theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_41

Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what meetings ministers have had with their counterparts in (a) Albania, (b) Poland, (c) Romania, (d) Jamaica, (e) Lithuania, (f) Bulgaria and (g) Vietnam on the removal of foreign national offenders since 17 July 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: Removing foreign national offenders to their countries of origin is a priority for this Government. We engage frequently with our international partners on the return of those with no right to be in the UK, both at ministerial and official level. In May, the Prime Minister announced an enhanced strategic partnership with Albania including cooperation on migration and justice issues. The Foreign Secretary discussed prisoner transfer and wider criminal justice cooperation with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski on 19 December 2024. In Romania, Bulgaria, and Lithuania we have strong cooperation across law and justice issues. For example, our Ambassador to Bulgaria discussed Foreign National Offenders with Bulgarian Interior Minister Mitov in June this year. The Foreign Secretary discussed migration cooperation with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister on 11 July 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_42

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s nuclear programme since June 2025; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of strikes from Israel and the US on Iran’s nuclear facilities. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office continues to have regular dialogue with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at all levels, including via our Permanent Mission in Vienna and the Foreign Secretary. The Foreign Secretary last spoke to Director General Grossi on 26 June. We have taken every opportunity, including a public E3 statement on 30 June, to reiterate our support for the Director General and the IAEA's mandate in Iran, urging the Iranians to abide by their legal commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The IAEA has as yet not been able to report on the state of Iran's nuclear programme following US and Israeli strikes and I will not comment on intelligence matters in this response.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_43

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act in the US. \p Catherine West: This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. This includes concerns about the erosion of Tibetan cultural rights and traditions by the Chinese authorities.

We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor, Energy Secretary and I all raised human rights recently with our Chinese counterparts. We also continue to work closely with our international partners to hold China to account for human rights violations. For example, joining a statement led by Australia on Xinjiang and Tibet at the UN General Assembly in October.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_44

Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will give posthumous awards to John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby who previously served in the armed forces and were killed whilst delivering aid in Gaza in April 2024. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is replying because, at the time of their deaths, John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby were not serving members of the UK Armed Forces and were working overseas.

Government's priority is securing justice for the appalling strike that killed John Chapman, James Henderson, and James Kirby. We continue to press Israel to swiftly conclude the Military Advocate General's investigation into events on the 1 April 2024, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated. The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly pressed Foreign Affairs Minister Sa'ar and Minister of Strategic Affairs Dermer for the Military Advocate General to conclude consideration of the case swiftly and thoroughly.

The FCDO looked carefully at the very sad circumstances of their deaths and acknowledge their sacrifice and dedicated contribution but there are no national UK awards that they would be eligible for. However, we continue to support the family and the Prime Minister met with them on 9 June.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_45

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to help promote freedom of religion or belief in south Asia. \p Catherine West: The UK champions freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all, and that no one should live in fear because of their religion or belief.

On 8 July, the Government launched its new strategy on FoRB. Its overarching goal is to reduce the number of countries in which the right to FoRB is significantly curtailed, and to promote internationally the right to FoRB as fundamental to human flourishing.

Across the world, including South Asia, the UK is taking targeted action and raising the right to FoRB with counterpart governments. For example, in Pakistan, our Aawaz II programme has reached over 35 million people with information about rights and government services. Through the John Bunyan Fund, we have improved Pakistani Parliamentarians' understanding of the laws used to persecute minorities and explored avenues for reform. In March and June this year, the Minister for the Middle East raised concerns about FoRB with Pakistani ministers.

In Afghanistan, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials regularly press the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans. We continue to support the UN Special Rapporteur and his mandate to document human rights abuses in Afghanistan, including against minority groups.

