theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times Zinc Network Limited has provided his Department with copies of unpublished (a) YouTube and (b) social media videos in order for his Department to provide approval or feedback since January 2023. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regularly provides feedback on videos for social media (including YouTube) from our project implementers as part of standard FCDO programming procedures to ensure alignment with overarching project objectives, and conflict and gender sensitivity criteria. Due to the risks posed to our partners and beneficiaries of these projects we do not publish detailed information about them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will ensure that hon. Members are able to debate a divisible motion on the agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands. \p Stephen Doughty: Parliamentary business will be arranged in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Estonian Government on the importance of defending and promoting freedom of religion in Estonia, in the context of the Government’s plans to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. \p Stephen Doughty: I am not aware of any plans by Estonia's government to ban the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. The revised wording of Estonia's proposed Churches and Congregations Act Amendment simply states that religious organisations must not have links to religious organisations or leaders abroad that threaten the national security of Estonia; it does not give the Estonian government the power to ban religious organisations. The Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Estonians on the matter. The UK is committed to promoting the freedom of religious belief for all and we work closely with international partners, including through the Article 18 Alliance, of which Estonia is a member, to champion freedom of religious belief around the world.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister’s oral contribution at Prime Minister's Questions on 4 June 2025, Official Report, column 302, what the evidential basis is for the statement that China opposes the Chagos Islands deal. \p Stephen Doughty: The deal to secure the base on Diego Garcia is vital for our national security.

Our Five Eyes allies - the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada - as well as India, South Korea and Japan, all put out formal statements welcoming the deal.

There are clear safeguards in the treaty, including a clear prohibition to prevent any other foreign security forces, civilian or military - including the Chinese - from establishing themselves on the outer islands.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussions he has had with Mauritius on its status as a state party to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty in relation to the operations of the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. \p Stephen Doughty: The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia comply with our obligations under applicable international law.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, who will be responsible for appointing the UK members of the joint commission; whether the positions will be publicly advertised; what pay they will receive; and whether the Attorney General will ex officio be a member. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Government will appoint members of the Joint Commission. These will likely be officials with related responsibilities from relevant departments. There will be no additional remuneration for fulfilling these duties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to coordinate with other (a) donor governments and (b) implementing country partners to mitigate the potential impact of reductions to the (i) United States Agency for International Development and (ii) other global health funds. \p Stephen Doughty: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers and officials regularly meet international partners on a number of global health and international development issues, both in the course of their duties and as part of our role as a board member to a number of global health bodies.

Discussions will continue to take place through bilateral meetings and other key multilateral fora, including with the G20 under the Presidency of South Africa, with whom we will be co-hosting the Global Fund replenishment later in the year, and at the High-Level Summit on 25 June, where the UK announced our new investment in Gavi.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_76

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Annex 3 of the UK-Mauritius agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, where meetings of the Joint Commission will be held; and what (a) travel and (b) accommodation budget he has planned for its UK-appointed members. \p Stephen Doughty: The management of the Joint Commission will be agreed between the Parties as part of the implementation of the Agreement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_77

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to request the removal of Hungary from EUFOR following reports of the deployment of Hungarian paramilitary police to Bosnia and Herzegovnia. \p Stephen Doughty: Europe's security is critical to our own and we recognise the contribution of the European Union's (EU) military operations and missions to regional security. This includes the EU Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR), which the UK recognises as vital for maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We continue to support EUFOR's role in upholding the military aspects of the Dayton Agreement, and engage regularly with EUFOR and the EU Delegation in BiH. The composition of EUFOR and the nature of support provided in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions remains a matter for the EU.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, Official Report, col 1130, if he will publish the draft of the sovereignty clause. \p Stephen Doughty: All parties are committed to finalising the text of the UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar as soon as possible. The final text will then be brought before the House for ratification in the normal way pursuant to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.

This Government is fully committed to the double lock: we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. And we will never enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of the deployment of Hungarian paramilitary police to Bosnia and Herzegovina. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Any security sector support to BiH should focus on upholding peace, stability and the rule of law across the whole of BiH. We engage with all regional partners, including Hungary, to work constructively to strengthen domestic institutions, to use their influence positively with BiH's leaders, and to uphold the constitutional framework in BiH. We urge all partners to refrain from any actions that could undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, Official Report, col 1130, what steps he is taking to ensure the compatibility of the sovereignty clause with the section of the UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar: Joint statement, published 11 June 2025, on the future Agreement being without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction. \p Stephen Doughty: The sovereignty clause is fully compatible with the Joint Statement published on 11 June 2025.

