Written questions by Shannon.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of people referred for alcohol addiction support.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities publishes adult substance misuse treatment statistics annually which includes the numbers of adults aged 18 and over in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services in England. The latest publication is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2023-to-2024/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2023-to-2024-reportThis publication provides an analysis of trends over time. The data over the last ten years for adults newly presenting to treatment for alcohol only and treatment for alcohol and non-opiate drugs shows that from a previous high in 2013/14 of 84,533, the number of new presentations to treatment fell year-on-year between 2014/15 and 2017/18. The number of new presentations remained relatively stable between 2017/18 and 2020/21, before rising continuously since then to a new high of 94,782 in 2023/24. This is the highest number since records began in 2008.The most recent estimates of alcohol dependence in England from 2019/20 suggest that, of the people with alcohol dependence that could benefit from specialist alcohol treatment, in 2023/24, 80% were not in treatment.The following table shows the above information in more detail:YearNumbers of adults newly presenting to treatment for alcohol onlyNumbers of adults newly presenting to treatment for alcohol and non-opiatesTotal2013-1465,11019,42384,5332014-1561,40418,54879,9522015-1657,72318,82276,5452016-1752,58318,71671,2992017-1850,65618,75769,4132018-1952,39320,21572,6082019-2050,95721,16772,1242020-2152,22020,84973,0692021-2256,99523,23480,2292022-2357,80224,22982,0312023-2465,10829,67494,782Source: National Drug Treatment Monitoring SystemInformation on the number of young people under 18 years old being treated for substance misuse, including alcohol, is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/alcohol-and-drug-misuse-and-treatment-statistics

How many people in the UK have been diagnosed with vitiligo.

The Department does not hold data on the number of people in England who have been diagnosed with vitiligo. Data relating to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved governments.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cost of electricity on people with health conditions requiring medical devices which use electricity.

The Department began an assessment process on patient support for at home medical equipment energy costs in August 2024 with a review of existing policy provision. This work includes consideration of the impact of the cost of running electrical medical equipment at home on vulnerable groups.At Ministerial direction, the Department is working with the National Health Service, gathering technical data from within the health sector on use, cost and power demand of at home medical devices, to support development of costed policy options.

What steps he has taken to encourage uptake of the flu vaccination in 2024.

This year’s national communications campaign to encourage the uptake of essential winter vaccinations, including for influenza and COVID-19, launched on 30 September 2024. The campaign, called Get Winter Strong, targets eligible cohorts where uptake has historically been lower, and has involved a range of national media engagement activities, paid marketing, social media, and stakeholder engagement. The marketing campaign was complemented by NHS England’s national call and recall programme, and communications from general practices and pharmacies. The campaign’s resources can be viewed on the Campaign Resources Centre, which is available at the following link: https://campaignresources.dhsc.gov.uk/campaigns/get-vaccinated-get-winter-strong/ There is also a comprehensive range of information leaflets, promotional materials, and other resources to inform members of the public and health care professionals, to raise awareness of the programme, and support decisions in relation to consent. This includes leaflets, translated versions, in over 30 languages, simple text, easy read, large print, braille and British Sign Language. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.html

How many people have presented at Accident and Emergency with respiratory concerns in the last six months.

The following table shows the number of type 1 and 2 accident and emergency attendances, as well as the percentage and number of those with a chief complaint relating to airway and breathing, in each of the last six months:MonthNumber of type 1 and 2 attendancesPercentage of type 1 and 2 attendances with a chief complaint relating to airway and/or breathingCalculated number of attendances with a chief complaint relating to airway and/or breathingNovember 20241,409,80710.7%150,245October 20241,473,0469.4%137,925September 20241,379,8348.1%111,450August 20241,334,8036.1%81,990July 20241,453,0437.2%105,251June 20241,444,5397.5%107,971Total8,495,0728.2%694,832Source: data is published by NHS England, and is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2024-25/ Note: the data for November 2024 is provisional.

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on improving mental health provision in universities.

My Rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has discussions on multiple areas across Government departments, including mental health for children and young people.

What estimate he has made of the number of spirometry tests carried out in Community Diagnostic Centres in each of the last five years.

The Department does not currently hold validated data on the number of spirometry tests carried out in Community Diagnostic Centres. NHS England publishes data quarterly detailing the total activity carried out in Community Diagnostic Centres nationally, although this does not include activity by specific test type. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/CDC-Management-Information/

Whether he plans to widen the availability of spirometry testing in primary care settings.

NHS England is continuing to support the restoration of local spirometry services, and is enhancing capacity through Community Diagnostic Centres. These initiatives provide structured pathways for general practitioners (GPs) to refer patients for essential respiratory diagnostic tests such as spirometry, ensuring faster access to these services for individuals with suspected respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By equipping primary care with the tools and pathways for earlier and more accurate diagnosis, this effort addresses the significant issue of undiagnosed COPD, which is estimated to affect 2.1 million people in England. These measures are designed to strengthen the collaboration between primary and secondary care, increasing capacity to meet diagnostic demands effectively. As part of Phase 2 of the GP Direct Access scheme, launched in December 2023, the National Health Service aims to achieve earlier detection and diagnosis of COPD so that patients access timely interventions and optimal treatment, improving patient management and outcomes. The guidance recommends that GP teams refer patients for spirometry for the diagnosis of COPD.

What steps his Department is taking to help (a) raise awareness of the symptoms and (b) reduce the number of misdiagnoses of pancreatic cancer.

