theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_69

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps she has taken to improve numeracy rates in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency. \p Georgia Gould: To drive standards in mathematics, the department funds the Maths Hubs programme, supported by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics. Local Maths Hubs provide school-to-school support focused on mathematics subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers in primary and secondary schools.

The Romford constituency is served by the London North East Maths Hub. As of August 2024, Maths Hubs have worked with 85.5% of open primary schools (14,321) and 88.3% of open secondary schools (3,015) across the country since 2015/16.
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Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered amending the school admissions code to allow schools to withdraw an offer if new information suggests that their admittance poses a risk to another student. \p Georgia Gould: All children, from whatever background and no matter what challenges they face, deserve a safe environment in which they can learn. Nothing is more important than safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. Keeping children safe in education is statutory guidance that all schools and colleges must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Admission authorities must comply with parental preference and can only refuse a place or withdraw a place in limited circumstances, as set out in admissions law.

Admission authorities can refuse a place in year, in specific circumstances, where they have good reason to believe a child may display challenging behaviour, but cannot withdraw a place, once offered, on this basis.

Any changes to the Code will require a statutory process, including a full public consultation and Parliamentary approval.
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Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of making (a) critical thinking and (b) problem solving key competencies in the education system. \p Georgia Gould: It is important that young people are equipped with the key knowledge and skills to adapt to a rapidly changing world.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose. It is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of knowledge and skills that are essential to sufficiently prepare children and young people for future life and to thrive.

The Review’s interim report, published in March 2025, notes the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information, and states the curriculum must keep pace with these changes, including a renewed focus on digital and media literacy and critical thinking skills.

The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn, at which point the government will respond.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a three-year funding settlement for the Music and Dance Scheme. \p Georgia Gould: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Tooting to the answer of 23 October 2025 to Question 79113.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current funding levels for the music and dance scheme to ensure access for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. \p Georgia Gould: The government fully supports the arts and the development of a skills pipeline into the creative industries.

The department is providing £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of classroom support ratios in mainstream schools in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Georgia Gould: School support staff, including classroom support staff, play a vital role in children’s education.

Headteachers are responsible for recruitment and deployment in their schools as they are best placed to understand the specific needs of their pupils and make staffing decisions accordingly.

The Education Endowment Foundation’s guidance report ‘Deployment of Teaching Assistants’ makes a number of recommendations to help schools make decisions about how to deploy their teaching assistants to ensure they are used effectively.

In October 2024 the department released the new Financial Benchmarking & Insights Tool to support schools. This service helps schools view and improve their spending, provision and deployment of staff by making comparisons to similar schools.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools experiencing staffing challenges in implementing SEND provision in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Georgia Gould: Recruiting and retaining expert teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child. This is why the government’s Plan for Change is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools, and colleges over the course of this parliament.

In May 2025, the department announced a 4% pay award to school teachers and leaders, which, combined with the previous year’s 5.5% award, will mean school teachers will see an increase in their pay of almost 10% over two years.

The department’s interventions are having impact, with 2,346 more teachers across secondary and special schools in 2024/25. The latest census reported one of the lowest leaver rates since 2010, with 1,300 fewer teachers leaving the state-funded sector, and more teachers are returning to state schools than at any point in the last ten years. The latest data showed 17,274 teachers returned to the classroom.

There is significant work underway to ensure there is an appropriate training offer in place to support teachers and school leaders to create an inclusive school environment.

Our core teacher training offer includes significantly more content on adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and this is supplemented by further SEND-specific training that is easy to access at any point in a teacher’s career through the Universal SEND Services contract. This programme aims to support the school and further education workforce, particularly in mainstream settings, to identify and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND earlier and more effectively.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of (a) secondary school and (b) further education college students have Education, Health and Care Plans in (i) Stockton West constituency and (ii) England. \p Georgia Gould: Information on pupils in schools who have education, health and care (EHC) plans is published as part of the statistical release ‘Special educational needs in England’, which can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england/2024-25.

