theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of replacing corporation tax rules with a progressive tax based on turnover of companies trading in the UK. \p Dan Tomlinson: To support stability and predictability for businesses, the government published the Corporate Tax Roadmap at the Autumn Budget 2024. Central to this is a commitment to maintain a competitive and sustainable main rate of Corporation Tax by capping it at 25 percent for the duration of this parliament, including generous relief such as Capital Allowances, R&D tax reliefs, and the Patent Box regime.

The roadmap confirms the core features of the tax regime, with consultations planned for potential future changes to ensure a stable business environment and promote growth.

Turnover taxes tend to be more distortive as they do not account for businesses expenses. In contrast the UK’s Corporation Tax is levied on profits, meaning businesses are taxed on what they actually earn after deducting eligible costs, such as wages, and offers a wide range of competitive reliefs to encourage business investment.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will raise the expensive car supplement threshold for electric and zero emission vehicles. \p Dan Tomlinson: As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the government recognises the disproportionate impact of the current VED Expensive Car Supplement threshold for those purchasing zero emission cars and will consider raising the threshold for zero emission cars only at a future fiscal event, to make it easier to buy electric cars.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of lowering VAT on construction projects on town centre regeneration. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government supports town centre preservation and regeneration. In September, the Government launched an overarching Pride in Place programme, providing up to £5bn over 10 years to support almost 250 places. It will target investment to communities that need it most, addressing the visible decline on high streets and the wider public realm. Local areas will be able to invest in things like youth clubs, libraries, community grocers, cultural venues, and health and wellbeing services.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with his European Union counterparts on (a) seeking to increase the level of profits from frozen Russian assets and (b) sharing the legal risks of doing taking such an approach. \p Lucy Rigby: The Chancellor is actively engaging with our EU partners, including recently at ECOFIN, and through regular discussions with G7 finance ministers to explore all viable legal avenues to make use of Russia’s sovereign assets for the benefit of Ukraine, in line with international law.

The Government remains committed to ensuring Russia is held accountable for the damage it has caused, and continues to cause, in Ukraine. Alongside our G7 partners, the UK has pledged to maintain the sanctions on Russia’s sovereign assets within our jurisdictions until Russia compensates for this harm.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the flat rate anti-money laundering supervision fee regime on small art galleries. \p Lucy Rigby: Economic crime presents a substantial threat to UK security and stability, and anti money laundering supervisors have an important role to play to ensure that supervised businesses understand and manage the risks to which they are exposed. HM Revenue & Customs supervises art market participantsalongside businesses in several other sectors.

It is policy of this, and previous Governments, that the cost of supervision should be met by supervised businesses and not through general taxation. HMRC has recently published its intention to increase some of the fees that itcharges for supervision to ensure that it has the income it needs to meet its obligations as a supervisor. HMRC is considering comments from businesses and trade bodies and will publish its next steps shortly. The Money Laundering Regulations apply only to sales of art exceeding the equivalent of €10,000 in value, which excludes 80% of businesses in the sector. HMRC hasconsidered the impact of the proposed fee increases on businesses against its needs as a supervisor and intends to minimise impact on supervised businesses, especially the vast majority who trade from a single premises.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will hold discussions with HMRC on the difference between the loan charge settlement terms offered to (a) large companies and (b) other people. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.

HMRC applies the law fairly and consistently in accordance with its published Litigation and Settlement Strategy (LSS). This ensures every taxpayer, no matter who they are, pays the tax due under the law.

Central to the LSS is that HMRC will not settle a dispute by agreement for an amount which is less than it would reasonably expect to obtain from litigation.

HMRC’s Litigation and Settlement strategy can be found on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/litigation-and-settlement-strategy-lss
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of VAT on incentives to refurbish void properties in the social housing sector. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government confirmed an initial £1.29bn of funding for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund 2025-2028 at the 2024 Autumn Budget. The Government will provide £13.2bn of housing retrofit funding to 2030, delivering our manifesto pledge.

