theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_42

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on bringing globally mobile manufacturing investments to the UK via the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund. \p Kanishka Narayan: The up to £520m Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund was launched in 2024 to incentivise commercial-scale manufacturing of medicines and medical devices. The fund aims to drive economic growth and build UK health resilience. There have been four application rounds to date and we expect to announce the first set of grant winners in the coming month. In addition, we have recently invested £30 million in a new UK RNA Biofoundry, and we continue to work on our long-term partnerships with Moderna and BioNTech, which will grow the UK’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities for the benefit of UK patients.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_43

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to immigration laws on the level of recruitment of skilled science professionals from abroad. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government remains committed to attracting the best talent from around the world to the UK.

The Immigration White Paper makes clear the valuable contribution that high-skilled workers make to our science and technology sectors. It also set-out our ambition to increase the number of very high skilled individuals coming here through high-talent routes like the Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries.

DSIT is working closely with the Home Office to implement these commitments.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_44

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 73941 on Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Social Media, how much his Department has spent on social media influencers by influencer since July 2024. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has spent £490 since July 2024. Influencers can be effective in reaching audiences that the Government and traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_45

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 66144 on Mental Health: Children and Young People, in designing future waves of the Mental Health: Children and Young People statistics collection, if he will take steps with international counterparts in selected other countries to include a selection of questions which could be comparable internationally. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: We have no plans to do so at present. Any changes to the questions to be included in any future Mental Health of Children and Young People in England surveys will be considered as part of the design process. Plans for future surveys will be confirmed in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_46

Alistair Strathern:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had on increasing access to Palforzia treatment. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) assesses the clinical and cost effectiveness of new medicines on behalf of the National Health Service in England. Palforzia is an oral immunotherapy treatment for peanut allergy. In February 2022, NICE recommended Palforzia for NHS use as a possible treatment for peanut allergy in children and young people aged between four and 17 years old.

Once a medicine has been recommended for use in the NHS by NICE, the relevant NHS commissioners have 90 days within which to implement the NICE recommendation, after which they have a legal responsibility to make the treatment available to NHS patients. Additionally, any qualified prescriber can prescribe any medicine recommended by NICE, such as Palforzia. It is each integrated care board’s responsibility to commission services that will allow this medicine to be offered to their patients safely and effectively.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_47

Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve patient safety for people with (a) learning disabilities and (b) autism. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Government is taking a range of actions to improve patient safety for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

We are rolling out the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism across the health and adult social care workforce. This will help to ensure that staff have the right knowledge and skills to provide safe and informed care.

NHS England’s Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Inpatient Quality Transformation Programme works to tackle the root causes of unsafe and poor-quality inpatient care, supporting the cultural changes needed to create environments where people can flourish.

The Mental Health Bill, which is currently in Parliament, will limit the scope to detain people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals. and put existing NHS England policies on a statutory footing to improve community support. There is funding in integrated care board baselines during 2025/26 to improve community support provision and reduce reliance on inpatient care for people with a learning disability and autistic people, in line with the NHS Operational Planning Guidance.

More widely, the Government is committed to advancing patient safety and fostering a learning culture across the National Health Service. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will usher in a new era of transparency, a rigorous focus on high-quality care for all and a renewed emphasis on patient and staff voice.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_48

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the NHS provides adequate support to (a) digitally excluded and (b) vulnerable people in (i) North East Hampshire constituency and (ii) other rural areas. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: We are working to improve access to digital services, outcomes, and experience for the widest range of people, based on their preferences. Digital health tools should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.

NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation and means to access health information and services online; and the NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting National Health Service digital health products and services in languages other than English.

NHS England has published a framework for NHS action offering support to vulnerable people and those digitally excluded in rural areas and is developing further resources and practical actions including one-to-one support to improve digital literacy and access to NHS tools. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion.

We know that some patients may struggle or prefer not to use digital options. That is why we have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive. We will also continue to provide high quality, non-digital options for those who want and need them.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_49

Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help reduce the time taken to provide treatment for people with an eating disorder. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: In 2024/25, we provided £106 million in funding to children’s eating disorder services, an increase of £10 million over 2023/24. This increase is helping clinicians to support more young people.