An extract showing the requested information for primary and secondary schools in England and Stockton West constituency is shown below:

Number of pupils with an EHC plan

Percentage of pupils with an EHC plan

England

State funded Primary schools

157,716

3.5%

State funded secondary schools

113,452

3.1%

Stockton West Constituency

State funded Primary schools

244

2.7%

State funded secondary schools

310

3.1%

1. Source: School Census

Information on the number of young people with an EHC plan who attend further education colleges within the Stockton West constituency, and for England, is not currently available.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to extend the teaching of sun safety to secondary schools. \p Georgia Gould: As part of the revised relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance, published on 15 July, schools must now teach facts about safe and unsafe exposure to the sun, and how to reduce the risk of sun damage, including skin cancer. In secondary school, the curriculum builds on this, and in addition covers the importance of pupils taking responsibility for their own health.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to reintroduce three-year grant settlements for schools participating in the music and dance scheme. \p Georgia Gould: The government fully supports the arts and the development of a skills pipeline into the creative industries.

The department is providing £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year.

Any introduction of multi-year funding agreements will be considered in due course.
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Premier League Primary Stars literacy initiative. \p Josh MacAlister: The government's Opportunity Mission aims to remove barriers and ensure every child achieves and thrives by providing the best start in life and essential skills. Reading is central to this mission and is crucial for success at school and in life, and so we welcome the Premier League’s work with the National Literacy Trust on supporting pupils’ reading through the Primary Stars literacy initiative.

On 7 July 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced that 2026 will be The National Year of Reading. The National Year of Reading 2026 is a campaign to address the steep decline in reading for pleasure amongst children, young people and adults. It is a department initiative, in collaboration with our delivery partner, the National Literacy Trust, who will lead the delivery of the campaign.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to help support independent fostering agencies to improve their co-commissioning practices. \p Josh MacAlister: The department’s priority is to recruit and retain more foster carers so there is a choice of stable, loving foster homes for children in care.

We encourage local authorities and independent fostering agencies to collaborate and offer the best possible homes for children in care. We welcome sector efforts such as the National Fostering Model Contract, which was co-produced by local authorities and Independent Fostering Agencies, which aim to improve commissioning processes.

The department is establishing Regional Care Cooperatives to improve the overarching approach to commissioning placements to best meet the needs of children. There are currently two Regional Care Cooperatives, one in Greater Manchester, and one in the South East, and we will continue to work with these regions to strengthen their commissioning approaches, which will include working closely with the relevant independent fostering agencies.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what trials his Department is undertaking relating to the frequency of (a) appointments, (b) interventions and (c) workcoach support provided to (i) young people and (ii) people with neurodivergent conditions. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As referenced in the Get Britain Working White Paper the Universal Credit Conditionality Evidence (UCCE) Project is currently running two large, randomised control trials testing the impact of varying the frequency of interventions, and the channel for providing support in Universal Credit; a full process evaluation and impact assessments will be published once complete.

The Department is committed to refreshing our evidence base and recently published its Evidence and Evaluation Strategy 2025. Goal 1 (enable people to get into work and to get on at work, ensuring employment opportunity for all) outlines how research and evaluation will inform our Labour Market reforms.

The department currently provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.

Our plan to Get Britain Working includes a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. This includes targeted support for young people who are NEET (not in education employment or training) or at risk of becoming NEET.

Outside of DWP provision, our new voluntary, locally-commissioned, Supported Employment programme, Connect to Work, is for anyone who is disabled, has a health condition or is experiencing non-health related barriers to work. Participants are given a dedicated specialist employment support adviser who works alongside them to understand their career goals and help them to address any specific barriers to employment. Participants are supported to have conversations with prospective employers, removing the need to go through complex application processes. The employment adviser works with both the employer and the participant to ensure that the transition into work is smooth and that the workplace is inclusive.

The programme is being led by local authorities across all of England and Wales and is rolling out throughout this year and early 2026. Local Authorities are required to offer Connect to Work through two models of Supported Employment – Individual Placement and Support and Supported Employment Quality Framework. The latter framework has been specifically designed, and has a proven track record, to support individuals with learning disabilities or who are neurodivergent to get into sustainable employment.
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Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the child maintenance service provides (a) oversight and (b) review mechanisms to help ensure (i) consistency and (ii) accountability in the application of caseworker discretion to arrears repayment schedules. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) adheres to the DWP Quality Framework, which deploys a three-line defence model for all decisions affecting the calculation and payment of maintenance.