Residential renovations are subject to a reduced rate of VAT of five per cent if they meet certain conditions. These include conversions of buildings from one residential use to another, conversions from commercial to residential use, and the renovation of properties that have been empty for two or more years.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the nuclear energy industry in (a) Wales, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last three years. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The industry-led Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA) (produced annually by Cogent Skills) does contain data on the number of civil nuclear jobs across Wales, England and Scotland but not Northern Ireland. New nuclear projects are expected to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK, with the 2024 NWA estimating the need for an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.
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Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure that dispersed industrial sites in south Wales can access (a) onshore and (b) offshore non-pipeline transport storage capacity solutions. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recognises the importance of enabling dispersed industrial sites in South Wales to access carbon storage solutions. Through the Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Programme, we are exploring non-pipeline transport (NPT) options including road, rail, and shipping to support onshore and offshore storage access for sites not connected to pipeline infrastructure.

The South Wales Industrial Cluster has received support through the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge and Track-1 expansion process, helping to assess viable NPT pathways. We continue to engage with industry and local stakeholders to develop a roadmap for CCUS deployment in the region, including storage capacity solutions that reflect the unique geography and industrial profile of South Wales.
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Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent progress he has made on setting out a roadmap for carbon capture utilization and storage projects in south Wales. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is committed to supporting the deployment of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) across the UK, including in South Wales by allocating £9.4 billion in capital budgets over the Spending Review period.

As part of the CCUS Programme, we are working with the South Wales Industrial Cluster to assess viable decarbonisation pathways, including CCUS enabled solutions. The Cluster has received support through the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge and is being considered under the Track-1 expansion process. This work is helping to inform a roadmap for CCUS deployment in the region, including options for non-pipeline transport and storage. We continue to engage with industry and local stakeholders to ensure that South Wales is well positioned to benefit from future CCUS investment and infrastructure development.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps with Intertrade UK to help (a) consumers and (b) businesses in Northern Ireland trade with businesses in Great Britain. \p Hilary Benn: The Government established Intertrade UK in February 2025, with a clear purpose to provide advice on and promote trade and investment across the UK.

This is why Intertrade UK’s recently published Work Programme sets out how the body will advise on ways to support intra-UK trade by removing barriers to trade, promoting UK internal market opportunities, and enhancing infrastructure and connectivity. This includes, but will not be limited to, advice on ways to help consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland trade with businesses in Great Britain.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 35541 and and the Answer of 12 May to Question 50770 on Hormone Replacement Therapy, (a) what progress has been made and (b) what further steps are being taken to ensure a continued supply of HRT implants for patients. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Department is continuing to work closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to ensure safe access to oestrogen and testosterone hormone replacement therapy (HRT) implants, which are not licensed in the United Kingdom.

The MHRA has been working closely with the current importers of the product and is also looking to encourage other applications for a licensed medicinal product. The MHRA is currently assured that there are over 13 months of product in the UK based on currently available stocks and usage rates.

As oestrogen and testosterone HRT implants are not licensed in the UK, we are encouraging applications to supply products through the licensed medicines route.

The Department is working closely with the MHRA to ensure safe access to these products. The Department have also reached out to specialist importers, who can source unlicensed medicines, to find alternative sources of both HRT implants for UK patients. The Department will continue to work closely with the MHRA and the National Health Service to ensure that suitable alternatives are available for patients.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve cancer screening methodologies in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: Cancer screening methodology is the same across England and adheres to national specifications and standards.

A range of improvements are being made nationally, including the introduction of the new ‘ping and book’ service via the NHS App; the provision of screening appointments at more convenient times and locations; and developments to screening IT systems as part of the Digital Transformation of Screening programme of work. These improvements will also benefit people in Surrey Heath constituency.
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Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with owners of defibrillators on encouraging them to register the defibrillators on The Circuit. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department has not held any discussions with the owners or guardians of defibrillators. Publicly accessible defibrillators owned by local community organisations are acquired through a variety of means. This can include applying for one from a charity operated fund, purchasing one directly from a charity, or purchasing one as a private purchase. It is not uncommon for charities supplying defibrillators through a fund to require those defibrillators to be registered on The Circuit. Defibrillator charities also promote The Circuit on their website.

There is no registry or database of defibrillator purchases in England, and it would not be appropriate for the Department to have access to the personal information of the people who purchase these devices. Therefore, it is not possible for the Department to contact people who have purchased a defibrillator privately, be it through a charity or from a private company.
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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the eligibility criteria for covid-19 boosters has changed for unpaid carers. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government’s policy on eligibility for vaccination programmes is based on advice from the independent scientific advisory committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). For autumn 2025, the JCVI advised that COVID-19 vaccination be offered to:

The eligibility of COVID-19 vaccines for unpaid carers in autumn 2025 is the same as it was in 2024 and has not changed this year. Unpaid carers are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in the national programme. If unpaid carers quality on other grounds, for example, if they are immunosuppressed, then they can come forward to get a vaccine.

The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in autumn 2025.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of clinical oncology workforce shortages on the adoption of innovative cancer treatments by NHS trusts. \p Karin Smyth: We are building out the cancer workforce. As of June 2025, there are over 1,800 full time equivalent doctors working in the speciality of clinical oncology in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England. This is almost 440, or 31.5%, more than in 2020.

Following additional investment through recent Spending Review settlements, trainees across 16 cancer-related specialties, including clinical and medical oncology, increased from 623 to 773 per year, a 24% increase.

To grow the workforce, NHS England has been expanding specialty training places in key cancer professions. Targeted national campaigns and outreach activities, for example in clinical oncology, also promote cancer career pathways, with a focus on increasing applications to under-supplied professions.

Training academies in imaging, endoscopy, and genomics are being delivered across regions to provide intensive skills development and to support new models of care, including for cancer patients. Ongoing investment in practice education enhances clinical supervision, education, and training across the cancer and diagnostic workforces, increases placement capacity, supports staff retention, and contributes to high-quality patient care.

The adoption of innovative cancer treatments is often clinician-led and self-identified, with doctors seeking out specialist training opportunities themselves. This may include overseas fellowships or short courses, after which skills are cascaded locally through continuing professional development, multidisciplinary teams, and peer-to-peer learning. NHS England supports this through centrally underwritten study leave budgets. In addition, through curriculum reform, selected innovations are incorporated into formal training programmes, ensuring that some advances move from self-directed uptake into nationally standardised education.
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Vicky Foxcroft:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how the upcoming NHS Workforce plan will ensure recruitment and retention of the rheumatology workforce. \p Karin Smyth: The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. To support this, the Department and NHS England will be engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that the particular needs of different patient groups and relevant health professionals are reflected in this work.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to extend funding for advice and guidance services for GPs to other parts of primary care. \p Karin Smyth: The Department currently has no plans to introduce funding for Advice and Guidance Enhanced Services for community pharmacy, dental practices, or opticians. Most referrals to specialist services come from general practices (GPs), who have a primary role in the management of patient health and care in the community.

In 2025/26, the Government introduced the General Practice Advice and Guidance Enhanced Service, which makes provision for GPs to claim a £20 fee for each new advice and guidance request, to recognise the key role they play in delivering on the Government’s commitments to shift care from hospital to community and to return to the 18-week Referral to Treatment constitutional standard by March 2029.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that (a) NHS Lincolnshire and (b) other Integrated Care Boards implement the NICE Fertility Guideline recommending (i) three full cycles of IVF for eligible women under 40 and (ii) one full cycle for women aged 40 to 42; and if he will take steps to improve access to NHS-funded fertility treatment. \p Karin Smyth: The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to improve NHS-funded fertility services.

We expect integrated care boards (ICBs) to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guidelines and will consider whether the current recommendations for access to NHS-funded treatment are still appropriate. A consultation on revised guidelines was published on 10 September.

In light of broader pressures on the National Health Service and on on-going changes within NHS England, we have been looking again at achievable ambitions to improve access to fertility services and fairness for all affected couples.
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Graham Stuart:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department plans to offer hospital trusts that are in Strand 4 of the NHS acute trust league table. \p Karin Smyth: The NHS Oversight Framework 2025/26 sets out how NHS England will support trusts to improve, based on an assessment of their performance. This is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-oversight-framework-2025-26/

NHS England works through regional teams to monitor National Health Service trust performance, identify issues, and deliver improvement in the most challenged areas. Improvement metrics and trajectories are agreed and proactively monitored.

NHS England may also apply interventions and require NHS trusts to take broad actions or address specific concerns related to known issues. This may involve use of NHS England’s enforcement powers, particularly to secure improvement or where improvement is deemed insufficient.

Trusts rated low for both performance and capability will receive support from the National Provider Improvement Programme (NPIP), which will replace the Recovery Support Programme. NPIP will determine whether the most challenged have the necessary conditions in place to deliver sustainable improvement and will ensure support is in place as needed. This will be in addition to any targeted improvement support for specific issues such as urgent and emergency care, outpatients, mental health, finance, or maternity.

