theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase public preparedness for out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. \p Ashley Dalton: To improve patients' survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, the Government has committed to improving access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and to reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

As part of the application process, the Department has selected the Smarter Society as its independent partner to manage grant applications against requirements specified by the Department to ensure that resources are allocated to where there is the greatest need, for instance remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

NHS England is working with St John’s Ambulance on increasing the number of people in our communities who are confident in the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillators. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government collects data on how many young people with cancer were diagnosed in A&E. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Disease Registration Service in NHS England, as the national cancer registry, collects diagnosis and treatment data on cancer patients in England. Data is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs

The most recent published data on registrations of cancer in young people is in the Accredited Official Statistics on Cancer Registrations covering 2022, which is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2022

Young people, those aged zero to 24 years old, are diagnosed with types of cancer that are only stageable in half of all cases. Of those diagnoses which are stageable, the proportion of diagnoses with a valid recorded stage that are diagnosed at stage 1 is 35%. Of those diagnoses which are stageable, the proportion of diagnoses with a valid recorded stage that are diagnosed at stage 2 is 26%.

The most recent published data on how young people presented with cancer is in the Rapid Cancer Registration Data set. The most recent complete year for which data is available is 2023. Further information is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/data/data-sets/rcrd

Approximately 39% of young people first present in hospital as an emergency presentation.

Some of the most common cancers diagnosed in young people, like brain tumours, have very significant symptoms associated with them, and in these cases the recommended course of action is to attend accident and emergency rather than following a managed pathway.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of young people with cancer were entered into clinical trials in March 2025. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) does not currently hold data on the number of young people with cancer enrolled into clinical trials in March 2025 as this time period is still ongoing.

Department-funded NIHR research and infrastructure is enabling clinical trial participation for children and young people with cancer. Through the NIHR, the Department also jointly funds the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre Paediatric Cancer Network with Cancer Research UK and the Little Princess Trust, which brings together clinicians and translational scientists to run early phase clinical trials for children and young people with cancer.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of including rapid diagnostics as part of the five-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance. \p Ashley Dalton: The United Kingdom’s 2024 to 2029 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) national action plan (NAP), published in May 2024, highlights the importance of accurate diagnostic testing to guide effective antibiotic use and tackle antimicrobial resistance. Supporting clinicians to prescribe the right antimicrobials only to those that need them is a core commitment in the NAP. Outcome six of the UK’s AMR NAP specifically relates to supporting the development of diagnostic tests for infection.

NHS England is taking a multifactorial approach to improving the roll out of innovative rapid diagnostics, aligning to the commitments of the 2024 to 2029 AMR NAP. This includes reducing barriers for industry to support the development of diagnostic tests, identifying innovations, and increasing the evidence for putting those innovations into practice.

Sepsis has no specific diagnostic test, and presentation can vary, making it difficult to diagnose. In hospitals, clinicians are supported in recognising sepsis by using the National Early Warning Score, now used in 99% of acute trusts and 100% of ambulance trusts in England. To support clinical staff in primary and secondary care settings, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence published updated national guidance in March 2024 on sepsis recognition, diagnosis, and early management.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the national cancer plan will help to tackle inequalities for young people with cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England and other local health organisations publish information on the signs and symptoms of cancers that are most common in children and young people.

However, the Department recognises there is more to be done to improve outcomes and experience for children and young people with cancer. We also know that children's experiences of cancer are not uniform, and that there are inequalities in care and outcomes between different groups.

That is why we have relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce which will identify improvements for children across four key areas: early detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, research and innovation, and patient experience.

The Department is committed to ensuring the experiences of young cancer patients are reflected in our work. We are working with Taskforce members to assemble a Patient Experience Panel, made up of young people with lived experience of cancer and their families, which will feed directly into the work of the Taskforce.