The Debt Steer provides a policy-based framework for arrears negotiation. Its purpose is to ensure arrears are collected as promptly and reliably as possible, taking into account all relevant circumstances and financial situation.

Operational instructions and the Child Maintenance Decision Makers’ Guide are the tools used by caseworkers in applying a discretionary decision to negotiate an arrangement that extends beyond a two-year period, to ensure a reliable and sustainable plan for the payment of arrears by the paying parent in the shortest possible period of time. When the CMS makes a discretionary decision, caseworkers must consider the welfare of any child affected by that decision.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit health element applicants (a) had Parkinson's as their primary condition and (b) were found eligible in the last (i) three, (ii) six and (iii) twelve months. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
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John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many carers aged 18 to 21 receive (a) Universal Credit and Carer's Allowance and (b) the carer element of Universal Credit but not Carer's Allowance in England. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Data from February 2025 shows that there were 15,872 people aged 18-21 who received Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance in England. The source for this figure is the benefit combinations dataset on Stat-Xplore.

The department does not hold data on how many carers aged 18-21 in England receive UC and Carer’s Element but not Carer’s Allowance and to provide this would be at disproportionate cost.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of calculating Carer's Allowance eligibility over longer periods to help reduce the rate of overpayments and underpayments. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Carer’s Allowance is assessed on a weekly basis and paid either weekly or 4 weekly. Payment of Carer’s Allowance (CA) is dependent upon the person being cared for receiving a “trigger” DWP benefit, such as Disability Living Allowance, Personal independence Payment or Attendance Allowance, where entitlement is also assessed on a weekly basis. Where someone has fluctuating earnings, we try and find the most suitable period to average those earnings over to obtain the most accurate figure.

Liz Sayce OBE was commissioned to lead an Independent Review into overpayments of CA. The Government is carefully considering the recommendations of this Review which investigated how overpayments of CA related to earnings occurred, how we can best support those who have accrued them, and how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future.

We have already taken steps to improve the way CA operates and to support those who can combine their caring responsibilities with some paid work, including changing the weekly CA earnings limit to match 16 hours work at National Living Wage levels. This is the largest ever increase in the earnings limit since CA was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. Over 60,000 additional people will be able to receive CA between 2025/26 and 2029/30 as a result from investment worth around £500 million.

As with all benefits we keep Carer’s Allowance under review to see whether it is meeting its objectives.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department paid directly to the Motability scheme in 2024-25. \p Sir Stephen Timms: For the financial year 2024–2025 the total value of benefits transferred by Department for Work and Pensions to the Motability scheme was £3,074,920,421.67.

The Motability Scheme receives no direct funding from DWP. However, it does receive the direct transfer of benefit from DWP. This is claimant benefit the claimant would otherwise be receiving, and the cost of transfer is paid for by the Motability Foundation.

The Motability Scheme also receives zero rate VAT for hire of motor vehicle to individuals in receipt of specified disability benefits,: zero rate VAT for sale of lease vehicle on first sale after end of lease and zero rate Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) on Scheme policies.
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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department provides to deaf people who cannot read or write English and only use British Sign Language when moving from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is committed to ensuring that all customers are able to access the support they need. It is DWP policy to provide interpretation services when required. This includes the provision of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Support is available at every stage of the Universal Credit journey. This includes assistance prior to making a claim, to help customers understand the requirement to move to Universal Credit, as well as throughout the claim process itself. Where appropriate, this support can include home visits, with a BSL interpreter present if required, to ensure that no customer is disadvantaged in accessing the benefits to which they are entitled.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a right to request workplace modifications for employees not covered under the duty to make reasonable adjustments established in the Equality Act 2010. \p Sir Stephen Timms: This Department has made no such assessment.

Reasonable adjustments are changes an employer makes to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to someone's disability. All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the workplace where a disabled employee, would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage compared with their colleagues. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and providing guidance on reasonable adjustments.

Employers have a key role to play in supporting workers with long term health conditions or disabilities in the workplace. DWP's current offer to employers includes a digital information service, www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/ which provides tailored guidance to businesses to support employees to remain in work. This includes guidance on health disclosures and having conversations about health, plus guidance on legal obligations, including statutory sick pay and making reasonable adjustments.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a centralised policy on the treatment of veterans’ compensation when assessing eligibility for welfare benefits. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 8 July 63814
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Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many incidents of companies failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment to their employees were reported to the Health and Safety Executive in the (a) 2022, (b) 2023 and (c) 2024 reporting year. \p Sir Stephen Timms: This data is not readily available, and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking with businesses to help ensure that staff working in high street businesses have adequate safety measures in place when working alone on the shop floor. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I refer the Honourable Member to the previous answer 71094
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to make further savings after the implementation of the Universal Credit Act in April 2026. \p Sir Stephen Timms: This Government is committed to a social security system which raises employment and living standards by supporting and incentivising people into work and to work more, supports those who can never work to live with dignity, reduces poverty, promotes fairness and controls overall spending to ensure the long-term sustainability of the system for future generations.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help young people in supported accommodation in North Shropshire constituency increase their (a) working income and (b) financial security. \p Sir Stephen Timms: It remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment.

We are considering options to improve work incentives for residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation, while taking into account the views of stakeholders.
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Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of fatalities that occurred in the workplace were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive in the (a) 2022, (b) 2023 and (c) 2024 reporting year. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) puts duties on employers and other people in charge of work premises to report and keep records of all work-related fatalities, work related injuries, diagnosed cases of re-portable occupational diseases, and certain 'dangerous occurrences' (incidents with the potential to cause harm).

When reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) all fatalities undergo an initial triage investigation to determine whether the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 applies or not. An assessment is made to determine whether a full investigation is appropriate. Consideration is given to whether all reasonably practical precautions were taken, evidence is still available, the death was ‘work-related’ or it resulted from natural causes. Where appropriate, this will result in a full investigation by an Inspector.

The table below only shows the number of RIDDOR reportable fatal injuries in HSE enforced premises and investigated by HSE.

Year

No. RIDDOR reportable fatalities enforced by HSE

2022/23

156

2023/24

166 (r)

2024/25

154 (p)

Note:

Figures for 2024/25 are provisional and are marked as 'p' in the tables. They will be finalised in July 2026 following any necessary adjustments. Figures for 2023/24 have been revised (finalised) and are marked as 'r' in the tables.

Data on all fatalities in the workplace including for example, deaths from natural causes, is not available.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what performance metrics his Department uses to monitor whether Universal Credit agent responses to online journal messages are (a) accessible and (b) compliant with Departmental guidance for claimants with learning disabilities or mental health conditions. \p Sir Stephen Timms: There is no performance metric to monitor accessibility within the Department. However, all staff complete mandatory training on the Public Sector Equality Duty, and a wide range of support is available—including instructions, guides, and awareness sessions—to help staff make reasonable adjustments and provide accessible services. Universal Credit Agents receive dedicated training to interact effectively and sensitively with customers, particularly those with learning disabilities or mental health conditions, to ensure that everyone receives the support they need.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness among pensioners of winter fuel payment scams. \p Torsten Bell: DWP, in partnership with Action Fraud, are raising awareness of Winter Fuel Payment scams across Facebook and Twitter. This is alongside DWP’s continued work with trusted partners and charities such as Independent Age to ensure accurate and timely information is available. DWP has also developed a recorded message for our telephone lines and issued a press release via GOV.UK to raise awareness of Winter Fuel Payment scams.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support older people experiencing (a) emotional and (b) financial hardship in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Torsten Bell: The Government is committed to supporting pensioners and ensuring they have financial security and dignity in retirement.

The State Pension remains the foundation of our support for pensioners. In April this year, both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1%, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. And our commitment to maintain the Triple Lock – helping to raise over time the value of the State Pension – for the entirety of this Parliament will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £1,900.

Pension Credit continues to provide vital financial support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, find themselves on a low income. It was introduced by the last Labour Government specifically to help pensioners in financial hardship. It does this by guaranteeing a minimum level of income – called the Standard Minimum Guarantee – which was also increase by 4.1% in April to £227.10 week for a single pensioner or £346.40 week for a couple.