Between April and June 2025, 3,138 children and young people successfully entered treatment in community eating disorder services. This is the highest figure on record since 2021. At the same time, waiting lists to begin routine eating disorder treatment have shortened by 20% from the year before and we are working with NHS England to meet the waiting time standards for eating disorder services for children and young people.

NHS England is currently seeking to expand the capacity of children’s community eating disorder services, to allow for crisis care and intensive home treatment. Improved care in the community will give young people early access to evidence-based treatment involving families and carers, improving outcomes and preventing relapse.

We have also committed to expanding mental health support teams to cover 100% of pupils in England by December 2030, aiding school staff in recognising eating disorders and providing early intervention for children at risk.

Early intervention is also a priority for adults with eating disorders, as set out in the community mental health framework. NHS England has established 15 provider collaboratives focusing on adult eating disorders, which are working to redesign care pathways and focus resources on community services.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_50

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had discussions with the University of Birmingham on the future of the Global Surgery Network beyond June 2026. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Departmental colleagues met with representatives of the University on 12 August 2025 to discuss the future of the Global Surgery Network. These discussions took place following the announcement from the Prime Minister in February 2025 to reduce Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the equivalent of 0.3% of gross national income by 2027. After this announcement, and the outcome of the 2025 Spending Review, the Department has taken the decision to focus new ODA research funding on global health security and particular diseases of poverty.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million in Global Health Research’s inaugural Units call in 2017 and, following a second NIHR funding competition, received a further award of £7 million in 2021 to establish a sustainable network of surgical research. This latest award is due to conclude in June 2026. The Department will honour all on-going research commitments.

We continue to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable. Any updates on our funding opportunities will be reflected on the NIHR website.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_51

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 82 of the NHS Ten Year Plan, whether ICBs undergoing re-organisation will be further re-organised if their boundaries are not coterminous with new strategic authorities. \p Karin Smyth: To deliver a reduction in running costs, a number of integrated care boards (ICBs) will cluster together to share leadership and functions. Clustering ICBs remain legally separate organisations with their own financial allocations. It will mean that during this financial year, the number of ICB senior leadership teams will go from 42 to 26. These have been published on the NHS England website, available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/integrated-care-in-your-area/more-about-each-integrated-care-system/

In the long term, there will be fewer, larger ICBs enabling them to harness a shared budget of sufficient size to improve efficiency and reduce running costs.

In areas where the boundaries of strategic authorities are not known, ICBs, including those that have clustered, may undergo future boundary changes to allow for alignment with newly created strategic authorities, and newly established unitary authorities resulting from local government reorganisation. Our aim throughout will be to deliver the best solutions for patients and citizens.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_52

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the job guarantee scheme for newly qualified nurses and midwives to include (a) occupational therapists, (b) physiotherapists and (c) other allied health professionals. \p Karin Smyth: There are no plans to expand the job guarantee scheme to the professions highlighted, but the Government is committed to supporting all clinical staff in their careers. The new 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_53

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to Imkaan’s report entitled Why should our rage be tidy, published in November 2024, whether (a) black and (b) minoritised survivors of domestic abuse are informed of by and for support services by their GP. \p Karin Smyth: Imkaan’s report highlights the distinct and additional challenges faced by black and minoritised victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Government recognises that racial health inequalities are linked to broader socioeconomic factors. Tackling these inequalities is central to building a fairer health system where outcomes are not dictated by race or background. That is why NHS England has introduced a framework for integrated care boards (ICBs) to reduce disparities in outcomes and improve access to treatments.

All National Health Service staff, including general practitioners (GPs), are required to complete mandatory safeguarding training which includes how to identify, support and respond to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Safeguarding Leads within local NHS trusts, ICBs and general practices are responsible for ensuring practitioners are offering appropriate professional advice, support, and assurance to prevent harm, including onward referrals to specialist support services. Commissioning of support services for victims of abuse should be tailored to meet the needs and demographics of the local population.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_54

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) social enterprises and (b) cooperatives providing (i) NHS and (ii) social care services. \p Karin Smyth: Integrated care boards have a duty to provide health services to meet the needs of their population and already work closely with the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, which includes the commissioning and delivery of services and, in some cases, by appointing representatives from the VCSE sector to their boards.

