Written questions by Campbell.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the funding available for the National Institute of Health Research's consortium application for the evaluation of treatments for brain tumours until the end of this Parliament.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.6 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.The Brain Tumour Research Consortium was established in December 2024 to bring together researchers from a range of different disciplines and institutions with the aim of driving scientific advancements in how we prevent, detect, manage, and treat brain tumours in both adults and children. The NIHR is working closely with the consortium to support the development of a high-quality funding proposal.The NIHR will continue to also fund other brain tumour research via open competition, where the level of funding depends on the applications received. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

If he will publish the outcome of the UK National Screening Committee Group B Streptococcus trials completed in 2024.

The UK National Screening Committee does not run its own trials. The committee is currently awaiting the findings of an independent trial into Group B Streptococcus, which concluded its recruitment phase in 2024. Neither the committee nor my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care have any influence over the date of publication for this independent trial.

What steps he is taking to reduce cases of prostate cancer.

The Government understands that more needs to be done to reduce the number of cases of prostate cancer in England.The Government and the National Health Service promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Guidance on healthy eating, including the United Kingdom’s healthy eating model the Eatwell Guide, is communicated through the NHS.UK website. Alongside this, the NHS’s Better Health Campaign signposts people to digital support like the NHS Active 10 walking app.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has announced that following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, a National Cancer Plan for England will be published this year. The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care, and will apply to all cancer types, including prostate cancer. The goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next 10 years.Currently, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) does not recommend a national prostate cancer screening programme due to the limitations of the current best test, the Prostate Specific Antigen test, which may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of cancers that would not have caused harm during a man’s lifetime. However, the UK NSC is undertaking a comprehensive evidence review to assess six potential approaches to targeted screening for those at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Recommendations will be published upon the conclusion of this review.In addition, the Government has invested £16 million in the £42 million UK-wide TRANSFORM trial, led by Prostate Cancer UK, which aims to identify new ways of detecting prostate cancer at an earlier stage, including in men without symptoms.

What the three main contributory factors are in the recent trends in the level of (a) Type 2 diabetes, (b) Coronary heart disease and (c) stroke.

According to the Global Burden of Disease, in 2021 the three main contributory risk factors for the burden in the United Kingdom for type 2 diabetes were high body mass index, dietary risks, and low physical activity, excluding high blood glucose. For coronary heart disease, the main contributory risk factors were high blood pressure, dietary risks, and high cholesterol. For stroke, the risk factors were high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use.It is not possible to assess how much these risk factors have influenced trends or the change in trends for these three conditions, but the top three risk factors for each condition have remained the same from 1990 to 2021. For all three conditions, the prevalence increases with age, so the ageing population is also a leading contributory factor in recent trends.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48852 on Diabetes, whether he has had discussions with universities on how studies into the causes of (a) diabetes 2 and (b) other related health conditions are funded.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which works in partnership with universities, the National Health Service, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR welcomes applications for funding in all topic areas, including diabetes. Funding opportunities are openly published on the NIHR website, which is available at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/ Universities and other stakeholders can propose research topics to the NIHR through its website, specifically at the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic Each application is peer reviewed, and awards are made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of sugar additives in soft drinks on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in young people.

Scientific risk assessments and United Kingdom dietary recommendations are based on robust independent risk assessments by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN).The SACN has not carried out an assessment of the potential impact of sugar additives in soft drinks on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in young people. However, the SACN has considered the risk of sugar consumption and non-sugar sweetener (NSS) consumption on health outcomes, including the risk of type 2 diabetes.In 2015, the SACN published its report on Carbohydrates and Health and recommended that “the consumption of sugars-sweetened beverages should be minimised in children and adults”. With respect to type 2 diabetes, the SACN noted that “a greater risk is associated with a higher intake of sugars-sweetened beverages”.With respect to children and adolescents, the SACN noted that “consumption of sugars-sweetened beverages, as compared with non-calorically sweetened beverages, results in greater weight gain and increases in body mass index”. Energy intakes that consistently exceed requirements lead to weight gain and obesity in the long term.On 2 April 2025, the SACN published its position statement on the World Health Organization’s guideline on NSS’. The SACN concluded that the evidence of the risk to health, including of type 2 diabetes, from consuming NSS’ is inconsistent. The SACN made a precautionary recommendation that the intake of NSS’ be minimised. With greater certainty of the impact of sugars on health, including type 2 diabetes, the SACN recommended that “swapping sugars for NSS may help reduce sugar intake from foods and drinks, and so reduce energy intake, at least in the short term. The long-term goal is to limit both sugar and NSS intake”.The SACN made a number of research recommendations and other recommendations to the Government.

When he expects the Prostate Cancer UK-led Transform screening trial to reach any conclusions on future detection of the condition.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.6 billion each year in research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer as the largest area of spend, at over £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority. The NIHR funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research on prostate cancer.These investments are pivotal towards efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. The TRANSFORM trial is an important example of this. On 19 November, the Government and Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) announced the £42 million TRANSFORM screening trial, to find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer in order to find it before it becomes advanced and harder to treat. PCUK is leading the development of the trial, with the Government contributing £16 million through the Department.The first recruits to the trial are currently being invited to take part in the study, and the first point at which we will see significant new evidence will be approximately three years after the trial begins. The PCUK website outlines the interim points over the course of the TRANSFORM trial when findings will be shared, with further information available at the following link:https://prostatecanceruk.org/research/transform-trial

How he plans to implement the Tobacco and Vapes Bill across all parts of the United Kingdom.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is United Kingdom-wide, and has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive.The Department of Health and Social Care in England will work with the devolved administrations to implement the measures in the bill, including future regulations, once the bill receives Royal Assent.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of making atropine eye drops available on the NHS for pre-myopic children.

Decisions on whether medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service are for integrated care systems, considering relevant national guidance where available, including from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE is currently considering whether to develop guidance for the NHS on the use of low-dose atropine eye drops for treating myopia in children aged between three and 14 years old through its established prioritisation process.

Whether he has plans to fund a financial incentives scheme to help pregnant women to stop smoking during this Parliament.

Health is a devolved matter. In England, the Government is funding a broad package of measures to support current smokers to quit, including the National Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentives Scheme. The future settlement for the scheme will be confirmed in due course.

If he will make an estimate of future trends in the level of prostate cancer rates up to May 2028.

An increase in prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in recent years has led to increased prostate cancer diagnoses. However, it is worth noting that the increase in diagnosis has not impacted upon mortality rates.We know that the best way to treat prostate cancer is by identifying it as early as possible. The Department is investing £16 million into the Prostate Cancer UK-led Transform screening trial, which seeks to find better ways to detect prostate cancer. This trial will compare the most promising tests that look for prostate cancer in men that do not have symptoms and aims to address disparities in detection rates across different groups. This will contribute to our further understanding of prostate cancer including its prevalence. The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including those living with prostate cancer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 5537 on Bowel Cancer: Screening, whether he expects bowel screening for 50 year-olds to be completed by (a) autumn or (b) winter 2025.

The National Health Service in England has been gradually reducing the age for bowel screening from 60 years old down to 50 years old, since 2021/22. The extension to 50 years old is expected to be completed by 31 March 2025.

What steps he is taking to retain (a) doctors and (b) other health professionals, in the context of the abolition of the lifetime allowance on pension savings.

The abolition of the lifetime allowance for tax-free pension saving incentivises senior doctors and other health professionals to continue their National Health Service work. Following extensive engagement with staff, the 10 Year Plan will set out a wide-ranging programme to improve staff retention, including for doctors. Alongside this, NHS England is leading targeted retention work through their NHS Retention Programme. This programme, coupled with the NHS People Promise, aims to improve the support that employers offer to their staff and build a more resilient and supportive workplace culture. It includes initiatives focussed on creating a flexible work environment, addresses career development opportunities, and seeks to enhance staff wellbeing. These elements are crucial in reducing attrition.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing bowel screening for people aged over 74.

In the United Kingdom, national screening programmes are introduced based on the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee, an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening, as well as supporting implementation.As screening programmes can cause harms as well as benefits, each of the adult screening programmes has both an upper and lower age range within which there is good scientific evidence that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.The UK National Screening Committee does not currently recommend routine bowel screening over the age of 74 years old, as there is a lack of evidence regarding the harms and benefits of screening above this age. Once people are 75 years old or over, they can ask for a bowel screening kit every two years by phoning the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

What steps he is taking to help young people with cerebral palsy.

