theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Financial Conduct Authority's press release entitled Update on the FCA’s enforcement transparency proposals, published on 12 March 2025, whether she has had discussions with the (a) FCA and (b) PRA on their decision not to introduce rules to improve diversity and inclusion; and what are the expected legislative developments in this area mentioned in the press release. \p Emma Reynolds: Treasury Ministers and officials regularly meet with both the FCA and the PRA to discuss their work.

As set out in the King’s Speech last July, the government is committed to making the right to equal pay effective for ethnic minority and disabled people and introducing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers. These measures will be part of the upcoming Equality (Race and Disability) Bill.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of the Spring Statement 2025 on per capita GDP growth in Aldridge-Brownhills. \p Emma Reynolds: Ensuring growth is felt in all regions of the UK is central to the Government’s Growth Mission. Our strategy for regional growth will drive growth in all regions and make the most of the opportunities in each part of the country.

We are supporting regional growth, with a total package for local growth funds worth over £3 billion in 2025-26 alone. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been extended for a transition year at £900 million, ensuring stability for the most important local projects. We are launching integrated funding settlements to empower local leaders to drive local growth and invest in local priorities. West Midlands MCA will be eligible for an integrated settlement in 2026/27, worth over £380m.

The Government has set a new strategic steer for the National Wealth Fund to deliver our ambition for growth across the country. The NWF will trial Strategic Partnerships, including in the West Midlands, to provide deeper, more focused support to regions.

The OBR forecasts that living standards will rise in every year of its forecast and therefore that they will be higher by the end of the Parliament. GDP per capita will rise by 5.6% over this parliament (Q3 2024 – Q2 2029). This compares to a decline in GDP per capita under the previous Parliament.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with UK banks on the provision of (a) bank statements and (b) other financial documents in accessible formats for customers with visual impairments. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services.

FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, such as those with visual impairments, and to consider these needs appropriately. The guidance sets out that firms should offer multiple channels of communication where possible and includes examples of how firms can put this into practice, such as by providing large print documents and audio options.

Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to require LINK to amend its assessment criteria for establishing new banking hubs. \p Emma Reynolds: While the Government has no current plans to amend legislation, we continue to work closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 140 are already open.

Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the Financial Conduct Authority, which oversees the access to cash regime.
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Ms Stella Creasy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to increase the regulation of buy-now pay-later lenders; and what estimate she has made of when that legislation will take effect. \p Emma Reynolds: Across the UK, millions have used Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products, which can be a helpful way of managing finances from month to month. However, without regulation, there are risks: that is why the government believes consumers need proper protections. The government has made regulating the BNPL sector a priority and in October 2024 it published a consultation setting out its plans for doing so.

Final legislation is expected to be laid in Parliament later in the Spring, and after the legislation has been made, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will consult on and finalise its tailored rules for BNPL products. We expect regulation to be in place 12 months after the legislation has been made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

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Gareth Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her letter to the CEO of the National Wealth Fund entitled Statement of Strategic Priorities to the National Wealth Fund, dated 19 March 2025, in what circumstances the National Wealth Fund should be receptive to investment suggestions made by Ministers in her Department. \p James Murray: The National Wealth Fund remains operationally independent in its day-to-day activities and its investment committees make investment decisions based on the merits of each opportunity. All investments should align with its objectives and investment principles.

As the sole shareholder, it is right that the National Wealth Fund should be responsive to Treasury ministers’ requests to consider investment proposals. In particular, it may consider investments in emerging government priorities that are facing access to finance gaps. However, final decisions will be subject to the National Wealth Fund’s operating framework and investment principles.
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John Glen:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 2.45 of the Spring Statement 2025, 26 March 2025, CP1298, what the monetary value is of the baseline spending on administrative budgets on which the 15% saving will be based; what the baseline spending on back-office functions is on which the £2.2 billion savings in 2029-30 will be based; and whether the £2.2 billion is a cumulative saving over the period. \p Darren Jones: The 15% saving on administration budgets will be made against the counterfactual assumption that these budgets would have remained flat in real terms over the period 2025-26 to 2029-30. The £2.2 billion represents the value of this 15% saving in the final year only rather than being a cumulative total.

