theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that the needs and wellbeing of (a) infants, (b) children and (c) young people are central to the priorities in the NHS 10-Year Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and the 10-Year Health Plan is central to achieving this ambition. The three strategic shifts in the Plan set out how we are prioritising them.

Hospital to community will mean parents and children will have better access to care and treatment in their local areas, meaning less time taken out of school to make appointments and fewer hospital visits.

Analogue to digital will see delivery of My Children function on the NHS App. This will enable parents to have access to their child/children’s complete medical history. It will also enable parents to book appointments for their children and be signposted through artificial intelligence to advice for urgent and non-urgent medical questions.

Sickness to prevention will see a greater emphasis on ensuring children develop and maintain healthy habits throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Children turning 16 years old or younger this year will never legally be sold tobacco, and we intend to strengthen the existing ban on smoking in public places to reduce the harms of passive smoking to children. All children will see less junk food advertising and will be given healthy nutritious food in schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the proportion of retirement (a) villages and (b) homes without automated external defibrillators. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to improving access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the Fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partner to manage grant applications. Smarter Society reviewed funding applications, against requirements specified by the Department. These requirements were to ensure that the resource was allocated where there was the greatest need, e.g. remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

At present, there are no plans to introduce legislation requiring the installation of AEDs in retirement villages and homes. Additionally, the Department has not conducted a formal assessment of the number of AEDs currently in place within these facilities. As noted above, this is because AEDs are allocated based on greatest need, and collecting this data would not likely be decision relevant.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce alcohol related cancers. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Cancer Plan will build on the shift from sickness to prevention set out by the 10-Year Health Plan, and will seek to reduce risk factors. The plan will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, as well as prevention. This will include alcohol consumption, alongside other risk factors, given alcohol is linked to an increased risk of seven types of cancer: mouth; pharynx; larynx; oesophagus; breast; liver; and bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.

In relation to ensuring public awareness of the link between alcohol and cancer, the Government has a responsibility to provide the most up to date health information to enable people to make informed choices about their drinking. Both the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines and the National Health Service’s webpage on alcohol clearly state that alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing seven types of cancer.

On 3 July 2025, the Department published ‘Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England’, which outlines plans to introduce mandatory alcohol labelling, to increase awareness of harms and enable people to make healthier choices. Details of the next steps will be shared in due course.

The 10-Year Health Plan also recognises that No and Low (NoLo) drinks may have the potential to help adults reduce their alcohol intake if consumed in place of a standard-strength alcohol drink. In the document, we outline plans to explore if there is a need to change the threshold at which products can describe themselves as alcohol free, to support growth of this sector. We will also explore options to restrict access to NoLo products, so they are treated in the same ways as all alcohol products, including banning sales to children under 18 years old. Alongside the plan, a large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings of that being available in the coming year.

The 10-Year Health Plan also commits to supporting community level innovation, and continued expansion of Individual Placement and Support schemes for people with alcohol addiction to find good work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with representatives of the food industry on the health impact of ultra-processed foods. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department regularly engages a range of stakeholders including in the food industry. My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has had no meetings with the food industry specifically on the health impact of ultra-processed foods.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to commission more adult vaccines from community pharmacy. \p Ashley Dalton: We are committed to increase vaccine uptake and improving access, including by exploring new and innovative delivery models to deliver vaccinations, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan for England.

Community pharmacies already play a key role in delivering seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to adults, and we are exploring options to expand this offer to other vaccination programmes

For example, in 2024, NHS England commissioned selected community pharmacies in the East of England to help deliver year-round respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes for pregnant women, to protect newborns, and adults aged between 75 and 79 years old. This is being expanded to support the maternal pertussis vaccination programme, and selected pharmacies in other regions have now also been commissioned to deliver these vaccines.

Looking ahead, the 10-Year Health Plan sets out the Government’s ambition to expand the role of community pharmacy in prevention, including through the delivery of more National Health Service vaccination services. We will increase uptake of human papillomavirus vaccinations among younger adults who have left school including by making it available in pharmacies, supporting our aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 63541 on Autism: Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, if she will take steps to collate this information centrally. \p Ashley Dalton: Research already exists that shows evidence of an increased risk for children of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, when exposed to Valproate during pregnancy. This includes the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s publication, Valproate: review of safety data and expert advice on management of risks.

