and international efforts to advance human rights and equality for LGBT+ people, ensuring everyone can live with dignity and without fear of violence and persecution.
We continually keep the impact of all FCDO policies and UK-funded programmes under review to ensure they are achieving their objectives, and providing value for money.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support pubs with operating costs in Eastleigh constituency.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation.
This includes regular engagement with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council which provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.
We also maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long-term stability.
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish a list of all companies that are contracted by the Department to provide asylum related services.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:
Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023
Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025
Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021
Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022
British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022
thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024
VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the total value of contracts her Department holds with Migrant Help, broken down by financial year since 2020.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:
Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023
Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025
Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021
Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022
British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022
thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024
VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any contracts her Department holds with Migrant Help include 24-hour service provisions.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:
Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023
Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025
Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021
Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022
British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022
thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024
VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024
Asked by: Rupert Lowe (Independent - Great Yarmouth)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contracts her Department has with Migrant Help for the provision of services to asylum seekers.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office holds one contract with Migrant Help for the provision of asylum services. The overall value for the 10-year contract (2019-2029) is £235,000,000. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The AIRE – Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility contract held with Migrant Help includes 24-hour service provisions. Information on this contract is publicly available: AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder
The Home Office holds contracts with the following companies for asylum related services. This information is publicly available:
Serco Ltd- AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NW - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract MEE - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mears Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NEYH - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Scotland - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract NI - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd - AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract Wales - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
AASC - Asylum Accommodation & Support Services Contract South - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Corporate Travel Management (North) Limited - CCTM22A01 Provision of Bridging Accommodation and Travel Services Contract - Contracts Finder Contract start date 26 February 2023
Contract for the Provision of Asylum Accommodation and Travel Services - Contracts Finder Contract start date 23 April 2025
Prepaid Financial Services Limited - Support Payment Card - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 27 February 2021
Migrant Help - AIRE - Advice Issue Reporting and Elligibility - Contracts Finder Contract Start date 1 March 2019
Mitie Limited - Provision of Security Services at Home Office Contingency Accommodation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 16 September 2022
British Refugee Council - Independent Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Support Service - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 9 February 2022
thebigword Group Limited - Language Services - Translation & Interpretation - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 29 February 2024
VF Services (UK) Limited - Contract for the provision of Home Office and Asylum Interviews - Contracts Finder Contract Start Date 6 August 2024
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of updating standards relating to the (a) design, (b) spacing, and (c) visibility of vehicle number plates.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government recognises the impact of number plate fraud and is committed to addressing this issue. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) collaborates with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office, and other departments to enhance the identification and enforcement of number plate offences. On road enforcement remains the responsibility of the police.
The government published its new Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department for Transport is reviewing motoring offences and has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. The consultation can be found online at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-penalties-for-motoring-offences.
The DVLA is a member of the British Standards Institution committee, which has proposed updates to number plate standards. These changes aim to prevent the production of plates with raised or ‘ghost’ characteristics and require all finished plates to be flat. The public consultation on these proposals closed on 13 December 2025 and the committee will review feedback shortly.
Efforts are underway to strengthen application and audit processes for number plate suppliers. The Department and its agencies maintain close cooperation with law enforcement and other stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing. The police have established access to DVLA records for crime prevention and detection.
DVLA enforcement officers work with the police and Trading Standards to conduct compliance visits to number plate suppliers, inspecting practices and records as necessary.