Further details will be published as part of the Spending Review later this year.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any revised financial commitments related to the Chagos negotiations will be included in the Comprehensive Spending Review. \p Darren Jones: The FCDO and the MOD are the lead departments for this agreement. Any financial obligations, including departmental budgetary responsibilities, will be managed responsibly within the government’s fiscal framework through the upcoming Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with Integrated Care Boards and hospital trusts to prevent falls inside hospitals. \p Ashley Dalton: We are informed by NHS England that there have been no recent discussions or directives to hospitals or integrated care boards on the prevention of falls inside hospitals, although we are aware of wider work to support fall prevention, including NHS England’s public health initiative, Harnessing the benefits of physical activity, and the ongoing National Audit of Inpatient Falls that NHS England commissions via the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. Further information on Harnessing the benefits of physical activity and the National Audit of Inpatient Falls is available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/public-health/harnessing-the-benefits-of-physical-activity/

https://www.rcp.ac.uk/improving-care/national-clinical-audits/falls-and-fragility-fracture-audit-programme-fffap/national-audit-of-inpatient-falls-naif/
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Peter Dowd:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the planned timetable is for the UK National Screening Committee's review of its advice on screening for spinal muscular atrophy. \p Ashley Dalton: Following the 2023 UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommendation for an in-service evaluation (ISE) of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), partnership planning between the Department, NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and other stakeholders has been in progress to implement an ISE in the National Health Service.

An ISE is a programme of work to develop high quality evidence in live NHS services. Successfully implementing the ISE will require funding, however, departmental budgets, including for the NHS beyond 2025/26, will be set through Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will conclude and be published in June 2025.

The findings of the ISE, which will run over a few years, will provide the UK NSC with real-world evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and clinical and cost-effectiveness, as well as longer term health outcomes. Along with an SMA screening modelling study, these will inform a UK NSC recommendation on whether SMA should be added to the newborn blood spot screening programme.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the Prostate Cancer UK-led Transform screening trial to reach any conclusions on future detection of the condition. \p Ashley Dalton: Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.6 billion each year in research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer as the largest area of spend, at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority. The NIHR funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on prostate cancer.

These investments are pivotal towards efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. The TRANSFORM trial is an important example of this. On 19 November, the Government and Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) announced the £42 million TRANSFORM screening trial, to find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer in order to find it before it becomes advanced and harder to treat. PCUK is leading the development of the trial, with the Government contributing £16 million through the Department.

The first recruits to the trial are currently being invited to take part in the study, and the first point at which we will see significant new evidence will be approximately three years after the trial begins. The PCUK website outlines the interim points over the course of the TRANSFORM trial when findings will be shared, with further information available at the following link:

https://prostatecanceruk.org/research/transform-trial
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Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many full time equivalent staff were employed by NHS England as of 1 March 2025. \p Karin Smyth: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed by NHS England as of 1 March 2025 was 14,957.12 FTE.
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Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of eligible families are receiving Healthy Start in Ribble Valley constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The NHSBSA does not hold data on the number of families receiving Healthy Start. The number of people on the scheme in March 2025 for Ribble Valley was 104.

The NHSBSA does not currently hold data on the number of people who are eligible for the scheme. An issue was identified with the source data that is used to calculate uptake of the NHS Healthy Start scheme. The NHSBSA has therefore removed data for the number of people eligible for the scheme and the uptake percentage from January 2023 onwards.

The issue has only affected the data on the number of people eligible for the scheme. It has not prevented anyone from joining the scheme or continuing to access the scheme if they were eligible.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people under 50 have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the last 12 months. \p Ashley Dalton: Information is not held in the format requested. However, using Hospital Episode Statistics data, the following table shows a count of Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs) for patients under 50 years old with a primary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for 2023/24 and provisionally for February 2024 to January 2025:

ICD-10 diagnosis code

Description

2023/24

2024/25

J41

Simple and mucopurulent chronic bronchitis

24

14

J42

Unspecified chronic bronchitis

186

183

J43

Emphysema

530

551

J44

Other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

3,727

3,640

J47

Bronchiectasis

1,741

1,834

An FAE is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are typically counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes, which is the approach we have used here. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period.
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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve the capacity of sexual health (a) drop in clinics and (b) services in Reigate constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: Local authorities in England, including East Sussex County Council which covers Reigate, are funded through a ring-fenced Public Health Grant to commission comprehensive, open access sexual health services. Therefore, it is the responsibility of local authorities to decide on spending priorities, such as drop-in clinics and general services, based on the blend of services that best suits the needs of their population.