As this link is already identified in the evidence and research available, NHS England has no plans to collate further information about the number of children with autism also diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to ban alcohol advertising. \p Ashley Dalton: On 3 July 2025, the Department published Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, which outlines plans to introduce mandatory alcohol labelling, to increase awareness of harms and enable people to make healthier choices. It also commits to exploring expanding the ban on sales of alcohol products to children under 18 years old to include alcohol- free products, to protect young people. It further commits to continued expansion of Individual Placement and Support schemes for people with alcohol addiction to find good work. The Plan is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-future

The Government is committed to building a National Health Service fit for the future, with a greater emphasis on the prevention of avoidable health harms, supporting people to live well for longer. We will continue to work across Government reduce the negative impact excessive alcohol consumption is having on health, crime and the economy.

The Government has no plans to introduce a ban on alcohol advertising.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking consult men’s mental health organisations on the men’s health strategy In Lancashire. \p Ashley Dalton: The Men's Health Strategy will seek to improve the health and wellbeing of all men in England and will be informed by a call for evidence which closed on 17 July 2025. The call for evidence was open to the public, academics, health and social care professionals and stakeholder organisations in England, including men’s mental health organisations in Lancashire. We are now analysing responses to the call for evidence to inform development of the strategy. We will continue to engage with stakeholders during its development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of applications to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme were successful at (a) first application and (b) appeal since 2020. \p Ashley Dalton: Between 1 January 2020 and 6 June 2025, data from the NHS Business Services Authority, the administrators of the scheme, shows that 205 claims to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme were successful at a first application. This equates to 1.5% of the claims that had received an initial outcome.

In the same time period, 29 mandatory reversal requests were successful. This equates to 2.1% of the reversal outcomes that had been notified to claimants.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of innovation in the beer and pub sector with the (a) development and (b) availability of (i) no and (ii) low alcohol products on the aims of the NHS 10 Year Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to standardise which products can describe themselves as alcohol free. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards. At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.

Alongside the plan, a large multi-year National Institute for Health and Care Research study is underway to examine the public health impacts of NoLo products, and we look forward to the findings the study being available in the coming year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations on the (a) composition, (b) marketing and (c) labelling of commercial infant and toddler foods. \p Ashley Dalton: Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influences many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we have regulations in place that set nutritional, compositional, and labelling standards for commercial baby food. These ensure that the ingredients used in commercial baby food are suitable for the nutritional needs of infants and require businesses to ensure labelling in clear and not misleading. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy.

We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure they reflect the latest scientific and dietary guidelines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration he has given to opening a unit in the UK for surgical emergencies from Gaza. \p Ashley Dalton: In October 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care helped the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to arrange 21 tonnes of vital, life-saving Government humanitarian aid for displaced civilians in Gaza. Essential supplies included 76,800 surplus trauma kits, 1,350 water filters, and 2,560 solar lights. The Government recently announced a £7.5 million package to strengthen medical care in Gaza and the region, including additional funding for UK-Med and the World Health Organization in Egypt.

The Department is not currently considering opening a unit dedicated to surgical emergencies from Gaza, however we continue to urge the Israeli Government to allow and facilitate the safe, rapid, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid and ensure that basic services are provided for all Gazan civilians.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 63048 on Blood: Donors, what the ethnic breakdown is of the 4,493 donors deferred due to travel; and what this is as a proportion of (a) total deferrals  and (b) total deferrals per ethnic group. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for collecting blood donations across England, in order to fulfil hospital requests to meet patient need.

