theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_36

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any likely increase in GP appointments as a result of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's recommendation to limit COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for the autumn 2025 vaccination campaign. \p Baroness Merron: The independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the Department on the approach to vaccination and immunisation programmes. The aim of the COVID-19 immunisation programme is to prevent serious disease, leading to hospitalisation and/or mortality, arising from COVID-19. On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.

For spring 2025, the JCVI advises that, as with previous spring campaigns, a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to adults aged 75 years old and over, residents in a care home for older adults, and the immunosuppressed aged six months old and over. The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice on eligibility for the spring 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme. The Government is considering the advice for autumn 2025 and spring 2026 carefully and will respond in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_37

Lord Weir of Ballyholme:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve musculoskeletal health, and how they will include chiropractors in this. \p Baroness Merron: Improving health outcomes for the over 20 million people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in the United Kingdom forms a key part of the Government's missions to build a National Health Service fit for the future, and to kickstart economic growth.

We are making a start by delivering a joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England Getting It Right First Time MSK Community Delivery Programme, working with integrated care board leaders to reduce NHS community waiting times, improve data, metrics, and referral pathways.

Part of the recently published Elective Reform Plan also sets out funding to boost bone density scanning capacity. This will provide an estimated 29,000 extra scans per year, supporting improvements in early diagnosis and bone health.

Healthcare professionals play a vital prevention and early intervention role in supporting people to self-manage their MSK condition, and the Government recognises the role complementary and alternative medicine treatments such as chiropractic can play in supporting people. NHS England does not currently support or commission chiropractic care in the NHS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve treatments for Lyme disease. \p Baroness Merron: The Department commissioned four reviews on Lyme disease, published by the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information group in December 2017. These reviews were undertaken alongside reviews conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, who developed definitive advice on the treatment, testing, and diagnosis of Lyme disease in April 2018.

If recognised promptly and treated with a full course of appropriate antibiotics, acute Lyme disease will usually resolve without further complications. Further information on the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is available on the GOV.UK website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government whether any physical checks are required on medical products or medical devices moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; and, if so, which legislation requires them. \p Baroness Merron: Internal market movements of medical devices and products follow the same rules as other goods and can avail the support provided by the United Kingdom’s Government to move goods into Northern Ireland free of unnecessary paperwork, checks, and duties.

Regarding specific regulations for medical devices or medicines, no regulatory declarations are required for the movement of medicines or medical devices from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Medical devices across the whole of the UK are highly regulated, and devices placed in the Northern Irish market must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity in line with the EU Medical Device Regulations (2017/745) and EU In Vitro Device Regulations (2017/746), which apply under the Windsor Framework, in order to ensure dual market access to the UK’s internal market and the European Union's single market. Regulations in Great Britain are broadly similar to those applying in the Northern Ireland, including the conformity assessment process.

No physical checks are required for medicines or medical devices moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Dodds of Duncairn:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the application of section 7A of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 on the introduction of a generational smoking ban in Northern Ireland, as proposed in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. \p Baroness Merron: The Government intends to apply the Tobacco and Vapes Bill across the United Kingdom and it has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

In the drafting of the Bill, the Government has considered all its domestic and international obligations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Bethell:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve transparency in the decision-making processes of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation; and whether this includes publishing detailed evidence underlying its recommendations. \p Baroness Merron: As per the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) code of practice, committee minutes are published within six weeks of the meeting, via its webpage. These minutes outline the information presented to members and summarise the considerations and discussion. The JCVI also publishes advice statements on the GOV.UK website, and these statements outline the advice given and the rationale.

Where possible, data considered by the committee is referenced in minutes and statements. On occasion, data reviewed by the committee may remain unpublished when the minutes are released. This could be due to the data being new, sensitive, or subject to confidentiality. For transparency and public interest, the JCVI encourages all researchers who present to the committee to publish data once appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Bethell:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to evolve the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's methods to assess the broader socio-economic benefits of vaccination. \p Baroness Merron: As an independent Departmental Expert Committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the Department on matters related to vaccination and immunisation. The JCVI bases its advice and recommendations on evidence of the burden of disease, of vaccine safety and efficacy, and of the impact and cost effectiveness of immunisation strategies.

