theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that Automated External Defibrillators are included as standard infrastructure in new housing developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 80347 on 20 October 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of first-time house buyers in Lincolnshire in each of the last five years. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not collect data on the number of first-time buyers.

The Office for National Statistics publishes data on first-time buyer mortgage sales by local authority in the UK. They can be found on its website here. Data covers the period between 2006 and 2024. Data for 2025 has not yet been published.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislation to enforce time limits for development companies of newbuild housing estates to have roads adopted by local authorities. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. and Rt Hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 80700 on 20 October 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Sarah Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with HM Treasury about potential measures to support demand for SME-led housing. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has no current plans to make such an assessment.

The Help to Build: Equity Loan scheme, targeted at those wanting to custom build, self build or shell build a home, opened in June 2022 and closed to new applications in March 2025. There are no plans to allocate further funding to it.

The government has introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. Additionally, the Bank of England is easing the loan-to-income limit, enabling up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year. The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) ongoing review of the mortgage market means many buyers can now borrow 10% more towards a property purchase. The government looks forward to ambitious proposals from the FCA’s paper. First-time buyers may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

We have also provided £3 billion of additional support for SMEs and the Build to Rent sector, in the form of housing guarantee schemes.

My Department has regular discussions with HM Treasury on a range of issues including measures to support SMEs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that NHS health messaging is accessible among diverse ethnic communities in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department takes the challenge of health misinformation seriously and recognises its potential impact on public health outcomes. We focus on delivering consistent, clinically assured messaging that builds public trust and confidence, positioning the Department and the National Health Service as reliable sources of information. We also work closely with a wide range of community media, organisations, clinical experts, and influential voices to ensure messaging is accessible to diverse ethnic communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of migration from Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit on care charges levied on disabled people by local authorities. \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.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of 28 October 2025 on World Stroke Day, what the maximum (a) travelling time and (b) distance a thrombectomy service will be from a person's home. \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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of General Practice partners operating in England. \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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he made of the adequacy of NHS provision for young people with (a) complex comorbidities, (b) Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, (c) epilepsy, (d) autism and (e) juvenile systemic lupus. \p Ashley Dalton: Integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory responsibility to commission services which meet the needs of their local populations. It is the responsibility of ICBs, working with clinicians, service users, and patient groups, to develop services and care pathways that meet patients’ needs.

Supporting children and young people as they transition into adulthood, especially those with long-term or complex conditions, including those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), is a priority for the Government, and we are committed to ensuring that children receive the appropriate care and support whenever they need it.

Our 10-Year Health Plan for England commits to establishing a new radical approach through neighbourhood health services, shifting from sickness to prevention and ensuring that support for children’s health and development is locally accessible. It ensures the support for children and young people as they navigate the National Health Service, and ensures that they feel confident in managing their own health and care from age 16 years old, where appropriate. This will include supporting young people, including those with EDS, as they move from child to adolescent and adult services, ensuring that care is developmentally appropriate throughout.

In addition, a national transition framework is currently awaiting publication. This is to help local areas set up this model or to strengthen an existing one, and the principles of age- appropriate services set out in this document apply to both young people receiving care for the first time and those already on a transition pathway. While the framework focuses on broad principles of transition, future work will focus on specific considerations and conditions.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to develop a modern services framework for (a) arthritis and (b) musculorskeletal 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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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of sexually transmitted infections on the future fertility of people. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the trends in the levels of (a) gonorrhea, (b) chlamydia, and (c) syphillis in people. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to reform the general practice funding model. \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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of people receiving NHS HIV care in England were born overseas. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the reduction in the qualifying age for bowel cancer screening on detection rates in the past five years. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to extend marketing restrictions for HFSS products to outdoor advertising. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the cost to the individual of a COVID-19 vaccination on (a) vaccination rates and (b) public health more widely. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the average annual cost of treating a person with HIV. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the average cost of testing an adult for HIV. \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 (2025-11-04)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance NHS England has issued on covid booster vaccination for patients who are (a) immunosuppressed and (b) on long-term steroid therapy; and what steps his Department is taking to help ensure clinically vulnerable people are offered protection against (i) Stratus and (ii) other circulating covid variants. \p Ashley Dalton: The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. For autumn and winter 2025/26, the COVID-19 vaccination is offered to:

- residents in a care home for older adults;

- all adults aged 75 years old and over; and

- persons aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables three and four of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, which is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b5be03536d629f9c82a97d/Green-book-chapter-COVID-19_1_9_25.pdf.