From 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025, a total of 4,493 donors deferred due to travel. The following table shows the ethnic breakdown of these deferrals as a proportion of (a) total deferrals and (b) total deferrals per ethnic group:

Ethnicity

Total Deferrals

Deferrals due to Travel

% of Total Deferrals

% Total Deferrals by Ethnicity

Any other Asian background

3,448

63

0.0%

1.8%

Any other Black/African/Caribbean background

724

21

0.0%

2.9%

Any other ethnic group*

1,409

44

0.0%

3.1%

Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnic background

2,114

38

0.0%

1.8%

Any other White background

17,343

273

0.1%

1.6%

Arab

1,005

20

0.0%

2.0%

Asian Bangladeshi

817

11

0.0%

1.3%

Asian Indian

7,176

157

0.1%

2.2%

Asian Pakistani

2,126

232

0.1%

10.9%

Black- African

6,562

265

0.1%

4.0%

Black- Caribbean

3,663

66

0.0%

1.8%

Chinese

1,709

34

0.0%

2.0%

English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British

231,879

3,107

1.1%

1.3%

Mixed White and Asian

2,071

39

0.0%

1.9%

Mixed White and Black African

842

15

0.0%

1.8%

Mixed White and Black Caribbean

2,093

23

0.0%

1.1%

Not Disclosed

1,516

20

0.0%

1.3%

Unknown

880

19

0.0%

2.2%

White Irish

3,634

46

0.0%

1.3%

Grand Total

291,011

4,493

1.5%

1.5%

Source: NHSBT’s centrally held administrative systems, extracted 27 June 2025.

Note: *Any other ethnic group includes Gypsy or Irish Traveller and Roma to comply with small number suppression.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people with postural tachycardia syndrome. \p Ashley Dalton: Improving health outcomes for everyone living with a long-term condition, including postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), is a key part of the Government's mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.

People with PoTS can access a variety of NHS services that are locally commissioned by integrated care boards, which are responsible for ensuring that their local area has appropriate services in place to meet the needs of their population.

Many patients can be diagnosed and managed effectively within primary care. In complex cases, or where patients do not respond to initial treatment, patients may be referred to specialised cardiology or neurology services.

At a national level, NHS England has made additional support available. This includes a focus on healthy working environments, tools and resources to support line managers to hold meaningful conversations with staff to discuss their wellbeing, and emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support.

The three shifts outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan will support people with long-term conditions, including those with PoTS, to better manage their condition and access services closer to home. For example, it will empower them to access their medical history and allow them to book and manage their appointments and medication.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to establish a ring-fenced research fund for studying the reproductive safety of sodium valproate. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department, through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), commissions a range of research to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. For example, the NIHR is currently funding a £2.7 million award which aims to improve outcomes, for both mother and baby, in pregnant women with epilepsy through early identification of women and their babies at risk of complications, and to promote safe antiepileptic drug (AED) use.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including AEDs such as sodium valproate. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department plans to develop to help support life sciences SMEs to prepare evidence dossiers that will be compatible with Innovator Passport standards to enable rapid access to NHS procurement. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department and NHS England are committed to reducing procurement friction to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The development of the Innovator Passport will include close engagement with industry, including SMEs, to ensure that the approach taken and the implementation reflects the needs of SMEs, including the provision of clear guidance and ongoing support. To support this, the Department is developing a digital product comparison platform called MedTech Compass which will align with the new National Health Service Innovator Passport and provide improved visibility of the products available from SMEs. The Department is also launching Value Based Procurement Standard Guidance early next year, to provide a consistent and transparent approach to assessing medical technology. The guidance includes a bank of questions and model answers which outline the types of evidence that should be provided by bidders, and followed close engagement with industry to develop.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to encourage more people from ethnic minority backgrounds to become blood donors in Greater Manchester. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood donation in England.

Recruiting donors from black heritage backgrounds is a strategic priority for NHSBT, driven by the clinical need to provide better matched blood for patients with conditions like sickle cell, which disproportionately affects people of black heritage. As a result, NHSBT is delivering marketing and communication activities that target key diverse areas. Greater Manchester is one of NHSBT's key target regions for their Giving Types campaign, with proactive public relations and regional media stories being deployed to drive the appeal for more blood donors using real-life case studies from the local area. Further information on the Giving Types campaign is available at the following link:

https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/campaigns/giving-type/

The NHSBT Community Grants Programme funds community and faith/belief organisations to drive awareness, understanding, and behaviour change amongst black, Asian, mixed heritage, and minority ethnic communities to build support for blood donation. NHSBT has two Community Grant Programme groups operating in Manchester, specifically Become United and the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN). They host events, webinars, and produce videos on behalf of NHSBT to promote blood donation within their communities. Further information on the NHSBT Community Grants Programme is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/get-involved/community-grants-programme/

NHSBT attends and hosts specific events which will attract a high number of people from ethnic minority backgrounds to encourage blood donation, for example the recent attendance at CAHN’s Windrush Day 2025 in Alexandra Park, Greater Manchester.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that the National Genomic Test Directory for Cancer is expanded to include known biomarkers for rare forms of cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Genomic Test Directory includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases and over 200 cancer clinical indications, and includes both whole genome sequencing (WGS) and non-WGS testing. It is updated annually, following a robust and evidence-based process, with a fast-track scheme in place to make in-year changes. ​

The NHS Genomic Medicine Service has implemented next generation sequencing pan-cancer panels for solid tumours and haematological malignancies, including for rare cancers, as well as WGS for cancer patients. This has enabled testing for a larger number of genetic variations, the identification of known biomarkers to target treatment, and improved eligibility for clinical trials.

In April 2025, NHS England and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a genomic testing pathway to support the rapid, safe adoption of innovation in genomics, including, for example, new testing for known biomarkers, into the National Health Service. Further information on the NICE genomic testing pathway is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-england-nice-genomic-testing-pathway/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he had with Ofgem prior to the RIIO GD3 interim settlement for the gas network. \p Michael Shanks: Ofgem’s RIIO3-GD3 interim settlement outlines allowable investment from the gas transmission and distribution operators to maintain safety and resilience in the gas network between April 2026 and April 2031. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.

Similarly, the Secretary of State has regular meetings with Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator. Final RIIO-GD3 determinations, including those relating to investment, health and safety, and customer bills are ultimately for Ofgem to determine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2025 to Question 64795 on MBR Acres, what recent assessment she has made of the potential risks to the (a) local and (b) national population from the site. \p Dan Jarvis: We keep things under review at this site at all times.

The Government has made a manifesto commitment to phase out animal testing. At present the use of animals in research continues to play a vital part in our understanding of how biological systems work and supports the development of new medicines and medical technologies, for both humans and animals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle people who commit fraud by developing fake romantic relationships on (a) Tiktok and (b) other steaming platforms and manipulate victims into transferring large sums of money. \p Dan Jarvis: The Online Safety Act (OSA) was passed in November 2023 and requires all in-scope platforms to tackle fraud originating on their platforms. Fraud is included in the Act as an illegal harm, meaning in-scope companies must take proactive measures to stop fraudulent content appearing on the platform, and remove fraudulent material quickly when they become aware of it. In addition, the Act's Additional Duties for Categorised Services will require the largest companies to provides features for users to verify users on their platforms, and interact with other verified accounts.

Ofcom, acting as the independent regulator, will have the power to levy significant fines on companies who they deem are not doing enough to tackle fraud on their platforms. As of 17 March 2025, Ofcom's illegal harm duties are now in force, and the regulator will now start assessing platforms' compliance with their new obligations under the Act, and will launch enforcement action where they uncover concerns.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to to project 12 of her Department's publication entitled Non-technical summaries for project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act between January – March 2025, what the title is of the guidelines which specify the numbers of animals used in each study. \p Dan Jarvis: The legislation relating to placing a Medical Device on the market is The Medical Devices (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1478/contents/made).

We are working with regulators to see how advances in technology can and will reduce use and phase out use in some areas.

Although much research can be done without using animals, there are still purposes where use of live animals is essential, as the complexity of whole biological systems cannot be reliably replicated using alternative methodologies. Animal testing is therefore often required by all global medicines regulators, including the UK’s Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Applications for animal research must conform with all legal requirements set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This includes, applying the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement); the replacement of animals with alternatives, the reduction of the number of animals used to the minimum possible and the refinement of any techniques to reduce the harm suffered by the animals to the minimum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many times stop and search powers have been used under Serious Violence Reduction Orders in the West Midlands. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) were piloted for two years throughout Merseyside, Sussex, Thames Valley and West Midlands police force areas. The pilot took place between 19 April 2023 and 18 April 2025.

