Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jim Shannon this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,321–1,340 of 1,824 · this parliament
How many people are being prescribed Ozempic for weight loss in the UK.
Ozempic is only licenced for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and can only be prescribed off-label for use in weight management.The data requested is not held centrally. Although the NHS Business Services Authority collects data on the number of prescriptions dispensed in England for Ozempic, they do not collect data on the clinical condition it is prescribed for.
How many women have had mastectomies in the last three years.
The following table shows a count of Finished Consultant Episodes at hospitals in England for female patients where there was any procedure of mastectomy, from 2021/22 to 2024/25:YearTotal excision of breast, or complete mastectomiesOther excision of breast, or partial mastectomies2021/2216,94144,1232022/2316,52544,5812023/2416,99444,1452024/2512,28733,811Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England.The data for 2024/25 is provisional and covers the period from April to December 2024. Provisional data may be incomplete or contain errors for which no adjustments have yet been made. In addition, the data is a count of activity, not patients. A patient may have had more than one admission within this requested timeframe, and may therefore be counted multiple times.
What steps he is taking to support low-income households with energy bills in the next 12 months.
The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. However, we recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The Government has also extended the Household Support Fund in England by a further year until 31 March 2026 with an extra £742 million in support, with additional funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula.
Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken to support community theatres.
Community theatres are an important part of the UK’s cultural ecosystem, and play a vital role in cultivating the creators and audiences of the future. They are the places where many actors, directors and designers learn their craft, and people experience their first live performance. Community theatres make a key contribution to their local communities, culturally, socially, and economically.The government supports theatres predominantly through Arts Council England. Through their main funding programme, the 2023-2027 National Portfolio Investment Programme, ACE is providing over £100m in grants per year to around 195 theatres across the country.Across all their funding programmes, including lottery schemes, for the financial year 2024-25, ACE awarded around £300 million to theatres/theatre based organisations.Whilst all funded theatres play a key role in supporting local communities and engaging local audiences, ACE has funded work specifically with a community focus, and has awarded circa £10m to community based theatre projects through National Lottery Project Grants over 2024/2025.Community theatres also benefit from the support that the government provides the sector through Theatre Tax Relief (TTR). Since TTR was introduced in 2014, companies have made claims in relation to 24,700 productions and £645 million has been paid out.The government has also recently announced over £270 million investment for our arts venues, museums, libraries and our heritage sector.Community theatres are also supported through the work of the Theatres Trust, a DCMS arms-length body and the national advisory and advocacy organisation for theatres, which offers advice, skills support through its Sector Skills Bank, and has grant-giving programmes. The Theatres Trust awarded Community theatres £200,000 from 2021-2024.
Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Northern Ireland Screen on funding for (a) television series and (b) films made in Northern Ireland.
I have had no such specific discussions, but the Government supports film and TV production across the UK, including in Northern Ireland, through screen sector tax reliefs and the UK Global Screen Fund. The British Film Institute (BFI) works in partnership with Northern Ireland Screen on the BFI’s Film Audience Network and the BFI’s Northern Ireland Skills Cluster.DCMS has funded the British Film Commission (BFC) with £6m over five years to support the growth of seven geographic production hubs across the UK. Through this, the BFC has provided ongoing support for Northern Ireland’s expanding studio infrastructure, including support to four key studios: Belfast Harbour, Titanic, Loop and Silverwood.The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have all commissioned critically acclaimed television programmes set and produced in Northern Ireland. This includes Blue Lights, Breathtaking and Trespasses. The Government wants broadcasters, and other commissioners, to be more ambitious in growing the sector outside of London and the South East and to commission content from every part of the country, so that British storytelling reflects the full diversity of people, communities and experiences across the UK.
What is the current number of school-age children not in school.
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department publishes data on compulsory school-aged children in elective home education, and children missing education (children not registered at school or otherwise receiving suitable education). In autumn 2024/25, local authorities reported 111,700 children in elective home education and 39,200 children missing education. The latest figures are available at https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/elective-home-education and https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-missing-education.
Whether he has made a comparative assessment of the cost of (a) girls' and (b) boys' school uniforms.
