theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the frequency of rail services for commuters between Norwich and Cambridge. \p Simon Lightwood: Greater Anglia continuously reviews passenger numbers and service levels and in collaboration with Network Rail, adjusts timetables where there is the case to do so and where it is possible.

In addition, Network Rail is currently carrying out a route study on the capacity and future demand of the rail network in Norfolk, which includes the route between Norwich and Cambridge. This study is expected to provide guidance on future investment and improvements needed to increase service levels.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to prevent fare evasion on the cross-city line between North Worcestershire and Birmingham. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department supports DfT contracted train operators to reduce both fare evasion and fraud, but fare evasion is an operational matter and the responsibility of passenger train operators.

West Midlands Trains (WMT), which operates the cross-city line, like most train operators, have a multi-faceted strategy for revenue protection which includes ticket checking on train and operating gate lines effectively, as well as making it easy to buy a ticket. WMT is also in the process of recruiting additional mobile revenue protection officers who undertake ticket checking on train.
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Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Greater Manchester Active Travel Commissioner on encouraging (a) walking and (b) cycling across the Greater Manchester region. \p Simon Lightwood: Active Travel England (part of the Department for Transport) has engaged regularly with Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner over the last year, including on the role active travel can play in supporting the development of the Bee Network. This is supported by Active Travel England’s ongoing discussions with officials at Transport for Greater Manchester.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to create (a) cycling and (b) walking routes (i) to and (ii) through green spaces. \p Simon Lightwood: Active Travel England (ATE) recently announced £222.5 million of funding for local authorities to support the development and build out of local networks. It is for local authorities to decide on priorities for this investment, including to and through green spaces.

In addition, ATE is providing £30 million to Sustrans to develop the National Cycle Network in both rural and urban areas. This is on top of £100,000 previously awarded to each National Park Authority in England to develop active travel network plans. These are also designed to improve access to green space for residents and visitors alike.
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Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on long-term funding for active travel. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises that investment in high quality active travel infrastructure supports its economic growth, health and net zero missions by helping to revitalise high streets; enabling people to live longer, healthier lives; and helping to reduce transport emissions. The Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6 on 12 February.

The Department’s Ministers will be having regular discussions with their Treasury counterparts as part of the ongoing Spending Review which will conclude later this Spring.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to respond to the recommendations of the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Alexander Irvine, published on 18 October 2024. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has responded to the Determination following the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Alexander Irvine. This response can be viewed in full at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/fatal-accident-inquiries/fatal-accident-inquiries-and-determinations/fai-alexander-irvine-response/.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce the cost of rail services in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying rail fares across the country. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to open additional railway stations in Devon. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is funding the construction of a new Okehampton Interchange station which is planned to open in 2026. Future rail infrastructure investment, including new stations, will be considered as part of the current Spending Review, which will be concluded in June 2025.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that rail fares are affordable in Devon. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying rail fares across the country. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to re-open the Access for All fund. \p Simon Lightwood: This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All (AfA) programme has delivered step free access at more than 250 stations across Britain. £350m is currently allocated to the Access for All programme until 2028/29. MPs and other stakeholders will shortly be updated on our approach to AfA.
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Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential economic impact of trains operating on the proposed Oxford to Cambridge rail line continuing their journey to Norwich via the Breckland line. \p Simon Lightwood: There are currently no plans to extend East-West Rail services beyond its core scope, but through services may be an option in the future – and doing so would not be precluded by any scope being delivered as part of East-West Rail.
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Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to harmonise the licensing requirements for private hire vehicles for every local authority in England. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is responsible for setting the regulatory structure within which licensing authorities in England administer the taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime. Under this system licensing authorities have the flexibility to set the standards they consider appropriate to demonstrate that a private hire vehicle driver or operator are fit to hold a licence and that vehicles are safe.

The Department for Transport has however issued statutory and best practice guidance to assist licensing authorities. These aim to promote a consistency in licensing requirements and polices for both taxis and private hire vehicles by setting high but proportionate requirements to enable the sector to provide safe and accessible services that meet a wide range of passenger needs.
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Claire Young:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the suggested guideline for issuing authorities of 12 weeks for the renewal of Blue Badges on people with disabilities. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport is responsible for the legislation that governs the Blue Badge scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administering the scheme, including issuing/re-issuing badges.