The pilot is being independently evaluated, and the evaluation is considering the use of stop and search powers under SVROs across the four pilot forces

The final independent evaluation of the pilot, due this summer, will look to understand the use of the SVRO stop and search power and the effectiveness of SVROs in reducing reoffending and knife carrying.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the police on tackling illegal motorbike driving in public spaces in the West Midlands. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

Our Crime and Policing Bill will give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles, including motorbikes, involved in anti-social behaviour with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.

On 28 May, the Government launched a six-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to more quickly dispose of seized vehicles such as motorbikes, which have been used anti-socially.

Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially in West Midlands by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands on tackling knife crime. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission and I have regular engagement with policing colleagues, including Police and Crime Commissioners, on how we can collectively achieve this ambition.

During Knife Crime Awareness Week in May this year, I visited Coventry to observe the proactive measures being implemented by West Midlands Police to tackle knife crime.

West Midlands Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Midlands have also been significant contributors to the Knife-Enabled Robbery (KER) Taskforce, which I established in October 2024 to take urgent action against this rising crime type. As a member of the Taskforce they have helped build the evidence base of ‘what works’ to tackle KER and shared innovative practice with other partners.

The West Midlands has recently seen a decline in knife crime, including a sizeable reduction in KER (14% reduction in the YE December 2024 compared with the previous year), with initiatives such as weapon surrender bins, dedicated investigative resource, and preventative work contributing to this progress.

These developments underscore the importance of continued collaboration and evidence-based strategies in our mission to make communities safer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_75

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme will be extended automatically; and whether her Department is considering a visa route for Ukrainians that could could provide a pathway to permanent settlement. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government recognises the importance of providing clarity and reassurance to Ukrainians living in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes and is aware that many individuals and families are seeking certainty about their future once their leave under the UPE schemes expires. As such, the Government is actively considering the future of the Ukraine visa schemes and will provide further clarity as soon as it is in a position to do so.

The Government has been clear from the outset that these schemes are temporary and do not provide a direct route to settlement. They reflect a generous and meaningful commitment to support those displaced by the conflict, while also respecting the Ukrainian Government’s strong desire for its citizens to return and contribute to the country’s future recovery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_76

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the FCDO press release entitled LGBTQIA+ Legal Guidebook launched in Philippines for Pride Month, published on 23 June 2025, whether her Department has a policy on the use of the phrase LGBTQIA+; and whether it has replaced (a) LGBT and (b) LGBT+. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not mandate the use of any particular acronym in reference to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office works with a range of organisations globally to protect and promote the human rights of the most vulnerable communities.

The Government uses LGBT+ in communications and publications, as these are widely recognised and understood.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_77

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an estimate of the average number of businesses that have ceased trading on each day since July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Rt. Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 16th July is attached.

PQ 68459 (pdf, 95.3KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_78

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any special advisers attended the Prime Minister's visit to Doncaster on 10 April 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Special advisers routinely travel with the Prime Minister and did so on 10 April, including so as to provide support in the conduct of any official duties, which can arise at any time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_79

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 62087 on Lobbying, whether his Department plans to formally respond to the report. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and we will factor into consideration the recommendations from PACAC's report as any policy reforms are considered. However, the report was conducted and published under the previous administration, and framed in the context of policy restraints imposed by that administration, therefore the Government will not be providing a full report response.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_80

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish an annual written statement on charges incurred by Departments for the use of official government cars for Ministers. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The annual written statement on charges incurred by departments for the use of official government cars for Ministers ceased in 2018 under the previous administration. There are no plans to resume it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_81

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Solicitor General, what guidance has been posted on the Government Legal Service intranet since July 2024. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government Legal Service no longer exists and has been replaced by the Government Legal Profession (GLP).

The GLP produces guidance to assist government lawyers as they work closely with ministers, policy makers and other professionals.

Lawyers across government have an important role in helping the Government deliver its manifesto and run effective public services.

