theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Rachel Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to to help support the families of patients with aplastic anaemia; why aplastic anaemia does not have a page detailing its symptoms on the NHS website; and if he will have discussions with NHS England on the potential merits of adding such a page to its website. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as aplastic anaemia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community. These include: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs.  We remain committed to delivering under the framework and will publish an annual England action plan in 2025.

There are over 7,000 rare diseases often needing highly specialised input, and so the National Health Service’s website is not always the most appropriate platform to disseminate such information. At this stage there are no plans to add aplastic anaemia to the NHS website, but we will re-review the position in the future, should things change.

The majority of the treatment pathway for aplastic anaemia is an integrated care board commissioning responsibility. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is an NHS England specialised commissioned service that covers aplastic anaemia, and NHS England has published two national service specifications, one for adults and one for children. The HSCT specifications set out the standards that providers of the service must meet, which includes access to a range of multidisciplinary staff, including psychological support and nurse specialists trained in communication and counselling. Specifically for children, there should be access to appropriately trained paediatric dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, within nationally defined access standards.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the annual (a) budget and (b) spend was for public health monies under section 7A of the National Health Service Act 2006 in each year since 2022. \p Ashley Dalton: Funding for public health functions delegated by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to NHS England, known as section 7A services, is allocated as part of NHS England’s mandate funding total. The following table shows the allocation for section 7A services set by NHS England, and the spend for the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24, as well as the allocation set for 2024/25:

Total NHS England section 7A funding

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Allocation

£1,804,000

£1,675,100

£1,650,900

Expenditure including COVID-19 vaccinations

£1,768,200

£1,639,200

Source: NHS England’s validated but unpublished data on section 7A expenditure.

Notes:
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help to care for the estimated 47,000 people affected by polio in the UK. \p Ashley Dalton: Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Once post-polio syndrome is identified, patients with the condition can usually be managed through routine access to primary or secondary care provided via a general practitioner or consultant. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but may involve pain-relieving medication, physiotherapy, dietary and exercise advice, and counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy.

Commissioners, providers and clinicians, supported by relevant clinical practice, determine the best treatment for people with post-polio syndrome.
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Tom Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential role of family hubs in moving healthcare from hospitals into communities. \p Ashley Dalton: We are committed to moving towards a Neighbourhood Health Service with more care delivered locally to create healthier communities, spot problems earlier, and support people to stay healthier and maintain their independence for longer.

Family hubs are a community-based way of improving access to healthcare, with Start for Life services for families from conception to the age of two years old at their heart. They offer joined-up support through access to local services, including maternity, perinatal mental health, parent-infant relationships, and infant feeding.

Ministers and officials have engaged with stakeholders on the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme in the context of community-based healthcare. The Neighbourhood Health model will build on existing good practice from across the country and on the feedback received from the 10-Year Health Plan engagement.
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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the upcoming National Cancer Strategy will outline what steps the NHS will take to work with cancer support charities to support people with cancer (a) physically and (b) mentally (i) before, (ii) during and (iii) after treatment. \p Ashley Dalton: My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has announced that a National Cancer Plan for England will be published this year. The Prime Minister’s health mission sets the objective of building a National Health Service fit for the future, and an essential part of this is achieving our goal to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer.

The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care including both physical and mental health, to improve the experience and outcomes for people with all cancer types, and at all stages, including metastatic cancers. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years.

We are committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. The Department plans to engage cancer partners, charities and those within the cancer community, seeking the views of individuals, professionals and organisations to understand how we can do more to achieve this ambition.

To do this, on 4 February 2025, we launched a Call for Evidence, in which the views of people across the country will inform our plan to improve cancer care. Those who wish to share their views can do so on the new online platform, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/shaping-the-national-cancer-plan
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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of waiting times for (a) diagnosis and (b) beginning treatment for patients with Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis in West Oxfordshire. \p Karin Smyth: No formal assessment has been made. Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need. Tackling waiting lists, including in respiratory medicine, is a key part of our Health Mission. We have delivered almost 2.2 million extra appointments, seven months ahead of schedule, as a first step in our commitment to ensuring that patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks. This includes operations, consultations, diagnostic tests, and treatments.

