Written questions by Lake.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Stockholm 3 (S3) diagnostic test for prostate cancer; and whether he will consider its inclusion within the routine NHS diagnostic pathway for prostate cancer.

Awaiting answer.

How much public funding is allocated to support UK-based research into methods to treat and cure long Covid.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between 2020/2021 and 2024/25, the NIHR invested nearly £51 million into Long Covid research, including research into treatments. As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England, known as NIHR infrastructure.While there has been no formal assessment of the progress of United Kingdom based research into Long Covid, it is clear that NIHR-funded research has delivered important findings. The REGAIN trial provided the first high quality evidence confirming the sustained clinical benefit and lack of harm with rehabilitation programmes for Long Covid. The NIHR has also funded research to test and compare different treatments such as antihistamines, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory medicines through the STIMULATE-ICP trial. The NIHR has also provided £1.1 million in funding towards the LISTEN trial, which found that the participants who received the LISTEN self-management tool intervention had greater capacity for daily activities, improved mental health, reduced fatigue impact, and increased self-efficacy. However, there is more work to be done to find the most promising treatments, and we are actively exploring next steps for long COVID research. This includes a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed and new interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including long COVID. Two projects have recently been awarded funding.

What assessment he has made of progress made by UK-based researchers funded by his Department on finding methods to treat the symptoms of long Covid.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between 2020/2021 and 2024/25, the NIHR invested nearly £51 million into Long Covid research, including research into treatments. As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England, known as NIHR infrastructure.While there has been no formal assessment of the progress of United Kingdom based research into Long Covid, it is clear that NIHR-funded research has delivered important findings. The REGAIN trial provided the first high quality evidence confirming the sustained clinical benefit and lack of harm with rehabilitation programmes for Long Covid. The NIHR has also funded research to test and compare different treatments such as antihistamines, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory medicines through the STIMULATE-ICP trial. The NIHR has also provided £1.1 million in funding towards the LISTEN trial, which found that the participants who received the LISTEN self-management tool intervention had greater capacity for daily activities, improved mental health, reduced fatigue impact, and increased self-efficacy. However, there is more work to be done to find the most promising treatments, and we are actively exploring next steps for long COVID research. This includes a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed and new interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including long COVID. Two projects have recently been awarded funding.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) drug prices, (b) appliance prices and (c) fees paid to pharmacy contractors in the NHS Drug Tariff.

The Department undertakes a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of drug prices paid to community pharmacies through the ‘medicine margin survey’. The survey samples independent pharmacy contractors’ sales invoices for the medicines they dispense and compares the amount paid with the amount reimbursed by the National Health Service. This has found that more than the amount agreed as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework has been delivered in totality across the previous four financial years.Appliances are not included in the medicine margin survey. Pharmacy contractors are reimbursed in line with the listed appliance prices on Part IX of the NHS Drug Tariff. Suppliers should adhere to these prices as per the terms of their listing. Where the Department is made aware that a supplier is not adhering to the agreed price this is addressed with the supplier or the product is delisted from the NHS Drug Tariff.Fees paid for the delivery of services outlined in the Drug Tariff have been agreed with Community Pharmacy England. On 25 February, the Department began the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework consultation with Community Pharmacy England, to consider any proposed changes to the reimbursement and remuneration of pharmacy contractors in 2026/27. An update will be provided once the consultation has been concluded.

What assessment the UK Health Security Agency has made of the levels of lead exposure of populations living near historic lead mines.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not specifically assessed exposures to lead in communities living near historic lead mines in England. This is because the UKHSA advises regulators and other stakeholders on the overall health risk assessment process but does not have a statutory role in relation to contaminated land.The UKHSA is a partner in the Elevated Childhood Lead Interagency Prevalence Study, which was set up to determine the prevalence of elevated levels of lead in children in Leeds. It is envisaged that this study may inform the feasibility of a lead screening programme in children.The UKHSA is also evaluating current background exposure to lead and other environmental pollutants. A human biomonitoring module was implemented into the NHS Health Survey for England 2022 to 2023 programme. Data on background levels of heavy metals, including lead, in the population samples are expected to be published in Autumn 2026. These data may allow us to determine if there are areas of England where exposures are above average.

When the UK National Screening Committee will complete its review of its recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning.

The Government recognises how concerning lead exposure can be for parents and carers and remains committed to reducing the risk to children. Lead levels are therefore kept under stringent control, and exposures to lead in water, air, and/or food are reduced to the lowest practical level to minimise any risk to health.The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) will only make a positive recommendation to screen where it is confident there is robust evidence that screening provides more good than harm. In 2018, the committee reviewed the evidence for screening children for lead poisoning and recommended not to screen at that time because:- treatments for children with mild symptoms have not been proven to be effective and may also cause harm;- the number of children affected in the United Kingdom is currently not known; and- the test was not reliable enough. The UK NSC is planning to review the evidence for screening children for lead poisoning and will undertake an evidence map, which is the first step in the evidence review process. This work is on the UK NSC’s 2026/27 workplan.Anyone who is worried that they or their child may have been exposed to a high level of lead is advised to speak to their doctor. The local public health team can also offer advice, including practical steps to avoid further lead exposure and information on any treatment that may be needed.

With reference to the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review report, published on 8 July 2020, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of launching a public inquiry into the potential harms of anti-seizure medication.