Additionally, newly appointed very senior managers (VSMs) to NHS trusts in segment 5 will be eligible for ‘challenged organisation recruitment premiums’, to attract talented VSMs to join challenged organisations and help turn them around.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish (a) the guidance (i) his Department and (ii) NHS England are providing to Trusts within (A) Category 3 and (B) Category 4 of the league tables of NHS trusts in England, published on 9 September 2025 and (b) the timetable for performance improvement. \p Karin Smyth: The league table ‘segments’, or performance categories, published on 9 September 2025 are based on National Health Service trusts’ performance against the metrics and methodology in the NHS Oversight Framework 2025/26. NHS England published this framework on their website on 26 June 2025, and it is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-oversight-framework-2025-26/

NHS England uses the segmentation scores, alongside wider information, to inform oversight and improvement activities. Trusts in segments 3 and 4 will receive targeted support to address their most challenged performance areas, which may include, for example, urgent and emergency care, outpatients, mental health, finance, or maternity.

NHS providers who have low performance, and which are therefore in segment 4, and low capability will be escalated to segment 5, where they will receive the most intensive support through the Recovery Support Programme (RSP). The RSP will soon be replaced by the National Provider Improvement Programme, focusing on determining whether the most challenged have the necessary conditions in place to deliver sustainable improvement and ensuring support is in place as needed.

There is no national improvement timetable. Improvement plans will be different from trust to trust depending on their particular challenges and local circumstances.
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Vicky Foxcroft:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plans to take to include people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in the development of employment support programmes. \p Ashley Dalton: Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Backed by £240 million of investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched last November and will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.

Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group, so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, with their employment journey. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems.

Measures include support from work coaches and disability employment advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through employment advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, individual placement and support in primary care, and WorkWell.
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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of excluding unpaid carers from the covid-19 booster shot scheme. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

In its advice for autumn 2024, the JCVI advised that in the era of highly transmissible Omicron sub-variants, any protection offered by the vaccine against the transmission of infection from one person to another is expected to be extremely limited. Therefore, the indirect benefits of vaccination, vaccinating an individual such as an unpaid carer in order to reduce the risk of severe disease in other people, are less evident now compared with previous years, and therefore unpaid carers were not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination in autumn 2024.

In line with JCVI’s advice, the autumn 2025 programme is focused on targeted vaccination of the oldest adults, those aged 75 years old and over and residents in a care home for older adults, and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality. Any unpaid carer who is eligible through age or immunosuppression for vaccination in this campaign is encouraged to take up the offer.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the press release entitled NHS App overhaul will break down barriers to healthcare and reduce inequalities, published on 25 June 2025, whether those convicted of (a) violent offences and (b) sexual offences will be eligible for the new recruitment scheme. \p Karin Smyth: Anyone taking part in the Widening Access Demonstrator programme will be subject to the same employment checks as existing NHS and social care staff.

Roles providing health or personal care are considered ‘regulated activity’ and are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS check), which would disclose any details related to violent and sexual offences whether spent or unspent. In addition, these roles are subject to a check against the DBS barred list. The DBS barred lists ensure that individuals who have been convicted of the most serious crimes such as violent and sexual offences, where there is an ongoing risk of harm to vulnerable groups (patients), are prevented from seeking employment to gain access to these groups.
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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to monitor people with inherited cancer risk for less survivable cancers. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department is supporting NHS England with initiatives to monitor people with an inherited risk of less survivable cancers. The 10-Year Health Plan commits to expanding genomic testing for inherited causes of major diseases to allow for earlier detection and intervention, including for cancer.

In June 2024, NHS England launched the national NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme to identify cancer earlier for people with Jewish ancestry, including genetic testing for patients diagnosed historically with an eligible breast or ovarian cancer. BRCA genetic mutations carry a risk of developing other cancers such as pancreatic cancer.

For pancreatic cancer, which the latest data showed has the lowest survivable rate with inherited risk, NHS England is working with The European Registry of Hereditary Pancreatitis and Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer UK, and Cancer Alliances to improve surveillance pathways and access to surveillance for people with inherited high risk of pancreatic cancer.

In June 2025, NHS England launched a new initiative for general practices to analyse patient records to identify people aged over 60 years old who have the key early warning signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer including diabetes and sudden weight loss. Additionally, Pancreatic Cancer UK has launched the Family History Checker, supported by NHS England. The tool allows people, and their families, affected by pancreatic cancer to self-assess if they have inherited risk.

Furthermore, improving the early detection of cancers, including less survival cancers, is also a priority for the National Cancer Plan, which will be published later this year.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent children from illegally purchasing vapes. \p Ashley Dalton: Selling nicotine vapes to under 18-year-olds is illegal, yet one in four 11 to 15-year-olds tried vaping in 2023. It is unacceptable that vapes are deliberately branded and advertised to appeal to children.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children by banning vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately branded, promoted, and advertised to children, and by providing powers to limit flavours and packaging, and how vapes are displayed in shops.

The bill also takes bold action to strengthen enforcement. It will introduce £200 fixed penalty notices in England and Wales to empower Trading Standards to take swifter action to fine those who choose to break the law and sell to anyone underage, putting the public’s health at risk. The bill will also enable ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vapes, and nicotine products. This will strengthen enforcement, support legitimate businesses, and crack down on rogue retailers who breach tobacco and vape regulations.

Alongside the bill, the Government is also investing £10 million of new funding in 2025/26 in Trading Standards, to support the enforcement of illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales and the implementation of the measures in the bill.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England on incorporating fracture liaison services into the national 10-Year Health Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: Fracture Liaison Services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.

Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.

Officials continue to work closely with NHS England to explore a range of options to provide better quality and access to these important preventative services.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Royal College of Nursing on pay. \p Karin Smyth: Annual pay awards for staff on Agenda for Change contracts in England, including nurses, are decided by the Government following receipt of recommendations made by the independent NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB). The Government accepted the 2025/26 recommendations in full, and in July, the Government asked the NHSPRB to begin the 2026/27 pay round. Relevant stakeholders are invited to submit evidence to the NHSPRB to inform its deliberations.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has met with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on multiple occasions since taking office, as have I, to discuss working conditions for National Health Service staff, including pay, and is always open to talking to unions about how they can work with the Government to support the NHS workforce. Officials continue to engage with the RCN on pay and contractual matters through the NHS Staff Council.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of his Department's procurement contracts were awarded to companies in the West Midlands in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Karin Smyth: Five contracts were awarded by the Department to suppliers which had registered addresses and postcodes in the West Midlands area of England in 2024/25. This is 1.5% of the total number of contracts awarded by the Department in that financial year.

Larger suppliers to the Department may have supply chain companies and business locations and workforce in the West Midlands area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_269

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73856 on Long Covid: Health Services, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of access to long Covid care for people in (a) Newcastle upon Tyne and (b) North Tyneside. \p Ashley Dalton: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning specialist services for long COVID that meet the needs of their population, subject to local prioritisation and funding. For Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside, this is the North East and North Cumbria ICB.

The ICB is currently carrying out a review of long COVID services across the region which is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_270

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that delivery of the 10 Year Plan effectively tackles domestic abuse. \p Karin Smyth: The 10-Year Health Plan will transform the healthcare model in England to create a National Health Service that is fit for the future, delivering more integrated health and care, closer to home, with a renewed focus on prevention and neighbourhoods that will address the injustices faced by victims of domestic abuse.

We know that those who experience domestic abuse can have worse NHS access, poorer health outcomes, and die younger. The health sector has a vital role to play in preventing, identifying, and responding to violence and abuse, and in providing healthcare to victims.

All health care staff are required to complete mandatory safeguarding training, which includes a focus on domestic abuse. This training is being revised and is due to be re-launched in early 2026.

In addition, the Government is working to deliver an ambitious strategy to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), including domestic abuse. The new VAWG Strategy is being finalised and will be published as soon as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_271

Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Government plans to update UK Infection Prevention and Control guidance to reflect the scientific consensus that (a) covid-19 and (b) other respiratory pathogens are airborne; and what steps he is taking to ensure enforceable indoor air quality standards in healthcare settings. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) for England, published by NHS England, whilst not pathogen specific, provides overarching infection prevention and control principles that should be used to inform clinical judgement/practice. The NIPCM for England is regularly updated in response to changing epidemiology, or scientific evidence, feedback from frontline healthcare staff, and system need.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advice on the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus notes that SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted between individuals through infectious respiratory particles, droplet and aerosol, with transmission risk being highest when in close proximity to an infectious individual, particularly within two metres. Being in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, particularly for an extended period of time, also increases the risk of becoming infected. Further information on UKHSA advice is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-background-information/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-epidemiology-virology-and-clinical-features