NHS England is already taking steps to deliver a range of interventions to improve awareness of pancreatic cancer symptoms. NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address barriers to acting on them, to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms, including symptoms of pancreatic cancer, as well as encouraging body awareness, to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers at an early point.NHS England is also working with Pancreatic Cancer UK to develop a public-facing Family History Checker, which enables people, and their families, affected by pancreatic cancer to self-assess if they have inherited risk. People identified of being at risk are referred directly to the European Registry of Hereditary Pancreatic Diseases research trail, which aims to understand inherited conditions of the pancreas. Referrals to the trail can be made by any healthcare professional across all health sectors, or by individuals via self-referral.Improving early diagnosis and reducing misdiagnosis of cancer is a priority for NHS England. 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. To help increase cancer diagnosis rates, we are continuing with the roll out of Community Diagnostic Centres to ensure that patients can access the diagnostic tests they need as quickly as possible. The National Health Service is improving pathways to get people diagnosed faster once they are referred, and is looking into alternative routes into the system, including non-specific symptom pathways for patients who do not fit clearly into a single urgent cancer referral pathway, but who are at risk of being diagnosed with cancer. This will help support faster pancreatic cancer diagnosis and seek to prevent misdiagnosis.

Whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on its decision to not proceed with the approval of Durvalumab for recovering cancer patients.

The Department has regular discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) about a range of issues, including access to cancer treatments for National Health Service patients.The NICE currently has a number of appraisals related to durvalumab in development or awaiting development, and has made no decision not to proceed with an appraisal of durvalumab related to recovering cancer patients.Earlier this year, the NICE combined its appraisals of durvalumab for hepatocellular carcinoma at high risk of recurrence into a single appraisal. The NICE’s guidance for this topic is currently awaiting development, and information regarding the timelines for this appraisal will be available at the earliest opportunity, on the NICE’s website, at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/awaiting-development/gid-ta11222

If he will take steps to ensure that pharmacies are accessible.

Local Authorities’ Health and Wellbeing boards have statutory responsibility to assess if the local provision of pharmaceutical services meets the populations needs, publishes these assessments (PNAs) every three years, and keeps these assessments up to date. The PNAs inform integrated care board commissioning decisions.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the payments made to women for their eggs from 1 October 2024 on trends in the number of (a) low income women and (b) students who may undergo egg retrieval in exchange for money.

The Department has no plans to make an assessment, as the compensation rate for egg donation is set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the increase in donor compensation from 1 October 2024 reflects the rise in inflation since the compensation rates were first introduced in 2011. Academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

Whether he has commissioned research into the potential long-term health impact on young women's bodies of egg retrieval.

The Department has not commissioned research into the potential long-term health impact on young women's bodies of egg retrieval. However, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) set out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice relating to the information that must be given before egg retrieval takes place in United Kingdom licensed fertility clinics, whether for the patient’s own use or to donate to others. This includes information about the potential immediate or longer-term health risks and the psychological consequences of being a donor, as well as offering counselling to everyone involved.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the donor compensation levels originally set in 2011 followed a thorough ethical review, which identified a set of principles that ensured altruism remained at the heart of donation and that there weren’t any unjustifiable barriers to donation. The difference in compensation reflects the different levels of disruption, pain, and risk in the respective processes of egg and sperm donation. The increase in donor compensation from 1 October 2024 reflects the rise in the cost of living over this time. Academic research in the UK has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

For what reason (a) women are paid of £985 per cycle for their eggs and (b) men are paid £45 per donation for their sperm.

The Department has not commissioned research into the potential long-term health impact on young women's bodies of egg retrieval. However, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) set out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice relating to the information that must be given before egg retrieval takes place in United Kingdom licensed fertility clinics, whether for the patient’s own use or to donate to others. This includes information about the potential immediate or longer-term health risks and the psychological consequences of being a donor, as well as offering counselling to everyone involved.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the donor compensation levels originally set in 2011 followed a thorough ethical review, which identified a set of principles that ensured altruism remained at the heart of donation and that there weren’t any unjustifiable barriers to donation. The difference in compensation reflects the different levels of disruption, pain, and risk in the respective processes of egg and sperm donation. The increase in donor compensation from 1 October 2024 reflects the rise in the cost of living over this time. Academic research in the UK has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a minimum age of 25 for egg donation.

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

What impact assessment his Department made of the increase in the amount paid to egg donors on 1 October 2024.

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a ban on advertisements for egg donors.

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

How many women from the three lowest multiple deprivation deciles donated eggs between 2011 and 2020.

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

If he will make it a legal requirement to state the (a) risks to women's health and (b) potential side effects of egg retrieval on adverts for those services.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the United Kingdom’s fertility sector regulator, has advised that it sets out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice relating to the information that must be given before egg retrievals take place in UK licensed fertility clinics, whether for the patient’s own use or to donate to others. This information includes the potential immediate or longer-term health risks to themselves, or the psychological consequences of being a donor.The HFEA Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and should follow the Advertising Standards Authority codes. There are no current plans to change the law on this issue.

How many people have been diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemia in the last two years.

The Department does not hold the data requested. The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as X-linked hypophosphatemia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community; these include better coordination of care and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We remain committed to delivering under the Framework and will publish an annual action plan for England in 2025.Understanding patient data will facilitate access to treatments and care for patients. The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS) collects data on people with rare diseases. In the 2023 action plan we committed under action 22 to improving the ‘findability’ of people living with rare diseases using the National Disease Registration Service. NCARDRS collects data from a variety of sources to support rare disease registration, including from eight highly specialised services currently to support rare disease registration. Discussions are underway with other highly specialised services to establish dataflows.