There are no timescales set for administering applications/renewals either in legislation or guidance. 12 weeks is mentioned in the gov.uk landing page for those applying for or renewing a badge online using the Department’s Blue Badge Digital Service and reflects how long typically the process takes. But each cases is considered on its merits by the relevant local authority.
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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate she has made of when the backlog in Crown Court cases will begin to fall. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government inherited a record and rising Crown Court backlog. The outstanding caseload remains one of the biggest challenges facing the criminal justice system and stood at 73,105 as of 30 September 2024. Even if we were to sit at maximum capacity in the Crown Court, without further action, the number of cases entering the system, and therefore the caseload backlog, would continue to rise.

We have already taken steps to increase the capacity of the Crown Court to allow as many cases as possible to be heard. These include increasing magistrates’ court sentencing powers from 6 to 12 months to free up capacity in the Crown Court and funding 108,500 sitting days at the Crown Court this financial year (FY24/25), the highest level in almost 10 years (since FY15/16).

The number of cases entering the Crown Court is now so great that bold action is required, and all options are on the table. This is why the Lord Chancellor has commissioned an Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, led by Sir Brian Leveson, which will consider how the criminal courts could operate as efficiently as possible and longer-term reform to reduce the backlog.

We are committed to reducing the Crown Court outstanding caseload and will therefore look to act on recommendations from Sir Brian’s review swiftly to deliver improvements as soon as possible.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make it her policy to provide funding for the Safeline counselling service for male survivors of sexual abuse after March 2025. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Ministry of Justice’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) was recommissioned in 2023, under Government Commercial Function processes. Grant awards were made to successful applicants following an open competition. Grant amounts were dependent on the population formula amount allocated to the Police and Crime Commissioner area, and the application score. On 2 December 2024, I confirmed to RASASF grant recipients, including Safeline, that grant awards would be maintained through 2025-26 at 2024-25 levels.
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Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28899 on Grenfell Tower Inquiry, what (a) criteria and (b) evidence her Department plans to use in prioritising its work on preventing future deaths; and with reference to the Justice Committee's (i) First Report of Session 2021–22 entitled The Coroner Service, HC 68 and (ii) Third Special Report of Session 2021–22 entitled The Coroner Service: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report, HC 675, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the coronial reforms recommended by that Committee. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government is clear that Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports are vital in contributing to public safety through learning from death investigation. We expect recipients to have a framework in place for considering any reports they receive, and to take their responses – and related actions - very seriously.

However, we recognise that more needs to be done to improve accessibility to information from PFD reports; and to ensure, particularly across government, that lessons are learned; that this learning is disseminated as quickly and widely as possible; and that it is effectively monitored and evaluated.

We are addressing this issue as part of the reformed, forward-looking framework for coroner services which we intend to deliver in light of the Justice Committee’s recent Inquiries into the Coroner Service, working closely with the Chief Coroner, local authorities and other key partners. The Government’s formal responses to the Committee were provided on 10 September 2021 and 10 December 2024 respectively.
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Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress her Department has made toward publishing the results of the urgent review into the presumption of parental involvement. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The previous Government announced the Review into the Presumption of Parental Involvement in November 2020, following the recommendation of the Harm Panel Report. Research into the courts’ application of the presumption was commissioned and carried out, however the outcome of the Review was not published before the 2024 general election was announced.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for all children and families involved in the family courts. Ministers are considering the evidence gathered and the Government's response will be published in due course.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the number of coroners working in Lincolnshire. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Coroner services are locally funded and administered across 77 coroner areas in England and Wales. Statutory responsibility for coroner appointments lies with the funding local authority in each area, and the assessment of resource is based on local caseload and other relevant factors. The Chief Coroner has published guidance and advice to support local authorities in this context.

The Government is committed to supporting an inquest process which is as swift as possible and which puts bereaved families at the heart of the process. We recognise the impact of delays on bereaved families and wider systems and we will continue to work closely with the Chief Coroner, local authorities and other key partners to reform and deliver a framework for the future development of coroner services.
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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average processing time was for applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme by people resident in (a) Salford and (b) Wigan in each of the last five years. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The majority of cases are decided within 12 months, although some more complicated cases can take significantly longer.

The table below shows the average time for decisions to be made on applications* for criminal injuries compensation by people resident in Salford**.

Decision date

Average time to first decision

2020

447 days

2021

546 days

2022

504 days

2023

391 days

2024

473 days

The table below shows the average time for decisions to be made on applications* for criminal injuries compensation by people resident in Wigan**.

Decision date

Average time to first decision

2020

332 days

2021

400 days

2022

329 days

2023

325 days

2024

390 days

*The tables do not include archived bereavement applications because the address of the applicant is not retained. In most cases, applications are archived three years after the case has been closed.

