Written questions by Ribeiro-Addy.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS preparedness for the next generation of blood cancer treatments.

We are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Lord O'Shaughnessy review into commercial clinical trials, to ensure that innovative, lifesaving treatments are accessible to National Health Service patients, including those with blood cancer.The Government has also stated that £70 million will be spent on new radiotherapy machines, which will help ensure that the most advanced treatment is available to patients who need it.In September 2024, Lord Darzi concluded an immediate and independent investigation of the NHS. These findings will help to support improvements across the healthcare system, including through the new 10-Year Health Plan. A core part of this will be our workforce, including the cancer workforce, and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients across our communities.In addition, we will develop a new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including blood cancer.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential role of the oil and gas industry in (a) contributing to international climate finance pledges and (b) contributing funds to the just transition of works into green industries.

The Government has made several spending announcements since July to deliver the UK’s 2019 pledge to spend £11.6bn in International Climate Finance between April 2021 and March 2026, and is supporting workers to move from carbon-intensive sectors to clean energy industries with initiatives like the Energy Skills Passport. Additionally, the temporary Energy Profits Levy, which applies to upstream oil and gas producers, is expected to raise £12.6bn between now and 2030. This revenue will help support the transition, enhance energy security and independence, provide sustainable jobs, and help protect electricity bills against price shocks.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to review the adequacy of revenue raising mechanisms for climate reparations ahead of COP30 in Belem.

Countries in the Global South are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, and we are committed to partnering with these countries to address the climate and nature crisis and accelerate the clean energy transition.We are committed to helping deliver global climate finance, including the New Collective Quantified Goal agreed at COP29 of at least $300 billion per year to developing countries by 2035, and responding to the wider call on all actors to increase climate finance to developing countries to £1.3 trillion per year. As part of that effort, we consider specific revenue raising mechanisms on a case-by-case basis, and we are pressing for faster and more ambitious reforms to the global financial system to deliver much more and higher quality climate and development finance. This is not about reparations. The UK government's position on reparations has not changed.

What progress she has made on implementing the recommendations of the Brook House Inquiry, published on 19 September 2023; and whether any of those recommendations have been completed.

30 out of the 33 recommendations made in the Brook House Inquiry report have been accepted or partially accepted, with 12 recommendations met and closed as of October 2024. The remaining recommendations remain on track for closure by summer 2025.

What steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of people dying in poverty in Lambeth.

The Department has noted the recommendations made in the report, and values Marie Curie as a key stakeholder which engages with us constructively in this area. The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit. For many years, the Special Rules applied to people who have 6 months or less to live, they have now been changed so they apply to people who have 12 months or less to live.  Changes to the Special Rules mean that thousands of people nearing the end of life are now able to claim fast-tracked financial support from the benefits system six months earlier than they were able to previously.

If the Government will take steps to ensure Crown Post Office Staff will not be (a) made redundant and (b) moved to roles with (i) poorer working conditions and (ii) lower pay after their branches are franchised.

No decisions regarding Crown, or ‘Directly Managed’ Branches, have been taken. Any decisions on staffing are a matter for Post Office but we would expect any changes to be carried out in line with due process, including engagement and consultation. One of the central aims communicated within Post Office's recently announced transformation plan was to prioritise postmasters, including increases in postmaster pay.

What steps the Government is taking to reduce the number of people dying in fuel poverty in Lambeth.

The Government is committed to a preventative approach to public health. Keeping people warm and well at home and improving the quality of new and existing homes will play an essential part in enabling people to live longer, healthier lives, reducing pressures on the NHS. There are multiple targeted schemes delivering energy efficiency measures to low-income and fuel poor households. The Warm Home Discount schemes provide a £150 rebate off bills to eligible low-income households across Great Britain. The Government has kickstarted delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including an initial £1.8 billion to support fuel poverty schemes over the next 3 years.

If his Department will consult on the closure and franchising of Crown Post Offices.

No decisions regarding Crown, or ‘Directly Managed’ Branches, have been taken. The Post Office works with local communities to consider how to best meet needs for Post Office services in a local area. The Post Office will continue to deliver on the 11,500 minimum branch requirement set by Government.

What steps his Department is taking to support workers facing potential job loss in the event of Crown Post Office (a) closures and (b) franchising.

No decisions have yet been taken on the future of any Crown, or ‘Directly Managed’ Branches. Although staffing is an operational matter for the Post Office, we would expect any changes to be carried out in line with due process including engagement and consultation. Post Office has committed to working with the unions to discuss the Chair’s transformation plans over the next three months. A new Consultative Council will also be introduced to work with the Post Office on how these new plans are taken forward, to provide genuine challenge and to make sure the plans remain focused on the needs of postmasters and the communication they serve.

What financial services the Post Office provides at (a) Crown post offices and hosted Crown post offices, (b) franchise post offices, (c) Main post office, (d) Post Office Locals, (e) traditional sub-post office and (f) other types of post office branches.