For 2025/26, we are increasing funding through the grant to £3.858 billion. This is a cash increase of £198 million compared to 2024/25, providing local authorities with an average 5.4% cash increase and 3.0% real terms increase. This represents a significant turning point for local public health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after a period of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on funding for new research into dementia prevention medication. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department delivers dementia research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR delivers a range of research on dementia prevention, through direct funding of projects as well as investment in wider infrastructure.

Research supported by the NIHR’s Oxford Applied Research Collaboration reported that a new shingles vaccine, Shingrex, is protective against dementia. Additional research supported by the NIHR’s Southwest Peninsula Applied Research Collaboration examined health data from over 130 million individuals, and has shown that common medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, antiviral medications, and antibiotics are associated with a reduced risk of people developing dementia.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including dementia prevention medications. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on dementia to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.
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Andrew Pakes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase public awareness of the symptoms of sepsis. \p Ashley Dalton: Sepsis has no specific diagnostic test, and the signs and symptoms can vary, making it challenging to identify and diagnose.

We are focused on improving the clinical awareness and recognition of sepsis by healthcare professionals, so that unwell and deteriorating patients are identified promptly and started on life-saving treatment. NHS England has launched several training programmes aimed at improving the diagnosis and early management of sepsis. These programmes are regularly reviewed and revised with support from subject matter experts as updated national sepsis guidance is implemented.

Local National Health Service trusts may choose to run local public awareness campaigns on sepsis.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many families are receiving support through the Healthy Start scheme in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The NHSBSA does not hold data on the number of families receiving Healthy Start. The NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The South Holland and the Deepings constituency is included within the local authority area of South Holland. The number of people on the scheme in March 2025 for South Holland was 493.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve cancer testing across the UK. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is focused on reducing waiting times for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in England. The Department has invested approximately £1.5 billion of capital funding in 2025/26 for new surgical hubs and diagnostic scanners, creating capacity for over 30,000 more procedures and 1.25 million diagnostic tests. Furthermore, the National Health Service has hit its pledge early to deliver over two million more elective care appointments.

The National Cancer Plan for England will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology. It has the overarching goal to ultimately bring England’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world and provide an NHS that is there when patients need it.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle obesity. \p Ashley Dalton: Supporting people to stay healthier for longer is at the heart of the Government’s Health Mission. We face a childhood obesity crisis, and the Government will take action to tackle the root causes of obesity head on, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.

We are committed to tackling the obstacles driving obesity. We have already laid secondary legislation to restrict the advertisements of less healthy food and drink to children on television and online, we have announced changes to the planning framework for fast food near schools, and we are taking steps to ensure the Soft Drinks Industry Levy remains effective and fit-for-purpose. We are also committed to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16 year olds.

While prevention will be key to addressing obesity, so is ensuring appropriate treatment is accessible. Over 28% of adults in England are living with obesity and even modest weight loss can benefit health and reduce the risk of developing obesity-related diseases. The NHS and local government provide a range of services to help people living with obesity to manage their weight. These range from 12-week behavioural programmes, including the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme, to specialist services for those living with severe obesity and associated co-morbidities, which can include obesity medicines or surgery.

We are also working collaboratively across Government to deliver a resilient food system that promotes health and food security. The Food Strategy will work to provide healthier, more easily accessible food to help people live longer, healthier lives.

Further action on obesity under the Government’s Health Mission will be set out in due course.
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Emma Lewell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of eligible families are receiving Healthy Start in South Shields constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The NHSBSA does not hold data on the number of families receiving Healthy Start and does not currently hold data on the number of people eligible for Healthy Start.

An issue was identified with the source data that is used to calculate uptake of the NHS Healthy Start scheme. The NHSBSA has therefore removed data for the number of people eligible for the scheme and the uptake percentage from January 2023 onwards.