Working with the Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, we are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral fora - including our position at the UN and Article 18 Alliance - and through our important bilateral work.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_46

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) training and (b) education pathways align with the skills required in the (i) artificial intelligence, (ii) fintech, (iii) medtech and (iv) green industry. \p Janet Daby: Through our Industrial Strategy, published in June 2025, this government will ensure the skills system and employment support align with strategic economic priorities, including the needs of priority growth sectors such as digital and technologies, clean energy, financial services and health, and for emerging technologies and transformative opportunities such as artificial intelligence (AI). For example, new short courses in areas such as digital, AI, and engineering will be introduced in England from April 2026, funded through the growth and skills levy. Skills England has been established to identify skills gaps across the economy, including in these priority growth sectors, and use these insights to improve and simplify skills provision so that people and business can best benefit from training. Skills England will work across government to ensure young people starting out in their careers, as well as adults who need to reskill, have clear education and training pathways.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_47

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Twickenham during the Oral Statement of 7 July 2025 on Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life, Official Report, column 687, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Ofsted inspecting early years providers once every four years on the safety and wellbeing of children. \p Stephen Morgan: Moving to a four-year inspection cycle as opposed to a six-year inspection cycle is a return to the standard set pre-Covid. We believe by reducing the inspection cycle to align with schools, we should be able to better address safety concerns raised in recent safeguarding incidents in the sector and as noted in Ofsted’s Big Listen. As announced in the recent Best Start in Life Publication, Ofsted will also receive additional investment from the department to raise the quality and consistency of inspection through strengthening quality assurance and focused inspector training.

We constantly monitor and review the early years foundation stage statutory framework requirements and how these requirements are inspected by Ofsted to ensure children are kept as safe as possible. Changes are informed by engagement with providers, health professionals, sector stakeholders and safeguarding experts and using lessons learned from previous incidents.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_48

Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the report by the Education Committee on Support for childcare and the early years, published on 26 July 2023. \p Stephen Morgan: ​​The department recognises the valuable work of the Education Committee through its report on support for childcare and early years. We have considered the report’s findings and recommendations carefully and have since expanded access to childcare. We are further expanding childcare entitlements so that from September 2025, eligible working parents can access 30 hours of early education and childcare a week from the term after their child turns nine months.

The government’s Plan for Change set out the department’s commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity. This month, we published our landmark strategy, ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, putting children’s first years at the heart of work to improve life chances. This is a fundamental step change in how government drives up quality in early education, ensuring places are available in every community, and restores crumbling family services for the next generation, as the government places £1.5 billion of cash behind the reforms.

​Insights from the report, committee members and wider experts, alongside engagement with parents and the early years and families sectors, have been invaluable in informing the contents of our Best Start in Life strategy.​
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_49

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Twickenham during the Oral Statement of 7 July 2025 on Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life, Official Report, column 687, what consultation her Department has conducted with (a) families affected by serious incidents and (b) sector stakeholders. \p Stephen Morgan: The safety of children is our utmost priority, and we continually monitor and review the early years foundation stage (EYFS) safeguarding requirements to ensure children are kept as safe as possible.

As part of this work, last year we held a public consultation on a number of changes to the safeguarding requirements of the EYFS. Anyone, including families affected by serious incidents could respond to the consultation.

All of the safeguarding changes due to come into force in September 2025 were informed by extensive engagement with providers, health professionals, sector stakeholders and safeguarding experts and using lessons learned from previous incidents. We continue to engage with these stakeholders as part of our continuous monitoring and review of the EYFS safeguarding requirements.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_50

Natalie Fleet:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of parents with three and four-year-olds from (a) Bolsover, (b) Derbyshire and (c) England have used their entitlement to 15 hours of free childcare in each of the last three years. \p Stephen Morgan: Figures on the number and estimated percentage of 3 and 4-year-olds who were registered for the universal entitlement in Derbyshire and England between January 2022 and 2024 can be accessed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/14518f2b-6429-434f-1c45-08ddbd6c4867. Figures for Bolsover are not readily available.

Figures on the number of eligible children aged from 9 months registered for the working parent entitlement, at national and local authority level, are currently scheduled to be published on 17 July. Figures on the percentage of eligible children aged from 9 months registered for the working parent entitlement, at national level only, are also currently planned to be published in this statistics release. Due to data limitations around the reliability of the survey based data underpinning the calculations, sub-national estimates will not be available.

Figures on the number and estimated percentage of 2-year-olds registered for the disadvantaged entitlement in Derbyshire and England between January 2022 and 2024 can be viewed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/5b816a38-7e84-48f9-492d-08ddbdf042eb. Figures for Bolsover are not available.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_51

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department will make an assessment of the availability of secondary school places in Stockport constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department collects annual data from local authorities about primary and secondary state-funded school places, local authorities’ pupil forecasts and local authorities’ planned changes to school places. The data is published at local authority level in the annual School Capacity statistics publication, accessible at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity/2023-24.

The latest data relates to school capacity as at 1 May 2024. The latest school capacity data for secondary schools in Stockport local authority and latest modelled estimates of the future number of secondary school places needed to meet predicted demand for Stockport local authority can be found in this publication.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places sits with local authorities.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_52

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to phase out Education, Health and Care Plans as part of its SEND reform proposals. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government inherited a special educational needs and disability (SEND) system that has been failing to meet the needs of children and families for far too long. The department knows that families face real challenges getting education, health and care (EHC) plans where their children need them and ultimately, even after fighting to secure the entitlement, a plan does not guarantee that the right support will be delivered.

That is why the department is currently considering reforms to the SEND system and will be setting out proposals in a White Paper in the autumn. Our priority is improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, so that they can achieve and thrive. This means addressing the overall systemic issues that make SEND support so hard to access. As part of the work leading up to the White Paper, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has met a range of children, families and campaigners to explore how the SEND system can be improved.

At this stage the department has not made any decisions about the future of EHC plans. As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said, there will always be a legal right to the additional support that children with SEND need.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_53

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent progress she has made in recruiting 6500 new teachers. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools, and in our colleges, over the course of this Parliament.

We have made significant progress on this pledge. The workforce has grown by 2,346 full time employed staff in secondary and special schools between 2023/24 and 2024/25 and our future school teacher pipeline is also growing. As of June 2025, there are 12% more trainees who have accepted offers to train as secondary teachers, and in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, acceptances are up 25% compared to last year.

The recent spending review will further support delivery of this key pledge, providing an above-inflation increase to our core schools budget of £4.2 billion additional funding by 2028/29, and a substantial investment in skills, with over £1 billion of additional funding by 2028/29.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_54

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help support the development of solar skills training programmes delivered through further education institutions based in Buckinghamshire. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to the UK becoming a clean energy superpower, achieving clean power by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Skills have a crucial role to play in achieving this mission. The department is working to ensure the English skills system supports learners, workers, and employers to prepare for jobs in renewable energy.

The department has provided over £500,000 to support the development of a brand-new Green Skills Energy Hub at the Aylesbury campus of the Buckinghamshire College Group. This facility will increase the number of people entering the construction sector and develop the skills of the workforce, closing the green skills gap within Buckinghamshire. The project includes capital funding for specialist, industry standard equipment, supporting training in renewables including solar power, electric vehicle chargers and heat pump engineering.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_55

Alice Macdonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of people aged between 16 and 24 years old that are not in education, employment or training in (a) Norwich North constituency and (b) Norfolk. \p Janet Daby: The department publishes statistics on 16-24-year-olds that are not in education, employment or training (NEET) for England in the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The most recent dataset is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/neet-statistics-annual-brief/2024.

The number of 16–24-year-olds estimated as NEET in England at the end of 2024 is estimated to be 837,000, approximately 13.6% of the population in that demographic group. These estimates are not available at lower-level geographies due to limitations with sample sizes.

However, local authorities are required to encourage, enable or assist young people’s participation in education or training and return management information for young people aged 16 and 17. This data is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/participation-in-education-training-and-neet-age-16-to-17-by-local-authority/2024-25.

It shows that of the 19,635 young people aged 16 and 17 who were known to Norfolk local authority at the end of 2024 (average of December 2024, January 2025 and February 2025), 1,141 were NEET or their activity was not known. These statistics are published as transparency data so some caution should be taken if using these figures.

In addition, 16-18 destination measures are published by parliamentary constituency. These official statistics show the percentage of pupils who did not sustain education, apprenticeships or employment for a 6-month period during the year following compulsory activity. This can be used as a proxy for NEET at age 18, for those who were participating in compulsory education at 17. The latest publication includes destinations in 2022/23 by Parliamentary constituency boundaries at that time. Data can be found here for Norwich North Parliamentary constituency: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/a5a0cfd5-4d3d-47da-1dee-08ddc13e16b8.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_56

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help support businesses to invest in skills and training in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. \p Janet Daby: The department’s Industrial Strategy outlines key interventions to boost employer engagement with the skills system. These include:

This investment will be supported by stronger employer partnerships, including the launch of technical excellence colleges to build local talent pipelines.