Broader socio-economic factors, such as productivity costs from illness, improved educational attainment from reduced school absences, and out-of-pocket expenses and opportunity costs from attending a vaccination, are not included in the cost-effective analysis which is presented to the JCVI for its consideration. However, these impacts may be highlighted by the JCVI to inform policy-making.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Bethell:To ask His Majesty's Government how their vaccination policies are being aligned with broader public health outcomes, beyond immediate capacity savings in the NHS. \p Baroness Merron: Vaccination plays an important role in the Government’s Plan for Change and Health Mission, including in the shift from sickness to prevention. The Department works closely with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England, with expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, to design, implement, and deliver 17 programmes offering high levels of long-term protection. These include seasonal and routine programmes as set out in the national schedule.

Our vaccination and immunisation programmes therefore support multiple public health objectives, including contributing to efforts to eliminate or eradicate disease, prevent outbreaks of infectious disease, reduce the burden of ill-health, and to reduce health inequalities, for example by ensuring that targeted outreach can offer vaccinations to underserved populations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to deliver late effects services for patients with cancer. \p Baroness Merron: The National Health Service keeps the range of services it offers patients under review, and many trusts are using late effects services as part of the care pathway for their cancer patients.

There are 2.8 million people living after a cancer diagnosis, and that number is growing by approximately 100,000 people a year. We know that many patients can go onto life-changing disabilities and poor health long after cancer treatment.

We will do more to support people living with and beyond cancer. The National Cancer Plan, which is being released later this year, will seek to improve the experience and outcomes for people at every stage of the cancer pathway. It will look at how we can improve communication and coordination for patients, so that they feel informed and in control of their care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_45

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the introduction of specialist allergy nurses at the primary care level on (1) waiting times, (2) secondary care referrals, and (3) patient satisfaction. \p Baroness Merron: Most services for people living with allergies are commissioned locally through integrated care boards, which are best placed to commission services according to local need.

Work is ongoing across the Government, the National Health Service, voluntary organisations, and patient representative groups to consider how allergy care and support could be improved through the Expert Advisory Group for Allergy, which has been established to inform policy making and identify priorities in relation to the care of people with allergies.

We are working to transform the health services, shift care from hospitals to local communities, and increase access to support for people with long-term conditions across the country, including for people living with allergic conditions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_46

Lord Agnew of Oulton:To ask His Majesty's Government how many GP practices achieved an overall Quality and Outcomes Framework score of 95 percent or higher in the most recent financial year; what proportion of all GP practices this represents; and what was the total value of payments made to these practices. \p Baroness Merron: In the 2023/24 reporting year, 2,867 general practices (GPs) had an overall achievement greater than or equal to 95%. This equates to 45.7% of GPs included in the published Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) dataset, or 6,267 GPs. The total estimated value of payments calculated based on these achievement figures was £413,953,264.95.

While the QOF remains an important mechanism for understanding performance and incentivising quality care, it is not the only measure of GP standards. We are committed to reducing administrative burdens and outdated performance targets. To shift care from sickness to prevention, subject to consultation, in the 2025-2026 GP contract we are proposing renewed focus of the QOF. This will offer financial incentives to reward GPs who go above and beyond to prevent the most common killers like heart disease.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_47

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government how many patients were recorded as waiting in accident and emergency for over 24 hours in January. \p Baroness Merron: NHS England publishes monthly data on accident and emergency performance. This includes information on those accident and emergency attendances that are 12 hours or longer for type one and two accident and emergency providers. The latest provisional data shows that in January 2025, there were a total of 172,515 such accident and emergency attendances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_48

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of mandatory training for NHS England employees Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Skills, published in August 2024; and whether they will place a copy of any training materials in the Library of the House. \p Baroness Merron: The Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Skills training has been withdrawn by NHS England. There are currently no plans to have a copy of the training materials in the Library of the House.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_49

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average NHS waiting time for hip replacement surgery; and how many patients are currently waiting. \p Baroness Merron: There are currently 31,323 patients waiting for a hip replacement. The average mean National Health Service waiting time for hip replacement surgery is 27.4 weeks.