The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS Constitutional Standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament, while also ensuring that patients have the best possible experience of care.

The Government has also secured an investment of £1.5 billion to fund new surgical hubs, diagnostics scanners, and beds across the estate, which will support the diagnosis and treatment of patients with interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis.
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Peter Prinsley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to engage with universities as part of the 10-year Health Plan. \p Karin Smyth: Universities across England and the United Kingdom have been engaged throughout the 10-Year Health Plan’s engagement process to inform policy making. Everyone, including universities, continues to be able to share their views via the Change NHS portal in what is biggest conversation to fix the National Health Service since its creation.

36 universities and university faculties in the UK have submitted organisational responses, which have now been analysed and used to inform the next stage of the Plan’s development. Universities UK are also represented at the Partner’s Council. The Council convenes over 150 leaders from organisations across the UK health and care sector, including charities and the Royal Colleges, to provide progress updates on the 10-Year Health Plan and a forum to discuss and comment on emerging themes from the engagement and policy development to date.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) identify and (b) address the distinct Sexual Reproductive Health needs of younger men. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government remains committed to providing good sexual and reproductive health services to everyone in England, regardless of age and gender.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive, open access sexual and reproductive health services through the Public Health Grant (PHG). Individual local authorities decide on spending priorities based on an assessment of local need and commission the blend of services that best suit their population, including considering the distinct needs of younger and older men. In 2025/26, we are increasing funding through the ringfenced PHG to £3.858 billion. This represents a turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after almost a decade of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024.

We are currently developing a new HIV Action Plan which will be published this year, with key objectives to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment for HIV across all demographics. We are working to push this commitment forward through engagement with a range of system partners and stakeholders to understand the challenges we face, including the distinct needs of younger and older men.

The distinct sexual and reproductive health needs of younger men are also captured through statutory health education which is taught in all state-funded schools. The Department for Education is currently reviewing relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance, and revised guidance will be published at the earliest opportunity.
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Peter Prinsley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to increase the number of clinical academics in the UK. \p Karin Smyth: We recognise that clinical academics are crucial to training future generations of healthcare professionals and leading research across the health and care system. In 2023, NHS England published an Educator Workforce Strategy, setting out the actions required to ensure the sufficient capacity and quality of clinical educators. This includes planning for career pathways, both in practice and in higher education institutions and across sectors and professions.

Through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Department is the largest funder of research training for clinical academics in the United Kingdom, supporting clinical academics at all career stages and from all professions and specialties. Since 2006, the NIHR has supported 16,000 career development awards and 13,000 awardees across 200 different professions and specialties. We are committed to working with the devolved administrations, other funders, and wider stakeholders to ensure there is a comprehensive, clear, and rewarding career pathway for clinical academics in research, addressing issues raised in the report, Clinical researchers in the UK: reversing the decline to improve population health and promote economic growth.
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Peter Prinsley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review the 7.5% cap on international student numbers at medical and dental schools in England. \p Karin Smyth: There are currently no such plans. We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed to move healthcare from the hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.

A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.

This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, to treat patients on time again.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of rogue operators who do not observe visa employment rules in the social care sector. \p Stephen Kinnock: We have seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and exploitation of international recruits in the adult social care sector. The Code of Practice for International Recruitment sets out high ethical standards and best practice for recruiters and employers to follow to ensure people coming from overseas are treated fairly and provided with the appropriate support.

The Department works closely with regulators, local authorities, other departments, and enforcement bodies to share concerns and intelligence about illegal or unethical practices in adult social care. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority investigates reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity, such as human trafficking, modern slavery, forced labour, and other labour market offences. The Government is also delivering the legislation for a new flagship Fair Work Agency, ensuring fair and strong employment rights for all.

The Home Office has also begun delivery of new measures meaning that any business found guilty of serious employment law breaches, such as failing to comply with National Minimum Wage, will have action taken against them – up to and including having their visa sponsorship licences refused or revoked. The changes will also prohibit sponsors of Skilled Workers from the unethical practice of charging or recovering costs from workers for the cost of sponsoring them.