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department published its latest research on the cost of school uniforms in September 2024, which surveyed parents and carers of children aged 4 to 16 attending state-funded schools in England. It is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms-survey-2023.The research found that for secondary pupils, the average total costs of uniforms (including both daywear and PE kit) were broadly similar for boys and girls, with the average expenditure for girls being £4.80 greater. For primary pupils, the average total costs for both daywear and PE were £23.56 greater for girls. In general, daywear for girls is more expensive, whilst for boys, PE kit incurs a greater cost.Too many families still tell us that the cost of school uniforms remain a financial burden. That is why the department is legislating to limit the number of expensive branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require.
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of giving the Gambling Commission power to regulate the gambling industry in Northern Ireland.
Gambling is a devolved matter for Northern Ireland and therefore regulation is a consideration for the Northern Ireland Executive. We stand ready to support the Northern Ireland Executive with its plans.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2024 to Question 5319 on Peripheral Arterial Disease, if he will make it his policy to ensure that hospitals revascularise patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia within five days of admission.
In 2022, NHS England commissioned a two-year Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) scheme, which incentivised the adoption of the Vascular Peripheral Arterial Disease Quality Improvement Framework, to support timely interventions for revascularisation. This measures the proportion of patients who have a diagnosis of chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) who undergo revascularisation within five days of a non-elective admission to vascular providers.NHS England commissions the National Vascular Registry (NVR) to provide information on the quality and outcomes of care for adults who have major vascular procedures. The NVR provides annual and quarterly reports for emergency and elective vascular procedures, including for those people with peripheral arterial disease who undergo either a lower limb angioplasty/stent, lower limb bypass surgery, or a major lower limb amputation. From quarter one of 2022 to quarter four of 2024, NVR data demonstrated that vascular providers achieving the CQUIN standard had increased from 47% to 55%. During this period, the number of providers submitting data to the NVR had increased by approximately 14%, and every National Health Service region showed an improvement in CLTI revascularisation quality.Furthermore, NHS England has commissioned the NVR to facilitate an ‘outliers’ process, in which vascular providers are monitored on several key performance metrics, including CLTI revascularisation. NHS England continues to monitor all specialised vascular disease services via the NVR, working in collaboration with NHS England’s regional teams and the integrated care boards.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department offers support to Sudan to help combat the spread of cholera.
The conflict in Sudan and the widespread destruction of sanitation and health services has caused a devastating cholera outbreak. In response, the UK is supporting UNICEF and others who are delivering lifesaving emergency health interventions including cholera treatment and prevention. We are also contributing to an ongoing cholera vaccination campaign in Kosti and Rabak, targeting one million people. UK aid is also addressing related needs across the region given the cross-border risks of Sudan's cholera outbreak. We continue to urge all parties in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access so that aid reaches those most in need.
Pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2024 to Question 5319 on Peripheral Arterial Disease, whether he plans to include policies on the treatment of (a) peripheral arterial disease and (b) other cardiovascular diseases in the 10-Year Health Plan.
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 cardiovascular health in all parts of the county.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 cardiovascular disease, closer to home. Moving from sickness to prevention will help us reduce the causes of the biggest killers, and provide treatment earlier, rather than only intervening when conditions deteriorate.As part of the 10-Year Health Plan engagement exercise, I hosted a symposium on cardiovascular disease on 13 March 2025. This brought together a range of charities and clinical experts in the disease. This is in addition to the responses received to the consultation from numerous national and local charities and organisations and their attendance at the National Partners Council.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with international counterparts on freedom of (a) religion and (b) belief in Georgia.
All Georgians, regardless of their religion or belief, must be protected by their government and feel safe to gather peacefully. No one should live in fear for what they do, or do not, believe in. The UK regularly discusses the promotion and protection of human rights with international counterparts and vocally supports the right to freedom of religion or belief and other rights in Georgia, including through our work in the Council of Europe, and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Representing the Church Commissioners, whether the Church is taking steps to promote the (a) cultural significance and (b) history of the church organ.
The Church of England works closely with the Royal College of Organists to encourage and promote the playing of the organ and encourage young people to develop their talents. The increased visibility of some high-profile players on social media is also increasing awareness of the instrument and opportunities for playing the organ in and beyond the church.The Church of England offer grants to support the conservation of historic organs in CofE churches and works closely with organisations that promote organ culture and heritage, including the Royal College of Organists, British Institute of Organ Studies, and Institute of British Organ Building, to share policy interests and promote good practice.
Representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church has made of the potential impact of rural parishes on social isolation amongst elderly people.
