theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_37

Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the rate for (a) approval of claims, (b) claims overturned at review and (c) payout has been for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme since March 2022. \p Ashley Dalton: The Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) provides a one-off, tax-free payment of £120,000 to claimants who have been found, in rare cases and on the balance of probabilities, to have been severely disabled by certain vaccines for a disease listed in the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979.

As of 12 November 2025, data from NHS Business Service Authority (NHSBSA), the administrators of the VDPS, shows that since March 2022 there have been (a) 249 successful claims made through the scheme. Of these 249 successful claims, (b) 31 were as a result of the decision being overturned after review. The 249 successful claims amounted to a total of (c) £29,880,000 in payments.

Information on COVID-19 claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme is published on a quarterly basis by NHSBSA. Further information is available at the following link:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_38

Carolyn Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of delivering weight management services as part of the neighbourhood health model. \p Ashley Dalton: Neighbourhood Health Services will bring together teams of professionals, including nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, health visitors, and more, closer to people’s homes, to work together to provide comprehensive care in the community.

We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations and so could include weight management services. While the focus on personalised, coordinated care will be consistent, this will mean services will look different, for example in rural communities, coastal towns, and deprived inner cities.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) and local authorities are responsible for commissioning weight management services. We would expect them to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines and the move to a Neighbourhood Health Service.

We are intending to publish a National Framework for Neighbourhood Health Plans in the autumn. This will set out how areas should design neighbourhood health services around local needs and different population cohorts.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_39

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the proposed pre-filled pod ban amendment in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill prevents the sale of non-compliant imported liquids to under-age users. \p Ashley Dalton: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill does not include any measures which would ban pre-filled vape pods, and we have no plans to amend the Bill or bring forward secondary legislation to this effect. An amendment put forward by Earl Russell that proposes to ban pre-filled pods was debated and subsequently withdrawn during the second committee session for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the House of Lords.

The Bill will enable the introduction of a new registration scheme for all tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, which will ensure that only compliant imported e-liquids are available for sale in the United Kingdom. The Bill also ensures that all vaping products, including pre-filled pods, will fall under the same age of sale of 18 years old, and new fixed penalty notices will support Trading Standards in taking swift action in relation to underage sales.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_40

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Integrated Care Boards in England currently commission the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme; and what percentage and number of the eligible population this commissioning represents. \p Ashley Dalton: The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is commissioned by Cancer Alliances rather than by integrated care boards (ICBs), using ring-fenced cancer Service Development Funding. There are 20 Cancer Alliances in England, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/cancer/cancer-alliances-improving-care-locally/

The programme is currently live in all 20 Cancer Alliances, however it is not live in all ICB geographies yet. Approximately 41% of England’s eligible population, or 2,852,098 people, have been invited. More than 8,000 lung cancers have been diagnosed, the majority of which have been at an early stage.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_41

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to recruit an additional 1,000 health visitors a year. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever. To achieve this, we must ensure that families have the support they need to give their babies and children the best start and the building blocks for a healthy life.

As set out in the Plan for Change and the Best Start in Life strategy, the Government has committed to strengthening health visiting services so that all families have access to high-quality, personalised support.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England includes a commitment to develop a new Professional Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery for all nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in England. The strategy will set out a long-term professional direction of travel up to 2040 and will be published by the end of the financial year.

In addition, we will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan in spring 2026 to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. The plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients when they need it.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_42

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) HPV vaccination and (b) cervical screening rates. \p Ashley Dalton: While uptake rates in England remain high by international standards, in recent years adolescent vaccine coverage for the human papillomavirus (HPV) has fallen due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. National Health Service commissioned School Aged Immunisation Service providers have robust catch-up plans in place for the adolescent vaccination programme based on population need, to offer vaccination to those young people who may have missed out during the initial offer.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes and provides a range of supporting materials to health professionals on both the 12 and 13 year old HPV offer, and the vaccine programme for those at higher risk. The UKHSA also works closely with charities and academics to develop resources that can be used to raise awareness of HPV and the importance of vaccination, including for boys.

NHS England has improved digital communications on vaccinations, including by expanding the NHS App, and has improved access to the HPV vaccine outside of schools through community clinics at convenient times and locations.

In March 2025, NHS England published the Cervical cancer elimination by 2040 – plan for England, setting out how the NHS 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 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/

In June 2025, NHS England launched the cervical cancer elimination campaign and toolkit for stakeholders, to increase awareness of the elimination target by 2040, educate the public about HPV, and build confidence in the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_43

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support the implementation of innovative (a) diagnostic tools and (b) tests to help improve the speed of diagnosis of less survivable cancers. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is carrying out work to assess the barriers of effective adoption and to improve the way diagnostic tools, including those using artificial intelligence (AI), are deployed across the National Health Service in England.

The NHS Cancer Programme’s Innovation Open Call is held to identify and support the most promising innovations and has funded cancer diagnostic innovations in areas including medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, digital health solutions, behaviour interventions, artificial intelligence, robotics, and new models of care.

There are also initiatives to improve the identification of cancer symptoms, including for less survivable cancers, in primary care. This includes Jess’s Rule, which supports clinicians to rethink their assessments when patients have presented three times with the same symptoms or concerns. Jess’s Rule was developed through a process of engagement with leading clinicians and charities.

The Department has been working with members of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce as part of the development of the National Cancer Plan to identify how to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for less survivable cancers, which includes lung, pancreatic, liver, brain, oesophageal, and stomach cancer.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_44

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help ensure that imported vaping liquids are subject to the same (a) safety and (b) nicotine-level testing as those produced by UK-regulated manufacturers. \p Ashley Dalton: Powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill allow us to establish a new registration scheme for tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. Under this scheme, manufacturers of vaping liquids, as well as other products, would be required to provide information verifying the product’s safety and compliance with our product rules. Alongside this, the bill provides powers to establish a more rigorous testing regime for these products. These rules will apply to products produced in the United Kingdom and those imported for sale into the UK.

There are questions on both the registration and testing of products in the recently published Call for Evidence. In this, we are seeking information on how best to implement the registration scheme, as well as elements such as testing standards. The evidence gathered will inform development of policy and a subsequent consultation. Further information on the Call for Evidence is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/tobacco-and-vapes-evidence-to-support-legislation

The future registration scheme will play an important part in enforcing our rules on product requirements. It will ensure consumer safety and improve retailer confidence in the products they are selling.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_45

Sarah Green:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will publish detailed independent workforce modelling ahead of publication of the 10 Year Workforce Plan. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is committed to updating workforce modelling which will be set out in and alongside the 10 Year Workforce Plan when it is published in spring 2026. As we develop the modelling for the 10 Year Workforce Plan, it will be supported by external independent scrutiny.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_46

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the price of the NHS Health surcharge for visa applications. \p Karin Smyth: The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is paid as a part of a migrant’s visa application. This was last increased in February 2024, to £1,035 per year. The level of the IHS is continually under internal review, to ensure it best reflects the predicted average cost of migrants’ use of National Health Services.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_47

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the circumstances in which non-UK nationals can use the NHS free of charge. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has no plans at present to review the circumstances in which non-United Kingdom nationals can use the National Health Service free of charge.

We continue to work with NHS England to ensure that the system of cost recovery from overseas visitors works as effectively and fairly as possible.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_48

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his department has made of trends in the levels of variation in integrated care systems in access to prolonged ambulatory ECG monitoring. \p Karin Smyth: No specific assessment has been made by the Department and data on the provision of prolonged ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring is not collected centrally.

It is for local National Health Service commissioners to work with providers and other stakeholders to take decisions on the provision of services locally in the best interests of their populations.

The Government is committed to reducing waiting times for services including for diagnostic services.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_49

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models. \p Karin Smyth: Since 4 July 2024 neither the Department nor its arm’s length bodies have centrally purchased electric vehicles for their owned fleet. There has been no departmental investment in charging facilities for the central Government estate in this period, though arm’s length bodies have spent £100,000 on such assets.

With regard to National Health Service budgets and estate, the Department has not allocated any national programme capital to the NHS for investment in electric vehicles or charging infrastructure. However, in line with the ambitions of the NHS’s Net Zero Travel and Transport Strategy, NHS trusts continue to use their operational capital allocations for investment in electric vehicles, including ambulances, where this aligns with local priorities. This spend data is held locally.

The Department is also working with NHS England and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to support the rollout of charging infrastructure across the NHS estate through the £8 million NHS Chargepoint Accelerator Scheme, which is funded by the Department for Transport.

The Department has not made an estimate of the difference in capital cost between electric vehicles and comparable petrol or diesel models. However, the NHS Travel and Transport Strategy has previously noted that transitioning to zero-emission vehicles in the NHS could deliver operational savings of £59 million per year through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_50

Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) support, (b) rollout and (c) ensure equality of regional access to whole Genome Sequencing for primary brain cancer patients; and what plans he has to review (i) refrigeration issues, (ii) access and (iii) speed of processing. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Genomic testing is delivered through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service via seven regional NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (NHS GLHs). Testing follows the National Genomic Test Directory, which includes whole genome sequencing (WGS) for neurological tumours, including primary brain cancers, for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. NHS England has produced national sample handling guidance for WGS of solid tumours, including brain tumours, to standardise collection, processing, and transport. This supports collaboration between neurosurgeons, pathologists, and NHS GLHs to maintain DNA quality and improve access to WGS. Approaches to the handling of fresh tissue have been reviewed, including the use of tissue stabilisers, to reduce some of the barriers of having to acquire, freeze, and transport the frozen tissue, which will speed up processes. These measures aim to address variability and ensure equitable regional access to WGS for brain tumour patients. NHS England monitors performance through Patient Level Contract Monitoring data and works with NHS GLHs to address variation and drive improvements.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_51

Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the extent of regional variations in access to (a) shared care agreements and (b) prescribed treatments; and what steps he is taking to help ensure consistency of access to these in all integrated care boards. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Shared care arrangements between a general practitioner (GP) and a specialist are voluntary and are not part of the GP Contract. GPs do not receive additional funding for participating in shared care arrangements and may decline on clinical or capacity grounds.

Guidance issued by the General Medical Council supports GPs in deciding whether to accept shared care responsibilities, ensuring that any prescriptions or referrals are clinically appropriate. Where a GP does not enter into a shared care arrangement, responsibility for ongoing treatment, including prescribing, remains with the specialist clinician.

Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB, are responsible for arranging health services in line with local population needs and relevant guidance. ICBs follow NHS England’s guidance on shared care protocols, including the Responsibility for Prescribing Between Primary and Secondary/Tertiary Care framework. Within the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB this framework is overseen by the Surrey Heartlands Medicines Optimisation Group. Implementation may vary between GPs due to factors such as clinical capacity, digital infrastructure, and local agreements. Regarding funding, the ICB’s approach is consistent with national policy expectations that integrated care systems should ensure equitable access to medicines and safe, sustainable shared care arrangements.

Whilst a specific assessment has not been undertaken, to support consistency of access, the Department’s Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, published on 3 July 2025, sets out plans for a Single National Formulary (SNF) for medicines. The SNF will replace the current system of local formularies, with a national oversight board sequencing products based on clinical and cost-effectiveness, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. This approach is intended to drive rapid and equitable adoption of the most clinically and cost-effective medicines across England.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_52

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) autistic people and (b) their families affected by claims that acetaminophen causes autism. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department recognises that recent claims suggesting a link between acetaminophen and autism may have caused concern among some individuals. The Government, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and I have provided clear reassurance through traditional media and social media channels that there is no evidence to link the use of acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, by pregnant women to autism in their children. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency swiftly published a press release confirming that taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe and there is no evidence it causes autism in children. The press release is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-confirms-taking-paracetamol-during-pregnancy-remains-safe-and-there-is-no-evidence-it-causes-autism-in-children
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_53

Jessica Toale:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of (a) the CDC guidance in the US and (b) other international models for management of Diethylstilbestrol exposure. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department has not undertaken any specific assessment of the potential implications for its policies of guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States or other international models for the management of exposure to diethylstilbestrol.

The Department works closely with various expert United Kingdom bodies, recognised and widely respected internationally for their excellence, and bases policies on evidence provided by national authorities such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_54

Sarah Green:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the 10 year Workforce Plan will help tackle regional variations in access to specialist care for people with (a) long-term and (b) complex conditions. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_55

Luke Myer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring Disclosure and Barring Service checks for tattoo artists as part of the local authority licensing process. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_56

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any further action or information is needed to determine whether final approval for the rebuild of the Weybridge Health Centre will be granted. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_57

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions and correspondence he and his officials have had on the decision for final approval of the rebuild of the Weybridge Health Centre; and what timescale has been established for a final decision to be made. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_58

Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to prevent irreversible sight loss caused by glaucoma. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_59

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) diagnosis and (b) management of patients with (i) overlapping and (ii) co-existing chronic illnesses. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_60

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who the members are of the national maternity and neonatal taskforce. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_61

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 16th July 2025, (b) 8 September 2025 and (c) 8 October 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, on final approval for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_62

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many times the national maternity and neonatal taskforce has met. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_63

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to Question 85259 from the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_64

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce the average diagnosis time for Postural Tachycardia Syndrome. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_65

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many officials are working on the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_66

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of training provided to General Practitioners on (a) the treatment and (b) symptoms of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome . \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_67

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the prevalence of the use of Class (a) A, (b) B and (c) C drugs in NHS Mental Health Facilities. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_68

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Northern Ireland veterinary medicines divergence from Great Britain after 31 December 2025 on the competitiveness of farm businesses in Northern Ireland. \p Dame Angela Eagle: In accordance with the Windsor Framework, EU legislation in relation to veterinary medicines applies in Northern Ireland to maintain Northern Ireland’s dual market access.

After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes, or multiple alternatives remain available. We therefore do not anticipate significant impacts on animal health or welfare issues because of these discontinuations. Furthermore, we have seen from several pharmaceutical companies that they have made commitments not to increase prices as a direct result of the supply changes they are making or have already made. Our assessment therefore is that we do not expect an overall negative effect on the competitiveness of farm businesses in Northern Ireland, but we are not complacent and will continue intensive engagement with industry and stakeholders to identify and resolve issues where they arise.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_69

Gill German:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's planned timetable is for implementing the reintroduction of pet passports for travel between the UK and the EU; and what guidance her Department plans to issue to pet owners to help them plan trips in 2026. \p Dame Angela Eagle: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will become easier and cheaper.

Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time you travel, owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. The UK stands ready to start talks on the SPS agreement, now the EU mandate has been agreed.

We will provide further details in due course. In the meantime, owners will still need an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_70

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will commission an independent assessment of the effectiveness of the (a) Veterinary Medicines Internal Market Scheme and (b) Veterinary Medicine Health Situation Scheme since those schemes were established. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Continued access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a government priority. We continue to engage extensively with stakeholders and have updated the guidance following their feedback, including on the two schemes. The two schemes will take effect from 1 January and we will monitor their effectiveness and consider further reviews, which could include an independent assessment by the Veterinary Products Committee, if needed. We remain confident that the schemes can address supply gaps if they emerge.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_71

Laura Kyrke-Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the impact of noise from fireworks on (a) dogs and (b) other animals; and whether she plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels on (i) dogs and (ii) other animals. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Government is continuing to engage with animal welfare stakeholders, businesses, consumer groups and charities on the impacts of fireworks, to inform any future action.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_72

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is he taking to ensure that veterinary medicine supply via suitably qualified persons to Northern Ireland will continue on the same basis as now from 1 January 2026. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) are unique to the UK, and the Government is committed to supporting them and the vital role they play in supporting the UK’s farming and companion animal sectors.

Continued access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland at the end of the grace period is a Government priority. After extensive stakeholder engagement, our current estimate is that 10-15% of products are expected to be discontinued. Many of these authorisations are dormant or sold in very low volumes and we do not anticipate significant animal health or welfare issues as a result of these discontinuations.

Where there is, or likely to be, a significant animal health issue, and it is appropriate to do so, products under the Veterinary Medicines Health Situation Scheme could be made available for prescription and supply by SQPs who would be able to supply veterinary medicines as they do now.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_73

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that where objections to a Geographical Indication (GI) application are upheld under assimilated Regulation (EU) 2019/787 the applicant body engages in a formal consultation process with the objector before the GI is finalised. \p Dame Angela Eagle: By publishing names proposed for Geographical Indication protection and their associated product specifications on the gov.uk website, Defra enables any person with a legitimate interest, or the authorities of a third country, to submit a notice of opposition to the Secretary of State regarding the proposals. If objections are considered admissible, Defra invites the applicant and the objector to engage in appropriate consultations with each other to understand the issue and if possible, propose a solution. At the conclusion of the consultation period, the Secretary of State will consider all the evidence presented and make a decision on whether the revised proposals (if any) support registration, whether the proposal should be rejected on the evidence, whether a new consultation is needed because the changes proposed are “non-standard” (ie significant), or whether the application should be approved in its original format.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_74

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of changing water regulation to permit dynamic abstraction from rivers during high river levels which cause flooding. \p Emma Hardy: Defra recognises the value of flood and high flow water, especially in water stressed catchments.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published a Regulatory Position Statement that allows abstractors to pump water outside of normal licence conditions during flood warnings. It is also reviewing the licensing requirements for other low risk abstractions, including high flow abstraction. The EA encourages abstractors to take advantage of high flows by varying their licences. It has introduced ‘e-alerts’ to notify abstractors when flows exceed licence thresholds, is exploring the potential for automated pumping systems, and supporting a ‘smart farming’ project sponsored by MHCLG to further improve access. Water taken by abstractors will have minimal effect on reducing flooding, as pumping capacities would typically be dwarfed by flood volumes.

The planned move of water resources into the Environmental Permitting Regulations will provide even greater flexibility to ensure abstractors can access high flow and flood water.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_75

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ICL being the UK water industry’s sole domestic supplier of sodium hydrochlorite on the security of the water supply. \p Emma Hardy: Defra works routinely with the water sector to proactively identify and mitigate risks to safeguard the security of water supplies. The Government is preparing to respond to the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission, including on assessing potential vulnerabilities in the supply chains needed to produce safe drinking water. Reforms outlined in this response will form the basis of a new water reform bill to be introduced early in this Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_76

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential risk to the health of birds from avian influenza (H5N1) in Fylde constituency. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The risk of HPAI H5 in wild birds in Great Britain has recently escalated from high to very high (event occurs almost certainly). The risk of poultry exposure to HPAI H5 in Great Britain is assessed as very high (event occurs almost certainly) where there is suboptimal or poor biosecurity and Medium (event occurs regularly) where stringent biosecurity is consistently applied at all times.

All exotic disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review as part of the Government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of exotic disease.

Risk levels are being kept under regular review.

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) mandating enhanced biosecurity and, for keepers of over 50 birds, housing is in force across the whole of England, including the Flyde constituency - to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_77

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the reasons for the biobeads spill in Sussex. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) has a dedicated investigations team to establish cause, pathway and impact on the environment of this pollution event. As a live investigation, I am unable to publicly share details that may harm the credibility of any case which the EA may later bring to the courts. But I can tell you that EA officers have been working with all local partners on the initial and long term clean up strategy and have gathered the necessary evidence from impacted areas. I note that Southern Water Services have publicly stated that inspections at their Eastbourne works have found a damaged filter screen.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_78

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the continued suspension of the Sustainable Farming Incentive on farmers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: There are currently record numbers of farmers taking part in farming schemes, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). As of April 2025, they supported 885,000 hectares of arable land being farmed without insecticides; 330,000 hectares of low input grassland managed sustainably; and 85,000 kilometres of hedgerows protected and restored.

We have allocated a record £11.8bn to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Overall farmers and land managers will benefit from an average of £2.3bn a year through the Farming and Countryside Programme. And up to £400m from additional nature schemes.

Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that will better target SFI in an orderly way towards our priorities for food, farming and nature. Further information about the reformed SFI will be provided in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_79

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of pylon infrastructure along the Norwich-Tilbury coastline on (a) protected coastline habitats, (b) birdlife and (c) other species of special conservation interest. \p Mary Creagh: Due to the role of ministers in the planning system, we are unable to comment on individual planning applications.

Any project must comply with all relevant regulations, including the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 which protect designated habitats and species. Depending on a project’s size, location in a sensitive area, or potential impact the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations may also apply.

Decision makers will also consider whether to grant consent of individual planning applications in line with relevant planning policies. Such policies are themselves subject to a strategic environmental assessment which includes consideration of biodiversity at a broader level.
wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_80

Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with PackUK on the adequacy of communications with households on changes to household collections under Simpler Recycling. \p Mary Creagh: Local authorities are best placed to communicate specific new collection requirements with their residents when rolling out services. Defra and PackUK are working closely on opportunities to support local authorities with the communication of the changes to household recycling. To support local authorities, Defra has provided £79.5 million transitional resource funding for food waste including specific funding for communications. Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging legislation, producers‘ disposal fees will contribute to the costs of public information campaigns by the scheme administrator to promote the correct recycling and disposal of packaging waste.