The Government is working to reduce the number of patients awaiting treatment across the country. The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS Constitutional Standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment RTT by the end of this Parliament and also ensure patients have the best possible experience of care.

We have set an ambition for 2025/26 that we reach 65% of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks nationally, and for all trusts to deliver a minimum five percentage point improvement by March 2026.

The Elective Reform Plan has committed to providing quicker access for patients to common surgical procedures by opening 17 new and expanded surgical hubs by June 2025, so more operations can be carried out.

Dedicated and protected surgical hubs are transforming the way the NHS providers elective care by focusing on high volume low complexity surgeries. There are currently 113 elective surgical hubs that are operational across England as of February 2025. These surgical hubs help separate elective care facilities from urgent and emergency care, improving outcomes for patients and reducing pressures on hospitals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_50

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average NHS waiting time for knee replacement surgery; and how many patients are currently waiting. \p Baroness Merron: There are currently 49,509 patients waiting for a knee replacement. The mean average National Health Service waiting time for this procedure is 28.7 weeks.

The Government is working to reduce the number of patients awaiting treatment across the country. The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS constitutional standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament, and will also ensure that patients have the best possible experience of care.

We have set an ambition for 2025/26 that we reach 65% of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks nationally, and for all trusts to deliver a minimum 5% improvement by March 2026.

The Elective Reform Plan has committed to providing quicker access for patients to common surgical procedures by opening 17 new and expanded surgical hubs by June 2025, so more operations can be carried out. Dedicated and protected surgical hubs are transforming the way the NHS provides elective care by focusing on high volume low complexity surgeries.

There are currently 113 elective surgical hubs that are operational across England as of February 2025. These surgical hubs help separate elective care facilities from urgent and emergency care, improving outcomes for patients and reducing pressures on hospitals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_51

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the cost to the NHS of (1) hip replacement surgery, (2) knee replacement surgery, and (3) cataract surgery. \p Baroness Merron: In the financial year 2023/24, there were 120,172 hip procedures performed at a total cost of £1,241,784,028.35, with an average unit cost of £10,333.39. There were 86,781 knee procedures performed at a total cost of £737,241,451.39, with an average unit cost of £8,495.42. There were an additional 13,811 complex cases for hip or knee procedures performed at a total cost of £220,792,075.13, with an average unit cost of £15,986.68. The total cost for 246,995 cataract procedures was £363,849,348.97, with an average unit cost of £1,473.10.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_52

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government how many anti-depressant prescriptions have been prescribed to patients (1) under the age of 18, and (2) under the age of 25, in each year since 2015. \p Baroness Merron: The NHS Business Services Authority publishes statistics for anti-depressants prescribed in England that are then dispensed in the community in England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands. The following table shows the total number of items for antidepressants, British National Formulary section 0403, dispensed to patients aged under 18 years old and patients aged under 25 years old, which includes the items for under 18 year-olds, for the financial years 2015/16 to 2023/24, and a year-to-date figure for 2024/25:

Financial year

Aged under 18 years old

Aged under 25 years old

2015/16

312,113

2,477,798

2016/17

332,706

2,759,953

2017/18

346,126

2,910,607

2018/19

367,850

3,202,784

2019/20

393,762

3,525,602

2020/21

406,391

3,890,347

2021/22

437,365

4,170,154

2022/23

448,515

4,119,463

2023/24

435,992

4,033,211

April to September 2024

176,082

1,911,788

Total

3,656,902

33,001,707
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_53

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of all people in England between the ages of 18 and 24 were prescribed anti-depressants in each year since 2015. \p Baroness Merron: The NHS Business Services Authority publishes statistics for anti-depressants prescribed in England that are then dispensed in the community in England, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands. The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates of population. Data for 18 to 24 year-olds specifically is not published, but data for 15 to 24 year-olds is available. The following table shows the total number of male and female patients aged 15 to 24 years-old prescribed antidepressants, British National Formulary section 0403, and that number as a percentage of the estimated mid-year population, in the first financial quarter of each year from 2015 to 2023:

Mid-year population year

Financial quarter

Identified patients

Mid-year population estimate

Percentage

2015

2015/16 Q1

240,392

6,838,939

3.5%

2016

2016/17 Q1

277,747

6,789,198

4.1%

2017

2017/18 Q1

288,848

6,705,571

4.3%

2018

2018/19 Q1

306,444

6,667,086

4.6%

2019

2019/20 Q1

332,886

6,649,338

5.0%

2020

2020/21 Q1

332,336

6,607,988

5.0%

2021

2021/22 Q1

383,737

6,638,826

5.8%

2022

2022/23 Q1

382,009

6,746,650

5.7%

2023

2023/24 Q1

369,270

6,861,435

5.4%
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_54

Lord Jackson of Peterborough:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 October 2024 (4235), what their policy is on the use of the phrase "pregnant people" by the NHS, in place of sex-specific language such as “pregnant women” or “pregnant women and girls”. \p Baroness Merron: The National Health Service website aims to provide health advice and guidance that is clear and easy to understand, and that helps everyone who uses the website find the information they need, so they can make informed decisions about their own health.

This Government believes in an approach to equality that benefits all groups, not some groups at the expense of others. As part of this, we understand the need for health information to be as clear as possible and to use language that is grounded in biological sex. Using the right language is crucial to ensure patients, including women, receive the dignity and inclusion they should expect when accessing services. However, we recognise that for some people, their gender identity is different from their biological sex.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Spellar:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 23 January (HL4187), what assessment they have made of the pace at which international applicants are registered by the General Medical Council for the purposes of enabling them to become economically independent and reducing the shortfall of trained personnel in the NHS. \p Baroness Merron: No assessment has been made of the pace at which international applicants are registered by the General Medical Council (GMC) for the stated purposes.

All medical practitioners wishing to practise in the United Kingdom must be registered with the GMC and hold a licence to practise. The GMC is statutorily independent of the Government and sets the standards that must be met by domestic and international applicants wishing to be added to its register. This ensures registrants are safe to practise, and that patients receive a high standard of care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-02-24 conversation_56

Lord Mott:To ask His Majesty's Government how many category 2 ambulance responses in England were over an hour in (1) November 2024, (2) December 2024, and (3) January 2025. \p Baroness Merron: The Department does not hold the information requested. NHS England publishes monthly official statistics for ambulance response times. This includes data on the 90th centile response time performance for category 2 incidents.

The following table shows the total count of category 2 incidents in England for November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 and the 90th centile response time data for category 2 incidents in England:

Month

Count of category 2 incidents

Category 2 incidents 90th centile response time in hours, minutes and seconds

November 2024

395,741

1:30:47

December 2024

422,373

1:41:40

January 2025

401,225

1:16:26

Source: NHS England https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for asthma nurses to be upskilled in allergy care. \p Baroness Merron: The Nursing and Midwifery Council sets the standards for nurse education and there are no mandated post registration education requirements for nurses working with people with asthma or allergies. Employers develop specialist roles to meet community and service need.