In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care has provided £16 million to regional partnerships this financial year to support them to prevent and respond to unethical practices. This includes support for international recruits to understand their rights and establishing operational processes with regional partnerships to support individuals to switch employers and remain working in the care sector when they have been impacted by their sponsor’s licence being revoked.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, What recent assessment has he made of the potential merits of developing an (a) regulatory framework and (b) NHS style oversight for the aesthetic industry. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is committed to taking action to address concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in due course.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to expand sexual reproductive health services for men who have sex with men beyond (a) STI and (b) HIV (i) prevention and (ii) treatment services. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government remains committed to providing good sexual and reproductive health services in England for everyone, including for men who have sex with men, both including and beyond sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention and treatment services.

We are committed to ensuring the National Health Service is there for everyone when they need it. As such, we will work closely with NHS England and the National Advisor on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and others (LGBT+) Health, Dr Michael Brady, and cross-Government, to identify how we can make the most difference in access to healthcare, patient experience, reducing inequalities, and improving health outcomes for LGBT+ people. This will underpin the work we take forward on LGBT+ health, including sexual and reproductive health services for men who have sex with men, both including and beyond STI and HIV prevention and treatment services.

In terms of STI and HIV prevention and treatment services, local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive, open access sexual and reproductive health services through the Public Health Grant (PHG). Individual local authorities decide on spending priorities based on an assessment of local need and commission the blend of services that best suit their population. In 2025/26, we are increasing funding through the ringfenced PHG to £3.858 billion. This represents a turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after almost a decade of reduced spending between 2016 and 2024. From April 2025, HIV care will be commissioned by NHS integrated care boards.
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Alex McIntyre:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle medication shortages in Gloucester constituency. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has a responsibility to work with medicine license holders in the United Kingdom to help ensure continuity of supply. We monitor and manage medicine supply issues at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand and therefore measures are not specific to Gloucester.

We have inherited ongoing global supply problems that continue to impact medicine availability under the new government. We know how frustrating and distressing this can be for patients, and we are working closely with industry, the National Health Service, manufacturers and other partners in the supply chain to resolve issues as quickly as possible to make sure patients can access the medicines they need.

Medicine supply chains are complex, global and highly regulated and there are several reasons why supply can be disrupted, many of which are not specific to the UK and outside of Government control, including manufacturing difficulties, access to raw materials, sudden demand spikes or distribution issues and regulatory issues. There are approximately 14,000 licensed medicines and the overwhelming majority are in good supply.

While we cannot always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients. These include close and regular engagement with suppliers, use of alternative strengths or forms of a medicine to allow patients to remain on the same product, expediting regulatory procedures, sourcing unlicensed imports from abroad, adding products to the restricted exports and hoarding list, use of Serious Shortage Protocols, and issuing NHS communications to provide management advice and information on the issue to healthcare professionals including pharmacists, so they can advise and support their patients.

The resilience of UK supply chains is a key priority, and we 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.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking ensure that heterosexual men’s (a) access to and (b) awareness of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis reach the same level as other demographics. \p Ashley Dalton: We are firmly committed to increasing access to, and awareness of, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for all population groups, including heterosexual men. This will be a key objective in our new HIV Action Plan which is currently being developed, and which we aim to publish this year.

PrEP is funded via the Public Health Grant and delivered via local sexual health services, whilst the cost of the drug itself is funded by NHS England. In 2025/26 we are increasing funding through the ringfenced Public Health Grant to £3.858 billion. This represents a significant turning point for local health services, marking the biggest real-terms increase after nearly a decade of reduced spending, between 2016 and 2024. This additional funding has been provided to support local government with the pressures facing the sector, including from potential additional costs relating to HIV PrEP.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will review the decrease to the Agenda For Change mileage payments for community nurses that will come in July 2025. \p Karin Smyth: Agenda for Change mileage reimbursement rates are reviewed twice a year in line with the process set out in the national contract. These reviews incorporate the latest information on the cost of fuel. The next review is scheduled for April 2025 and any changes required would then be implemented in July 2025. We cannot pre-empt the outcome of this review, however it does not necessarily mean that changes will be made to the reimbursement rates.