Published guidance on ventilation in healthcare settings includes the Health Technical Memorandum 03-01: Specialised ventilation for healthcare premises, the NHS Estates Technical Bulletin (NETB 2023/01A): application of HEPA filter devices for air cleaning in healthcare spaces: guidance and standards, and the NHS Estates Technical Bulletin (NETB 2023/01B): application of ultraviolet (UVC) devices for air cleaning in occupied healthcare spaces: guidance and standards, with further information on all three documents available, respectively, at the following three links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/specialised-ventilation-for-healthcare-buildings/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/application-of-hepa-filter-devices-for-air-cleaning-in-healthcare-spaces-guidance-and-standards/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/application-of-ultraviolet-uvc-devices-for-air-cleaning-in-occupied-healthcare-spaces-guidance-and-standards/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_272

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding available for the UK Neuro Forum. \p Ashley Dalton: Whilst no specific programme of funding is currently available for the UK Neuro Forum, we will continue to look for funding opportunities and use existing levers in other health and care initiatives that align with the forum’s priorities. The Department has also dedicated staff resources to supporting the forum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_273

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to establish a specialised service for people with very severe myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue symptom in Yeovil constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: We published the final myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), delivery plan on 22 July, which focuses on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.

The commissioning of ME/CFS services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs), including the NHS Somerset ICB, which covers the Yeovil constituency, based on their local population. The ME/CFS final delivery plan includes an action for the Department and NHS England to explore whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for very severe ME/CFS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_274

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of NHS England providing formal agreements in principle to pharmaceutical companies that commercial flexibility may be granted for multi-indication medicines (a) prior to and (b) pending the outcome of NICE evaluations. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: I refer the Hon. Member to the answers my Rt Hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Health gave on 1 September 2025 to Questions 69240, 69241, and 69242.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_275

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking with NHS England to support Integrated Care Boards to deliver the service specification entitled Specialised neurology services (adults), published on 13 August 2025. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England has revised the national service specification for specialised neurology following extensive consultation with clinical and charity partners. The service specification includes guidance on both specialised and core neurology services, and includes an annex which provides greater clarity for neurology sub-specialties.

The national specialised commissioning neurology transformation programme has also developed guidance as part of an integrated care system toolkit, specifically to support the implementation of the service specification.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_276

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who the responsible lead for promoting and ensuring compliance with the NHS Accessible Information Standard will be following the abolition of NHS England. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Following the merger of NHS England with the Department of Health and Social Care, the responsible lead for the Accessible Information Standard will be determined as part of the arrangements for how the new organisation will support equal access to health and social care services and information about them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_277

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing baby boxes that contain a free box of essential items for every baby born in England. \p Ashley Dalton: There are currently no plans to roll out baby boxes for every baby born in England. Some local organisations choose to provide baby boxes containing free items to families in their area. Whilst we welcome efforts to provide support to babies and their families, these boxes are sometimes shown as a place for babies to sleep. The Department advises that the safest place for babies to sleep is in a cot or a Moses basket, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/baby-basics/newborn-and-baby-sleeping-advice-for-parents/safe-sleep-advice-for-babies/

The Lullaby Trust has provided guidance which states that baby boxes should only be used for sleep in unplanned and emergency situations, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/travel-and-weather/safer-sleep-away-from-home-in-emergency-situations/

It is important that professionals, parents, and carers follow safe sleep guidance. Ensuring babies have an appropriate place to sleep reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/reduce-the-risk-of-sudden-infant-death-syndrome/#:~:text=always%20place%20your%20baby%20on,no%20higher%20than%20their%20shoulders

Midwives, health visitors, general practitioners, and other health and care professionals all provide advice, support, and health promotion regarding safer sleep for families. As part of the universal Healthy Child Programme, health visiting teams offer safe sleeping advice, and intervention where appropriate, to families.

The Government’s Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy sets out how we will expand and strengthen family and health services in early childhood to improve child development, health, and education outcomes. Building on the £126 million funding boost for the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme in 2025/26, Best Start Family Hubs will be rolled out to every local authority from April 2026. Best Start Family Hubs will provide a new evidenced-informed core offer for parents, a clear local mission around children’s early development, and a digital parenting offer.