NHS England supports the development of nurses into such roles through our education budget which supports nurse education, for example by funding non-medical prescribing programmes. In addition, nurses working in the National Health Service have access to a personal continuing professional development budget of approximately £330 per year to enhance their development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Colgrain:To ask His Majesty's Government, in the context of the 10-year recalibration requirement for Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (NDRHI) schemes; how many NDRHI schemes exist; how many NDRHI schemes are currently under review; and what is the mean time taken for the review of a scheme, from submission to sign-off. \p Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are approximately 22,810 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive participants with meters that will need to comply with metering obligations. Currently 630 are under review by Ofgem, the scheme administrator. The time taken to complete a review is dependent on the quality and complexity of the participant’s submission, response time to requests for further information and the review caseload.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

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Lord Farmer:To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Timpson on 10 December (HL2894), what plans they have to reform telephony arrangements in prison so costs to prisoners are reduced to help strengthen family and significant other relationships and to facilitate rehabilitation. \p Lord Timpson: This Government is aware of the importance of allowing prisoners to maintain contact with family and other positive relationships, and the positive influence this can have on their wellbeing and rehabilitation. Provision of in-cell telephony is one of several ways that we enable that contact to take place.

We will shortly be commencing the reprocurement process to ensure continuation of a telephony service once our current contract terminates, and one of the key aims will be to ensure affordability for prisoners.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_1

Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government how the impact of the work ban for people seeking asylum upon levels of violence against women and girls is being monitored. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in relation to the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, and a wide range of other areas.

The Government provides support to migrant victims of VAWG through the Migrant Victims Domestic Abuse Concession (MVDAC) and works with sector leads on this group to ensure they are part of the broader strategy on VAWG.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_2

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will allow Ukrainian visa-holders to sponsor more family members through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including (1) partners, (2) children over 18, and (3) siblings. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: Following a review, on the 31 January 2025 we amended the sponsorship eligibility criteria under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to enable parents with Ukraine Scheme visas to sponsor their children to join them in the UK.

This change is intended to simplify the administrative process for children to reunite with their parents and has been developed in line with our duty to consider the best interests of children.

There are currently no plans to expand this beyond children under 18. Adults in Ukraine, including children over 18, will continue to be eligible to apply under the HFU scheme, once they have found an Approved Sponsor.

We continue to review our policies in line with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

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Lord Alton of Liverpool:To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to address the finding by Women for Refugee Women that 48 per cent of the women they spoke to were searched by male staff despite the ban on this practice under Detention Services Order 06/2016. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: There is detailed published guidance for all staff working in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs). Detention Services Order (DSO) 06/2016 'Women in the immigration removal estate' sets out the processes that are undertaken in IRCs to ensure that the needs of women are identified and appropriately met and their rights to dignity and privacy are upheld. In addition, DSO 09/2012 ‘Searching Policy’ sets out the requirements for searching women in detention, providing clear guidance that women must only be searched by members of the same sex.

All staff working with women receive appropriate gender specific training (such as the protocol for entry to bedrooms), in addition to any generic training they receive when they undergo initial training or undertake appropriate refresher training. This includes equality and diversity, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The constant supervision of women who are subject to an Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) plan, should wherever possible, be undertaken by a female detainee custody officer (DCO). In the unlikely event that this is not operationally possible for reasons of safety and security, the details for this decision must be fully documented by the duty manager on the ACDT plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

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Lord Turnberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have on the number of prevented terrorist attacks purportedly by Iran in the UK in the past 10 years. \p Lord Hanson of Flint: The Government's top priority is our national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats. As is our longstanding position, the Home Office does not comment in detail on specific operational matters.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_5

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16 on 16 April, whether they plan to issue guidance to ensure that judges and magistrates refer to all parties in courts and tribunals by their biological sex. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: To preserve judicial independence, statutory responsibility for the guidance and training of the judiciary is held by the Lady Chief Justice, Senior President of Tribunals and Chief Coroner, under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, and Coroners and Justice Act 2009 respectively. These responsibilities are exercised through the Judicial College. It is not constitutionally appropriate for the Government to issue guidance to the judiciary.