The Government is aware that some National Health Service trusts may have local arrangements in place for reimbursing mileage. This would be for local employers and trade unions to manage in partnership.
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Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to NHS dental services in (a) Beckenham and Penge and (b) England. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Dental Statistics - England 2023-24, published by NHS Business Services Authority on 22 August 2024, is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324

In NHS South East London Integrated Care Board, which includes Beckenham and Penge constituency, 43% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 57% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months to June 2024, compared to 56% in England.

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most.
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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to extend eligibility for the NHS Learning Support Fund to include pharmacy students. \p Karin Smyth: There are no immediate plans to make changes to the NHS Learning Support Fund scheme design. The Government keeps the funding arrangements for all healthcare students under close review. At all times, the Government must strike a balance between the level of support students receive and the need to make best use of public funds to deliver value for money.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to ensure that there is adequate supply of lidocaine. \p Karin Smyth: The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting some products that contain lidocaine. For all of these, there are alternatives available, and we are working with the suppliers of each product to expedite resupply and minimise the impact on patients.
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Alison Hume:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the number of qualified pathologists specialising in paediatric pathology (a) in total and (b) in the Scarborough Hull York Pathology Service. \p Karin Smyth: No specific assessment has been made of the adequacy of the number of qualified pathologists or paediatric pathologists either across England or at the Scarborough, Hull, and York Pathology Service.

The Department is aware that workforce shortages in paediatric and perinatal pathology have led to longer turnaround times for hospital post-mortem reports in some areas of England. NHS England has therefore established a national work programme to address shortages in paediatric and perinatal pathologists. A £20,000 recruitment incentive for new trainees has been introduced, with further initiatives underway to review the training pathway, develop advanced practitioner roles, and implement a retention strategy for existing staff.
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many A&E Departments have permanently closed since 2010; and if he will list them. \p Karin Smyth: The information requested is not held centrally.
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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GP practices there (a) are and (b) were in 2010 in Worsley and Eccles constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: The data provided has been sourced from NHS England and shows the number of general practices (GPs) in the Worsley and Eccles constituency in January 2025 and January 2014, as no data is available prior to this. The data only includes main practices and does not include branch practices. The data is as follows:

- as of January 2025, there are 14 GPs in the Worsley and Eccles constituency; and

- as of January 2014, there were 20 GPs in the Worsley and Eccles constituency.

Practices close for a variety of reasons, including mergers or retirement, and so this does not necessarily indicate a reduction in the quality of care. When a practice does close, patients are informed of the closure and advised to register at another local practice of their choice within their area.
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Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report on Major Projects 2023-24, published on 16 January 2025, what progress has been made with the Next Generation (fixed) Communication Network programme since 31 March 2024. \p Maria Eagle: Since March 2024, the programme has been reset to leverage existing infrastructure and deliver some benefits earlier, whilst making progress towards broader programme key milestones. The team has been restructured and additional specialist resources have been brought on board. The programme has achieved an amber status following a further IPA review.
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Johanna Baxter:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of developing unmanned amphibious and maritime drone technology. \p Maria Eagle: Integrating uncrewed systems with our crewed platforms is a critical part of ensuring the Royal Navy can effectively respond to competition, crisis and conflict in the future. Delivering uncrewed systems will feature heavily in the design specifications of the Multi-Role Support Ships – the next generation of amphibious ships to support the Commando forces. The Ministry of Defence is collaborating with industry to assess the merits of uncrewed systems with trials and spiral development, while learning operational lessons from Ukraine.
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Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of former armed forces personnel living in South Norfolk constituency. \p Al Carns: The House of Commons Library has an online data dashboard for constituencies which includes data on Veterans taken from the most recent censuses in Great Britain. This is available here:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/constituency-data-uk-armed-forces-veterans-2021-census/

England and Wales Census 2021 data showed that 3,537 people in South Norfolk constituency reported that they had previously served in the UK armed forces. This represents 4.7% of this constituency’s population aged 16 and over. This compares with 3.8% of the population in the East of England region and 3.8% in Great Britain.
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Alex McIntyre:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help support veterans to transition into civilian life in Gloucester constituency. \p Al Carns: I am working across Government and with civil society to help those who leave the Armed Forces, including those in Gloucester, transition back into civilian life.