The Taskforce will play a key role in ensuring that children and young people with cancer are carefully considered as part of the national cancer plan, which will examine how to reduce inequalities faced by different patient groups. Alongside the relaunch of the Taskforce, we have launched a Call for Evidence, in which the views of people across the country will inform our plan to improve cancer care. Those who wish to share their views can do so by 29 April 2025 on the new online platform, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan
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Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support people with Sjogrens to work and (b) implement a multi-disciplinary care system. \p Ashley Dalton: Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Disabled people and people with health conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome are a diverse group, so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including people with Sjogren’s, and have range of support available so individuals can stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.

Measures include joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care, as well as support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants.

It is also recognised that employers play an important role in addressing health and disability. To build on this, the joint Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care’s Work and Health Directorate is facilitating Keep Britain Working, an independent review of the role of the United Kingdom’s employers in reducing health-related inactivity, and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. The lead reviewer, Sir Charlie Mayfield, is expected to bring forward recommendations in Autumn 2025.

Most patients with Sjogren’s syndrome will be cared for in primary and secondary care services. A small number of people with complex disease will be cared for in specialised rheumatology services. The national service specifications for specialised rheumatology services define the standards of care expected from organisations commissioned by NHS England to provide specialised rheumatology services for either adults or children. These specifications set the national minimum standards for the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for people with Sjogren’s syndrome, and include the requirement for a multi-disciplinary team. People with Sjogren’s will be given the support to manage their condition and signposted to employment advice if required.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the most recent new NHS radiotherapy centre was built that was not linked to the closure of an existing centre in (a) England and (b) the North East. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department does not collect information as to why new radiotherapy centres were built, and what links may exist with closures of radiotherapy centres. This is because decisions about radiotherapy treatment are made at local level.

However, the most recent NHS radiotherapy centre in England that opened was the Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre in Milton Keynes which opened to patients in January 2025. The most recent radiotherapy centre to open in the North East of England is at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough, which opened in May 2012.
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Gideon Amos:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that lung health is prioritised in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts the National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving respiratory health in all parts of the county.

More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all help people manage their long-term conditions, including respiratory conditions, closer to home. Earlier diagnosis of conditions will help people manage their conditions, prevent deterioration and improve survival rates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when details of the trial on GnRH analogue puberty blockers will be submitted to the research ethics committee. \p Ashley Dalton: The PATHWAYS study proposal, including the clinical trial of puberty-suppressing hormones, is going through all the usual review and approval stages. These include independent academic peer review and National Institute for Health and Care Research funding committee consideration, and it will need to secure full ethical approval ahead of set up and opening to recruitment. The researchers will submit study documents to the Health Research Authority, which will allocate a Research Ethics Committee to consider the application. As an independent study, it is for the research team to decide when the study documents are ready and they will choose when to submit the application, bearing in mind the trial is aiming to begin recruiting participants later in spring 2025.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Big Space Cancer Appeal on funding for cancer care at Cheltenham General Hospital. \p Ashley Dalton: As set out in the recent Autumn Budget 2024, we are providing an additional £1.8 billion to directly support elective recovery and activity in 2024/25, which includes cancer care. This funding is being provided to reduce waiting times and support the National Health Service to deliver 40,000 additional appointments each week.

As my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, capital spending is set to increase to £13.6 billion in 2025/26, representing record levels of capital investment into health. This includes £1.65 billion for investments aimed at improving NHS performance against constitutional standards, delivering new surgical hubs, diagnostic scanners, and beds to increase elective and emergency care capacity. This funding also includes £70 million for new radiotherapy machines to improve cancer treatment. The Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board has been provisionally allocated £4.5 million from our Constitutional Standards Recovery Fund for 2025/26.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of cannabis-related mental health admissions on NHS finances. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is committed to reducing the harm from all illicit drugs. Any illegal drug use, including cannabis, can be harmful, both from immediate side-effects and long-term physical and mental health problems. It can, for some, have a negative impact on their fertility. Cannabis use can contribute to and exacerbate existing mental health problems or can accelerate their development in people predisposed to mental health problems.

No estimate has been made of the annual cost to the National Health Service specifically of cannabis-related health conditions or the impact of cannabis-related mental health conditions on NHS finances. An assessment cannot be accurately made because the data relating to cannabis and mental health related health conditions and admissions is presented across various settings. The diagnosis code for ‘mental and behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids’ does not include admissions to mental health hospitals or cannabis-related treatment occurring outside of a hospital setting.