Additionally, the chair of Skills England, alongside the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, will explore how employers, individuals and government can collaborate to meet national skills needs and drive future job growth.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_57

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to embed financial education and investment literacy in apprenticeship programmes. \p Janet Daby: Apprenticeships are jobs that equip learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for a specific occupation. Employers, working in conjunction with Skills England, develop the content of apprenticeship standards according to the needs of their industries. This will include job-specific mathematics or English skills wherever relevant.

In addition, the department funds apprentices to achieve up to level 2 qualifications in mathematics and English as part of their apprenticeship. The qualifications give apprentices the broader skills they need to thrive in work and life and the mathematics qualification includes content on calculating interest, discounts and percentage increases/decreases, probability and budgeting, as well as building confidence with numbers more generally. We require all 16 to 18-year-olds to achieve a level 1 or level 2 qualification as part of their apprenticeship, if they do not already hold one.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_58

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps schools are taking to help make children aware of the dangers of groomers online. \p Catherine McKinnell: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

Keeping children safe is an absolute priority for this government and schools play a critical role in this.

As part of statutory relationships education in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education in secondary schools, pupils are already taught about online safety and harms.

The new statutory guidance, published on 15 July, is clear that pupils should be taught about online sexual harassment and online sexual abuse including grooming and sextortion, about understanding the risks and signs that they may be at risk of grooming or exploitation, and how to seek help where there is a concern. This guidance is accessible at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68761d6b39d0452326e28e6f/RSHE_statutory_guidance_-_July_2025_.pdf.

The department also publishes ‘Keeping children safe in education’, the statutory guidance that all schools and colleges must have regard to. This can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2.

This guidance provides schools and colleges with robust information on how to protect pupils and students online and how to respond to any concerns or signs of abuse including grooming.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_59

John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to NHS dentists in rural areas. \p Stephen Kinnock: This Government is determined to improve access to NHS dentistry.

We are targeting areas most in need, including in rural areas, by delivering 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments and recruiting dentists under the Golden Hellos scheme.

We will reform the dental contract, with a consultation underway on measures to improve access. More fundamental reforms will follow before the end of this Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_60

Dr Danny Chambers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve support for family carers. \p Stephen Kinnock: Our 10 Year Health Plan will boost support for family carers via digital tools like MyCarer, and include them in care planning and shared decision-making processes.

We have already taken action. We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit to £196 per week - the biggest increase since 1976. We have also launched an independent commission into adult social care, to shape adult social care and address unpaid carers’ needs.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_61

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to improve access to mental health services. \p Stephen Kinnock: This Government is investing an extra £688 million this year to improve access to mental health services by hiring more staff, delivering more early interventions and getting waiting lists down.

We will transform mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres. I had the pleasure of visiting the Barnsley Street Neighbourhood Mental Health Centre last week, a pilot site which showcased holistic person-centred care.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_62

Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department have taken to improve support in the community for mental health. \p Stephen Kinnock: As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government is recruiting 8,500 mental health workers to help ease the pressure on busy mental health services. The latest data shows that more than 6,700 extra mental health workers have been recruited since July.

We are working with NHS England on a refreshed workforce plan, which will revolve around the three shifts to deliver our 10-Year Health Plan: moving more care from hospitals to communities; making better use of technology in health and care; and focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it.

We are also piloting 24 hour a day, seven day a week neighbourhood mental health centres to support our ambition to shift care from hospitals to communities. People will also get better direct access to mental health support and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the NHS App, without needing a general practice appointment.

Additionally, the Government is providing £7 million of funding to extend support for 24 Early Support Hubs that have a track record of helping thousands of young people in their community. We will also provide access to a specialist mental health professional in every school in England and roll out Young Futures Hubs to provide open access mental health support for children and young people.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_63

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) child and (b) adult mental health services in Cornwall. \p Stephen Kinnock: We know people are not receiving the mental health care they need and that waits for mental health services are too long across England, including in Cornwall. We are determined to change that as part of our shift to prevention and earlier intervention, and in line with our Plan for Change.

Nationally, the Government is providing £7 million of funding to extend support for 24 Early Support Hubs that have a track record of helping thousands of young people in their community. We will also provide access to a specialist mental health professional in every school in England and roll out Young Futures Hubs to provide open access mental health support for children and young people. At the end of March 2025, 87% of pupils and learners in Cornwall were covered by a mental health support team.