The vast majority of Service personnel successfully transition to civilian life with few challenges. The Defence Holistic Transition Policy sets out how the Ministry of Defence supports Service leavers to assist in a successful transition, including through the Career Transition Partnership, Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), and Defence Transition Services (DTS) and Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans (IPC4V). VWS, DTS and IPC4V work together to deliver holistic transition and welfare support on a casework basis to the Armed Forces community.

All three Services provide information, guidance and support; they facilitate access to entitlements and services provided by Government Departments, local authorities and the charity sector via signposting or referrals, in line with client need and capacity. The teams cover Gloucester and are based throughout the UK, including Northern Ireland.

Further support is available for Veterans after leaving service including an NHS Trust and Primary Care Network accreditation scheme across England to ensure they can best support veterans access health care; Government funded housing support for Veterans; Armed Forces Champions across the UK’s JobCentre Plus network to help support members of the armed forces community into work; and the veterans’ railcard offering discounts on most rail travel.

There is also a range of skills and education support available to Veterans after their time in Service, whether via the newly refreshed Career Transition Partnership, which supports those in search of new job opportunities, or a sector-based employment programme, which provides Veterans and their families with career progression support and access to specialist pathways into roles in nationally significant sectors.
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Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to reduce barriers to application to the War Pensions Scheme for British Nuclear Test Veterans. \p Al Carns: Nuclear Test Veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service have the right to apply for no-fault compensation under the War Pension Scheme (WPS) and have the same access to the scheme as any other veteran, with each application being assessed on its individual merits. War Disablement Pensions are medically certified with relevant material facts including on claimed incidents, events, and exposures.

There is not a specific Nuclear Test Veteran claim form for compensation under the WPS. However, a supplementary form is available which allows for Nuclear Test Veteran specific information to be provided at the point of claim, reducing potential delays arising from seeking this information.

The Veterans Welfare Service offers assistance to all veterans throughout the application process.

An information leaflet for claiming compensation for conditions relating to exposure to ionising radiation can be accessed through the gov.uk website at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f461d0ae90e074c4d303333/NTVleaflet.pdf
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Israeli Air Force operated planes have (a) landed and (b) taken off from British territory since 6 February 2024. \p Luke Pollard: For operational security reasons and as a matter of policy, the Ministry of Defence will neither confirm, deny, nor comment on any foreign nations’ military aircraft movement or operations within UK airspace or UK overseas bases.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_297
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_297

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the potential impact of lowering the voting age on the administration of elections. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission is engaging with the Government as it brings forward proposals to implement the manifesto commitment to give 16 and 17 year-olds the right to vote. The Commission is providing paractical advice on how any changes to the franchise can be implemented, as it has done for similar changes in Scotland and Wales.

Once the change is made, the Commission will update its guidance for administrators to assist them to understand and deliver the new registration eligibility. Electoral Registration Officers would then work locally to support the registration and participation of this new group of voters.

The Commission has said that changes to the franchise need to be implemented in a way that carefully manages the pressures on election teams, and that any changes to electoral legislation should be clear at least six months before they are due to be implemented or complied with by voters and electoral administrators.

The Commission will also undertake public awareness work to ensure all newly enfranchised voters know how to register, and have the information and confidence to take part. It is already working to ensure that young people hace access to impartial education about democracy and elections, and is partnering with a range of organisations to support under-registered groups.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_1

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to page 33 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in establishing an Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) was established in October 2024, as part of the Department for Business and Trade, to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of UK trade sanctions. OTSI has civil enforcement powers, including the ability to impose civil monetary penalties. Further information on OTSI's remit can be found at GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_2

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Department has taken to assess the potential impact of Economic Partnership Agreements on (a) a country’s (i) economic development and (ii) ability to export and (b) the ability of African partner countries to implement (A) the African Continental Free Trade Area and (B) other regional integration plans. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) support inclusive, sustained economic growth and promote regional integration by providing duty-free access for partner exports to the UK and generous cumulation provisions aligned with AfCFTA objectives. Without this access, current trade faces significant risks.

