Committee publication · Correspondence · 12 June 2026 · HC 307
Corres. from Minister of State for Health and Social Care, re Regulatory Restrictions around high-risk cosmetic procedures, dated 03.06.2026
From: Women and Equalities Committee
Inquiry: Health impacts of breast implants and other cosmetic procedures
Summary
Minister Karin Smyth responds to the Women and Equalities Committee's report on regulatory restrictions around high-risk cosmetic procedures. The government commits to consulting on draft regulations in June 2026 targeting highest-risk procedures, and pledges to implement licensing within the current parliament, while acknowledging past regulatory gaps in the aesthetics industry.
Key findings
- Government plans to consult on draft regulations for high-risk cosmetic procedures in June 2026, with licensing implementation committed within the current parliament.
- Minister acknowledges concerns about government pace of delivery and recognises that regulation has not kept pace with expansion of the aesthetics industry.
- Full government response to the Committee's report will address the Committee's concerns and provide detailed plans on high-risk procedures, PIP breast implants, and medical tourism.
- Government remains committed to balancing increased patient safety, new business requirements, and proportionate enforceable regulation.
Government position
The government accepts the need for increased regulation of cosmetic procedures. It commits to consulting on draft regulations in June 2026 targeting high-risk procedures and implementing licensing within the current parliament. It acknowledges regulatory gaps and past delays but frames the challenge as balancing safety, business impact, and proportionality. A full formal response to the Committee's report will follow publication of the consultation.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Karin Smyth MP, Sarah Owen MP, Women and Equalities Committee, Department of Health and Social Care
Notable line
“… regulation has not kept pace with the expansion of the aesthetics industry”
Key Quotes
“… we plan to consult on draft regulations in June. Our intention is to issue a formal government response to the WEC report, once our consultation setting out our proposed approach and underpinning legislation is published.”
“I recognise that regulation has not kept pace with the expansion of the aesthetics industry and, on that basis, I can assure you that we are committed to implementing licensing in the current parliament.”
“… striking the balance between increased patient safety, placing new requirements on businesses and introducing proportionate and enforceable regulation is challenging.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