Charities, co-operatives, social enterprises and mutuals have always been part of the National Health Service and social care. Today, social enterprises provide services for approximately two thirds of the United Kingdom population, delivering more than £2.5 billion of NHS care each year. This includes services such as community care, primary and urgent care, out-of-hours services, mental health support, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, end of life care, physiotherapy, audiology.

Social enterprises are often able to take a more agile approach and will continue to be critical to the success of the NHS and in delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan and supporting the three shifts.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_55

Linsey Farnsworth:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to allow self-funded Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy as an add-on to NHS-funded IVF treatment. \p Karin Smyth: Commissioning decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards. We expect these organisations to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to National Health Service-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September 2025.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_56

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department has taken to ensure (a) GPs and (b) mental health professionals are trained in (i) identifying and (ii) responding to the (A) traumatic physical and emotional impacts of violence and abuse and (B) the specific consequences of abuse for Black and minoritised victims. \p Karin Smyth: All National Health Service staff are required to complete mandatory safeguarding training which includes how to identify and respond to domestic abuse and sexual violence. This training is being revised and is due to be re-launched in early 2026. The training update will strengthen the importance of intersectional considerations, including helping staff to understand the impact of trauma and cultural barriers to discussing abuse.

General practitioners, along with other clinicians in the NHS, support victims and survivors of abuse in a range of ways depending on diagnosis and individual needs. This may include treating abuse-related injuries, referral to mental health treatment, or referral to a psychological support service such as peer support.

All mental health service providers are expected to embed the Patient and carer race equality framework. This mandatory framework supports trusts and providers to implement actions to reduce racial inequalities within their services. It will become part of Care Quality Commission inspections. The Framework is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/patient-and-carer-race-equality-framework/

Most integrated care boards and NHS trusts have appointed domestic abuse and sexual violence leads. They comprise a national network of leaders who share good practice, identify issues and develop solutions to support victim and survivors, including those from Black and minority groups.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_57

Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69778 on Hysteroscopy: Correspondence, whether his Department holds information on the number of women who were not sent a letter in advance of an outpatient hysteroscopy appointment. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold information on the number of women who were not sent a letter in advance of an outpatient hysteroscopy appointment specifically.

Letters and information sent to patients are determined at a local level by individual National Health Service trusts. A range of additional information is available for patients on hysteroscopy procedures, including on the NHS.UK website, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has created a patient information resource on hysteroscopy. This is available at the following link:

https://www.rcog.org.uk/outpatient-hysteroscopy
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_58

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to expand prescribing of GLP-1 medications beyond specialist weight-management services. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the first two GLP-1 medicines licensed for the treatment of obesity, namely liraglutide under various brand names and semaglutide with brand name Wegovy, restricted their use to specialist weight management services. These services are primarily delivered in secondary care.

NICE recommended that tirzepatide, with brand name Mounjaro, could be used for the treatment of obesity in eligible patients without a restriction on its setting. This means tirzepatide can be used in specialist weight management services but can also be prescribed in primary care by general practitioners (GPs) and other competent prescribers. From 23 June 2025, tirzepatide started to become available in primary care so the expansion beyond specialist services is underway.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are the National Health Service organisations responsible for arranging the provision of health services within their area in line with local population need and taking account of relevant guidance. ICBs have had to develop new care pathways to ensure that patients can access these medicines via their GP with appropriate wraparound support. NHS England has been working closely with ICBs to support the safe and effective roll out of tirzepatide in primary care. It has identified the groups of people to be prioritised in each phase of the initial rollout; helped develop local treatment models; provided funding support and regular communication channels to ICBs; and set up an interim, centrally funded ‘wraparound care service’, known as the ‘Healthier You: Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing’, for patients to be referred into, with a procurement underway for a longer-term offer.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_59

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Eli Lilly on the cost of Mounjaro. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department has held various discussions with Eli Lilly regarding the recent list price increase of Mounjaro. NHS England has worked with Eli Lilly to ensure the list price increase will not affect National Health Service commissioning of tirzepatide in England as a treatment for eligible diabetes and obesity patients in the NHS.