The Department engages closely with partner governments and businesses to gather feedback on tariff arrangements. The Government publishes two key sources of UK trade data with developing countries: statistics on UK utilisation of tariff preferences under trade agreements, and country factsheets outlining broader trade relationships. These data sources, alongside feedback, have shaped EPA priorities, as articulated in the UK's Trade Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_3

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Department plans to consult (a) Parliament and (b) civil society in its assessment of (i) the implementation of Economic Partnership Agreements to date and (ii) the potential merits of negotiating issues listed in the sunset clauses of those agreements. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) do not contain expiry provisions or 'sunset clauses'. The preferential market access they provide to developing country partners will continue indefinitely. EPAs do include review clauses allowing for discussion on areas such as investment, competition, and services.

The Department's approach to these reviews will be guided by dialogue with partners and aligned with UK growth and development objectives, as per the Trade Strategy. There is no obligation for partners to negotiate where they are unwilling. The Strategy also commits to engaging governments and businesses on expanding EPAs to include services. Broader stakeholder consultation will be considered in any review process.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_4

Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the number of retail jobs. \p Justin Madders: On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments and provides analysis of the potential sectoral impacts of the Bill, including the retail sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_5

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question 64058 on DBT: Directors, whether the Commissioner for Public Appointments was informed of her political background when his Department made the request. \p Justin Madders: The Commissioner for Public Appointments was consulted prior to Nita Clarke's appointment without open competition as a DBT Non-Executive Board Member, in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. As required under the Code, Nita Clarke declared her political activity for the Labour Party during the appointments process.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_6

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will place in the Library a copy of any correspondence between his Department and the Commissioner for Public Appointments relating to public appointments without open and fair competition since 1 July 2024. \p Justin Madders: Under the Governance Code for Public Appointments there is no requirement to publish correspondence between the Department and the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_7

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen those regulations. \p Justin Madders: No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks. The Government continues to engage with various stakeholders about fireworks regulation and the impact of fireworks. I have met with a wide range of stakeholders, including charities such as Combat Stress and the RSPCA, other MPs, representatives from fireworks retailers including major supermarkets, convenience stores, and trade associations as well as Trading Standards.

I am carefully considering all the feedback received.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_8

Gregor Poynton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has undertaken a recent review of the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms for CE marking of imported products. \p Justin Madders: We keep the effectiveness of our enforcement regime under review. The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, received Royal Assent in July and contains powers to strengthen product enforcement.

The Office for Product Standards and Safety (OPSS) is the UK's national product regulator. It uses risk to target its enforcement activities, protecting people and places from product-related harm. OPSS has established a co-ordinated system of targeted product safety checks at the border. In 2024-25 this resulted in checks covering over 14 million goods at the border, with 2.63 million non-compliant goods refused entry to the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_9

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many employees in his Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year. \p Justin Madders: Information on the number of individuals directly employed by the Department who earn £100,000 or more, including those earning £166,000 or more, is published on a quarterly basis in the Department’s organograms. These set out senior civil service pay details for staff employed within the core Department and are available on data.gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_10

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the labour market in (a) rural and (b) coastal communities. \p Justin Madders: My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_11

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to (a) promote respect in workplaces across the UK and (b) support people who have been the victims of bullying at work. \p Justin Madders: The Government is promoting fairness, equality and wellbeing in the workplace through a range of measures in its Employment Rights Bill. For example, the Bill would require employers to take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment of their employees and strengthen protections for whistleblowers by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure. While there is no legal definition of 'bullying' in the UK, a range of existing laws protect workers from unwanted behaviour in the workplace. The Government supports these protections by providing guidance for workers, businesses, and funding the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas).