Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Snowden this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,741–1,760 of 2,662 · this parliament
Whether his Department holds data on instances where the cost of drugs sourced from American pharmaceutical companies has significantly increased in the last five years; and what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of such increases on NHS budgets.
NHS England do not record or hold data related to the medicines purchased by the NHS categorised by base of the parent company of the supplier.
Whether he has made a comparative assessment of the cost to the NHS of procuring pharmaceutical drugs from suppliers based in the (a) USA, (b) UK and (c) EU.
NHS England has not made a comparative assessment of the cost to the NHS in England from procuring pharmaceutical drugs from suppliers based in other domains, including the EU and the USA, compared to from the UK.
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the ability of universities to deliver healthcare and medical training courses in the context of declining revenues.
The Department for Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) on a wide range of matters, including healthcare education and training funding. Matters relating to the income of universities are the responsibility of DfE.Latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for 2025 show that acceptances to undergraduate nursing and midwifery courses at English providers have increased by 2% when compared to the same point last year, and by 5% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019. These are not final numbers. The UCAS Clearing cycle closes in October.
What estimate his Department has made of the potential savings to the public purse following the introduction of the chickenpox vaccine programme.
The chickenpox vaccination programme is considered cost-effective and is expected to relieve pressures on health services that currently result from treating cases of chickenpox, saving the NHS an estimated £15 million a year in costs.The vaccination programme forms part of the Government’s wider ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever as part of our Plan for Change, boosting the nation’s health and ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS as we shift the focus of healthcare from treatment to prevention.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62750 on Sharing Economy: Data Protection, what her policy is on the impact of committing this offence on the asylum applications of people seeking refugee status.
All foreign nationals, including asylum seekers, can and will face prosecution for criminal offences in the same way as any other individual in the UK, and their criminality is considered if convicted. Anyone convicted of a particularly serious crime resulting in a custodial sentence of 12 months or more, and who is considered a danger to the UK, will be denied the protection of asylum and will be considered for removal from the UK.
What assessment his Department has made of the energy efficiency of (a) standard domestic radiator systems, (b) under floor heating, (c) infrared panels and (d) other low-temperature heating solutions.
The energy efficiency of these products is covered within two ecodesign regulations, for ‘hydronic’ and ‘local’ space heating products. Work is ongoing to review the policy in respect of both regulations including assessing efficiency through market research and engagement with industry stakeholders. Preliminary research has identified significant potential for energy efficiency improvements across these product types. We intend to consult on proposals to reform local space heating regulations in due course. We consulted on proposals to increase the efficiency of hydronic space and combination heaters earlier this year and will publish a government response soon.
Whether her Department has considered the potential merits of implementing mandatory infrastructure audits for airports to prevent service disruption due to (a) fires and (b) other infrastructure incidents.
UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place to ensure safety and minimise potential disruption. My officials will continue to regularly engage with the CAA and industry to ensure the aviation sector remains safe and resilient.’
Whether the UK Emergency Alert System has been (a) tested and (b) integrated with military contingency planning for civil emergencies.
Contingency plans for civil emergencies are cohered by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Government. Defence support is integrated into those plans where required through the Military Aid to Civilian Authorities (MACA) process. Emergency Alerts are integrated within those plans by the Cabinet Office. The alert system has been tested, with the last test having taken place on 7 September 2025.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulations to prevent pavement cycling.
Cycling on the pavement and on footpaths is an offence under Section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, other than in designated areas such as on bridleways and shared use paths. There are no plans to review the adequacy of this legislation and enforcement of cycling offences is a matter for the police.
Whether his Department has issued guidance to (a) schools and (b) colleges on the use of protein supplements by students engaged in sports programmes.