Dame Carol Black’s review of evidence related to drugs, published in February 2020, estimated the cost to the NHS of illegal drug use, not substance specific, at £431 million per annum. This includes admissions in secondary care, prison treatment and infectious disease. However, this figure does not include other NHS costs such as primary care or accident & emergency usage so will be an underestimate.
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Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of (a) trends in the level of and (b) potential impact on health outcomes of maternal rather than direct infant vaccination. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency monitors trends in the level of vaccination rates. Trends in maternal and infant immunisation are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/vaccine-uptake

Maternal and infant whooping cough vaccinations are designed to act in different ways, so a direct comparison of effects is not appropriate. However, current evidence is that both offer excellent protection against mortality from whooping cough in infants. For respiratory syncytial virus, there is no suitable vaccine for infants.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of guidance issued by District Valuer Services on the availability of city centre GP premises. \p Stephen Kinnock: GP premises costs are reimbursed by the NHS. Any increase in charges by the landlord impacts the cost of providing primary care in that locality. The District Valuer Service offers independent advice on appropriate level of market rent, considering the building’s nature, age and condition.

ICBs can make supplementary payments on top of the District Valuer Service’s assessment of new schemes, if appropriate and affordable.
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Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on creating a National Care Service. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service.

Chaired by Baroness Casey of Blackstock, the Commission will start a national conversation about what people expect from adult social care, setting us on the road to fundamental reform that will build a social care system fit for the future.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to increase access to GP appointments. \p Stephen Kinnock: We’re investing an additional £889 million in funding for general practice in 2025-26, the biggest boost in years, and are recruiting 1,000 new GPs.

With this funding, we are making important reforms to bring back the family doctor and allow patients to request appointments online throughout core opening hours.
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Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support hospices. \p Stephen Kinnock: The hospice sector has been provided with the largest capital spend in a generation - £100 million.

We are also providing £26 million revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices.

I recently visited Katharine House hospice in Stafford and heard from staff how important this record investment is.
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Markus Campbell-Savours:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department uses to monitor endometriosis diagnosis waiting times. \p Karin Smyth: It is unacceptable that women can wait up to 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis. We achieved our manifesto pledge of 2 million extra appointments seven months early. This includes appointments for endometriosis, and our new agreement with the independent sector will help cut waiting lists faster. An ONS study is linking primary and secondary care data to better understand diagnosis times for endometriosis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer access (a) relevant research and (b) clinical trials. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.

Research is a vital part of improving diagnosis and treatment for cancer. The NIHR has invested £4.4 million to directly funded pancreatic cancer research between 2018/19 and 2023/24. These investments are pivotal to informing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes. An example of a recent award is the research, Translational proteomics to understand and overcome drug resistance to targeted anticancer drugs in KRAS and PIK3CA driven cancers.

Additionally, NIHR infrastructure funding supports the country’s leading experts to develop and deliver high-quality translational, clinical and applied research that is funded by the NIHR’s research programmes, other public funders of research, charities and the life sciences industry. In doing so, our investment plays a crucial role in underpinning the research funded by our partners.

The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including pancreatic cancer. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

The Department works closely with the National Health Service, industry, academia, research regulators and charities to make clinical research in the United Kingdom more efficient, more competitive, and more accessible, with the aim of ensuring that all patients, including those with pancreatic cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical research and innovative, lifesaving treatments.

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer can access relevant research and clinical trials through the NIHR online service called 'Be Part of Research', which promotes participation in health and social care research, including research into pancreatic cancer, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to NHS dental services in Stratford-on-Avon. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For Stratford-on-Avon constituency, this is Coventry and Warwickshire ICB.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) strengthen protections for NHS whistleblowers and (b) prevent repercussions for those who raise patient safety concerns. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government has been clear that the silencing of whistleblowers will not be tolerated, and that National Health Service staff should have the confidence to speak out and come forward if they have concerns.