We want a society where every person, including those with a long-term condition such as cerebral palsy, receives high-quality, compassionate continuity of care, with their families and carers also supported. We will change the National Health Service so that it becomes not just a sickness service, but able to prevent ill health in the first place. This will help us be better prepared for the change in the nature of disease and allow our services to focus more on the management of chronic, long-term conditions like cerebral palsy.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published guidance on care and support for children and young people with cerebral palsy, to support healthcare professionals and commissioners. The guidance recommends service providers develop clear pathways that allow patients with cerebral palsy access to multi-disciplinary teams, specialist neurology services, and regular reviews of their clinical and functional needs.  This guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng62NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme aims to improve care for people with neurological conditions in England, including those with cerebral palsy, by reducing variation and delivering care more equitably across the country.  The GIRFT National Speciality Report provided the opportunity to share successful initiatives between trusts, to improve patient services nationally.In addition, the Neurology Transformation Programme has developed a model of integrated care for neurology services to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to deliver the right service, at the right time, for all neurology patients, including providing care closer to home.  A toolkit is being developed to support ICBs to understand and implement this new model.The majority of services for people with cerebral palsy are commissioned locally by ICBs, which are best placed to make decisions according to local need. Nevertheless, at a national level, the Government is working closely with NHS England to continue to improve services for people with neurological conditions, including those with cerebral palsy.

When he expects to receive the outcome of the Group B Streptococcus trial from the UK National Screening Committee.

Recruitment to the Group B Streptococcus trial undertaken by the University of Nottingham has ended. The researchers are analysing the data and will draft a report in due course.The UK National Screening Committee’s Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.

Whether he has held discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of the Windsor Framework on any proposed UK wide smoking ban in Northern Ireland.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced on the 5 November 2024, has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive, as well as with other departments across the wider Government. We intend the smoke-free generation policy to apply United Kingdom-wide.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK Rare Diseases Framework, published on 9 January 2021, on reducing the time it takes to diagnose rare diseases.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community, including helping patients get a final diagnosis faster. We remain committed to delivering under the framework and will publish an England action plan in 2025.People living with rare diseases often face long diagnostic odysseys, the time between symptoms first presenting and people receiving a definitive diagnosis. This can seriously affect patients’ mental and physical health, and has significant cost implications for the National Health Service. Under action 17, in 2023 we worked with National Institute for Health and Care Research to commission research to measure the diagnostic odyssey. The research project is expected run for two years, concluding in 2026. This research is a crucial step in establishing a baseline time to diagnosis. This baseline will enable us to better understand the impact of interventions designed to help patients get a final diagnosis faster.Additionally, Genomics England has been allocated Department funding to explore the feasibility of using whole genome sequencing to screen for a defined set of genetic conditions in newborns, through an ethically approved research study. The Generation Study is evaluating the feasibility of using whole genome sequencing to screen up to 100,000 babies for over 200 rare conditions. The Generation Study will explore whether whole genome sequencing can diagnose rare diseases earlier and improve outcomes for newborn babies.

What steps he is taking to ensure that vaginal mesh implant procedures do not result in removal surgery.

A national pause was introduced in 2018 for the use of vaginally inserted mesh to treat prolapse and the use of a retropubic sub-urethral mesh sling to treat stress urinary incontinence. Conditions were put in place for this pause, and NHS England continues to monitor the progress on meeting these conditions. In response to the recommendations from the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety review, the Department and the National Health Service have taken steps to improve the collection and monitoring of outcome data. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence registry will be launched in early 2025. NHS England is extending the registry to be United Kingdom-wide and improving the recording of patient outcomes and experience. The Department has also commissioned, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, a £1.56 million study to develop a patient reported outcome measures for prolapse, incontinence, and mesh complication surgery. This will improve collection of short- and long-term data on patient outcomes. To provide support for women who have experienced complications from pelvic mesh implants, NHS England has established nine specialist mesh centres across England. These ensure that women in every region of England with complications of mesh inserted for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse get the right support. Each mesh centre is led by a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients get access to the specialist care and treatment that they need, including pain management and psychological support. As health is a devolved matter, these centres do not cover Northern Ireland.

Whether he plans to reduce the minimum age for bowel screening to 50 by the end of 2025.

NHS England is responsible for delivering the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening programme, including planning for the age extension in the programme from 60 down to 50 years old.The age extension for bowel screening is already underway. NHS England started in April 2021 with the 56-year-old cohort and, based on modelling and clinical advice, has planned to gradually reduce to the age of 50 years old by 2025. This has been done to ensure that screening centres could manage any required increase in colonoscopy capacity.