Receipt of Pension Credit also opens the door to other financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support and help with NHS costs as well as help with fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That is why we continue to promote Pension Credit across the whole of Great Britain, including to eligible pensioners and their family and friends in Surrey Heath. Our ongoing campaign features adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press.

DWP’s visiting service can also provide face-to-face support for vulnerable individuals with complex needs, ensuring they can access services—especially when they may have no one else to support them.

The Household Support Fund remains available for those facing financial hardship, with funding extended to March 2026.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to limit levels of pension investment into unsustainable fossil fuel practices. \p Torsten Bell: The UK pension sector is increasingly playing a role in investing in a more sustainable future, with many schemes setting net-zero targets and actively engaging with companies to reduce emissions. As part of the pensions legislative and regulatory framework, there are requirements for regular reporting, including through Statements of Investment Principles, Implementation Statements and annual reports aligned with the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), along with voluntary Stewardship Code Reports. Taken together these requirements mean pension schemes must disclose how they are managing risks from any exposure to fossil fuels.

The Government has consulted on new UK Sustainability Reporting Standards aligned with international sustainability standards, and on our manifesto commitment on climate transition plans. Analysis of industry feedback currently underway will help shape future policies in these crucial areas. These measures aim to improve transparency and accountability across the economy, helping investors, including pension schemes, understand how climate and nature-related issues affect their portfolios.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that patient data is seamlessly shared between the NHS in (a) England and (b) the devolved Administrations. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The UK Government is committed to ensuring that people across the United Kingdom live more independent, healthier lives for longer, and will continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations as needed to achieve this. That is why we will be engaging in the future with the Devolved Administrations on the implications of the forthcoming Health Bill, and the single patient record, to support appropriate cross-border referrals, and appropriate information sharing to inform good decision-making, support healthcare, and minimise risk to patients.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_100

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to help ensure that rural communities with poor (a) broadband and (b) mobile signal can access digital NHS services from home. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Digital health should be seen as part of a multi-channel offering that meets the needs and preferences of users. Digital services must be designed to alleviate healthcare inequalities rather than exacerbate them. Our goal is to ensure that reducing healthcare inequalities and improving digital inclusion have due focus in wider inclusive user design and delivery for all digital health products and services. Digital health tools should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.

We continue to work with partners, including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), to reduce digital barriers and support those at risk of digital exclusion.

The National Health Service Digital Inclusion Framework supports delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan by providing a structured approach to tackling digital barriers across connectivity, skills, confidence, and accessibility. It ensures digital transformation is inclusive and aligned with the Plan’s ambition to personalise care, reduce inequalities, and create a health system that works for everyone.

Integrated care systems (ICSs) have also been asked, through NHS priorities and operational planning guidance for financial year 2025/26, to implement the NHS Digital Inclusion Framework and identify local populations most at risk of exclusion, including those affected by poor connectivity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_101

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of being able to view the risk of major conditions on people with poor mental health. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The 10-Year Health Plan includes a commitment to begin implementing integrated risk scores that bring together polygenic risk scores (PRS) and other non-biological risk factors. NHS England, in partnership with Our Future Health and clinical experts, will carry out a service evaluation, considering a number of factors including clinical impact and the impact on individuals of the implementation of PRS, beginning with a targeted number of major conditions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_102

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of histotripsy treatment in the NHS. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Early clinical evidence shows that histotripsy, a non-invasive focused ultrasound treatment, can safely and precisely destroy liver tumours without the need for surgery or radiation. Histotripsy remains under evaluation, and the Government continues to monitor real-world outcomes, including its effectiveness in the National Health Service. The Government is working with clinical and research experts to accelerate United Kingdom-based evidence generation to support wider NHS adoption of histotripsy.

HistoSonics developed the Edison System to delivery histotripsy, and this was selected as one of eight transformative technologies supported through the Government’s Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP) pilot, which streamlines patient access to medical devices addressing unmet clinical needs in the NHS.

Through the IDAP, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted HistoSonics an Unmet Clinical Need Authorisation (UCNA), exempting the manufacturer from certain regulatory requirements under strict conditions, allowing early market access. This authorisation is reserved for technologies that address a critical unmet clinical need and demonstrate sufficient data for safety and early effectiveness, with evidence that the manufacturer is working towards full regulatory approval. The UCNA requires ongoing reporting to the MHRA to monitor safety and performance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_103

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the role of his Department in building an NHS fit for the future. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Whilst there have been no recent formal discussions between my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, there is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care.

