Written questions by Ribeiro-Addy.

How many patients with (a) leukaemia and lymphoma, (b) myeloma, (c) other cancers, (d) myelodysplastic syndromes, (e) aplastic anemia, (f) thalassemia, (g) bleeding disorders and (h) other conditions which require regular blood transfusions have developed haemolysis due to receiving a blood transfusion with unmatched blood in the last 12 months.

Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) is the United Kingdom’s independent, professionally led haemovigilance scheme. SHOT collects and analyses information on adverse events and reactions in blood transfusion from all healthcare organisations that are involved in the transfusion of blood components and specific blood products in the United Kingdom. Further information on SHOT is available at the following link:https://www.shotuk.org/The latest data available on haemolytic transfusion reactions was published in the Annual SHOT Report 2024. The report reviews reactions reported to SHOT from January to December 2024, and is available at the following link:https://www.shotuk.org/shot-reports/annual-shot-report-2024/#annual-shotOver the year, based on the available data, a total of 51 haemolytic transfusion reactions were reported. No errors were reported during the provision of blood components, meaning in all cases blood was appropriately matched, including safe substitutions where necessary, according to the patient requirements and clinical situation, as per British Society for Haematology’s guidelines, which are available at the following link:https://b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/guidelines

What steps she is taking to help ensure that children evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment are accompanied by appropriate family members.

The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can receive specialist treatment in NHS hospitals across the UK.At this time, we cannot comment on expected numbers as there is no set figure for the total number of children that will receive treatment over the lifetime of HMG Gaza Medevac.All children will be accompanied by their immediate family. This means parents, and any siblings under the age of 18, who will be subject to standard security screening before travel. Those brought to the UK will be granted leave to stay for up to two years with the ability to access public funds, including treatment and wraparound support in the UK, this is irrespective of how long their treatment lasts. If individuals wish to remain beyond the initial two years, they can apply for further permission to stay under existing routes within the Immigration Rules.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of critically injured Palestinian children that are permitted into the UK for life-saving medical treatment.

The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can receive specialist treatment in NHS hospitals across the UK.At this time, we cannot comment on expected numbers as there is no set figure for the total number of children that will receive treatment over the lifetime of HMG Gaza Medevac.All children will be accompanied by their immediate family. This means parents, and any siblings under the age of 18, who will be subject to standard security screening before travel. Those brought to the UK will be granted leave to stay for up to two years with the ability to access public funds, including treatment and wraparound support in the UK, this is irrespective of how long their treatment lasts. If individuals wish to remain beyond the initial two years, they can apply for further permission to stay under existing routes within the Immigration Rules.

If she will take steps to help ensure that children medically evacuated from Gaza will not be subject to forced return to (a) Gaza or (b) an unsafe country following treatment in the UK.

The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can receive specialist treatment in NHS hospitals across the UK.At this time, we cannot comment on expected numbers as there is no set figure for the total number of children that will receive treatment over the lifetime of HMG Gaza Medevac.All children will be accompanied by their immediate family. This means parents, and any siblings under the age of 18, who will be subject to standard security screening before travel. Those brought to the UK will be granted leave to stay for up to two years with the ability to access public funds, including treatment and wraparound support in the UK, this is irrespective of how long their treatment lasts. If individuals wish to remain beyond the initial two years, they can apply for further permission to stay under existing routes within the Immigration Rules.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on aligning the Housing Benefit taper rate with the Universal Credit taper rate for young people in supported accommodation.

The department does not routinely collect management information on reports of customers limiting working hours or turning down employment opportunities but we do have anecdotal evidence of this occurring. This is why it remains the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment. The department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department is considering the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders and other government departments. As funding is required to allow a change, any future decisions will take account of the current fiscal context.

If she will take steps to waive biometric requirements for children medically evacuated from Gaza to the UK.

Individuals who enter the UK as part of this cohort will be subject to robust security checks ahead of travel. Individuals will be required to submit their biometrics prior to travel to the UK, and we are doing everything we can to support their safe exit to a third country where their biometrics will be captured and applications processed. In cases where individuals are medically certified as too ill or unable to enrol, decisions on whether to defer biometric enrolment until arrival in the UK will be made on a case-by-case basis.Further guidance on providing biometric information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biometric-information.

If he will ensure that (a) prioritisation for medical evacuation and treatment of children from Gaza is based solely on clinical urgency and medical need and (b) it is not contingent on the availability of private funding or charitable sponsorship.

The Government is working urgently to get some of the critically ill and injured children medically evacuated from Gaza.The United Kingdom is partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO), which works on the ground and plays a critical role in supporting medical evacuations from Gaza. Clinical leaders in the NHS are working to match Gazan children to a priority list of those needing specialist medical care, provided by medical specialists in Gaza to the WHO, where there is capacity within the NHS to treat them.Children will only be transferred to the UK where it is clinically safe to do so and in the interests of each individual patient. As such, we will ensure medical assessments are undertaken before they travel.The UK Government will meet all the costs of those evacuated as part of this process.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the wholesale price increase of Mounjaro on patients managing (a) obesity and (b) type 2 diabetes.

As we shift the focus from treatment to prevention through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.NHS England has worked with Eli Lilly to ensure that the list price increase will not affect National Health Service commissioning of tirzepatide in England as a treatment for eligible patients, and we remain committed to the rollout of this medicine as a weight loss treatment based on clinical priority. This will enable 220,000 eligible people to access the medication over the first three years. Not everyone who wants tirzepatide will be able to access it at first, and the initial eligibility criteria will be for people with a body mass index of 40 or more in addition to four or more qualifying comorbidities.Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also entered equivalent agreements to maintain their current commissioning approaches.Pricing in the private market is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers. Private patients who are impacted by price increases should discuss any concerns with their private provider. This includes their options regarding payment plans, alternative treatments, and/or stopping or tapering off their current medication. Eli Lilly is working with private providers to support continued patient access.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Saudi Arabian counterparts on its use of capital punishment in (a) non-lethal criminal cases and (b) other criminal cases.

The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries as a matter of principle, and in all circumstances. Saudi Arabia is well aware of the UK's opposition to the use of the death penalty. We regularly raise our concerns about the use of the death penalty with the Saudi authorities using a range diplomatic channels, at Ministerial level and through our Ambassador and our Embassy in Riyadh.

How many sickle cell patients who had complications due to sickle cell listed as their cause of death experienced haemolysis in the period before their death in the last 12 months.

The Department does not hold this information. NHS England does not hold or have access to data that would accurately represent the number of sickle cell patients that have died due to complications due to sickle cell in the last 12 months, or how many of those patients experienced haemolysis in the period before their death in the last 12 months.The National Disease Registration Service, part of NHS England, is expanding its rare disease collection to include patients with sickle cell disorder (SCD) in England. This will form a comprehensive national dataset to enable improved understanding of patient pathways for SCD, support planning and commissioning of services and improve patient outcomes.

How many sickle cell patients have died due to complications due to sickle cell in the last 12 months.

The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold this information. NHS England does not hold or have access to data that would accurately represent the number of sickle cell patients that have died due to complications due to sickle cell disorder (SCD) in the last 12 monthsThe National Disease Registration Service, part of NHS England, is expanding its rare disease collection to include patients with SCD in England. This will form a comprehensive national dataset to enable improved understanding of patient pathways for SCD, support planning and commissioning of services and improve patient outcomes.

What recent discussions he has had with the NHS on its policy of informing Sickle Cell patients when they are not given Ro matched blood.

DHSC are working in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant, NHS England and the National Blood Transfusion Committee to deliver on the recommendations detailed in the infected blood inquiry, which includes improving digital patient records and communications for patients receiving transfusions. A blood genotyping programme has also been introduced, enabling detection of previously undetectable antibodies that could cause complications. To meet the clinical need to provide better matched blood for patients with conditions like sickle cell disorder, NHS Blood and Transplant is actively recruiting donors from Black heritage backgrounds.

How many sickle cell patients whose cause of death was listed as complications due to sickle cell have had an inquest into their death.

The Department does not hold this information as we would only be made aware of inquests that result in the Department receiving a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) Report. Not all inquests result in a PFD report, only where the coroner believes that action should be taken to prevent future deaths.The National Disease Registration Service, part of NHS England, is expanding its rare disease collection to include patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in England. This will form a comprehensive national dataset to enable improved understanding of patient pathways for SCD, support planning and commissioning of services and improve patient outcomes.

How many government contracts held by Allied Universal (G4S) have been subject to (a) formal performance review, (b) warning notices and (c) breach proceedings in each of the last five years.

Allied Universal includes a number of G4S group entities. Contract awards may therefore be recorded under different UK legal entities (for example, G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd and G4S Facilities Management (UK) Ltd). Contracting authorities are responsible for awarding and managing their contracts, including monitoring performance and applying contractual remedies in line with the regulations in force at the time. For contracts designated as the Government’s most important contracts, performance against KPIs is published on GOV.UK. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search). The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. The Cabinet Office regularly publishes a list of the government’s most important contracts on GOV.UK. This includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, together with current performance. Where Allied Universal (including G4S entities) holds such contracts, the information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. For other contracts, effectiveness is monitored by the relevant contracting authorities through their contract management arrangements

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Allied Universal (G4S) in delivering government contracts across every Department.