We remain committed to the rollout of this medicine as a weight loss treatment based on clinical priority. This will enable 220,000 eligible people to access the medication over the first three years. The initial eligibility criteria will be for people with a body mass index of 40 or more in addition to four or more qualifying comorbidities.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have also entered equivalent agreements to maintain their current commissioning approaches.

Pricing in the private market is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers. Private patients who are impacted by price increases should discuss any concerns with their private provider. This includes their options regarding payment plans, alternative treatments, and/or stopping or tapering off their current medication. Eli Lilly is working with private providers to support continued patient access.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_60

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with social media companies on moderating (a) pro–eating disorder material and (b) misinformation relating to (i) diabetes and (ii) body image. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: No discussions have been held with social media companies by the Department.

Under the Government’s Online Safety Act, all in-scope services are now required to protect their users from illegal content, and platforms likely to be accessed by children need to prevent their users from accessing eating disorder content.

We are working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Ofcom and others as the Online Safety Act takes effect. This includes exploring further opportunities to address harmful pro-eating disorder material and misinformation shared on social media and websites.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_61

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the funding for health bodies involved in the Right Care, Right Person framework; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on securing more funding for all bodies involved. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Government has not made such an assessment and has instead asked all integrated care boards to estimate the resourcing requirements it would take for them to deliver the Right Care, Right Person framework. In November 2024, NHS England published the document, Guidance on implementing the National Partnership Agreement: Right Care, Right Person, which includes guidance on undertaking an impact assessment to identify how different agencies and services will be impacted and how any negative impacts will be mitigated. The Department and the Home Office continue to work together to monitor the framework and its impacts, and discussions have been had between departments at junior ministerial level.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_62

Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what proportion of his Department's funding for cancer research has been allocated to (a) brain, (b) liver, (c) lung, (d) oesophageal, (e) pancreatic and (f) stomach cancer research since 2022. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department invested over £133 million on cancer research for 2023/24, through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), reflecting cancer’s high priority.

The following table shows NIHR funding programme awards allocated for cancer research between April 2022 and March 2025:

Cancer type

Total Funding

Bladder

£3.0 million

Brain Other CNS & Intracranial Tumours

£0.6 million

Liver

£2.6 million

Lung

£16 million

Oesophagus

£9.4 million

Pancreas

£0.9 million

Stomach

£3.3 million

Source: NIHR

Notes: This table includes new research programme funding awards made during this period. It does not include additional studies that have had funding approved but remain in the contracting process. It does not include NIHR infrastructure support for research given this information is not currently available for all tumour types included, or ongoing spending on existing research.

The Government recognises the crucial need for research into all forms of cancer and remain committed to the role of research to improve outcomes for patients. The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including cancer.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_63

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity in the whole genome sequencing programme for the treatment of less survivable cancers. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD), which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases with an associated genetic cause and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including both whole genome sequencing (WGS) and non-WGS testing. The NGTD sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing as well as the genomic targets to be tested and the method that should be used.

WGS is available on the NGTD for all paediatric and central nervous system tumours where there is a clear, clinical question and where results have expected utility/impact. WGS for all other adult solid tumours, including less survivable cancers, can be performed where there is a clinical need and where results are likely to change clinical management.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_64

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care,  what steps his Department is taking to ensure the provision of specialist (a) wheelchairs, (b) beds and (c) armchairs for tall disabled people. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the provision and commissioning of local wheelchair services. National Health Service trusts work with the patient and wheelchair supplier to best meet the patient’s needs and requirements.

A typical hospital bed is 200 centimetres long and can be extended by 20 centimetres with pressure relieving infills available. With regards to armchairs, the NHS Supply Chain works with customers and suppliers if any bespoke products are needed in the market.