There is a network of more than 1,200 local Freedom to Speak Up Guardians across healthcare in England, whose role is to help and support NHS workers who want to speak up about any concerns that they have. There is also a national Freedom to Speak Up policy, published by NHS England, which sets out the minimum standards for local Freedom to Speak Up policies across the NHS, with all NHS organisations having been instructed to adopt this policy. These initiatives sit alongside legal protections for whistleblowers, which have been strengthened so that they also prohibit discrimination against job applicants on the grounds that they have spoken up in the past.

In November 2024, the Department launched a consultation on options for regulating NHS managers, with the aim of improving leadership quality and accountability. This will help ensure that the NHS has strong and effective leadership in place, and that leaders and managers are held accountable for their practice. The consultation closed on 18 February 2025 and had strong engagement, receiving nearly 5,000 responses.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to increase treatment options for individuals with chronic UTIs. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England’s urinary tract infection (UTI) reduction workstream was established as part of delivery of the UK 5-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance 2019 to 2024, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029

The workstream aims to enhance prevention, support early and accurate diagnosis and improve the treatment of UTIs through identifying and adopting best practice and interventions for different populations.

The effective treatment of chronic UTIs is dependent on accurate testing. The importance of accurate testing to guide effective antibiotic use is highlighted in the action plan, and NHS England is supporting research into newer point-of-care tests for UTIs, such as via the Toucan study, with more information available at the following link:

https://www.phctrials.ox.ac.uk/recruiting-trials/toucan-platform-for-uti-diagnostic-evaluation

NHS England has been working with other public bodies, including UK Health Security Agency to strengthen the guidance about the appropriate use of diagnostics including dipsticks. General practitioners can request testing for chronic UTIs via several pathways, including at point-of-care, via community diagnostic centres, or via laboratories. Laboratories across England adhere to stringent quality standards, including the UK Accreditation Standard ISO 15189, and implement robust internal and external quality assurance schemes, ensuring accuracy of tests used.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of engaging the pharmacy sector to help deliver digital NHS health checks. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Health Check Online will be ready for piloting in three local authorities from spring 2025 for six months. Throughout the development of the pilot, Community Pharmacy England has been engaged.

Individuals taking part in the pilot will be able to use the ‘NHS Find a Pharmacy’ service, which directs patients to their nearest participating pharmacy for a blood pressure check, without the need to see a general practitioner.
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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on cross-border healthcare. \p Ashley Dalton: The abolition of NHS England will strip out the unnecessary bureaucracy and cut the duplication that comes from having two organisations doing the same job; we will empower staff to focus on delivering better care for patients, driving productivity up and getting waiting times down.

Ministers will work with the new transformation team at the top of NHS England and any impact on delivery, including cross border healthcare, will be closely monitored.
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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many hernia mesh surgeries have taken place in each of the last 20 years; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients are informed of the risks of mesh complications. \p Karin Smyth: The following table shows the count of Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs) where there was any procedure for 'hernia mesh surgeries', recorded for the years 2004/05 to 2023/24, in English National Health Service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector:

Year

FCEs

2004/05

77,849

2005/06

79,748

2006/07

83,789

2007/08

89,063

2008/09

87,401

2009/10

85,519

2010/11

85,697

2011/12

90,593

2012/13

89,676

2013/14

95,608

2014/15

95,854

2015/16

92,147

2016/17

93,887

2017/18

89,016

2018/19

89,951

2019/20

81,780

2020/21

39,034

2021/22

70,884

2022/23

78,917

2023/24

83,045

Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England.

Clinicians are expected to inform patients about risks associated with recommended treatments, including reasonable alternatives, to enable informed consent and a balanced patient decision.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress he has made on the national rollout of digital NHS health checks across England; and when he expects that rollout to be completed. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Health Check Online service will be piloted in three local authorities from spring 2025 for six months. Subject to the outcomes of the pilot, an independent evaluation and Government Digital Service processes, the aim is to roll out nationally from spring 2026, delivering around one million checks in the first four years.