The issue has only affected the data on the number of people eligible for the scheme. It has not prevented anyone from joining the scheme or continuing to access the scheme if they were eligible.

The number of people on the digital scheme for South Tyneside in March 2025 was 1,162. The NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The following table shows the number of people on the digital scheme for all ward areas in South Tyneside, of which South Shields is a part:

Local authority

Ward

People on digital scheme

South Tyneside

Beacon and Bents

44

South Tyneside

Bede

93

South Tyneside

Biddick and All Saints

160

South Tyneside

Boldon Colliery

65

South Tyneside

Cleadon and East Boldon

2

South Tyneside

Cleadon Park

50

South Tyneside

Fellgate and Hedworth

54

South Tyneside

Harton

59

South Tyneside

Hebburn North

79

South Tyneside

Hebburn South

65

South Tyneside

Horsley Hill

82

South Tyneside

Monkton

42

South Tyneside

Primrose

71

South Tyneside

Simonside and Rekendyke

121

South Tyneside

West Park

49

South Tyneside

Westoe

26

South Tyneside

Whitburn and Marsden

24

South Tyneside

Whiteleas

76
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve early (a) detection and (b) diagnosis of (ii) high blood pressure and (ii) raised cholesterol levels in (A) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (B) Staffordshire. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Health check, England’s cardiovascular disease prevention programme, engages over 1.3 million people a year, and through behavioural and clinical interventions, such as managing patients’ elevated cholesterol levels, prevents approximately 500 heart attacks or strokes a year.

In addition to this, the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is investing £100,000 into Newcastle-under-Lyme through a Locality Improvement Framework that brings together partners from primary care, Newcastle Borough Council, and the voluntary sector to encourage healthy lifestyle choices, to prevent cardiovascular disease. The framework will adopt a CORE20 approach, targeting the 20% most deprived communities.

The ICB is also rolling out BEAT networking events that will encourage people to come forward for the early detection and diagnosis of heart disease. BEAT aims to raise awareness of common early warning signs of potential heart disease and what to do, namely Breathlessness, Exhaustion, Ankle swelling, and Time to tell your general practitioner or nurse.

National Health Service community pharmacy teams across the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB, including those in Newcastle-under-Lyme, have measured the blood pressure of 61,798 citizens between April and December 2024. They have confirmed high blood pressure using ambulatory monitoring in 3,895 of these patients, so their high blood pressure can be managed. Assuming these patients comply with management for the next five years, data averages suggest that approximately 31 deaths, 58 strokes, and 39 myocardial infarctions would be prevented.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are receiving support through the Healthy Start scheme in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The following two tables show the number of people on the digital scheme in March 2025 for all ward areas in Birmingham, and in the ward of Edgbaston specifically:

Month

Local authority

People on the digital scheme

March 2025

Birmingham

12,820

Month

Ward

People on the digital scheme

March 2025

Edgbaston

186
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of treatment for lung conditions in the NHS: and what steps his Department is taking to include this treatment in the NHS 10-year plan. \p Ashley Dalton: In collaboration with a number of partners, the National Health Service has developed a package for systems containing the information and support required to help increase the number of people receiving early and accurate diagnosis for respiratory disease. Following a significant drop in the volume of respiratory specific diagnostic tests, such as spirometry, during the pandemic, NHS England has managed to bring these numbers to above pre-pandemic levels.

In alignment with the Neighbourhood Health Service model, NHS England is leading on the development of an approach for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management to support proactive identification and management of rising risk patients in winter to reduce demand on primary and secondary care by identifying at risk patients, optimizing care, and strengthened support.

Furthermore, Core20PLUS5 identifies COPD as one of the five clinical areas of focus requiring accelerated improvement to help tackle healthcare inequalities. Focusing on respiratory health to increase vaccination uptake, namely for COVID-19, flu, and pneumovax, in people with COPD will avoid exacerbations leading to emergency treatment in hospital and inpatient care.