NHS England, in partnership with the UK Heath Security Agency and the Department, has developed a suite of communications resources to encourage eligible people to get their autumn and winter vaccinations. As part of this, NHS England has produced a variety of posters and digital-screens, as well as a factsheet specifically designed for pharmacies to support conversations with individuals about eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine.

National invitations are designed to supplement local invitations, to ensure the National Health Service reaches as many people as possible who may be eligible. For COVID-19 vaccinations, everyone aged five to 74 years old whose NHS record suggests they may be immunosuppressed due to a medical condition or treatment, and all those eligible by age, are contacted.

Eligible people are able to book via the National Booking Service or by calling 119. For those that are uncertain, they can book an appointment and discuss their eligibility with a clinician at the appointment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to inform patients (a) with chronic autoimmune conditions and (b) on immunosuppressive therapy of their eligibility for covid boosters in winter 2025-26; and what steps the NHS plans to take to help ensure such patients are protected. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England, in partnership with the UK Heath Security Agency and the Department, has developed a suite of communications resources to encourage eligible people to get their autumn and winter vaccinations. As part of this, NHS England has produced a variety of posters and digital-screens, as well as a factsheet specifically designed for pharmacies to support conversations with individuals about eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. For autumn and winter 2025/26, the COVID-19 vaccination is offered to:

- residents in a care home for older adults;

- all adults aged 75 years old and over; and

- persons aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables three and four of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, which is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b5be03536d629f9c82a97d/Green-book-chapter-COVID-19_1_9_25.pdf.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of excluding (a) household members and (b) carers from eligibility for covid-19 vaccinations on clinically extremely vulnerable people. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, involving hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.

In its advice for autumn 2024, the JCVI advised that in the era of highly transmissible Omicron sub-variants, any protection offered by the vaccine against transmission of infection from one person to another is expected to be extremely limited. Therefore, the indirect benefits of vaccination, namely vaccinating an individual such as a carer or household member to reduce the risk of severe disease in other people, are less evident now compared with previous years. Accordingly, in line with JCVI advice, carers were not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination in autumn 2024.

In line with the JCVI advice, the autumn 2025 programme is focused on targeted vaccination of the oldest adults, namely those aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. Any carer or household member who is eligible for vaccination through age or immunosuppression is encouraged to take up the offer of vaccination.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to include policies on improving long-term quality of life for people who (a) have and (b) have had cancer within the national cancer plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as prevention and research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. The National Cancer Plan will build on the three shifts set out by the 10-Year Health Plan. These shifts will enable rapid progress on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as supporting those living with cancer to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

The National Cancer Plan will aim to improve how the physical and psychosocial needs of people with cancer can be met, with a focus on personalised care to improve quality of life. It will address how the experience of care can be improved for those diagnosed, treated, and living with and beyond cancer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September to Question 75570 on Alcoholic Drinks: Labelling, when he plans to consult with stakeholders on the best ways to communicate the necessary information on the health risks to consumers through alcohol labels. \p Ashley Dalton: In the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government committed to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages. The Plan is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future

Departmental officials are currently formulating plans for stakeholder engagement and a formal consultation. The timeline will be confirmed in due course. Stakeholder insights will help shape the policy to ensure the labelling requirements are most effective.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to encourage smaller snack sizes. \p Ashley Dalton: There is no one specific government policy to encourage the availability of smaller snack sizes, but through the 10-Year Health Plan the government is taking a whole diet approach and focussing on the key drivers that encourage overconsumption of less healthy food and drink, as part of its mission to tackle obesity.

