Every parliamentary written question tabled by Beccy Cooper this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 121–138 of 138 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) newbuild housing quality and (b) housing prices on health outcomes for residents.
Building Regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the safety and health of people in or about those buildings. The impacts of these standards are assessed when changes are made to individual parts of the Building Regulations and Approved Documents.
What steps his Department is taking to update guidance to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) on the need to offer gluten free staples on NHS prescription for people with coeliac disease.
NHS England has no plans to update the guidance. The Department undertook a national consultation in 2017 on the prescribing of gluten-free (GF) foods in primary care. The rationale for this was the increased availability of these products in supermarkets and other food outlets at a time when the annual cost to the National Health Service of prescribing such items was £15.7 million. The first of these proposed changes to prescribing arrangements resulted in the Government’s decision to restrict NHS prescribing of such foods to only bread and mixes.NHS England’s guidance, Prescribing Gluten-Free Foods in Primary Care, was developed to communicate to local commissioners, now integrated care boards (ICBs), the changes in legislation. Wording is included in the guidance which states that commissioners may further restrict the prescribing of GF foods by selecting bread or mixes only, or may choose to end the prescribing of GF foods altogether if they feel this is appropriate for their population, whilst taking account of their legal duties to advance equality and provided they have regard to reducing health inequalities. In NHS England’s guidance, there are no limits on the amount of bread or mixes that can be prescribed. This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/prescribing-gluten-free-foods-primary-care-guidance-for-ccgs.pdfDecisions about the commissioning and funding of local health services are the responsibility of local ICBs. NHS England’s guidance should be taken into account when ICBs formulate local policies, and prescribers are expected to reflect local policies in their prescribing practice. The guidance does not remove the clinical discretion of prescribers in accordance with their professional duties.
If she will take steps to increase the level of pay for non-academized sixth-form college teachers.
The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE), including in sixth form colleges. The pay and conditions of FE staff remains the responsibility of individual colleges and providers, who are free to implement pay arrangements in line with their local needs.The department recognises the vital role that teachers in sixth form colleges, as well as in other FE colleges, play in developing the skills needed to drive our missions to improve opportunity and economic growth. The department is investing around £600 million to support FE across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. This includes extending retention payments of up to £6,000 after tax to eligible early career FE teachers in key subject areas, including in sixth form colleges. The department also continues to support recruitment and retention with teacher training bursaries worth up to £30,000 tax-free in certain key subject areas, and with support for industry professionals to enter the teaching workforce through the Taking Teaching Further programme.My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a budget on 30 October to be followed by a multi-year spending review in the spring of next year. Decisions about future post-16 funding and capital programmes will be subject to the outcomes of these fiscal events.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the potential environmental impact of mobile phones going to landfill.
No assessment has been made of the environmental impacts of mobile phones going to landfill.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging cosmetic retailers to highlight allergens in the ingredient list.
The UK Cosmetics Regulation requires manufacturers to provide a full list of ingredients for cosmetics products.In addition, cosmetics that contain fragrance allergens, must identify the presence of these ingredients by referring to them as ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’ to help people identify and avoid those products which they may be allergic to.Fragrance allergens are included as entries in Annex III to the Cosmetics Regulation and can only be used at the permitted thresholds and where required when accompanied by the relevant warnings.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help protect Edmundo Gonzalez, leader of the Venezuelan democratic opposition.
It is completely unacceptable that the Maduro regime forced Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez into exile and issued a warrant for his arrest. Baroness Chapman of Darlington publicly condemned the arrest warrant on 4 September. The Foreign Secretary has also spoken out against these reprehensible actions. I am grateful that Spain has been able to provide safety and asylum to Edmundo Gonzalez and he is now able to continue to speak out for the democratic will of the Venezuelan people. The UK continues to work with international partners to achieve a peaceful solution in Venezuela. Dialogue remains the only solution.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the prevalence of non-alcohol related fatty liver disease in children.
NHS England is assessing the role of screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children as part of the initial 30 Complication from Excess Weight clinics. Children and young people are assessed within these clinics for a range of physical and mental health problems associated with excess weight with the intention to provide early interventions. The efficacy of this approach is currently being evaluated by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
What steps she is taking to help ensure police officers are trained to deal appropriately with people who rely on prescribed medical cannabis.
The Home Office published Circular 018/2018 when Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use (CBPMs) were introduced under Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 on 1 November 2018. The circular summarised the effects of the legislation, and is primarily aimed at law enforcement, including the police. It remains available on gov.uk. This guidance applies to all CBPM prescriptions, whether prescribed on the NHS or privately. The Circular is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/circular-0182018-rescheduling-of-cannabis-based-products-for-medicinal-use-in-humans.Additionally, the Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care contributed to the NHS document ‘Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)’, which includes a summary of how patients may demonstrate that they are in lawful possession. This guidance is available at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing parents to buy first-stage baby formula using (a) loyalty points, (b) grocery vouchers, (c) food bank vouchers and (d) other cash-equivalent methods.
Infant formula legislation sets robust nutritional and compositional standards to ensure that all infant formula meets the nutritional needs of babies for healthy growth and development, irrespective of brand or price. The legislation also restricts the marketing and promotion of infant formula so as not to discourage breastfeeding. This is in line with our international commitments to support the World Health Organisation International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to promote breastfeeding.The Department has published guidance on infant and follow-on formula and food for special medical purposes, including specialist infant formulas, which advises businesses on the implementation of the regulations. Loyalty and reward card schemes vary between retailers, and it is for businesses to ensure that their activities are in compliance with the regulations on a case by case basis.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is undertaking a market study into competition in the infant formula sector in the United Kingdom. It is gathering evidence on: consumer behaviour, the drivers of choice, and the information and advice available to consumers to support their decisions; the role of the regulatory framework and its enforcement in influencing market outcomes; and the supply-side features of the market such as barriers to entry and expansion. The CMA’s market study is expected to publish an interim report in October 2024. We look forward to the CMA’s interim report into this issue and we will carefully consider any findings and recommendations for the regulatory framework for infant formula.
What steps his Department has taken to establish a health mission board.
My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, chairs a cross-government Health Mission Board to oversee and drive delivery of the health mission to ‘build a health and social care system fit for the future'.
What steps he is taking to increase the numbers of (a) health visitors and (b) school nurses.
We are committed to creating the healthiest generation of children ever. To achieve this, we must ensure that families have the support they need to give their babies and children the best start and the building blocks for a healthy life.The child health workforce, including health visitors and school nurses, is central to how we support families to give their child the best start in life. Their contact with parents, carers and children of all ages provides vital advice and support and helps ensure that health, development, and safeguarding needs are identified early.We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients, their carers and their families are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. We will want to assure ourselves, and the National Health Service, that the current plan will deliver the reform needed. We will need to do this in light of the 10 Year Plan.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of pathways for the earlier detection of non-alcohol related fatty liver disease.
There are 10 community diagnostic centres (CDC) currently providing ultrasound liver elastography, otherwise known as a fibroscan. NHS England has plans to understand the diagnostic pathways for liver disease and how CDCs can further support this. The pathway for assessing liver disease should start with blood tests taken in primary care, with FIB-4 liver tests available at National Health Service trusts.
What the timeframe is for implementation of the review by Lord Darzi entitled Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England, published on 12 September 2024.
Lord Darzi’s full report has laid bare the true extent of the challenges facing our health service, giving us the frank assessment necessary to face these problems honestly and properly and do the hard work required to fix them. Lord Darzi’s findings will inform our 10-year plan to radically reform the National Health Service and build a health service that is fit for the future.The plan will consider the change needed to meet the three health mission goals; a fairer system where everyone lives well for longer, an NHS that is there when people need it, and fewer lives lost to the biggest killers. This is a long-term challenge and will take time to deliver, and so the plan will consider both what immediate actions are needed to get the NHS back on its feet and bring waiting lists down, as well as the longer-term changes needed to make the health service fit for the future.Alongside the 10-year health plan we are also taking action to address immediate challenges in the health service, such as hiring a thousand more general practitioners and ending junior doctor strikes. We have also committed to cut NHS waiting times with 40,000 more appointments every week, double the number of cancer scanners, develop a new Dentistry Rescue Plan, hire 8,500 additional mental health staff, and ensure the return of the family doctor.
What steps she is taking to ensure programmes intended to reduce coercive control are trauma-informed.
The Home Office and Ministry of Justice fund a wide range of organisations to provide support to victims and survivors of Coercive and Controlling Behaviour and Domestic Abuse, including providing £2.5 million in 24/25 funding to Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse for domestic abuse interventions in health settings, including support for those who have experienced CCB.We will use every lever available to Government to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade, in the Home Office, across the whole of government, with policing and other experts, such as NHS England.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring people with lung conditions are given an annual (a) review and (b) medication check.
Annual reviews, including reviews of medication, play a key role in the ongoing management of people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). They are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), playing a core part in its guidance for the diagnosis and management of asthma and COPD. Further information on the NICE’s guidance for the diagnosis and management asthma and COPD is available respectively at the following two links: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng115 The majority of patients with COPD and asthma are managed by general practitioners and members of the primary care team, with onward referrals to secondary care where required, and so the provision of annual reviews is incentivised in primary care through the Quality and Outcomes Framework. There are specific indicators for annual reviews for both COPD and asthma within this framework, specifically sections COPD010 and AST007. The Quality and outcomes framework guidance for 2024/25 is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/quality-and-outcomes-framework-guidance-for-2024-25/ The NICE is currently reviewing its guideline for the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of chronic asthma, and an updated version is due to be published in November 2024. Based on the draft that has been published for consultation, we anticipate annual reviews will remain a recommended core component of the ongoing management of people with asthma.
If he will commission a review into the adequacy of adult liver services across the NHS.
There are currently no plans for a review into the adequacy of adult liver services across the National Health Service. The commissioning of services for liver disease is generally the responsibility of integrated care systems (ICS). ICS are responsible for decisions on commissioning health services and reviewing those services to ensure they best meet the needs of their local population.NHS England has a Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Clinical Reference Group (CRG) which provides clinical advice to NHS England in support of the commissioning of specialised services. By working in partnership with key stakeholders, the CRG helps drive improvements in the quality, equity, experience, efficiency, and outcomes of specialised services. The CRG is currently reviewing its service specification in relation to liver and pancreatic care, which is scheduled for completion before the end of the current financial year.
What steps he is taking to improve the (a) quality and (b) accessibility of online NHS health information.
We are working to improve access to digital services, outcomes, and experience for the widest range of people, based on their preferences. Patients unable to use digital channels can continue to access services via telephone and through traditional face to face services.Citizens can access a range of information on different health conditions on the National Health Service’s website, which is all clinically verified. Centrally built services, such as the NHS App and NHS website are designed to meet international accessibility standards. We are modernising the mobile patient experience within the NHS App, ensuring information is clearly structured and easy to find and understand.NHS organisations and publicly funded social care providers in England are required to meet the Accessible Information Standard, in order to meet the communication needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss, including patients with sight or hearing loss.
What steps she is taking to ensure that support for SEN children is needs-led.
The government has made it their mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The department’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the support they need, in the most appropriate setting. The department is committed to taking a community-wide approach, improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.An important part of this work is strengthening the evidence base on what works to identify and support children with different types of needs. The department has recently commissioned a number of independent evidence reviews to shed further light on this.