Equipment provision, where required for use in peoples’ own homes, is typically through a community equipment service; these are usually funded through a combination of the local authority and local NHS and provided via an outsourced provider or a locally-run service.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_65

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the threshold for reopening cases under the exception to the double jeopardy rule introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003. \p Jake Richards: The Government recognises the fundamental importance of the rule against double jeopardy, as well as the need, in exceptional cases, to correct serious miscarriages of justice. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 permits a retrial only in cases involving the most serious offences, and only where new and compelling evidence becomes available. Such retrials require an application from the Director of Public Prosecutions and approval from the Court of Appeal, ensuring that any retrial serves the interests of justice. This framework is used very rarely and is designed to maintain an appropriate balance between the principles of finality and fairness. The Government keeps the law under review but has no current plans to lower or otherwise revise this high threshold.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_66

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has consulted with organisations representing deaf people on the barriers faced by deaf people when undertaking jury service. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice engaged with organisations representing deaf people, including the British Deaf Association, when developing and implementing new measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, to support jurors who require the support of BSL interpreters in the deliberation room. We continue to collect feedback from jurors and courts to improve and refine our processes and share best practice.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_68

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidelines his Department provides to HM Courts & Tribunals staff on promoting awareness of the principles of the (a) Equality Act 2010 and (b) Children Act 1989; and what steps he takes to evaluate whether HM Courts & Tribunals apply these principles. \p Sarah Sackman: HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) provides staff with mandatory training and comprehensive guidance to support awareness and application of the principles of both the Equality Act 2010 and the Children Act 1989.

This includes digital learning on reasonable adjustments, safeguarding policy and private and public law proceedings, supported by standard operating procedures, job cards, and Equality Impact Assessments.

HMCTS also promotes inclusive practice with internal working groups and by evaluating how the principles of both Acts are followed. This includes regular reporting on activity and pilot programmes such as the Family Court Pathfinder which aims to improve outcomes for children and families.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_69

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has considered setting national minimum standards for British Sign Language interpreter provision across all courts. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice has set national minimum standards for British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter provision across courts through the Language Services Contract. All interpreters must be registered with a voluntary National Regulator for Language Service professionals, with the minimum qualification standard for court work being a Level 6 BSL qualification.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_70

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department provides to court staff on communicating with deaf jurors in the absence of an interpreter. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government is committed to ensuring that all jurors are able to participate effectively in the Criminal Justice System. Since new legislative provisions came into force in 2022, deaf jurors may be granted the assistance of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters in the jury deliberation room. If an interpreter is unavailable at any point, it is for the trial judge to decide whether to proceed or to adjourn until appropriate support is in place. Courts source interpreters through the Ministry of Justice’s contracted suppliers, with contingency arrangements (including booking pairs of BSL interpreters for deliberations) to manage fatigue and ensure quality.

HMCTS guidance makes clear that reasonable adjustments must be put in place to enable jurors with disabilities to participate, and that interpreter support should be arranged promptly where required. Where an interpreter is temporarily unavailable, jury officers and the judge will consider appropriate interim steps, such as written communication, assistive listening technology, or a brief adjournment, so that the juror is not disadvantaged. Judicial guidance in the Equal Treatment Bench Book underlines that arrangements are judicially led in line with legislation.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_71

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to take steps to review court procedures to ensure deaf jurors are not excluded from panels on the grounds of the cost of the provision of British Sign Language interpretation. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government is committed to opening up jury service to as many eligible people as possible and ensuring disability is never a barrier. No juror is expected to meet the cost of interpreting. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) arranges and funds British Sign Language interpreting for jurors throughout their service, including during deliberations, via national language service contracts.

Jurors may also claim loss of earnings and other allowances under existing regulations, so cost should not prevent eligible deaf people from serving. HMCTS keeps operational procedures under review with the judiciary to ensure provision is timely and effective and that eligible jurors are not excluded from panels on cost grounds.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_72

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of data collection on (a) deaf jurors and (b) jurors with other protected characteristics within jury service records. \p Sarah Sackman: Since the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act came into force in 2022, there have been 84 bookings made for BSL interpreters to assist a deaf juror in deliberations.

HMCTS collects a range of information to support the administration of jury service and to fulfil its Public Sector Equality Duty, and this is regularly reviewed to ensure it is robust and proportionate. Information on adjustments made for individual jurors is not held centrally.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_73

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department monitors compliance with the legal right to British Sign Language interpreters in jury deliberation rooms in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. \p Sarah Sackman: The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 placed the right to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting in the jury deliberation room on a statutory footing (now section 9C of the Juries Act 1974). The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a range of high-quality language services that meet the needs of all those that require them. Visual and tactile provisions, including sign language interpreters, are met and monitored through the Ministry of Justice's language services contract with Clarion Interpreting Ltd.