**The above tables include all awards where the applicant named Wigan or Salford as the town in their home address in their application.
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Karl Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to improve his Department’s support for UK SMEs. \p Feryal Clark: The Department is committed to improving support for SMEs, working cross-government to remove barriers to growth, ensuring that SMEs have access to resources and expertise needed to develop and scale. For example, over the last 2 years, Innovate UK has awarded £5.2bn funding to more than 7,000 businesses spread across the UK, of which 86% were SMEs

We are also working to back UK tech startups through a range of policies that address the issues the sector cares about. This includes harnessing the benefits of AI, investment, skills, regulation, data and procurement.
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Karl Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to review the decision of Innovate UK to close the Smart Grants Scheme. \p Feryal Clark: Supporting innovative firms to flourish in the UK will be vital to delivering our Growth Mission. Innovate UK is redesigning its approach to better support these firms to scale and grow. Innovate UK has paused its Smart Grants offer so that it can work with startups and SMEs on improving this support and has invited feedback on how to do this. In Spring, it will pilot a new support package that it will evolve in partnership with businesses. An economic evaluation of the Smart Programme is being conducted to inform Innovate UK's overall strategy and its role in delivering the Industrial Strategy.
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Karl Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with small business organisations on the performance of Innovate UK. \p Feryal Clark: Supporting innovative small firms is a key objective of the government’s growth mission. My department regularly engages with business organisations to understand the needs of their members. 86% of Innovate UK grant funding goes to SMEs, with 8,000 SMEs supported in 2023 that were new to Innovate UK funding. Innovate UK’s connections to SMEs and innovators include 600+ skilled innovation & growth specialists across the UK through IUK Business Growth and IUK Business Connect. This network supports more than 10,000 SMEs a year on their innovation journey.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of small-scale nuclear production relative to larger plants. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is clear that nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMRs), is and will continue to be an important part of the UK energy mix, providing secure, low carbon energy and thousands of skills jobs. Great British Nuclear is pushing forward with its SMR competition for UK deployment with final decisions to be taken this spring. As with all energy projects, the economic case for SMRs would be considered as part of any investment decision into the technology.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of storage capabilities of small modular reactors to power AI datacentres. \p Michael Shanks: Consumption from datacentres has been forecast by NESO to increase and require an uninterrupted supply of electricity. SMRs have potential as a dedicated energy source for datacentres, given their potential to provide a near-constant supply of low-carbon electricity. SMRs do not have traditional storage capabilities, however some SMRs could be paired with thermal energy storage or grid-scale electricity storage to provide backup power and enhance their flexibility.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of small modular reactors needed to power AI data centres across Britain. \p Michael Shanks: The Government continues to assess future energy requirements, including the potential impact of powering datacentres. Consumption from datacentres has been forecast by NESO to increase and require an uninterrupted supply of electricity. The Government is committed to nuclear playing an important role in generating low carbon power and contributing to UK energy security. Alongside large-scale plants, such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, SMRs have the potential to supply the grid or to be a dedicated energy source for datacentres.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government plans to subsidise the building of small modular reactors. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Nuclear (GBN) is driving forward its SMR Technology Selection Process for UK deployment. This is a live, ongoing procurement based on fairness and transparency, and it is important GBN can deliver value for the British taxpayer.

Funding and financing arrangements for SMRs remain under consideration, with no decisions taken yet.
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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30533 on Coal: Mining, what his planned timetable is to introduce legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. \p Michael Shanks: The Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215 This will be taken forward when timing allows.

Previous question

UIN 30533, tabled on 10 February 2025

Ann Davies Plaid Cymru Caerfyrddin Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban future coal licensing.

Answered on 13 February 2025

Michael Shanks Labour Rutherglen Commons

The Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215
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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 30533 on Coal: Mining, whether his Department has plans to ban licences on remaining coal tips. \p Michael Shanks: The recovery of coal from former coal tips does not require licenses from the Mining Remediation Authority, formerly the Coal Authority. The majority of coal tips are in local authority or private ownership which includes legal responsibilities for their safety. Local authorities are the primary authority for coal recovery schemes from tips through planning permission and enforcement.

Previous question for reference

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban future coal licensing.

Answer

The Government announced on 14th November 2024 its intention to introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws215
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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking with the Northern Ireland Executive to help tackle violence against women and girls. \p Fleur Anderson: Last year seven women were killed in Northern Ireland, and rates of violence are higher in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK

Last month, I was pleased to welcome the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls to Northern Ireland to meet Executive Ministers, and the Police Service, and to visit the excellent Foyle Family Justice Centre. We discussed ways we can work together and share best practice to tackle violence against women and girls.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to help support recovery efforts following Storm Éowyn in Northern Ireland. \p Hilary Benn: Hundreds of thousands of homes were affected by Storm Éowyn and I know the House would wish to express its thanks to all those who worked so hard to restore services.