The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts our NHS 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 to allow for earlier diagnosis, 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. Taking action to reduce the causes of the biggest killers, such as enabling a smoke free generation, can further help prevent lung conditions.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to raise awareness of the symptoms of lobular breast cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Health Service in England encourages everyone to check their breast regularly for firm lumps, changes or thickened areas of tissue, and to consult their general practitioner straight away if they have any concerns.

To increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, including lobular breast cancer, and address barriers to acting on them, the NHS runs Help Us Help You campaigns. These campaigns focus on recognising a range of symptoms, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers, including breast cancer, at an earlier stage.

NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including breast cancer. Further information can be found on the NHS.UK website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 38721 NHS: Negligence, how much are the steps outlined projected to reduce the cost of maternity negligence payments by NHS(R) in 2025. \p Karin Smyth: NHS Resolution manages clinical negligence and other claims against the National Health Service in England. It is not always possible to correlate safety initiatives with negligence payments as there are multiple factors that impact claim volumes, including the legal market. Due to the time lags between an incident and a claim notification, and then between a notification and a settlement date, especially in maternity claims, it will take some time for safety incentives to impact the cost of negligence claims. In relation to the Avoiding Brain Injury in Childbirth programme, this is currently in its pilot stage. We will evaluate the impact of the programme following its national roll out, but it is expected to reduce the rising cost of clinical negligence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_140

Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Mr Alan Milburn has consulted his Department on taking on any new work that involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd. \p Karin Smyth: The usual process of declarations of interest and agreement of appropriate mitigations for non-executive board member (NEBM) appointments was carried out, overseen by the Permanent Secretary, when Mr Milburn was initially appointed. NEBMs’ contract terms state that they must alert the Department to any new interests. Mr Milburn will consult with the Department before taking on any new work which involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.

NEBM declarations of interest are published each year in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and are also be published on the GOV.UK website, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_141

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help detect coercion in women seeking abortions during remote (a) phone and (b) video consultations. \p Karin Smyth: Safeguarding is an essential aspect of abortion care, and all providers are required to have effective arrangements in place to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, in compliance with the Department’s Required Standard Operating Procedures for the approval of independent sector places for termination of pregnancy in England. Providers must ensure that all staff are trained in recognising the signs of potential abuse and coercion in adult women, and know how to respond. This applies to remote phone, video, and in-person consultations.

In addition, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has published national safeguarding guidance for under 18 year olds accessing early medical abortion services, which will ensure that robust safeguarding processes are embedded across all abortion services. We expect all providers to have due regard to the RCPCH’s safeguarding guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_142

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help prevent abortion drugs sent in the mail from being used to commit crimes. \p Karin Smyth: Before an early medical abortion can be undertaken at home, a consultation is held with the woman requesting the termination. Women are given the choice to have either an in-person consultation or a virtual consultation. If the medical practitioner has any concerns during a virtual consultation, the woman will be asked to attend a clinic for an in-person consultation.

The prescription of mifepristone and misoprostol for abortions is controlled by the Abortion Act 1967 and the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. During the consultation, women are informed that it is illegal to give their prescribed abortion medication to anyone else.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_143

Alice Macdonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2025 to Question 30835 on Miscarriages: databases, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on including a question on experiences of miscarriage in the annual health survey for England as a way of capturing miscarriage data (a) in healthcare settings and (b) outside of healthcare settings. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has not held discussions with NHS England on specifically including a question on experiences of miscarriage in the annual health survey for England, as a way of capturing miscarriage data, either in healthcare settings or outside of healthcare settings.

The reproductive health survey conducted by the Department in 2023 included a question on the experience of pregnancy loss, which including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or stillbirth. The survey reached 52,000 women, and showed that among those between 30 and 40 years old, more than one in 10 reported experience of pregnancy loss or infertility in the last year. The Department will update on plans to conduct the survey again in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_144

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) gestational ages of pregnancies are accurately recorded in cases without ultrasound scans and (b) abortion pills are not sent in the mail to women beyond the legal limit of 10 weeks. \p Karin Smyth: Pregnancy duration can be assessed from the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP). Advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is clear, that most women can determine the duration of their pregnancy with reasonable accuracy by their LMP alone.