The NHS Health Check Online service will be delivered alongside the face-to-face programme, offering people the choice to carry out their health check at a time and place convenient to them, to understand and act on their risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps to provide funding for the Pharmacy First scheme after March 2025. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, as an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals. We are working at pace with Community Pharmacy England to ensure that the funding we have available for community pharmacy is used in the best way possible, including for Pharmacy First.

We will announce the outcome of the consultation in the usual manner, by letter to contractors, when the consultation has concluded.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS staff have been prosecuted in relation to clinical negligence each year between 2019 and 2024. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the NHS in England. NHS Resolution does not hold the information requested. Criminal proceedings can arise either before, during or after damages have been paid, and are therefore not recorded by NHS Resolution. It does not manage criminal prosecutions as part of its indemnity schemes.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) improve early diagnosis and (b) access to effective treatments for people with brain tumours. \p Ashley Dalton: We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer, including cancerous brain tumours, earlier, and treating it faster, so more patients survive, and we will improve patients’ experience across the system. To do this, we will address the challenges in diagnostic waiting times, providing the number of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and other tests that are needed to reduce cancer waits. We have also delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, during our first year in Government as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment.

We realise that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours. The Government is invested in driving new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours.

In the five years between 2018/19 and 2022/23, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) directly invested £11.3 million in brain cancer research projects plus an estimated £31.5 million to enable brain tumour research to take place in NIHR research infrastructure, namely facilities, services and the research workforce, enabling delivery of 227 studies involving 8,500 people.

In September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. This includes a national NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, to ensure the most promising research opportunities are made available to adult and child patients and a new funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_144

Gregor Poynton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of adding (a) chikungunya, (b) dengue, (c) zika and (d) other mosquito-borne diseases onto the list of notifiable diseases published by the UK Health Security Agency. \p Ashley Dalton: Dengue and chikungunya viruses are notifiable pathogens, so laboratories in England that test human samples must inform the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) if they are identified. The specific mosquito species that transmit these viruses is not established in the United Kingdom, so there is a negligible risk to public health. Therefore, they are not included in the list of infectious diseases that medical practitioners must notify UKHSA about if they treat a patient who they think is infected with that disease.

Infectious disease data for cases of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are obtained from the UKHSA’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) and details are shared for purposes of national surveillance. Currently, the RIPL is the only UK laboratory providing accredited testing for zika and chikungunya viruses, and for many of the other relevant mosquito borne viruses and bacteria. Confirmed and probable cases are therefore captured already by UKHSA, and it would be rare for clinicians to make a clinical diagnosis for these diseases without requesting testing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_145

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with representatives from (a) the cycle manufacturing industry and (b) cycle manufacturing industries outside the UK on anti-dumping duties on (i) e-bikes, (ii) bicycles and (iii) bicycle components from China. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 6 February, the Secretary of State extended anti-dumping and countervailing measures on Chinese folding e-bikes and removed non-folding e-bikes from the measures. This followed evidence-based transition reviews from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA). This continues the necessary protection for UK folding e-bikes producers, whilst limiting the impact on our consumers and importers. A transition review of the anti-dumping measure on Chinese bicycles and certain bicycle parts is currently underway by the TRA. The Secretary of State met with UK manufacturer Brompton Bicycle on 7 March during his visit to Japan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_146

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not have any roles which focus solely on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_147

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of trends in levels of footfall on high streets since 1 January 2025. \p Gareth Thomas: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes weekly reports retail footfall traffic across the UK. This data can fluctuate due to factors such as seasonal trends, economic conditions and consumer confidence. Due to the highly volatile nature of the high-street footfall data the department does not estimate footfall trends on high streets. All ONS reports on real-time UK wide retail footfall for each week in 2025 can be found here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/economicoutputandproductivity/output/bulletins/economicactivityandsocialchangeintheukrealtimeindicators/previousreleases
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_148

Dan Tomlinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of employment contract non-compete clauses on (a) entrepreneurship and (b) economic growth. \p Justin Madders: A dynamic and entrepreneurial workforce is good for economic growth. There is evidence to suggest that non-compete clauses can act as a barrier to this innovation-driven growth, as they can prevent individuals from working for a competing business, or from applying their entrepreneurial spirit to establish a competing business.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_149

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of aligning UK General Product Safety Regulations with those in the EU to remove the need for an EU Responsible Person when trading with the EU. \p Justin Madders: Amending the General Product Safety Regulations that apply in Great Britain to align with the EU’s new GPSR would not remove the requirement that exists for a Responsible Economic Operator based within the EU or Northern Ireland when trading with the EU.