Everyone who has been harmed following use of anti-seizure medication has our deepest sympathies. We fully understand the importance of patient safety, which is a top priority for this government. It is vital we do all we can to stop harm from happening in the first place.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency rigorously monitors and reviews all emerging data and risks in relation to anti-seizure medication and communicates information on risks to patients. Following Baroness Cumberlege’s 2020 Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety (IMMDS) Review, which examined the anti-seizure medication Sodium Valproate in detail, several actions have been taken to ensure that valproate is only prescribed when clinically appropriate. These include ensuring valproate is not started in new patients younger than 55 years old unless two specialists independently consider and document that there is no other effective or tolerated treatment, or there are compelling reasons that the reproductive risks do not apply.One of the conclusions of the IMMDS Review was that a public inquiry would not best serve the interests of those affected by each of the interventions covered by the review. We have no plans to launch a public inquiry into the potential harms of anti-seizure medication.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the regime of discounts applied to meat charges incurred by undertaking inspection obligations under Official Controls Regulations on the small abattoir industry in Wales.

On 28 February 2025, further to engagement with industry representative bodies, the Food Standards Agency published the 2025/26 charge rates for inspections in meat premises in England and Wales. As in previous years, charges in 2025/26 will be offset by a taxpayer-funded discount scheme which will provide the greatest proportional support to smaller abattoirs, and will therefore benefit the small abattoir industry in Wales. A separate exercise is being conducted in respect of 2025/26 charges for abattoirs in Northern Ireland.

If he will take steps to include reform of inherited cardiac conditions in the 10-year plan for the NHS.

The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts the National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving cardiac health in all parts of the country.More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all help people manage their long-term conditions, including cardiac disease, closer to home. Moving from sickness to prevention will help us provide treatment earlier, rather than only intervening when conditions deteriorate.NHS England has published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions that covers patients who often present as young adults with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease or families requiring follow up due to a death from this cause. NHS England is currently reviewing this service specification in line with the national service specification methods review process. The specification is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cardiology-inherited-cardiac-conditions.pdf

What steps he is taking to reduce the time taken for people displaying symptoms of inherited cardiac condition to receive a diagnosis from (a) GPs and (b) cardiac specialists.

In 2017, NHS England published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) which defines the standards of care expected from organisations commissioned by NHS England. The specification sets the national minimum standards for the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICC.NHS England is reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders, including National Health Service clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation. This review considers the referral of ICC patients from primary care into ICC specialised services and considers how families of ICC patients are supported through the screening and identification process. The service specification review has also considered referrals directly from primary into secondary care, which would improve the timeliness of patient diagnosis.Department ministers regularly have discussions with their colleagues and counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on matters of cross border interest.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) support and (b) ensure equitable access to new treatments for people with inherited cardiac conditions.

In 2017, NHS England published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) which defines the standards of care expected from organisations commissioned by NHS England. The specification sets the national minimum standards for the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICC.NHS England is reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders, including National Health Service clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation. This review considers the referral of ICC patients from primary care into ICC specialised services and considers how families of ICC patients are supported through the screening and identification process. The service specification review has also considered referrals directly from primary into secondary care, which would improve the timeliness of patient diagnosis.Department ministers regularly have discussions with their colleagues and counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on matters of cross border interest.

What steps he is taking to improve the uptake of (a) existing and (b) new treatments for people with inherited cardiac conditions.

In 2017, NHS England published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) which defines the standards of care expected from organisations commissioned by NHS England. The specification sets the national minimum standards for the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICC.NHS England is reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders, including National Health Service clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation. This review considers the referral of ICC patients from primary care into ICC specialised services and considers how families of ICC patients are supported through the screening and identification process. The service specification review has also considered referrals directly from primary into secondary care, which would improve the timeliness of patient diagnosis.Department ministers regularly have discussions with their colleagues and counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on matters of cross border interest.

What recent discussions he has had with his Welsh counterpart on levels of diagnosis of inherited cardiac conditions in Wales.

In 2017, NHS England published a national service specification for inherited cardiac conditions (ICC) which defines the standards of care expected from organisations commissioned by NHS England. The specification sets the national minimum standards for the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of patients with ICC.NHS England is reviewing this service specification, working with a broad range of stakeholders, including National Health Service clinical experts, the Association of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Cardiomyopathy UK, Heart Valve Voice, and the British Heart Foundation. This review considers the referral of ICC patients from primary care into ICC specialised services and considers how families of ICC patients are supported through the screening and identification process. The service specification review has also considered referrals directly from primary into secondary care, which would improve the timeliness of patient diagnosis.Department ministers regularly have discussions with their colleagues and counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on matters of cross border interest.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (England and Wales) Regulations 2024 on the timely registration of deaths.

The Government is monitoring the impact of the death certification reforms, including the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death Regulations 2024, which came into legal effect on 9 September 2024. The median time taken to register a death since the introduction of the reforms in England and Wales has typically been eight days. This figure is for all deaths, as it includes those certified by a doctor and those investigated by a coroner. The median time taken to register a death varies depending on the type of certification. Deaths certified by a doctor, that comprise approximately 80% of deaths registered each week, have typically had a median time to registration of seven days. It’s important to note that the medical examiner system was active on a non-statutory basis before the introduction of the statutory system on 9 September 2024, and this makes direct before and after comparisons challenging to draw conclusions from.The core purposes of the death certification reforms are to introduce scrutiny of the cause of death to detect and deter malpractice, to improve reporting, and crucially to put the bereaved at the centre of the process by offering a conversation with the medical examiner about the cause of death. The expectation on doctors and medical examiners is clear, that they should complete certification as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the Department is working with all stakeholders to make sure this is the case.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the retained margin element of the NHS drug tariff.

The adequacy of medicine margin that pharmacies are allowed to retain, with medicine margin being the difference between how much pharmacies are reimbursed and how much pharmacies were charged by suppliers, is currently being considered as part of the wider funding for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.