The Department is taking several actions to improve diets and reduce the consumption of calories and other ingredients of concern, such as saturated fat, salt and sugar. This includes the introduction of mandatory healthy sales reporting for large food businesses by the end of this Parliament; and the setting of new targets to increase the healthiness of sales for the largest food businesses. This will set full transparency and accountability around the food and drink that businesses are selling and should encourage an increase in sales of healthier products. Businesses will have the freedom to decide how they achieve the target, with reformulation of existing products and the introduction of new healthy products forming options for businesses to make healthier options accessible for all.

In addition, the Volume Price Promotions regulations came into force on 1 October 2025, restricting volume promotions such as “buy one get one free” and “3 for £10” on less healthy food and drink. Mandatory restrictions on the advertising of less healthy food and drink on TV and online are due to come into force on 5 January 2026. However, since 1 October 2025, advertisers and broadcasters have been voluntarily complying with the restrictions ahead of them taking legal effect next year. We are already seeing a change in the type of adverts shown on TV and online. These policies are in addition to the locations promotions legislation which came into effect in 2022 and prevent less healthy products being placed in certain locations in supermarkets that lead to uplifts in purchasing.

All these policies are designed to encourage the food industry to make the products they sell healthier. Information is also available to help people make better choices. Better Health Families uses personalised email programmes, digital and social media to help families with primary school aged children to eat healthier snacks including suggestions on fruit, vegetable and homemade snacks and choosing healthier snacks while shopping.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his department is considering extending the eligibility for the winter covid-19 vaccination programme. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, involving hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged.

The focus of the JCVI advised programme has therefore moved towards targeted vaccination of the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. These are the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed.

On 13 November 2024, JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to the following groups:

- adults aged 75 years old and over;

- residents in care homes for older adults;

- individuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the UK Health Security Agency Green Book.

As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps the evidence under regular review.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to Epsom Hospital to (a) recruit and (b) retain specialist (i) cancer nurses and (ii) other cancer workforce. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government and NHS England are taking action ensure that we train the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it including at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.

In 2024/25, an estimated 8,000 people received training to either enter the cancer and diagnostics workforce or develop in their roles. As part of this, over 1,600 people were on apprenticeship courses, with over 270 additional medical specialty training places funded. Over 1,000 Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) grants were made available to new and aspiring CNSs.

NHS England works with regions and other local delivery partners to support education and training across the cancer workforce. This includes a providing an allocation funding based on a fair geographical split to regional workforce leads for the provision of grants for clinical nurse specialist training. NHS England has also been expanding specialty training places in key professions, including histopathology, clinical radiology, and gastroenterology. Targeted national campaigns and outreach activities, for example in clinical oncology, also promote cancer career pathways, with a focus on increasing applications.

To improve retention, NHS England is investing in structured career development and education support. The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development programme provides a nationally agreed framework for capability, career development, and education for nurses, allied health professionals, and the support workforce working in cancer care.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment for the covid-19 autumn vaccination eligibility criteria for households containing clinically extremely vulnerable people. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

In line with JCVI advice, the autumn 2025 programme is focussed on targeted vaccination of those aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality.

Equality Impact Assessments were undertaken to inform the development of the COVID-19 autumn 2024 and autumn 2025 vaccination campaigns and eligibility criteria.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to include a framework for neighbourhood cancer care within the national cancer plan. \p Ashley Dalton: Bringing cancer care into the Neighbourhood Health Service is an important part of our forthcoming National Cancer Plan for England, enabling cancer patients to be treated and cared for closer to home.

The National Cancer Plan will seek to make cancer care easier, more local, and more responsive. Rather than requiring endless trips to hospitals, cancer care will happen as locally as it can. This means digitally by default, in a patient’s home if possible, in a neighbourhood health centre when needed, and in a hospital if necessary. As a larger proportion of England’s population survives cancer, this new model offers the potential for a higher quality of life, so that people in England to live longer, better lives after cancer diagnosis.

We know that currently cancer patients in England face a range of inequalities in access to cancer care. The National Cancer Plan will set out how we will work with organisations representing communities that experience health inequalities, to ensure that cancer care in neighbourhoods and other settings meets the needs of all cancer patients across England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of men treated for prostate cancer in Surrey Heath constituency in 2024. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is committed to getting the National Health Service diagnosing prostate cancer earlier and treating it faster, so that more patients survive.