Before an early medical abortion can be undertaken at home, women are given the choice to have either an in-person consultation or a virtual consultation. However, if there is any uncertainty about the gestation of the pregnancy, the medical practitioner would ask the woman to attend an in-person appointment to enable them to form an opinion that the pregnancy will not have exceeded 10 weeks at the time the first abortion pill is taken.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_145

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of data collection for abortions performed in the UK. \p Karin Smyth: In accordance with the Abortion Act 1967, registered medical practitioners must notify the Chief Medical Officer of abortions within 14 days. The HSA4 abortion notification form is provided to collect the required information. The HSA4 form is a statutory instrument, the content of which cannot be changed without legislation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_146

Alistair Strathern:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that NHS services (a) engage with new fathers and (b) record their details alongside the mothers in their baby's health records. \p Karin Smyth: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Livingston on 31 March 2025 to Question 38280.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_147

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has for ministerial visits to hospitals in Hampshire. \p Karin Smyth: Ministers regularly consider visits across the country to see the impact of their policy areas. Any plans to visit specific locations will be notified to the relevant Members of Parliament in advance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_148

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the estimated cost to the public purse of maintenance on Basingstoke Hospital before its rebuild in 2037. \p Karin Smyth: National Health Service trusts are responsible for maintaining their estates using their annual capital allocations, including surveying facilities and estimating future maintenance costs.

The Government is backing the NHS with over £4 billion in operational capital and £750 million for estates safety in 2025/26, enabling systems to allocate funding according to local priorities, including maintenance at New Hospital Programme sites. In 2025/26, the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS) had been provisionally allocated £118.2 million in operational capital, including primary care business as usual capital, and £21.3 million for estates safety. The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is encouraged to engage with the ICS to explore options to allocate the 2025/26 operational capital and national capital programme allocations towards maintenance needs at Basingstoke Hospital. The current Spending Review concluding in June 2025 will determine capital funding levels for future years, and will consider the needs of the NHS estate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_149

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of maternity unit closures; and what steps he is taking to prevent the closure of maternity units. \p Karin Smyth: There are real issues in maternity care, but also outstanding examples of care. It will not be an overnight recovery, but we will be making steady improvements to ensure all women receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care.

The Government continues to work with the National Health Service as it delivers its three-year maternity and neonatal plan to improve maternity and neonatal services.

The reconfiguration of services is a local decision that should be informed by clinical best practice, following appropriate engagement with patients and stakeholders. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients.

Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate NHS commissioner. Substantial planned service change should be subject to a full public consultation and should meet the Government and NHS England’s ‘tests’ to ensure good decision-making. The Government has not made an assessment of the closures to maternity services, as these are decisions best made locally.

It is right that NHS services reflect changing demographics and birth rates, to ensure resources are used efficiently. At the same time, we expect maternity providers to listen to women and ensure they are given a choice at all stages of their pregnancy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_150

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of health visitor check-ups for newborns within the first 12 months. \p Karin Smyth: Data on new birth health visitor reviews is officially recorded and published annually. In 2023/24, the most recent annual data available, 97.8% of newborns received a health visitor review within 30 days following birth, a statistic stable from the previous year. The same data shows that 81.8% of newborns received a six to eight week health visitor review by week eight, which is 2.2% higher than 2022/23, but 3.3% lower than the comparable figure from 2019/20. Meanwhile, 86.5% of children received a 12-month health visitor review by month 15. This 12-month review figure represents an increase of 3.9% from 2022/23. It also represents a 2.9% increase from 2019/20.

The Government laid out its commitment to strengthen health visiting services in the Plan for Change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_151

Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answers of 4 April 2025 to Questions (a) 41903, (b) 41902 and (c) 41906, how many full time equivalent staff are employed in NHSE transformation team; and how many full time equivalent staff it will employ when fully staffed. \p Karin Smyth: Ministers and senior Department officials are working with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to determine the leadership, structure, and requirements needed to support the creation of a new centre for health and care.

We will ensure the right expertise and experience is brought together to deliver this transformation, including people with leadership experience of other major change programmes and mergers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_152

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of uncollected rubbish in Birmingham on (a) public health and (b) levels of Weil’s disease. \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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-23 conversation_153

Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to identify people exposed to Diethylstilbestrol. \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.