Since July 2024, the following guidance has been published on the GLP intranet:

17/10/2024 Working with Legislation - Westlaw Edge UK  11/2024 Attorney General’s Guidance on Legal Risk  02/2025 Knowledge Sharing Across the GLP Legal Professional Privilege Being an Effective Government lawyer  12/02/2025 Legal Professional Privilege Guidance - Sharing Advice Across the GLP  20/05/2025 New legal awareness slides on producing Statutory Instruments
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_82

Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to update the Government's loneliness strategy, entitled, A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness, published on 15 October 2018. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is committed to supporting people to have the social connections they need. This is a key part of achieving wider government priorities across health, community cohesion, and supporting young people. Rather than a standalone strategy for tackling loneliness, we are embedding this important issue in wider government strategies, including the new National Youth Strategy which is due to be released in the autumn. The National Youth Strategy will set out a new long-term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_83

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including capital purchase costs for the acquisition of (a) run‑down or (b) former cultural venues within the eligibility criteria of the Creative Foundations Fund. \p Chris Bryant: The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) will support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. An important part of this government’s growth mission, this fund aims to strengthen the long-term economic viability of the creative and cultural industries.

This is part of this government’s ongoing commitment to ensure arts and culture are fit for the future and to ensure everyone has access to high quality institutions in the places they call home. The fund will support organisations to continue delivering creative or cultural activity, support growth and increase opportunities to develop creative skills and engage in high-quality creative work.

We have worked with the sector to understand the variety of capital needs it is facing. Through this assessment we know there is a significant urgent need for organisations at risk of closure if urgent capital works are not completed. This fund will offer vital support to prevent the closure of operating cultural spaces and the potential irrevocable loss this would have to local communities and economies. However, property purchases have been excluded from the CFF. Full eligibility details in the guidance can be found on ACE’s website.

Looking ahead, we know that the cultural sector continues to have significant capital needs. This is why the recent Spending Review committed to significant capital spend that will support cultural institutions in towns and cities across the country. Individual programme decisions will be determined in due course and made public in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_84

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the funding announced for her Department in the Spending Review 2025 is (a) new funding and (b) was funding allocated to the Department by the previous Government. \p Stephanie Peacock: Spending Review 2025 (SR25) formally set all Departmental budgets for the upcoming SR period, no budgets had been formally set before for this period. As such, all SR25 funding was agreed by the current government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_85

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the alignment of Best Start Family Hubs with the rollout of Neighbourhood Health Services in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes. \p Janet Daby: The department will launch a new Best Start in Life campaign in autumn which will guide parents, from pregnancy through their child's journey to starting school and beyond. It will be followed by a new Best Start digital parenting hub. Discussions around design and timelines for launch are ongoing. We are committed to ensuring it meets parents' needs and will share further updates as the work progresses.

We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations. Through local commissioning, we will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries, childminders and colleges, ensuring support for young children’s health and development is available and accessible in communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_86

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to implement a national exemption from council tax for foster carers; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a policy on the recruitment and retention of foster carers. \p Janet Daby: Councils already have the power to offer council tax discounts and exemptions in their area where appropriate. Some councils use these powers to provide council tax reductions and exemptions for foster carers.

All fostering providers should have a clear policy around remuneration of foster carers. Many fostering service providers provide incentive schemes as rewards, and we encourage the use of these.

Government has published a plain English guide to council tax, which sets out the support available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/paying-the-right-level-of-council-tax-a-plain-english-guide-to-council-tax/paying-the-right-level-of-council-tax-a-plain-english-guide-to-council-tax#am-i-entitled-to-a-reduced-council-tax-bill.

The department recognises the need to recruit and retain more foster carers, and the need for sufficient financial support to carry out their role. Foster carers pay varying levels of council tax across the country, therefore a nationwide exemption would result in inconsistent financial support, with some foster carers receiving significantly less financial support than others.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_87

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of families are unable to access family support services in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. \p Janet Daby: The department does not currently hold data to determine the proportion of families who are unable to access family support services at constituency level. However, a 2024 survey by UNICEF UK and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children found that one in four families with children under five cannot access local children’s centres or Family Hubs, rising to one in three low-income families.

On 7 July 2025, the government published ‘Giving every child the Best Start in Life’. This outlines our commitment to deliver a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority. Local authorities not currently receiving funding for the programme this year will receive a development grant to support their preparations, ahead of national rollout of Best Start Family Hubs from April 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-28 conversation_88

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of existing financial education provision in helping pupils understand (a) saving, (b) budgeting, (c) mortgages and (d) banking. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.