The Responsible Economic Operator responsibilities can be fulfilled by the manufacturer, authorised representative appointed by the manufacturer, importer, or where none of these are based in the EU or Northern Ireland, the fulfilment service provider of the product. The Department’s Export Support Service provides help to businesses, including by signposting them to Responsible Economic Operator service providers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_150

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Universal Service Obligation reform on the affordability of postal services for consumers. \p Justin Madders: It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure that the universal postal service is affordable for customers as well as being efficient and financially sustainable.

In its consultation document proposing a package of reforms to better reflect people’s usage of postal services and support financial sustainability, Ofcom set out that it plans to consider options to ensure the continued affordability of USO services, including more targeted interventions than the current Second-Class safeguard cap.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_151

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any contracts awarded by his Department have included diversity quotas since 5 July 2024. \p Justin Madders: The Department has not included diversity quotas in any contracts awarded by the Department since 5 July 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_152

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the sale of human remains (a) on e-commerce sites and (b) at auctions. \p Justin Madders: It is for businesses and auction rooms to consider the consent and licensing provisions of the Human Tissue Act 2004. Those who sell or purchase human remains may also be subject to their own professional standards and codes of conduct.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_153

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of contracts awarded by his Department have been to British SMEs since 5 July 2024. \p Justin Madders: The Department of Business and Trade has awarded and published 185 contracts over £10,000 ex VAT since 5 July 2024; 52 (28%) of which were to UK based SMEs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_154

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to ensure parliamentary oversight of reforms to the Universal Service Obligation. \p Justin Madders: Parliament has made Ofcom the independent regulator for the postal sector, and as such Ofcom has the responsibility to ensure the provision of the universal service obligation.

Ofcom proposed changes for reform of the universal service obligation in its consultation ending on 10 April. These proposals will not require ministerial or Parliamentary approval, but Ofcom remains accountable to Parliament and I am sure Ofcom will consider and balance all the inputs to its consultation to ensure Royal Mail is able to effectively serve all its customers in the years to come.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_155

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to ensure that changes to Universal Service Obligation requirements create an (a) adequate and (b) effective postal service. \p Justin Madders: The government does not have a role in Ofcom’s regulatory decisions. Ofcom has a duty to ensure the provision of the universal service obligation and will carefully consider all the inputs to its consultation to ensure Royal Mail is able to effectively serve all its customers in the years to come.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_156

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recent European Commission decision to extend anti-dumping duties on e-bikes from China for another five years. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 6 February, the Secretary of State decided to extend anti-dumping and countervailing measures on imports of Chinese folding e-bikes, and revoke these measures on non-folding e-bikes. This followed evidence-based transition reviews from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA). This continues the necessary protection for folding e-bikes producers in the UK, whilst limiting the impact on our consumers and importers, and reflecting the needs of the UK market more generally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-25 conversation_157

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of (a) trends in the level of (i) trade facilitation, (ii) economic cooperation and (iii) market access within the Commonwealth and (b) the potential merits of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council in promoting trade. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Commonwealth includes some of the UK’s biggest trading partners including Canada, and South Africa. Trade values have increased steadily in current prices from £105.6bn in 2014 to £170.2bn (12 months to end September 2024) through economic cooperation initiatives with Commonwealth members, such as Free Trade Agreements, negotiations with India, and trade facilitation work such as the Digital Economy Agreement with Singapore updating rules affecting exporters of goods and services.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office leads on Commonwealth engagement including with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council who are preparing for the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit in London, April 2025.