How judges refer to people in court is a matter for the judiciary and should be done in accordance with the Equal Treatment Bench Book. Judicial College will publish the next update to the Book in the summer. It is published online at the following link: https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/diversity/equal-treatment-bench-book/.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_6

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16 on 16 April, what plans they have to establish dedicated spaces in court buildings for people of the female biological sex, including judges, magistrates, court staff, victims and members of the public. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers and Government Departments should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to the services they need, in keeping with the ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for courts and other government buildings. How court proceedings will be dealt with under the Court’s ruling will be a matter for the judiciary.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_7

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16 on 16 April, whether they will ask the Victims' Commissioner to report on the implementation of the decision by the Supreme Court in regard to victims within six months. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Supreme Court ruling has provided clarity for women and service providers that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. The Government is currently considering the implications of the Court’s judgment.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_8

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16 on 16 April, what guidance they will issue to (1) the Ministry of Justice, and (2) agencies and public bodies that work with the Ministry of Justice, about updating their policies and written guidance; whether they will consult the organisation Sex Matters in doing so; and whether the revised policies and written guidance will be laid before Parliament. \p Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede: The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers and Government Departments should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_9

Lord Taylor of Warwick:To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of children who have left private education and enrolled in state-funded education following the application of VAT on school fees. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The published tax information and impact note on VAT includes impact on pupil movement, with any movement into the state sector estimated to be equivalent to fewer than 0.1% of pupils this academic year.

All children of compulsory school age are entitled to a state-funded school place. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring sufficient state school places. The department already works with local authorities to identify pressures and take action where necessary.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_10

Baroness Lister of Burtersett:To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of extending free school meals to all children of families in receipt of Universal Credit; and what assessment they have made of the current real value of the income eligibility limit, set in 2018, of £7,400. \p Baroness Smith of Malvern: The continued provision of school food has an important role to play in breaking the unfair link between background and opportunity, which is why the department is considering the government’s school food offer as part of our work on child poverty.

The transitional protections policy on free school meals (FSM), put in place in 2018 during the roll out of Universal Credit (UC), ensures that households in receipt of FSM will retain their entitlement during UC migration.

Support for children to access FSM has additionally been considered as part of the Child Poverty Taskforce’s consideration of how to:

As with all government programmes, the department will keep the approach to FSM under continued review.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_11

Lord Jones of Penybont:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure long-term funding for programmes to support NHS staff with their (1) mental and (2) physical health. \p Baroness Merron: It is important that all National Health Service staff are able to work in a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises their health and wellbeing.

Employers across the NHS have their own arrangements in place for supporting their staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and health and wellbeing guardians, who scrutinise and co-ordinate local support.

At a national level, NHS England commissions the NHS Practitioner Health programme, which provides specialist support, and which is reviewing the wider provision of support for staff mental and physical health and wellbeing.

To support staff with their physical health, the Government and Nuffield Health announced, in March 2025, access for 4,000 NHS staff to Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme, to support those staff who are either off work due to chronic joint pain or struggling with pain whilst at work.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_12

Lord Jones of Penybont:To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to minimise the risk of burnout among healthcare staff. \p Baroness Merron: The health and wellbeing of National Health Service staff is a top priority. Employers across the NHS have their own arrangements in place for supporting their staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and health and wellbeing guardian roles.

At a national level, NHS England has made additional support available. This includes a focus on healthy environments, tools, and resources to support line managers, and emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support. They have also set out a roadmap for the NHS and partner organisations to work together to develop and invest in occupational health and wellbeing services for NHS staff over the next five years.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_13

Lord Shinkwin:To ask His Majesty's Government what commemorative (1) days, (2) weeks, and (3) months, are recognised by (a) the Department of Health and Social Care, and (b) NHS England, as significant for diversity and inclusion, excluding religious holidays. \p Baroness Merron: The Department does not hold an official list of approved commemorative days, weeks, or months. We follow direction from Cabinet Office on important national days to be marked across the Civil Service. All other commemorative days, weeks, or months are considered on a case- by-case basis in discussion with our staff networks and senior sponsors. Efforts are made to align any commemorative events to departmental priorities, and to include a health and social care angle to broaden the reach of the activity and deepen departmental understanding of how we are making a difference in our communities. Examples of commemorative events the Department has marked to date include Holocaust Memorial Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, Veterans Day, Pride Month, Black History Month, Cancer Awareness Days, Carers Day, and Social Mobility Day.