NHS England partners with Cancer Alliances, charities, and local representatives to reach people through projects in the heart of their communities, to help raise awareness of prostate cancer, including in Surrey Heath. Cancer Alliances have also been undertaking action to alert at risk groups about prostate cancer, and this is determined at a local level and therefore will vary depending on local needs and priorities.

In January 2025, NHS England re-launched its ‘abdominal and urological symptoms of cancer’ phase of the Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, including symptoms of prostate cancer.

In the Surrey Heath constituency, the Department holds information for two trusts. In 2024, the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Trust recorded that a total of 2,337 prostate cancer patients commenced a first or subsequent treatment, 583 of which were a first treatment. In 2024, the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust recorded that a total of 614 prostate cancer patients commenced a first or subsequent treatment, 549 of which were a first treatment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 16 June 2021 to Question 14142 on Chemicals: Health and Wildlife, when she expects the UK Health Security Agency to publish the biomonitoring data collected on the exposure of UK citizens to chemicals under (a) Horizon 2020, (b) the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative and (c) the Partnership for Chemicals Risk Assessment. \p Ashley Dalton: As part of the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) project, funded under Horizon 2020, the feasibility of integrating human biomonitoring data into an existing United Kingdom health examination survey was explored. However, no UK biomonitoring data was collected in the project.

As a result of the HBM4EU work carried out by the UK Health Security Agency in collaboration with Imperial College London, a human biomonitoring module was implemented into the NHS Health Survey for England 2022/23 programme. Samples collected in this study are currently being analysed to ascertain exposure within England to a number of priority substances. This data for England will be integrated into the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals alongside that of other participating countries.

Data on background levels of metals, bisphenols, and phthalates in the population samples are expected to be published by Autumn 2026, with data on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and flame retardants to follow at a later stage.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his department will considered introducing a covid-19 booster vaccination programme for front line NHS staff. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19. On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for spring 2025, autumn 2025, and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026

On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that for autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to adults aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and the immunosuppressed aged six months old and over.

In line with JCVI advice, frontline health and social care workers (HSCWs) and staff working in care homes for older adults will not be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under the national programme for autumn 2025. This is following an extensive review by the JCVI of the scientific evidence surrounding the impact of vaccination on the transmission of the virus from HSCWs to patients, protection of HSCWs against symptoms of the disease, and staff sickness absences.

In the current era of high population immunity to COVID-19, additional COVID-19 doses provide very limited, if any, protection against infection and any subsequent onward transmission of infection. For HSCWs, this means that COVID-19 vaccination likely now has only a very limited impact on reducing staff sickness absence. Therefore, the focus of the programme is now on those at greatest risk of serious disease and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination.

Any HSCW who is otherwise eligible, because of their age or due to immunosuppression, is encouraged to take up the offer of vaccination.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has considered introducing national guidance on the potential physical health risks of excessive screen time for children and young people. \p Ashley Dalton: In 2019, the UK Chief Medical Officers published a commentary on the findings of a systematic review on screen-based activities and children’s mental health. This commentary included advice for parents and carers on agreeing boundaries with children and young people on time spent using screens outside of school and educational use. The commentary is available at the following link:   https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c5b1510e5274a316cee5be8/UK_CMO_commentary_on_screentime_and_social_media_map_of_reviews.pdf

Further research examining the causal relationship between screentime and children’s physical and mental health and how it might be mediated is welcomed. The Department has no plans to publish additional guidance on screentime and children’s health at this time, but departmental policies will remain agile to emerging and future research.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure residents living (a) with and (b) beyond cancer receive (i) timely and (ii) personalised support following a cancer diagnosis in Epsom and Ewell constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: It is a priority for the Government and the National Health Service to improve support for people who are living with cancer, and for those people who have been through cancer treatment, in England, including in the Epsom and Ewell constituency.