Churches in rural areas often play an important role as a community hub and a place to connect with others. The Church of England has many examples of communities tackling social isolation and loneliness; this may be through traditional offering of worship services, via a home visit for the housebound, or through providing social spaces in the church or church hall for people to gather.Across the country, and especially in rural communities, churches run around 31,000 community-based initiatives, offering warm spaces, intergenerational children and community projects, coffee mornings, health and wellbeing groups, dementia cafés, community libraries, village shops, as well as spaces for cultural experiences and art exhibitions.A good example of this work can be found in the research produced by the Archbishops' Commission on Reimagining Care. Commission Members visited a church-led cafe in Kirkby Thore in Cumbria, part of the Renew Wellbeing movement. This provided space for refreshments, games and quiet reflection for people of all ages, but proved particularly popular with older people.The growing movement towards social prescribing in primary care recognises the important role that faith groups, including churches, play in the health of their communities. Churches are working closely with local GPs in many parts of the country to offer a wide range of specific activities that encourage group work or physical activity. Some good examples of this have been the development of churchyard working groups and gardening projects, community book group and discussion groups, and craft clubs, which all offer people the opportunity meet, chat and make new connections. A recent report has been published by the think-tank Theos, assessing some of the range of projects churches are engaging with, which can be found here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2023/08/09/faith-in-social-prescribing
Representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to encourage more young people to attend places of worship.
One of the key priorities set by the National Church Institutions, working with the dioceses, is to double the number of children and young active disciples by 2030. From 2022-2023, there was an increase of 4% in the number of children and young people attending places of worship. The commitment to growing engagement with young people is not merely about increasing numbers in congregations, but improving understanding, cultural awareness, and engagement with Christianity, its teachings and theology. Significant central funding has been allocated to support the vision, and in 2023/24, the Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP) invested £158 million to deliver the Church's vision and strategy in local communities and parishes. 27% of this funding was dedicated to young people, and research was conducted to address key challenges. Investments are being made in training for clergy, starting new worship services, and building relationships between schools and churches. Resources have been produced for churches to encourage them to develop volunteers with young people. We are also seeking to grow digital engagement through 'The Way UK’.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of wind turbines on avian mortality.
The Government does not have estimates of the number of birds killed by wind turbines. Wind developments have the potential to cause environmental damage, including impacts to birds from collisions, displacement, and foraging pressures.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with counterparts in NATO countries on improving sexual health education in relation to (a) AIDS and (b) HIV in developing countries.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials do not engage directly with NATO regarding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) HIV education.The UK is proud to defend and promote universal and comprehensive SRHR, which includes comprehensive sexuality education, family planning, maternal and newborn health, HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention, safe abortion and period poverty. We remain committed to the global HIV response and to working in partnership with other UN member states as well as with the global health institutions towards a collective goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. Together we have helped to reduce new HIV infections by 60 per cent since the peak in 1995 and reduce AIDS-related deaths by 69 per cent since the peak in 2004.
What information he holds on the number of workers who work full-time from home.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 4th March is attached.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on the use of AI in China to target and persecute religious people.
The Foreign Secretary has not discussed this specific issue with EU counterparts. However, he regularly discusses with likeminded partners a range of issues relating to China.
What steps she is taking to encourage employers to take advantage of the apprenticeship levy to use these funds to develop skills in young people.
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only. The government is reforming the current levy-funded apprenticeships offer to deliver greater flexibility for employers. Apprenticeships will remain at the heart of the offer. To support more businesses to participate in apprenticeships, the department is introducing shorter duration apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships in targeted sectors. Foundation apprenticeships will be a new work-based training offer that give more young people a foot in the door at the start of their working lives, whilst supporting the pipeline of new talent that employers will need to drive economic growth. The department is working closely with employers and providers to design foundation apprenticeships that offer young people a good route into good, skilled work and meet the needs of the industrial strategy. To support smaller employers to access apprenticeships, the government pays the full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21, and for apprentices aged 22 to 24 who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan or have been in local authority care. Employers of all sizes can also benefit from £1000 payments when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, or apprentices aged 19 to 24 who have an EHC plan or have been in local authority care. This is in recognition of the additional support that younger apprentices may require when entering employment. Employers can choose how they spend these payments. Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 where they earn less than £967 a week (£50,270 a year).