In addition, we plan to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services in England to ease the pressure on the busy mental health services. More than 6,700 extra mental health workers have been employed since July, as per the latest data.

Responsibility for the onward commissioning of mental health services sits with integrated care boards (ICB). It is the role of local ICB decision-makers to consider the implications of mental health services, specific to each geography and including the perspectives of healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and local authorities.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_64

Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of investment in rural VCSE infrastructure on inequalities in access to (a) GP, (b) mental health, (c) community and (d) other essential healthcare services in rural localities; and what steps he plans to take with local VCSE partners to reduce these inequalities. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department recognises the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector as a valuable partner in improving people’s health and wellbeing.

The Government is committed to resetting the relationship with civil society and to unlock its potential. We want civil society to be an equal, expert partner, integral to the delivery of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan. The implementation of the Neighbourhood Health Service brings care closer to people’s homes and integrates services across the statutory and VCSE sectors.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_65

Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to (a) autism and (b) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessments in Sutton Coldfield constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government has recognised that, nationally, the demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years, and that people are experiencing severe delays in accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support, without the need for diagnosis.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for making appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to ADHD and autism assessments, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce to better understand the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June 2025, with the final report expected later in the year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.

The NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB is working with regional and local partners, including Parent Carer Forums, to coproduce and redesign pathways of care to focus on addressing the health and social needs that arise in neurodiverse children, young people, and adults. The Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has also launched a 12-month pilot programme working with schools and community care providers to better support children, families, and professionals while they wait for autism assessments.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_66

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 10 Year Health Plan for England, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using (a) chiropractors and (b) other wider healthcare professionals to support the NHS in delivering neighbourhood health centres. \p Stephen Kinnock: Neighbourhood health centres will provide easier, more convenient access to a full range of healthcare services on people’s doorsteps, and patients will be treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of healthcare professionals.

We have launched the National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme (NNHIP). The NNHIP will support systems across the country to test new ways of working, share learning, and scale what works. This programme will inform future strategy and policy development, and outcome metrics will be rigorously monitored.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_67

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an estimate of the NHS dental workforce that will be required in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency in each of the next five years. \p Stephen Kinnock: We will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan and will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_68

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support dementia patients with (a) memory loss and (b) other symptoms. \p Stephen Kinnock: Our health system has struggled to support those with complex needs, including those with dementia. Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.

We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.

The Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia and will set national standards for dementia care and redirect National Health Service priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

Those with dementia will also benefit from more joined up care through co-created care plans, and by 2027, 95% of those with complex needs will have an agreed care plan.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_69

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the share of expenditure on hospital care on his Department's goal for 92 percent of patients to be treated within 18 weeks by 2029. \p Karin Smyth: The Elective Reform Plan (ERP) sets out the reform and productivity efforts needed to achieve the target that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by 2029. The ERP includes several efforts which will see care delivered differently. This includes addressing the challenges in diagnostic waiting times, providing the number of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and other tests that are needed to reduce elective and cancer waits. We will upgrade the NHS App, so patients can book and rearrange appointments, choose which hospital to be treated at, receive test results, and choose if they want to be seen in person or remotely.

The 10-Year Health Plan set out how we will take that further. At present, roughly 80% of all elective care does not require admitted treatment but takes place in outpatient settings, mostly in hospitals. By 2035, two thirds of this care will take place digitally or in the community closer to home, with patients able to access the best of their local hospital in a much more responsive way, such as via a local neighbourhood health centre or at home via digital channels. This will deliver more timely, efficient, and flexible care, which is better for patients and will mean we reduce the numbers joining the waiting lists in the first place.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_70

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to p.98 of the document entitled Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, published on 3 July 2025, if he will list the training requirements identified as (a) irritating staff and (b) adding unnecessary burdens staff's working days. \p Karin Smyth: The 10-Year Health Plan set out an action to review the amount of statutory and mandatory training that healthcare professionals are required to undertake. This follows a large national engagement exercise with members of the public and health and care staff. As part of this engagement, members of staff shared their poor experiences of mandatory training, citing that the training can be, repetitive or irrelevant to their role and takes them away from treating patients.