Customers can deposit cash or cheques, withdraw money and check their balance at all the branch types listed as well as at Banking Hubs operated by the Post Office. Customers can use the Post Office Branch Finder tool online to find out what services are available at their local branch.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of costs associated with extended producer responsibility on small businesses.

We have made a full assessment of the impacts that implementing packaging extended producer responsibility will have. This includes assessment of the impacts on small businesses, which can be found in Section 8 of the impact assessment: The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. Packaging extended producer responsibility cost obligations will only apply to large producers with a turnover over £2 million and who place more than 50 tonnes of packaging on the market. This threshold exempts around 70% of producers from paying these fees. Any large producers who supply the exempt producers with empty packaging will pay the fees associated with that packaging.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of blood donation rules on (a) iron levels in and (b) the adequacy of the supply of rare blood types commonly found in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) tests for haemoglobin levels rather than iron levels ahead of blood donation. If the test shows that the haemoglobin is low, the donor is deferred and information is provided on how they can increase haemoglobin levels through altering their diet, and book an appointment with their general practitioner if levels are particularly low. On average, 7% to 11% of donors are deferred because of low haemoglobin levels, but this rises to 12% of black heritage donors and to 25% of female black heritage donors. These deferrals impact on donor retention, as donors deferred for low haemoglobin are less likely to return.Currently there are no plans to review minimum haemoglobin levels to donate blood. Donors whose haemoglobin levels are below safe levels to donate are deferred in accordance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 and the guidance issued by the Joint UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) which states ‘taking a donation from a person with a haemoglobin concentration below the recommended value may make them anaemic’.Increasing diversity in the donor base is a priority for NHSBT, so they can provide matched blood for more patients, including those with rare blood types commonly found in black, Asian, and minority ethnic women. NHSBT provides grants to community and faith groups to encourage donation, including in black, Asian, and minority ethnic communicates. The Department provided seed funding for NHSBT to increase its collection capacity, particularly in diverse areas where higher proportions of the population have rare blood types, including Brixton and Brighton.

How many items of property which were confiscated after an arrest were recorded as lost by the Metropolitan Police in the last year.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and associated Codes of Practice, property seized as evidence may only be retained for so long as is necessary and that the officer in charge of the investigation is responsible for ensuring that the property is returned as soon as practicable.In police custody, the custody officer is responsible for the safekeeping of any property taken from a detainee whilst the property remains at the police station.As set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice, the detainee should be given the opportunity to check and sign the custody record to confirm that the record of items seized is correct. Forces should provide adequate storage and security for a detainee’s property.Specific processes and responsibilities for returning seized property will depend on local force policies.If necessary, a person who wishes to claim property seized by the police may apply to a magistrate’s court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.The Home Office does not hold information on the handling of suspects’ property or any details regarding lost property recorded by the Metropolitan Police or any other police forces. This information may be held by the police force itself or by the PCC or PCC equivalent (such as the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime in the Metropolitan Police area).

What estimate she has made of the proportion of cases in which items of property confiscated by the police after an arrest are not returned to the owner after an investigation is closed.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and associated Codes of Practice, property seized as evidence may only be retained for so long as is necessary and that the officer in charge of the investigation is responsible for ensuring that the property is returned as soon as practicable.In police custody, the custody officer is responsible for the safekeeping of any property taken from a detainee whilst the property remains at the police station.As set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice, the detainee should be given the opportunity to check and sign the custody record to confirm that the record of items seized is correct. Forces should provide adequate storage and security for a detainee’s property.Specific processes and responsibilities for returning seized property will depend on local force policies.If necessary, a person who wishes to claim property seized by the police may apply to a magistrate’s court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.The Home Office does not hold information on the handling of suspects’ property or any details regarding lost property recorded by the Metropolitan Police or any other police forces. This information may be held by the police force itself or by the PCC or PCC equivalent (such as the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime in the Metropolitan Police area).

How much was raised through the auction of unclaimed lost property by the Metropolitan Police in the last five years.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and associated Codes of Practice, property seized as evidence may only be retained for so long as is necessary and that the officer in charge of the investigation is responsible for ensuring that the property is returned as soon as practicable.In police custody, the custody officer is responsible for the safekeeping of any property taken from a detainee whilst the property remains at the police station.As set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice, the detainee should be given the opportunity to check and sign the custody record to confirm that the record of items seized is correct. Forces should provide adequate storage and security for a detainee’s property.Specific processes and responsibilities for returning seized property will depend on local force policies.If necessary, a person who wishes to claim property seized by the police may apply to a magistrate’s court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.The Home Office does not hold information on the handling of suspects’ property or any details regarding lost property recorded by the Metropolitan Police or any other police forces. This information may be held by the police force itself or by the PCC or PCC equivalent (such as the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime in the Metropolitan Police area).

