Written questions by Hanna.

Whether his Department has had discussions with Leukaemia UK on publication of a cancer strategy.

The Department has not had discussions with Leukaemia UK regarding the publication of a cancer strategy. The NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, sets out the National Health Service’s current key ambitions on cancer. The plan sets out the NHS ambition to increase the number of cancers diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 to 75%, to increase the number of people surviving cancer for five years by 55,000 as a result.Professor Lord Darzi is currently undertaking an independent investigation into the state of the NHS, the findings of which will feed into the Government’s 10-year plan to build a health service that is fit for the future. The Government will set out any further priorities on cancer and health in due course.

What discussions she has had with regulators on ensuring that the insurance industry treats consumers equally in all regions.

Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors on an ongoing basis. The Government is determined that insurers should treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules. The FCA is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry across the United Kingdom and has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to advance clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programmes globally.

The UK is committed to advancing access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in developing countries and for those most likely to be marginalised, including women and girls. Our £18.5 million WASH Systems for Health programme is supporting governments in six developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to strengthen WASH systems. The UK also provides support to UNICEF to strengthen the capacity of 11 government partners to establish climate resilient WASH services. Last month I announced a new package of aid for Sudan, South Sudan and Chad. This package includes provision for 40,000 displaced people with safe water in South Sudan. Additionally, support to the Sanitation and Water for All partnership supports the leadership, collaboration and accountability needed for progress globally.

What recent discussions he has had with the (a) NI Executive and (b) Police Service of Northern Ireland on anti-immigration disorder and violence in Belfast in August 2024.

The disorder was unacceptable and does not represent the real Northern Ireland. Public safety and community cohesion are primarily the responsibility of local elected Ministers and I have therefore remained in close contact with the NI Executive and the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this matter. I met the First and deputy First Minister and spoke with the Justice Minister who all share my shock and concern at the targeting of violence and intimidation towards minority communities in Northern Ireland. I also met the Chief Constable to express my sincere thanks to the PSNI for working tirelessly in extremely difficult conditions to keep communities in Northern Ireland safe. My officials and I continue to engage regularly with the PSNI.

What steps she plans to take to help improve accessibility on flights for disabled passengers.

Accessible air travel is a key priority, and everyone should be able to fly with ease and dignity. Government is committed to working closely with industry and stakeholders to make progress in improving aviation accessibility.

What steps he plans to take to ensure that people with breast cancer receive (a) an early diagnosis and (b) swift treatment.

The Department is responsible for healthcare in England. In Northern Ireland, health is a transferred matter.Improving early diagnosis of cancer, including breast cancer, is a priority for NHS England. NHS England has an ambition to diagnose 75% of cancers at stage 1 or 2 by 2028, which will help tens of thousands of people live longer. The National Health Service in England carries out approximately 2.1 million breast cancer screens each year in hospitals and mobile screening vans, usually in convenient community locations.The Department is committed to improving waiting times for cancer treatment across England. We will start by delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinstating funding to the Global Education Project.

Access to education for all is a priority for the FCDO. Education supports a country's economic growth and enables children to live lives where they have a wider range of choices. Since 2015, the UK has ensured 19.8 million children have received a decent education (a quality education that improves what children currently receive, including in emergency contexts). We have prioritised improving learning outcomes through securing foundational learning skills for all. It is not within FCDO's remit to develop a national strategy for global education, although we recognise the benefits that this kind of educational activity can bring.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a national strategy for global education.

Access to education for all is a priority for the FCDO. Education supports a country's economic growth and enables children to live lives where they have a wider range of choices. Since 2015, the UK has ensured 19.8 million children have received a decent education (a quality education that improves what children currently receive, including in emergency contexts). We have prioritised improving learning outcomes through securing foundational learning skills for all. It is not within FCDO's remit to develop a national strategy for global education, although we recognise the benefits that this kind of educational activity can bring.

Whether she plans to grant full British citizenship to Hong Kong (a) British National (Overseas) and (b) British Dependent Territories Citizen passport holders who move to the UK.

British National (Overseas) (BN(O) passport holders may apply for a BN(O) visa which entitles them, and their dependent family members, to reside in the UK. After 5 years’ qualifying residence, and being free from immigration time restrictions for a further year, they may apply for British citizenship.People from Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTCs), and did not register as a BN(O), lost their BDTC status when Hong Kong returned to the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997. If a person from Hong Kong did not register as a BN(O) and would have become stateless, they became a British Overseas Citizen (BOC).British nationals, including BN(O)s and BOCs, can apply for registration as a British citizen if they meet the requirements in section 4(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981, based on a period of residence in the UK. Those who do not hold a form of British nationality can apply for naturalisation if they live in the UK.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making dental (a) foundation and (b) vocational training mandatory for dentists entering private practice.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is the independent regulator of dentistry in the United Kingdom, and sets the standards that must be met by domestic and international applicants wishing to be added to the UK dental register. Only dentists and dental care professionals registered with the GDC can legally practise in both National Health Service and private dentistry in the UK. The GDC sets out these standards to ensure registrants are safe to practise, and patients receive a high standard of care.

Whether he plans to review the standards of training for dentistry students.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is the independent regulator for dentists and dental care professionals in the United Kingdom. The GDC sets the standards of training and education required, including clinical placements, to gain entry to its register, and approves and inspects education and training providers.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the clinical experience dentists receive before becoming eligible to practice.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is the independent regulator for dentists and dental care professionals in the United Kingdom. The GDC sets the standards of training and education required, including clinical placements, to gain entry to its register, and approves and inspects education and training providers.

Whether his Department plans to review the immigration health surcharge.

The Government has not announced any plans to review the policy.

Whether she plans to review Insurance Premium Tax for car insurance.

IPT is a tax on general insurance premiums currently charged at two rates: a standard rate at 12%, including car insurance, and a higher rate at 20%.The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.

If she will make it her policy to (a) reverse changes made to the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker visa announced on 4 December 2023 and (b) bring forward revised eligibility criteria for the minimum salary for that visa.

I refer the honourable member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by the Home Secretary on 30 July [Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament].

What steps his Department plans to (a) help increase the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and (b) increase the availability of defibrillators in public settings.

As of July 2024, there are 93,113 automated external defibrillators registered in the United Kingdom on the National Defibrillator Network, also known as The Circuit, including 73,682 in England. Moving forward, the Department has asked Professor Lord Darzi to investigate the state of the National Health Service. The Department will then set out its 10-year plan for the NHS.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to maintain funding from the UK Share Prosperity Fund for projects in Northern Ireland after the funding period ends in March 2025.

My officials are in regular communication with our key stakeholders in Northern Ireland on this issue, as well as with the officials from the Northern Ireland Executive and our UKSPF Partnership Group. We will continue to work closely with our key stakeholders and will use their feedback as we determine our approach going forward.Decisions regarding funding beyond March 2025 are a matter for the next Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to review the effectiveness of the administration of postal votes during the General Election on 4 July 2024.

The Electoral Commission will publish a report on the administration of the General Election held on 4 July later this year, and the Government will give careful consideration to any findings or recommendations made in the report in relation to the current arrangements for postal voting.

With reference to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report into women’s State Pension age changes, published on 21 March 2024, if she will take steps to introduce compensation for women affected by changes to the State Pension age.

As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. This Government respects the work of the Ombudsman. Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides. The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex, as such they require serious deliberation. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government/we will be in a position to outline its approach.

If he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park.

The UK Government is committed to ensuring that EURO 2028 benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. That is why we are working as quickly as possible with all the partners involved in the Casement Park project to assess the options available.