Allied Universal includes a number of G4S group entities. Contract awards may therefore be recorded under different UK legal entities (for example, G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd and G4S Facilities Management (UK) Ltd). Contracting authorities are responsible for awarding and managing their contracts, including monitoring performance and applying contractual remedies in line with the regulations in force at the time. For contracts designated as the Government’s most important contracts, performance against KPIs is published on GOV.UK. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search). The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. The Cabinet Office regularly publishes a list of the government’s most important contracts on GOV.UK. This includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, together with current performance. Where Allied Universal (including G4S entities) holds such contracts, the information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. For other contracts, effectiveness is monitored by the relevant contracting authorities through their contract management arrangements

Whether departments have reported concerns about Allied Universal (G4S) delivery of contracted services to the Cabinet Office in the past 12 months.

Allied Universal includes a number of G4S group entities. Contract awards may therefore be recorded under different UK legal entities (for example, G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd and G4S Facilities Management (UK) Ltd). Contracting authorities are responsible for awarding and managing their contracts, including monitoring performance and applying contractual remedies in line with the regulations in force at the time. For contracts designated as the Government’s most important contracts, performance against KPIs is published on GOV.UK. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search). The government has taken significant steps to increase transparency in the delivery of public services. The Cabinet Office regularly publishes a list of the government’s most important contracts on GOV.UK. This includes up to four Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for each contract, together with current performance. Where Allied Universal (including G4S entities) holds such contracts, the information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-performance-indicators-kpis-for-governments-most-important-contracts. For other contracts, effectiveness is monitored by the relevant contracting authorities through their contract management arrangements

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the value of Healthy Start vouchers.

Healthy Start is a demand-led, statutory scheme and aims to support those in greatest need. An assessment was recently made of the adequacy of the value of Healthy Start funding and it was announced in Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan that we will uplift the value of weekly payments by 10%, boosting the ability to buy healthy food for those families who need it most. From April 2026, pregnant women and children aged over one and under four years old will each receive £4.65 per week, up from £4.25, and children under one years old will receive £9.30 per week, up from £8.50.The funding for Healthy Start can be used to buy, or be put towards the cost of, fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, milk, and infant formula. Healthy Start beneficiaries are also eligible for free Healthy Start Vitamins.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether systems are in place to (a) record and (b) monitor the (i) tonnage, (ii) quality and (iii) composition of post-consumer textile exports from the UK to Ghana; and what evidence exporters are required to submit on (A) sorting, (B) reuse and (C) disposal practices in destination countries.

Exporters of waste textiles must provide information on where the waste is being exported to, and the operation the waste will be subject to at its final destination. UK legislation requires that those involved in the shipments of textile waste take all necessary steps to ensure that it is managed in an environmentally sound manner throughout its shipment and in its country of destination. Exporters operating in contravention of the requirements of the UK’s legislation can face a two-year jail term and an unlimited fine. The four UK regulators for waste exports conduct proactive, risk based and intelligence-led interventions and compliance activities to prevent illegal waste shipments before they leave the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure patients receive timely updates about the status of their NHS operations through (a) the NHS App, (b) other digital platforms and (c) other means.

The National Health Service continues to invest heavily in the NHS App, and in the past two years we have been implementing digital integration between acute hospitals and the NHS App, meaning that patients can now view their clinical pathway and appointments via the NHS App. We continue to work with hospital trusts to maximise the opportunities available to update patients via the NHS App, which is a key part of the 10-year plan to reform the NHS.The NHS App has now been adopted by 88% of acute trusts, up nearly 20% since July 2024, which enables patients to view and manage their hospital appointments.Analysis shows that hospitals that make the changes to plug their systems and processes into the NHS App key app features have improved elective care waiting times.

If he will consider increasing the value of Healthy Start vouchers for children from birth to one year old to meet the average cost of baby formula.

Healthy Start is a demand-led, statutory scheme and aims to support those in greatest need. An assessment was recently made of the adequacy of the value of Healthy Start funding and it was announced in Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan that we will uplift the value of weekly payments by 10%, boosting the ability to buy healthy food for those families who need it most. From April 2026, pregnant women and children aged over one and under four years old will each receive £4.65 per week, up from £4.25, and children under one years old will receive £9.30 per week, up from £8.50.The funding for Healthy Start can be used to buy, or be put towards the cost of, fresh, frozen, or tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried, and tinned pulses, milk, and infant formula. Healthy Start beneficiaries are also eligible for free Healthy Start Vitamins.