The Department will continue to be led by Cabinet Office steers and by the recommendations of our staff networks and leadership, and will try and leverage commemoration days to deepen our organisational knowledge of health and care issues and the communities we serve.

NHS England acknowledges a range of significant commemorative days and events that align with their organisational priorities and help them fulfil their Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010. While they engage with a broad spectrum of important health awareness and equality-related events, there is no formalised schedule or overarching programme in place.

Some of the commemorative days and events NHS England has recognised to date include VE Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, International Women’s Day, Bowel Cancer Awareness Day, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day, Black History Month, International Nurses Day, and Holocaust Memorial Day.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_14

Lord Turnberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what are the current vacancy rates for care workers in care homes in England and Wales; and whether these rates have changed in the last five years. \p Baroness Merron: The policy for health and adult social care is devolved across the United Kingdom. The Department is responsible for adult social care in England, and therefore only captures information on vacancy rates for England. The following table shows estimates of the vacancy rates for the adult social care workforce, including the independent and local authority sectors, from 2019/20 to 2023/24:

Year

Vacancy rate

2019/20

7.3%

2020/21

7.0%

2021/22

10.6%

2022/23

9.9%

2023/24

8.3%

Source: Skills for Care using the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set.

It is important to note that vacancies include roles advertised by independent providers and therefore reflect market conditions. Vacancies include both posts that are vacant in the short term, due to recent or anticipated staff turnover, and posts created by employers who want to expand and grow their businesses, rather than only roles needed to meet statutory entitlements. Therefore, vacancy rates are likely not the best measure of capacity, or lack of capacity.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_15

Lord Turnberg:To ask His Majesty's Government what is the proportion of overseas workers in the care workforce. \p Baroness Merron: According to Skills for Care’s The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England 2024 publication, three quarters of the adult social care workforce had a British nationality in 2023/24, and the remaining quarter, 394,000 filled posts, had a non-British nationality.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_16

Lord Jones of Penybont:To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with NHS officials in England about improving (1) the catering; and (2) the rest facilities for NHS staff in hospital settings. \p Baroness Merron: Through the Report of the Independent Review of NHS Hospital Food, officials have had, and continue to have, discussions in relation to improving catering and rest facilities for National Health Service staff in NHS hospital settings.

The NHS Food and Drink Standards contain detailed information for catering managers about sourcing and serving high quality, nutritious food to patients and staff. This includes a checklist for catering managers and chief executives to consider as part of their trust’s Food and Drink Strategy.

Good physical working environments are also important for staff wellbeing and retention. Staff need to be given the time and space to rest and recover from their work, particularly when working on-call or overnight. The NHS Health and Wellbeing Framework highlights the importance of getting the basics right, such as providing access to good quality rest areas, food, and drink options.
lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: lordswrans/lordswrans2025-05-20 conversation_17

Lord Blencathra:To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what guidance they will issue to (1) the Department of Health and Social Care, and (2) agencies and public bodies that work with the Department, about updating their policies and written guidance; whether they will consult the organisation Sex Matters in doing so; and whether the revised policies and written guidance will be laid before Parliament. \p Baroness Merron: The Supreme Court ruling about the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 case has provided much needed confidence and clarity to service providers. We expect all providers to follow the clarity this ruling provides.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently reviewing sections of the draft Code of Practice which need updating. They will shortly undertake a public consultation to understand how the practical implications of this judgment may be best reflected in the updated guidance, which will be seeking views from affected stakeholders.