No specific guidance on the use of protein supplements has been issued to schools and colleges. However, the School Food Standards (SFS) are mandated to ensure that schools provide pupils with healthy food and drink options, enabling children to get the energy and nutrients they need across the school day. Protein supplements are not included under the SFS and so should not be provided by schools. Compliance with the SFS is mandatory for all maintained schools, academies and free schools, including sixth form colleges attached to secondary schools. Schools are encouraged to have a whole school approach to healthy eating, including local policies for food and drinks that can be brought onto the school site from home. School governing boards are responsible for setting their school food policies and ensuring compliance with the SFS. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023 reported that population level protein intakes exceed recommendations across all age and sex groups. As such, protein supplementation is largely unnecessary for the majority of the population, including children engaging in sports activities at school or college.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62750 on Sharing Economy: Data Protection, how many people have been charged with the offence in the last 12 months.
The Home Office does not hold the information requested.
Pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to Question 62750 on Sharing Economy: Data Protection, what guidance is issued to forces investigating this crime.
As facilitation of Illegal working is a criminal offence, any investigation will be compliant with guidance, legislation and relevant codes of practice in place for investigators and prosecutors.
What discussions she has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on the adequacy of fire safety infrastructure at airports.
UK aviation operates in the private sector. It is therefore the responsibility of industry to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place to ensure safety and minimise potential disruption. My officials will continue to regularly engage with the CAA and industry to ensure the aviation sector remains safe and resilient.’
What steps she is taking to ensure cyclists are aware of their responsibilities under the Highway Code.
Cyclists have a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner and to follow the rules set out in the Highway Code. The Department promotes safety advice for cyclists via the THINK! website which contains a variety of educational resources, and through social media channels and radio advertising. Specific examples of activity to promote knowledge of the Highway Code amongst cyclists include the THINK! campaign “Travel like you know them” administered by the Department for Transport, and the “Bikeability” cycle training programme funded by Active Travel England.
What steps he is taking to promote the replacement of inefficient radiator systems in homes.
The Government’s ‘Energy Efficiency Home’ campaign looks to inform consumers about actions they can take to improve the energy efficiency of their home. This includes smart energy tips for radiator systems; energy-efficient-home.campaign.gov.uk/smart-energy-tips/#turndownradiators. Consumer can also use the Government's home retrofit tool on GOV.UK, ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’ (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency), which allows users to get tailored recommendations for home improvements that could make their property cheaper to heat and keep warm. Consumers can also call the home retrofit phoneline service on 0800 098 7950.
What steps he has taken to ensure post-market surveillance of NHS-provided weight loss drugs to monitor their long-term effects in patients.
The newest obesity medicines, liraglutide, under various brand names, semaglutide, under the brand name Wegovy, and tirzepatide, under the brand name Mounjaro, have only been licensed and recommended for use for the treatment of obesity over the last few years. We recognise the need to collect long-term data on both the effectiveness and side effects of these medicines. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continually monitors the safety of medicines during their use, including weight loss medications. The MHRA has robust safety monitoring and surveillance systems in place for all healthcare products.For example, although semaglutide and some other GLP-1 treatments have been used in the treatment of diabetes for some-time, semaglutide, when used for weight management, as well as newer medicines like tirzepatide are subject to more intense monitoring by the MHRA as part of its Black Triangle scheme.The MHRA also strongly encourages patients and healthcare professionals to continue reporting suspected side effects to GLP-1 medicines through its Yellow Card Scheme, which collects reports of suspected adverse effects for all healthcare products. In addition, NHS England is working with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the MHRA, and academic partners to collect real world evidence on the use of tirzepatide in National Health Services. This includes monitoring prescribing patterns, patient outcomes, and long-term safety signals through existing national datasets and local system level services.These measures ensure that the benefits and risks of using medicines for weight management are kept under ongoing review, and that appropriate action can be taken if safety concerns arise.