This Government is fully committed to the double lock: we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. And we will never enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Hungarian counterpart on Hungarian government meetings with Milorad Dodik. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary met his Hungarian counterpart in January, and I most recently met Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar on 19 June. In both meetings, the Foreign Secretary and I raised wider European security and emphasised the importance of unity from all partners. Locally, our Embassy in Budapest has raised, with senior officials, the Hungarian government's engagement with the Republika Srpska entity's President Dodik. We encourage de-escalation, the need to uphold peace in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, and support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the annual number of UK nationals who could be stopped at the airport as a result of Schengen checks. \p Stephen Doughty: As is the case today when UK nationals arrive at either a Gibraltar or a Schengen checkpoint, we expect the overwhelming majority of travellers to proceed without difficulty through the checks, which are carried out in the mutual public safety interest. British nationals who are resident in Gibraltar will not be refused entry to Gibraltar. As a result of the agreement announced on 11 June, we expect the number of passport checks in Gibraltar to reduce from approximately 10 million to 250,000. This model of dual checks is specific to the situation in Gibraltar and agreed by its Government. It will unlock the significant benefits of a fluid border.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Susan Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the recent reduction in foreign aid to 0.3% of GDP on the future of Voluntary Service Overseas. \p Stephen Doughty: Following the Spending Review, detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used are being worked through as part of ongoing resource allocation processes, based on various factors including impact assessments. We are working out how our partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) should evolve in line with our new approach to civil society funding which will support the sustainability of international organisations and their partners in developing countries, enabling them to become more self-sustaining and resilient in the future. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. We will publish 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts this summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Prime Minister’s oral contribution at Prime Ministers Questions on 11 June 2025, Official Report, column 969, on what evidential basis he said that (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Iran are opposed to the treaty with Mauritius. \p Stephen Doughty: The deal to secure the base on Diego Garcia is vital for our national security.

Our Five Eyes allies - the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada - as well as India, South Korea and Japan, all put out formal statements welcoming the deal.

There are clear safeguards in the treaty, including a clear prohibition to prevent any other foreign security forces, civilian or military - including the Chinese - from establishing themselves on the outer islands.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his counterpart in India on levels of violence against religious minorities in India. \p Catherine West: The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously. We have a broad, deep and respectful partnership with the Government of India. This includes sharing perspectives on human rights and minority issues and finding common ground. Our High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India monitor human rights across the country. We engage Indian stakeholders on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society. This includes raising issues of concern where we have them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much their Department has spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation for languages other than (i) British Sign Language and (ii) languages native to the UK for people contacting (A) their Department and (B) its agencies in 2025. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spent around £215,000 on direct, external Interpreter and Translator costs, for the financial year 2024-25. Indirect Interpreter and Translator costs (for example, staff time, particularly where translation or interpreter type activities is not their primary role) are not included in this figure.

The information required to delineate between Interpreter and Translator spend, as well as to which language spend pertains, is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Executive Order entitled Continuing the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy, published by the President of the United States of America on 14 March 2025, on the Voice of America service, what discussions he has had with the BBC World Service on the future (a) scale and (b) reach of its coverage. \p Catherine West: We are aware that the US has announced significant changes to the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), with impacts on media outlets including Voice of America. This is a matter for the US. On the future, I can't get ahead of the allocations process, but Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office staff are in close touch with the BBC on a range of issues. We have regular discussions at both senior and official level, including on World Service impact and reach, because it is right that the World Service innovates and remains nimble to meet the global challenges and needs of the day. Changes would be a decision for the BBC, in line with its operational and editorial independence, although if this were to involve the creation or closing of a full language service, the Foreign Secretary would need to approve that, in line with our Framework Agreement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will have discussions with his French counterparts on recent reported violent incidents in migrant camps from where a number of attempted boat crossings to the UK have occurred. \p Stephen Doughty: I am aware of worrying recent incidents in migrant camps in France and extend my sympathies to the victims. I condemn these instances of violence which are often fuelled by criminal people-smuggling gangs responsible for small boat crossings. The Foreign Secretary and I, as well as Home Office colleagues, have regular contact with our French counterparts on a range of topics, including strengthening cooperation to combat these gangs, end dangerous crossings, and save lives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of combined cataract and trabecular bypasses on glaucoma progression. \p Stephen Kinnock: The best treatment options for any individual patient will be decided by the treating clinician in discussion with the patient, taking into account relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. NICE guidance on trabecular stent bypass microsurgery for open-angle glaucoma sets out that trabecular bypass surgery can be combined with a cataract operation and has shown its ability to reduce intraocular pressure.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to prioritise UK medical school graduates for foundation year one posts. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is committed to developing homegrown talent and to giving opportunities to more people across the country to join our National Health Service.

At the same time, we will always welcome internationally educated staff, who remain an important part of the workforce, and who have been since the inception of the NHS. We have published a Code of Practice for International Recruitment, ensuring stringent ethical standards when recruiting health and social care staff from overseas.

NHS England will keep the selection process for foundation training under review to make sure it works well for applicants.

We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many hours each ambulance service has spent on hospital handovers in each of the last five financial years. \p Karin Smyth: The following table shows the aggregate number of handover hours recorded by each ambulance service by year:

Trust

Total handover time in hours

October to March 2023/24

April to March 2024/25

April to 25 May 2025/26

East Midlands Ambulance Service

153,860

305,717

43,598

East of England Ambulance Service

143,789

272,836

37,300

Isle of Wight Ambulance Service

2,672

6,692

819

London Ambulance Service

129,007

274,021

47,281

North East Ambulance Service

39,280

83,995

13,293

North West Ambulance Service

144,460

336,579

49,600

South Central Ambulance Service

82,926

143,509

18,152

South East Coast Ambulance Service

67,139

132,974

21,046

South Western Ambulance Service

267,813

436,019

63,329

West Midlands Ambulance Service

225,806

506,414

87,221

Yorkshire Ambulance Service

123,836

245,675

31,920

Source: the Ambulance Quality Indicators dataset, with further information available at the following link:  https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ambulance-quality-indicators/

Note: Data is unavailable prior to October 2023.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made on the potential impact of abolishing NHS England on the availability of (a) abiraterone and (b) other similar drugs. \p Karin Smyth: Whilst this transformation takes place, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds and will work collaboratively to ensure continuity of care and that there are no risks to patient safety. Throughout the organisational change, NHS England will continue to undertake all its statutory functions, until parliamentary time allows for legislative changes to be made.

Responsible commissioners will continue to be required to fund medicines for eligible patients in line with recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase funding for the UK Foundation Programme office. \p Karin Smyth: The UK Foundation Programme Office (UKFPO) manages the national application process for the UK Foundation Programme. The UKFPO is funded by, and is accountable to, the four United Kingdom statutory education bodies, including NHS England for England.

We are committed to ensuring that the number of medical foundation training places meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future, and this will be supported by appropriate funding.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential use of professional regulation to help improve (i) support for and (ii) levels of retention among healthcare professionals. \p Karin Smyth: Officials from the Department have regularly met their counterparts in the devolved administrations to discuss and update on the development of the 10 Year Plan in England. The Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals.

NHS England is leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.

In terms of support, local employers across the NHS have in place arrangements for supporting staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and a focus on healthy working environments. At a national level, NHS England has made available additional 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.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce ambulance handover delays at hospitals in Shropshire. \p Karin Smyth: The Government recognises the pressures on the National Health Service and the impact this is having on ambulance response times, including in Shropshire.

We are determined to turn things around, and our 10-Year Health Plan will be published in the summer, setting out major NHS reforms to move healthcare from the hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.

The Urgent and emergency care plan 2025/26, published on 6 June 2025, requires health systems to focus on those areas that are likely to have the biggest impact on urgent and emergency care services this year. The plan includes actions that will reduce ambulance handovers to 45 minutes, helping to get 550,000 more ambulances back on the road. The plan is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that all deaneries adhere to a reasonable timeline for allocating F1 positions. \p Karin Smyth: We are aware that there is a delay in the allocation of some foundation year one doctors’ programme details and work schedules. We have asked NHS England to urgently tackle this issue. We know there is more to do and NHS England is working to ensure that all posts are confirmed as soon as possible, while keeping applicants informed throughout the process, including through webinars.

NHS England is due to review the Foundation programme allocation process to make sure it works well for applicants. The review is scheduled for after 2025/26 allocations, and is aiming to commence in 2026. NHS England will advise stakeholders how they can input in due course.
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Peter Prinsley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the General Medical Council on ensuring that doctors who are unwell seek professional help for their condition, in the context of the General Medical Council's decision to remove health as a specific grounds for action in fitness to practise investigations. \p Karin Smyth: The Government has committed to bringing forward legislation to modernise the regulation of doctors in the United Kingdom by the General Medical Council (GMC) in this Parliament. Government officials are working closely with the GMC and other stakeholders, and we expect to be in a position to consult on a draft legislative framework for the GMC, which will include proposed grounds for action in fitness to practice cases, by the end of 2025.

The GMC and all other healthcare professional regulators will continue to have a duty of care to any of their registrants who have physical or mental health concerns. This includes, where necessary, supporting them to work within a safe scope of practice. Healthcare professional regulators must ensure that any fitness to practice concerns relating to a health condition are handled sensitively and confidentially in a way that balances the rights and interests of the registrant with the need to ensure public protection.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of ambulance handover times on the number of paramedics employed by West Midlands Ambulance Service. \p Karin Smyth: No specific assessment has been made for West Midlands Ambulance Service Trust. It is for local ambulance trusts and their commissioners to take decisions on staff resourcing to meet local patient demand.

However, we recognise the impact that handover delays have on ambulance resourcing, which is why the Urgent and emergency care plan 2025/26, published on 6 June 2025, sets out specific actions to tackle ambulance handover delays by meeting the maximum 45-minute ambulance handover time standard. This will help to get 550,000 more ambulances back on the road for patients. The plan is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/
wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_99
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his counterparts in the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential merits of amending pension rules to help (i) reduce burnout and (ii) improve retention among healthcare professionals. \p Karin Smyth: In common with the pension schemes for National Health Service workforces in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the NHS Pension Scheme for England and Wales provides a good pension for retirement. The scheme also offers a partial retirement option which allows older NHS staff to draw down part of their pension and continue working in a more flexible way, either with a reduction in hours or a change in responsibilities.

While no specific discussions have been held recently on amending pension rules, the Government continues to work closely with the devolved administrations and professional bodies through the NHS Pension Scheme Advisory Board to ensure the scheme supports the retention of experienced and skilled NHS staff.

The health and wellbeing of NHS staff is a top priority. Employers across the NHS in England 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 available additional support. This includes a focus on healthy environments, tools and resources to support line managers, and emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the NHS of patient transfers from ambulance to A&E taking longer than 15 minutes in each of the last five financial years. \p Karin Smyth: No estimate is currently planned. The Government recognises the pressures on the National Health Service and the impact this is having on ambulance response times, including in Shropshire.

We are determined to turn things around, and our 10-Year Health Plan will be published in the summer, setting out major NHS reforms to move healthcare from the hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.

The NHS Urgent and emergency care plan 2025/26, published on 6 June 2025, requires health systems to focus on those areas that are likely to have the biggest impact on urgent and emergency care services this year. The plan includes actions that will reduce category 2 ambulance response times to 30 minutes and reduce ambulance handovers to 45 minutes, helping to get 550,000 more ambulances back on the road.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_101

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) recent NHS guidance and (b) his Department's health and social care priorities on Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (i) services and (ii) organisations. \p Karin Smyth: The Department values working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, in particular to address wider health inequalities. The insights and reach of VCSE organisations are instrumental, particularly in engaging with those who have lived experience and communities facing the greatest barriers to health.

The VCSE sector has been central to discussions about the forthcoming 10 Year Plan, with input from VCSE organisations directly influencing the plan’s content. As part of the 10 Year Health Plan’s national engagement exercise launched on 21 October 2024, we held 17 roundtables, attended by nearly 300 organisations, including VCSE groups, National Health Service trusts, professional bodies, and national charities. We also provided training, materials, and support to organisations to host their own events in communities across England. Over 600 community events took place with over 17,000 participants. The different components combined to create a programme that reached large numbers of people, engaged the widest range of groups and voices among the public, patients, and staff and partner organisations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_102

Sir Mark Hendrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many medical samples were lost and required resubmission by the patient at (a) Lancashire and (b) Blackpool teaching hospitals in each of the last three years. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold the requested information. The Government is spending £600 million of capital this year on diagnostics, including funding all pathology networks to increase digital capabilities by March 2026, which will reduce unnecessary waits and the need for repeat tests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_103

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to expand access to degree apprenticeships in midwifery for (a) mature students, (b) career changers and (c) other people who face (i) financial and (ii) practical barriers to undertaking traditional university training routes. \p Karin Smyth: We will publish a new workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and will treat patients on time again. This will include how we ensure we train healthcare staff, through all training routes including apprenticeships, to support patients in all of our communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_104

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) his counterparts in the devolved Administrations and (b) professional bodies on the potential merits of amending tax policy to help (i) reduce burnout and (ii) improve retention among healthcare professionals. \p Karin Smyth: There have been no recent discussions with counterparts in the devolved administrations or professional bodies about the merits of amending pension tax policy. Tax policy is a matter for my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In the last few years there have been significant increases in the allowances for tax-free pension saving, incentivising senior doctors and other health professionals to continue their National Health Service work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_105

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to engage with (a) disabled and (b) terminally ill children on the potential impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on (i) their lives and (ii) sense of value. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

My Rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State of Health and Social Care, has not had any meetings to discuss the Bill with any stakeholders, given the Government’s neutral position. The Bill, as it stands, contains various duties to consult relevant stakeholders, to consider how the operation of the Bill may impact different groups.