The Government worked closely with the NI Executive to ensure that all the help needed for Northern Ireland to recover was provided.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has received representations on the feasibility of proposals for the Dáil to sit in Northern Ireland; and whether he has made an assessment of the compatibility of those proposals with the Belfast Agreement. \p Hilary Benn: I have received no such representations.
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John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of pages 142 and 143 of the Irish government's publication entitled Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future, published on 23 January 2025. \p Hilary Benn: I welcome the Irish Government’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and upholding the principles of the Good Friday Agreement. We have made great progress in resetting UK-Ireland relations since the UK General Election and this will be reaffirmed by the first UK-Ireland Summit between the Prime Minister and Taoiseach, underlining our renewed and close relations.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on firearms licenses. \p Hilary Benn: The issuing of firearms licences in Northern Ireland is a largely devolved matter, overseen by the Department of Justice, aside from where it touches on excepted matters. I meet regularly with the Justice Minister to discuss a range of issues. Similarly Northern Ireland Office officials meet with their counterparts at the NI Department of Justice to discuss firearms licencing on a regular basis.
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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Answer of 17 May 2024 to Question 26173 on Civil Partnerships: Scotland, whether he will permit the Scottish Government to legislate accordingly. \p Ian Murray: I can confirm the UK Government’s in-principle agreement to proceed with a Scotland Act Order Civil Partnerships, and will write to the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary on this matter.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, with reference to the oral contribution by the Leader of the House in Business Questions on 6 February 2025, Official Report, column 947 on written parliamentary questions; what steps the Commission is taking to ensure the Table Office is adequately resourced. \p Nick Smith: The Table Office has 16 members of staff. There are no plans to review staffing levels at the moment.
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Damien Egan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on strengthening national resilience. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Working with international partners is a core strand of the UK’s efforts to strengthen our national resilience. My officials regularly discuss national resilience with their international counterparts - multilaterally within the auspices of NATO and our longstanding FiveEyes partnerships, and bilaterally with other key partners. In November, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster addressed the NATO Cyber Defence Conference - hosted in London - where he underlined the importance of continuing to work together as NATO Allies against the growing cyber threat to our collective resilience.
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Damien Egan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking with (a) local authorities and (b) community organisations to strengthen national resilience. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government is currently undertaking a review of UK national resilience which is expected to conclude in Spring 2025. It is being informed by the voices of local leaders, the devolved governments, businesses, voluntary and community sector representatives and academics. It is also considering the recommendations from public inquiries into Covid-19 and the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

We are also working closely with MHCLG who are developing Stronger Local Resilience Forum Trailblazers and taking forward the Devolution Bill which will help to strengthen local leadership, increase democratic accountability, and integrate resilience into place based policy decisions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to ensure that the criteria which define when impact assessments can be released are the same for Freedom of Information requests and Parliamentary Questions. \p Georgia Gould: All freedom of Information requests are considered on their individual merits and in accordance with the legislation in all circumstances. Section 9 of the Ministerial Code sets the standard of conduct expected of ministers in relation to Parliament and how they discharge their duties, including for government responses to written parliamentary questions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_176

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of how many people in the UK do not speak English as a first language. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 13th February is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 108.6KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a list of Foreign Direct Investment in Wales by country. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is now available in the House Library.

UKSA Holding Response (pdf, 105.2KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_178

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the level of adult English language proficiency on (a) workforce participation and (b) integration. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is now available in the House Library.

UKSA Holding Response (pdf, 114.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_179

Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS support for people with (a) cirrhosis, (b) genetic conditions and (c) other liver conditions in (i) Beckenham and Penge constituency and (ii) the rest of England. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as rare, genetic liver conditions.

Since June 2022, 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England have been responsible for arranging healthcare services in the National Health Service which meet the needs of their respective populations. The ICB responsible for arranging healthcare services for Beckenham and Penge would be NHS South East London ICB. This ICB is the best placed to understand the policies and arrangements in place for the provision of local NHS healthcare services, including for most liver condition services which are delegated to ICBs.

NHS England commissions a specialist paediatric liver service from three hospitals Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. This service provides assessment, diagnosis and management of children with all forms of liver disease. This includes provision of emergency, elective and planned care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_180

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to intervene on the planned closure of the cardiac catherisation laboratory at Torbay Hospital. \p Karin Smyth: Responsibility for the delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services ultimately rests with the appropriate National Health Service commissioning body. All service changes should be based on clear evidence that they will deliver better outcomes for patients. Any substantial, planned service change is subject to a full public consultation and must meet the Government and NHS England’s ‘tests’ to ensure good decision making.