The exact amount of statutory and mandatory training completed varies, depending on which organisation they work for, their role or roles, and the frequency of their movement between organisations, for instance resident doctors rotating between organisations may have to repeat some of the training.

On average, it is estimated that nationally defined statutory and mandatory training takes up to eight hours or one day per person per year, and locally mandated training will add to this. This considerable investment of time must be balanced against the fact that this training is both important, for instance safety training and emergency preparedness training, and often required by law.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_71

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to (a) increase dental student training places (i) at Peninsula Dental School and (ii) in the South West and (b) ensure that dental workforce planning includes recruitment and retention in (A) rural and (B) coastal areas. \p Stephen Kinnock: Peninsula Dental School would be considered for any possible future allocated dental training places, as would other dental schools in the same position, including in the South West.

For the allocation of additional training places to begin, a guidance letter confirming the maximum fundable limit for training places must be sent to the Office for Students. A guidance letter has not yet been sent for 2026/27.

Later this year, we will publish a 10 Year Workforce Plan to create a workforce ready to deliver a transformed service. Our workforce plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients when they need it.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, particularly in more rural and coastal areas. Integrated care boards are recruiting posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_72

Natalie Fleet:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children have been hospitalised needing treatment for dental decay in (a) Bolsover constituency, (b) Derbyshire and (c) England in each of the last five years. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) publishes annual official statistics on tooth extractions in zero- to 19-year-olds that take place in a National Health Service hospital setting in England. The following table shows the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) for tooth extraction with dental caries, also known as tooth decay, as the primary diagnosis code between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years, for children aged zero to 19 years old in England, in the Derbyshire upper tier local authority, and in the Bolsover lower tier local authority:

Financial year

England

Derbyshire

Bolsover

2023/24

30,587

105

15

2022/23

31,165

110

10

2021/22

26,741

135

15

2020/21

14,645

100

15

2019/20

35,190

175

15

Source: the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ annual statistics on tooth extractions zero to 19 year olds that take place in an NHS hospital setting in England, available at the following link:  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hospital-based-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds

Notes:
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_73

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase treatment options for people with Friedreich's Ataxia. \p Ashley Dalton: Working under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Friedreich's Ataxia. One of the framework’s priorities is improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We remain committed to delivering under the framework, and published the fourth action plan for England on 28 February 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_74

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of recent changes to NHS smear tests on (a) women's health and (b) uptake of cervical cancer screening. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation to change the cervical screening intervals from three to five years for women aged between 25 and 49 years old was made in 2019. The evidence and consultation responses supporting the recommendation is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/cervical-cancer/

The decision to make the changes was based on what is best for women. The more accurate human papillomavirus (HPV) test requires less frequent screening, and changing the frequency eliminates the unnecessary over-screening of the population.

The IT system supporting the national cervical screening programme was updated in July 2024 and can now enable the changes that were recommended.

A full impact assessment and equality impact assessment were considered before the changes were agreed by the Government. We will publish these shortly.

The Department undertook an impact assessment and an equality impact assessment into the introduction of HPV self-sampling in under-screened populations, which will also be published shortly.

The self-testing kits which detect HPV, which is a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer, allow women to carry out this testing in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.

The programme specifically targets those groups consistently missing vital appointments, with younger women, ethnic minority communities facing cultural hurdles, people with a disability, and LGBT+ people all set to benefit.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_75

Tessa Munt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 63305 on Sodium Valproate and Surgical Mesh Implants, on what dates they held the meetings with the Patient Safety Commissioner to discuss the recommendations of the Hughes report. \p Ashley Dalton: Since the publication of the Hughes Report on 7 February 2024, ministers and Departmental officials have met with the Patient Safety Commissioner on several occasions to discuss the recommendations of the Hughes report.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_76

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were claiming Universal Credit who were (a) in employment and (b) not in employment and whose immigration status was (i) Common Travel Area - UK, Ireland, Right of Abode, (ii) EU Settlement Scheme, (iii) humanitarian, (iv) refugee, (v) indefinite leave to remain, not EU Settlement Scheme, (vii) limited leave to remain, not EU Settlement Scheme, including family reunion, (viii) other and (ix) no immigration status recorded on digital systems in each local authority in each month since June 2024. \p Andrew Western: The Department recently published new Universal Credit - Immigration Status and Nationality statistics. Further breakdowns of these statistics are not currently available.