How many items of property confiscated after an arrest have been (a) returned, (b) returned after six months, (c) returned after 12 months and (d) not returned by the Metropolitan Police Force once the investigation was completed in the last 12 months.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and associated Codes of Practice, property seized as evidence may only be retained for so long as is necessary and that the officer in charge of the investigation is responsible for ensuring that the property is returned as soon as practicable.In police custody, the custody officer is responsible for the safekeeping of any property taken from a detainee whilst the property remains at the police station.As set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice, the detainee should be given the opportunity to check and sign the custody record to confirm that the record of items seized is correct. Forces should provide adequate storage and security for a detainee’s property.Specific processes and responsibilities for returning seized property will depend on local force policies.If necessary, a person who wishes to claim property seized by the police may apply to a magistrate’s court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.The Home Office does not hold information on the handling of suspects’ property or any details regarding lost property recorded by the Metropolitan Police or any other police forces. This information may be held by the police force itself or by the PCC or PCC equivalent (such as the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime in the Metropolitan Police area).

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the minimum iron level required to donate blood.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) tests for haemoglobin levels rather than iron levels ahead of blood donation. If the test shows that the haemoglobin is low, the donor is deferred and information is provided on how they can increase haemoglobin levels through altering their diet, and book an appointment with their general practitioner if levels are particularly low. On average, 7% to 11% of donors are deferred because of low haemoglobin levels, but this rises to 12% of black heritage donors and to 25% of female black heritage donors. These deferrals impact on donor retention, as donors deferred for low haemoglobin are less likely to return.Currently there are no plans to review minimum haemoglobin levels to donate blood. Donors whose haemoglobin levels are below safe levels to donate are deferred in accordance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 and the guidance issued by the Joint UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) which states ‘taking a donation from a person with a haemoglobin concentration below the recommended value may make them anaemic’.Increasing diversity in the donor base is a priority for NHSBT, so they can provide matched blood for more patients, including those with rare blood types commonly found in black, Asian, and minority ethnic women. NHSBT provides grants to community and faith groups to encourage donation, including in black, Asian, and minority ethnic communicates. The Department provided seed funding for NHSBT to increase its collection capacity, particularly in diverse areas where higher proportions of the population have rare blood types, including Brixton and Brighton.

How many items of unclaimed lost property were sold at auction by the Metropolitan Police Force in the last five years.

Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, and associated Codes of Practice, property seized as evidence may only be retained for so long as is necessary and that the officer in charge of the investigation is responsible for ensuring that the property is returned as soon as practicable.In police custody, the custody officer is responsible for the safekeeping of any property taken from a detainee whilst the property remains at the police station.As set out in the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice, the detainee should be given the opportunity to check and sign the custody record to confirm that the record of items seized is correct. Forces should provide adequate storage and security for a detainee’s property.Specific processes and responsibilities for returning seized property will depend on local force policies.If necessary, a person who wishes to claim property seized by the police may apply to a magistrate’s court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.The Home Office does not hold information on the handling of suspects’ property or any details regarding lost property recorded by the Metropolitan Police or any other police forces. This information may be held by the police force itself or by the PCC or PCC equivalent (such as the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime in the Metropolitan Police area).

What estimate he has made of the number of patients unable to secure appointments with their GP due to (a) digital exclusion and (b) lack of telephone access.

General practices (GPs) and other National Health Service organisations are encouraged to support patients to use online routes where this would be convenient for them, and there is work to improve the usability of digital tools so that they are accessible to larger numbers of patients. However, a choice of access routes should remain available. As outlined in the GP Contract, digital services should be provided in addition to other channels for accessing GPs, such as in person visits, rather than as a replacement. Practice receptions should also remain open to ensure that those without access to a telephone or online services are not disadvantaged.

What assessment he has made of the impact of blood donation rules on iron levels on the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women unable to donate blood.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) tests for haemoglobin levels rather than iron levels ahead of blood donation. If the test shows that the haemoglobin is low, the donor is deferred and information is provided on how they can increase haemoglobin levels through altering their diet, and book an appointment with their general practitioner if levels are particularly low. On average, 7% to 11% of donors are deferred because of low haemoglobin levels, but this rises to 12% of black heritage donors and to 25% of female black heritage donors. These deferrals impact on donor retention, as donors deferred for low haemoglobin are less likely to return.Currently there are no plans to review minimum haemoglobin levels to donate blood. Donors whose haemoglobin levels are below safe levels to donate are deferred in accordance with the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 and the guidance issued by the Joint UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) which states ‘taking a donation from a person with a haemoglobin concentration below the recommended value may make them anaemic’.Increasing diversity in the donor base is a priority for NHSBT, so they can provide matched blood for more patients, including those with rare blood types commonly found in black, Asian, and minority ethnic women. NHSBT provides grants to community and faith groups to encourage donation, including in black, Asian, and minority ethnic communicates. The Department provided seed funding for NHSBT to increase its collection capacity, particularly in diverse areas where higher proportions of the population have rare blood types, including Brixton and Brighton.