The Health and Care Act 2022 provided new powers that allow for increased oversight and ministerial involvement in the reconfiguration of NHS services. These powers were commenced on 31 January 2024. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will decide whether to intervene if a call-in request has been submitted to the Department. There is an expectation that all avenues of local resolution are exhausted before a call-in request is accepted.

The Department has not received a call-in request to intervene in the closure of the cardiac catherisation laboratory at Torbay.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

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Dr Lauren Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure patients with vitiligo have access to effective treatments in the context of NICE's decision not to recommend Ruxolitinib for NHS use. \p Karin Smyth: The Government wants National Health Service patients to be able to benefit from access to clinically and cost-effective new treatments, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the NHS on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NICE is currently developing guidance for the NHS on whether ruxolitinib should be routinely funded by the NHS, based on an assessment of its costs and benefits.

The NICE was unfortunately unable to recommend ruxolitinib as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources in its final draft guidance published on 18 July. The NICE received four appeals against its draft recommendation which were heard by an independent panel on 11 October 2024. The appeal panel remitted the evaluation of ruxolitinib to the appraisal committee with the instruction to take all reasonable steps to address the issues raised in the upheld appeal points. The committee will consider the upheld appeal points at a future meeting scheduled for 14 May 2025.

It is right that the NICE makes its decisions at arm’s length of the Government and in line with its carefully developed methods and processes. As such, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in the NICE’s decision-making.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_182

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the supply of prescription medicines in (a) rural and (b) other areas. \p Karin Smyth: Integrated care boards are responsible for understanding the health needs of their areas and commissioning services to meet those needs. Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment every three years, to assess whether their population is adequately served, and must keep these assessments under review. These assessments inform integrated care boards when they are reviewing applications for National Health Service pharmacies. The Pharmacy Access Scheme provides additional funding to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies. In rural areas where there are no pharmacies, general practices are permitted to dispense medicines. Patients can also choose to access medicines and pharmacy services through any of the nearly 400 NHS online pharmacies that are contractually required to deliver prescription medicines free of charge to patients.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global, and highly regulated, and there are a number of reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the United Kingdom and outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, difficulties in access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues, and regulatory issues. We have drawn on up-to-date intelligence and data on the root causes of medicine supply issues, with manufacturing problems being the most dominant root cause.

Most supply issues can be managed to avoid shortages, and while we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate the risks to patients.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within individual pharmacies is not held centrally.

The resilience of UK’s supply chains is a key priority, and the Department and NHS England are committed to helping to build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. We are continually learning and seeking to improve the way we work to both manage and help prevent supply issues and avoid shortages. The Department, working closely with NHS England, is taking forward a range of actions to improve our ability to mitigate and manage shortages and strengthen our resilience. As part of that work, we continue to engage with industry, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and other colleagues across the supply chain as we progress work to co-design and deliver solutions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-26 conversation_183

Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of ADHD medication. \p Karin Smyth: The resilience of the United Kingdom’s supply chains is a key priority, and we are committed to helping build long term supply chain resilience for medicines. The Department works in partnership with industry, the National Health Service, and the wider health system to help ensure the continuity of the supply of medical products, including for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines. These issues are often global in nature. We monitor and manage medicine supply issues at a national level, so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand, and therefore there are no specific measures for the West Midlands.

As a result of intensive work, some issues with ADHD medicines have been resolved. All strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, atomoxetine oral solution, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.

However, whilst the supply of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets has improved, issues still persist. We are continuing to work to resolve these remaining issues by engaging with all suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to assess the challenges faced and their actions to address them. We are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible, and review plans to further build capacity to support the continued growth in demand for the short and long-term. The Department is also working with new suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to improve supply and resiliency for the UK market.

We are supporting an ADHD taskforce that NHS England has established to examine ADHD service provision. The taskforce will bring together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the NHS, education, and justice, to help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand. In collaboration with NHS England’s national ADHD data improvement plan, we plan to combine modelling for future growth forecasts, which will be shared with industry to improve demand forecasting for ADHD medicines.

The Department has worked with NHS specialists to develop advice on prescribing alternative ADHD medications. We expect that ADHD service providers should follow this guidance and offer rapid responses for urgent advice, especially for high-risk patients. To aid decision-making at the point of the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medicines, we continue to update a list of available ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website.