Whilst HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) does not record protected characteristics of jurors in respect of complaints, an interrogation of data held suggests that there have been two recorded complaints regarding interpreter provision for jury service support in the last five years. When concerns are raised, HMCTS addresses them at a local level and, where appropriate, escalates issues through established contract management processes and ongoing improvements in data quality and governance.

The quality of interpreting provided to the Department, including the management of its register of interpreters, is assured by an independent provider, The Language Shop (TLS). TLS undertakes a programme of assessments for interpreters, as well as an annual audit of supplier processes for onboarding new interpreters. These safeguards ensure the legal right is delivered in practice while maintaining the integrity of the jury room.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_74

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's publication entitled MHCLG areas of research interest, published on 5 March 2025, whether research has been commissioned since 4 July 2024 in relation to reform, revaluation or replacement of council tax. \p Alison McGovern: The Government has not commissioned research in relation to council tax reform. The Government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. The Government has recently set out its intention to modernise the administration of council tax to ensure it remains fair and efficient for both taxpayers and local authorities.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_75

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take to adjust the council tax system to account for differing property market values in rural areas. \p Alison McGovern: All councils are responsible for setting their own level of council tax to meet their specific service requirements. The government annually publishes data on the council tax levels set by different local authorities across the country. This is available here. The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider options for reform where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_76

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will take steps with local authorities to end the use of (a) hotels, (b) bed and breakfasts and (c) hostels for homeless (i) single adults and (ii) families. \p Alison McGovern: Homelessness levels are far too high. The Government is looking at the issue carefully and is developing a new cross-Government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

We have already taken the first steps to getting back on track to ending homelessness, including making a £1 billion investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year, a £233 million increase on the previous year and the largest-ever cash boost in homelessness prevention services. The 2025 Spending Review protected this level of investment until 2028/29 and provided £100 million additional funding, including from the Transformation Fund, to fund increased homelessness prevention activity.

Where homelessness cannot be prevented, any temporary accommodation provided must be suitable for the needs of the household. The Homelessness Code of Guidance for local authorities sets out the factors to be taken into account when determining the suitability of accommodation.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_77

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to publish updated comparative data on average council tax payments (a) per dwelling and (b) per capita across local authorities. \p Alison McGovern: The Department publishes council tax per dwelling for each billing authority in England annually in March. We do not publish council tax per capita.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_78

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce higher council tax premiums on periodically occupied homes. \p Alison McGovern: Since April this year, councils in England have had the discretionary power to charge a council tax premium of up to 100% on dwellings occupied periodically (often referred to as second homes premium). The premium is not a mandatory requirement. It is for individual councils to decide whether to implement the premium, and if so, at what level up to the maximum 100%. The government will continue to keep this policy under review.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_79

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to ensure that funding allocations for coastal communities adequately (a) recognise and (b) reflect the (i) circumstances of and (ii) impact of seasonality on public services in those communities. \p Alison McGovern: From 2026-27 we want to fundamentally improve the way we fund local authorities and direct funding to where it is needed most.

The Fair Funding Review 2.0 set out a proposal for an updated assessment that will effectively account for the different needs felt by communities across the country including considering the impact of remoteness on costs faced by rural and coastal communities, and the impact of commuters and tourists on major cities and coastal towns alike.

The consultation invited respondents to provide additional evidence for the impact of remoteness on the cost of delivering services.

We are reviewing responses and will publish more details in the consultation response in Autumn, followed by the provisional local government finance settlement.
wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_80
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-22 conversation_80

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has issued guidance to local authorities on purchasing empty homes for the purpose of housing asylum seekers. \p Alison McGovern: The department has not issued any guidance at this stage to local authorities on purchasing empty homes for the purpose of housing asylum seekers.

We continue to work closely with the Home Office and local authorities to develop a more sustainable model of asylum accommodation supply which will ensure basic accommodation is made available for asylum seekers on a temporary basis.