The 10-Year Health Plan for England, which was published on 3 July 2025 by the Department of Health and Social Care, sets out a plan to create a new model of care fit for the future. The Strategic Defence Review recognises the interdependencies between the Defence Medical Services and the National Health Service and the need to continue to strengthen this partnership. Implementation of the review’s recommendations is underway.

A series of workshops, involving both the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care, are exploring the United Kingdom’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The Ministry of Defence is also participating in the cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need, and shared plans for delivery.
wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_104

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the 10-Year Health Plan, what assessment he has made of public trust in AI for use in AI diagnosis tools. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan commit the Government to making the National Health Service become the healthcare system in the world most ready for artificial intelligence (AI). The Department is testing AI in areas that cause the most harm to health and to our economy. Supporting clinicians to make faster and more effective decisions through the testing and deployment of diagnostic support AI has been one of the key areas of the Department’s work.

This Government takes public opinion on AI deployment seriously. The Department and UK Research and Innovation have previously held public dialogue on how the public feels decisions should be made about access to their personal health data for AI purposes. Insights from these dialogues have been used to inform policymakers and future guidance for both developers and adopters of AI tools in the NHS.

To bridge the gap between policy and practice and build confidence in AI for both the public and adopters, the NHS launched the AI Ambassadors Network in January 2025, allowing clinicians and NHS staff to hear from and pose questions directly to AI experts and regulators. The network already has almost 10,000 members.

In the UK, AI products used in health and care are regulated as medical devices to ensure patient safety and are subject to stringent requirements, including those laid out in the Medical Devices Regulations 2002, and robust monitoring by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, this year we will review regulations, and in 2026, we will publish a new regulatory framework for medical devices, including AI.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_105

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England has included requirements for sovereign AI capability in contracts awarded under the Federated Data Platform. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: A mandatory requirement across all awarded contracts under the NHS Federated Data Platform is that any processing of data, whether involving artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities or not, must adhere to strict UK data governance regulations. This explicitly includes a data residency requirement, stipulating that all data must be stored and processed within the United Kingdom. This ensures all data remains subject to UK law and regulatory oversight.

The use of any foundational models is restricted exclusively to models that are hosted within the UK and all with UK endpoints. This policy ensures that the core AI processing, in addition to the data itself, remains within the nation's jurisdiction, thereby ensuring a sovereign AI capability by design.
wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_106

Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has carried out an (a) impact, (b) equality, (c) risk and (d) other assessment of the proposed abolition of local Healthwatch organisations. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The abolition of local Healthwatch arrangements requires primary legislation which would be included in a Bill before Parliament. Timing of this is subject to the will of Parliament and will happen when parliamentary time allows.

A full impact assessment would be produced in line with HM Treasury's Green Book standards and published on the Government website when legislation is introduced in Parliament. No assessments have been made at this time, although the expertise of Dr Penny Dash and her critical review of patient safety will continue to guide the Government’s policy in this regard.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_107

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take to ensure that patients have access to independent statutory mechanisms for raising concerns about health and care services following the proposed abolition of local Healthwatch organisations. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The report by Dr Penny Dash, published in July, recommended bringing together the work of local Healthwatch organisations, and the engagement functions of integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers, to ensure patient and wider community input into the planning and design of services. The recommendations in the report were accepted, in full, by the Government.

The abolition of local Healthwatch arrangements, and the transfer of their functions to ICBs and local authorities will require primary legislation. The timing of this is subject to the will of Parliament and will happen when Parliamentary time allows.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-23 conversation_108

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to approve the use of sepiapterin for people with phenylketonuria. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department and regulates medicine, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom, with responsibility for ensuring medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.

The MHRA has several licensing routes that are available to companies to support access of innovative medicines or medicines with unmet need to patients. Sepiapterin is currently not approved by the MHRA, however, it will assess any market authorisation applications for sepiapterin against the high standards of quality, safety and efficacy should an application be received.