Should Parliament decide to pass the Bill, the Government recognises that the experience of key stakeholders will be integral to the design and delivery of an assisted dying service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_106

Richard Foord:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Minister of State for Care plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Honiton and Sidmouth dated 18 March 2025 on NHS dentistry in the South West. \p Stephen Kinnock: I replied to the hon. Member on 25 June 2025.
wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_107

Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his department is taking to help prevent irreversible blindness due to glaucoma progression. \p Stephen Kinnock: Regular sight tests play a crucial role in the early detection of glaucoma, which is often symptomless in the early stages. Free National Health Service sight tests are available for many, including individuals diagnosed with glaucoma or those aged 40 years old and over with a close family history of glaucoma. Patients with suspected glaucoma will be referred for further investigation, any clinically necessary treatment, and ongoing monitoring, which can delay its progression.

NHS England has been testing how IT connectivity between primary and secondary eye care services and the development of a single point of access could improve the referral and triage of patients, reducing the time from referral to treatment. It could also allow for more patients to be managed closer to home, within community optometry. This could benefit all patients with eye care needs, including those with suspected or diagnosed glaucoma.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_108

Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the use of innovative technologies to treat glaucoma through the 10-Year Health Plan. \p Stephen Kinnock: The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to preventing and managing conditions such as glaucoma in all parts of the country. More tests and scans delivered in the community and better joint working between services will support the management of conditions, including glaucoma, closer to home.

The plan will draw directly from the extensive engagement we have undertaken with the public, patients, and staff, including in the eye care sector. We are in the final stages of working on the plan and will publish it shortly.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will continue to play a crucial role in evaluating new medicines, medical devices, and other technologies, to determine their clinical and cost-effectiveness, before recommending them for NHS use.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_109

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the provision of 24/7 palliative care in Oxfordshire: and what steps he is taking to extend provision of this service. \p Stephen Kinnock: We want a society where every person receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life. The Government will shift the focus of healthcare out of the hospital and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting. Palliative care and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift.

Palliative care services are included in the list of services that integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire ICB, must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative care and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications, with further information on both available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/palliative-and-end-of-life-care-statutory-guidance-for-integrated-care-boards-icbs/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/service-specifications-for-palliative-and-end-of-life-care-adults/

The statutory guidance makes specific reference to commissioners defining how their services will meet population needs 24/7 and includes a priority action for ensuring that staff, patients, and carers can access the care and advice they need, whatever time of day.

Earlier this year, I met with key palliative care and end of life care and hospice stakeholders, in a roundtable format, with a focus on long-term sector sustainability within the context of our forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_110

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the age at which breast screening begins to 30. \p Ashley Dalton: Women under the age of 50 years old are not routinely screened for breast cancer due to the lower risk of women under this age developing breast cancer, and the fact that women under 50 years old tend to have denser breasts. The denseness of breast tissue reduces the ability of getting an accurate mammogram, the accepted screening test for breast cancer.

However, the UK National Screening Committee keeps the age brackets under review. The committee recognises that screening programmes are not static and that, over time, they may need to change to be more effective. There are currently two trials under way that will help inform future decisions relating to breast screening. The AgeX trial is looking at extending the upper and lower age brackets, and BRAID is looking at alternative methods of screening for women with dense breasts. The committee will consider the findings of these trials as they become available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_111

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of sick days that were taken by people with osteoporosis in the last 12 months. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department has not collected data over the last 12 months on the number of sick days that were taken by people with osteoporosis specifically.

The Office for National Statistics publishes data on the annual sickness absence rates of workers in the United Kingdom’s labour market, including the number of days lost by reason. This includes 26.5 million days lost through sickness absence in 2024 in the UK, with musculoskeletal (MSK) problems listed as the reason. MSK problems will include osteoporosis, however disaggregated data is not available as part of the publication. Further information on sickness absence in the UK labour market is available at the following link:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/sicknessabsenceinthelabourmarket
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-26)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-26 conversation_112

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will extend access to cardiovascular screening to people under 40 with a family history of heart disease. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Health Check is a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, which assesses the risk factors for CVD in people aged 40 to 74 years old, provides advice on how to reduce the risk of developing CVD, and refers people to behaviour support programmes, clinical assessment, and treatment where appropriate.

As part of ongoing reviews to ensure the programme remains evidence based, we are assessing the evidence for expanding eligibility to people under 40 years of age. This work will inform the ongoing policy for the NHS Health Check programme.