What steps he is taking to help improve access to (a) podiatry and (b) physiotherapy services for patients with plantar fasciitis.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local populations, which includes the provision of physiotherapy and podiatry services for the management of plantar fasciitis.NHS England does not hold condition-specific data that would allow identification of access issues for patients with plantar fasciitis. However, aggregate data on community health services, including physiotherapy and podiatry, is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/community-health-services-waiting-lists/It is important to note that this data set does not include services delivered by acute providers. For information on waiting times for specific conditions, individual providers would need to be approached directly, although such data is unlikely to be routinely collected or reported at that level of detail.The Getting It Right First Time Musculoskeletal (MSK) Community Delivery Programme is funded by the Joint Department for Work and Pensions and Department of Health and Social Care Work and Health Directorate with a key objective being the reduction of waiting times for community MSK services. The programme is using a six-point plan, a handbook with case studies, and regular meetings with senior ICB officials to support 17 systems in the reduction of their waiting times. This programme is currently being evaluated with the aim of sharing lessons across the National Health Service.
What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the police caution in preventing defendants from withholding information during interviews and later relying on it in court.
When the police interview a suspect they must explain that they do not have to answer questions but there could be consequences if they do not by reading to them the police caution:“You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”If the suspect does not understand the caution because they cannot understand English, the custody officer must arrange for the assistance of an interpreter, and if they are considered to be vulnerable then they must be supported throughout the interview by an appropriate adult. Whilst in police custody or undergoing a voluntary interview the suspect has the continuing right to free legal advice.We keep the operation of police powers, including the police caution, under regular review through engagement with policing stakeholders. We are not aware of any concerns about the effectiveness of the police caution in preventing defendants from withholding information.The Home Office collects and publishes data on detentions for over 36 hours without warrant of further detention where the person was subsequently released without charge, as part of the annual ‘Police Powers and Procedures: Custody and pre-charge bail’ statistical bulletin. The data is available here: Police powers and procedures England and Wales statistics - GOV.UK
If his Department will publish a post-programme evaluation of the (a) uptake, (b) communication efficacy, (c) demographic reach and (d) lessons learned of the War Widows Recognition Payment Scheme within 12 months of the scheme closing.
An update titled "War Widows Urged to Claim Recognition Payment Before October 2025 Deadline" was published on 22 August 2025 on GOV.UK to raise awareness of the Scheme's closure to ensure those eligible have the opportunity to claim before the deadline. This followed a Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 July 2025. Details have been shared with members of the Confederation of Service Charities, the War Widows' Association and other members of the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG). Details were also published on the Armed Forces Covenant website on 1 September 2025. The Ministry of Defence’s Veterans Welfare Service remains available to support individuals in completing their applications. We will report back to the DBFG in 2026 with details on the final numbers and uptake of the Scheme. Since its launch on 16 October 2023, the Scheme has approved over 240 applications, awarding more than £21 million and providing meaningful recognition to eligible recipients. Over 70% of applications were submitted in the first three months, but activity has dropped sharply, with just 14 claims in 2025. An internal review confirmed the Scheme was on track to achieving its objectives, and with demand now significantly reduced, the Government will proceed with its planned closure on 15 October 2025. A final communications push will urge those yet to apply to act before the deadline. Further details of the internal review, including analysis can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/war-widowers-recognition-payment
What steps he is taking with international regulatory bodies to harmonise the regulation of weight loss drugs.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care and regulates medicine, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK. The MHRA is responsible for ensuring medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.Weight loss medicines, like all medicines, are regulated nationally, but global harmonisation happens through bodies like the International Committee for Harmonisation (ICH), which the MHRA is a full member of.The ICH guidelines include common standards for safety, efficacy, and quality. In addition, the World Health Organisation provides international norms.Differences remain in how countries balance risks and benefits, meaning access and approval of weight loss medications can still vary worldwide. This is so that each approval matches the pathway of care in their country.To support our post-marketing signal monitoring processes, the MHRA contributes to the International Post-Market Surveillance (IPMS) teleconference between the regulatory authorities in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Singapore. Each authority provides topics to discuss, and share information, which has on occasion included safety topics relating to weight loss medications.