NHS England has committed to ensuring that every person diagnosed with cancer has access to personalised care. This includes needs assessments, a care plan, and health and wellbeing information and support. Through the provision of information, personalised care empowers people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer. This approach ensures that each person’s care is planned holistically, covering mental and physical health, as well as any practical or financial concerns.

The National Cancer Plan, which is planned for publication in the new year, will seek to improve the experience and outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer. The plan will look at how the National Health Service can improve personalised support, so that people living with cancer feel informed and in control of their care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the expected timeline for the TRANSFORM trial to produce actionable evidence to inform UK National Screening Committee policy on prostate cancer screening. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government and Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) have announced the £42 million TRANSFORM screening trial to find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer to find it before it becomes advanced and harder to treat. PCUK is managing the award on behalf of the funders, with the Government contributing £16 million through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The UK National Screening Committee is working closely with the TRANSFORM trial team and will assess new evidence as it becomes available. This will ensure that prostate cancer policy is kept at the forefront of the Government’s cancer agenda. Although the TRANSFORM trial will run for over a decade, PCUK anticipate initial findings within the next three years.

The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including prostate cancer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development and (b) rollout of biomarker tests to support early detection of (i) pancreatic cancer and (ii) other less survivable cancers in primary care services. \p Ashley Dalton: million NHS programme. This is funding more than 300 general practices (GPs) to identify pancreatic cancer early by screening high-risk patients over 60 years old with new diabetes diagnoses and unexplained weight loss. More than 80 GPs across England have begun using the initiative. It will be extended to the other general practices participating in the trial by the end of the year.

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) is developing a National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Register (NICPR), which launched on 30 June. The NICPR looks at a wide range of cancers for which there is an increased inherited risk, including for less survivable cancers. It aims to identify high-risk individuals who are eligible for targeted screening and surveillance, and will act as an electronic referral route into national screening programmes where these exist.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on creating integrated crisis plans. \p Ashley Dalton: The creation of integrated crisis plans are broader than health and will consider the recommendations identified in the NATO Medical Action Plan. These recommendations and the creation of integrated crisis plans will be discussed as part of the ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that the NHS is prepared for mass military casualties in the event of a major war. \p Ashley Dalton: There is a strong foundation of cross-government working between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

A series of joint Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response exercises have taken place, and planning continues so that the National Health Service and the MOD can respond to a wide range of incidents and emergencies which could affect health or patient care. As part of this planning, the MOD and DHSC are exploring the United Kingdom’s ability to manage various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties.

MOD is also participating in DHSC’s cross-government Exercise PEGASUS, the national Tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need and shared plans for delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish a framework for neighbourhood cancer care as part of the National Cancer Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: Our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service, as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, is for our health system to fit around people’s lives. The Neighbourhood Health Service will mean that millions of patients are treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of professionals, and neighbourhood health centres will provide easier, more convenient access to a full range of healthcare services on people’s doorsteps.

It will involve care closer to the community, including a focus on prevention, as well as the redesign of outpatient and diagnostic services, and the re-design of urgent and emergency care.

In the forthcoming National Cancer Plan, we will look at how to incorporate this neighbourhood approach into cancer care. The National Cancer Plan will also set out how we will work with organisations representing communities that experience health inequalities, to help us meet the needs of all cancer patients across England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-04 conversation_470

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many covid-19 vaccinations were available for use in England in winter (a) 2025-6, (b) 2024-5 and (c) 2023-4. \p Ashley Dalton: We are unable to provide the information requested, as it is commercially sensitive, however adequate doses were available to deliver the programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help raise awareness among young people of the risks of sudden cardiac death in (a) grass roots sports clubs and (b) higher education settings. \p Ashley Dalton: To reduce the risks of sudden cardiac death, NHS England has published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or families requiring follow-up due to a death from this cause. This describes the service model and guidance that should be followed to support diagnosis and treatment of patients or family members. It also includes the requirement for specialised inherited cardiac conditions services to investigate suspected cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-04)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 83545 on Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, if he will publish a version of the table provided for the years prior to 2021-22. \p Ashley Dalton: The information requested is not held by the Department of Health and Social Care as the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme was administered by the Department for Work and Pensions until 2021.