Written questions by Shannon.

If he will have discussions with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the potential merits of delivering combined cataract and glaucoma procedures to help reduce pressures on ophthalmic waiting lists.

Health is a devolved matter. Combined treatment for glaucoma and cataracts can already be considered when clinically appropriate, taking into account the patient’s wishes and the best available evidence.

What guidance her Department has issued to Northern Ireland businesses on the applicability of duty on goods bought from a supplier in England and sold in Northern Ireland to other Northern Ireland (a) businesses and (b) customers.

HMRC has published extensive guidance in respect of goods movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, including setting out when duty is liable. The UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) enables eligible goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to move without incurring duty. Where duty is paid and the business can evidence the goods did not enter the EU, this can be reclaimed via the Duty Reimbursement Scheme. Further information can be found at: Moving goods you bring into Northern Ireland as 'not at risk’ of moving to the EU - GOV.UK

What estimate he has made of the number of cases of (a) avoidable skin infections, (b) pressure ulcers and (c) urinary tract infections that were (i) caused or (ii) aggravated by using continence products that are not clinically appropriate in the last 12 months; and how much the annual cost was to (A) NHS England and (B) social care as a result of (1) additional treatments being required, (2) laundry and other associated costs, including energy and (3) associated staff time.

Neither the Department nor NHS England hold this information, although this type of data may be recorded and monitored at an individual trust level. Whilst trusts will report the incidence of associated adverse outcomes, such as pressure ulcers, it is unlikely that the cause will be correlated to the product used.

If she will take steps to increase penalties for repeat offenders for crimes against women.

Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for this Government. Violence against women and girls is a term which encapsulates a wide range of behaviours and offences including domestic abuse, so-called honour-based abuse and sexual offences, many of which carry high maximum penalties, including life imprisonment. It does not relate to any single offence.Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for our independent courts. When deciding what sentence to impose, courts must consider the circumstances of the case, including the culpability of the offender, the harm they caused, and any aggravating and mitigating factors.Section 65 of Sentencing Act 2020 provides a statutory aggravating factor, that a court must ‘treat each previous conviction as an aggravating factor if (in the case of that conviction) the court considers that it can reasonably be so treated having regard’. Judges must consider the appropriate level of any sentence uplift justified by the factor, as part of considering the full circumstances of the case.The Government is of course dedicated to ensuring that the harm caused by this form of offending is appropriately and proportionally reflected in the sentencing framework. Our manifesto committed to a review of sentencing to ensure the framework is up to date. The Independent Sentencing Review has been asked to specifically look at the sentencing of offences primarily committed against women and girls.

What discussions she has had with her Northern Irish counterpart on substance abuse in prisons.

The Lord Chancellor has not yet had discussions with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive. Justice in Northern Ireland is devolved, and therefore a matter for the Executive – although we are always interested to learn from the insights and experiences of devolved governments.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help stop the persecution of Christians in South East Asia; and if he will have discussions with his ASEAN counterparts on protecting (a) Christians and (b) churches.

The UK Government champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), our bilateral work, and our programme funding. The UK continues to hold countries to account on their FoRB commitments and obligations, including South East Asian nations, through our engagement with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and at the UN Human Rights Council. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.

With reference to the document entitled Guidance for the provision of absorbent products for adult incontinence, published by the Royal College of Nursing and the Association for Continence Professionals in February 2023, whether he has made an assessment of whether the recommended number of incontinence products issued per 24 hours is consistent with the NICE guidance entitled Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management, reference NG123 published on 24 June 2019, Faecal incontinence in adults, reference QS54 published on 6 February 2014, and Faecal incontinence in adults: management, reference CG49 published on 27 June 2007; and if he will ensure that the Guidance for the provision of absorbent products for adult incontinence is followed by (a) NHS England and (b) social care providers.

We are aware of the most recent publication by the Royal College of Nursing relating to continence pads. NHS England published Excellence in Continence Care on 23 July 2018, bringing together evidence-based resources and research for guidance for commissioners, providers, and health and social care staff. This guidance covers both urinary and bowel, also known as faecal, incontinence, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/excellence-in-continence-care/The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and is responsible for making decisions on whether its published guidelines should be updated in light of new evidence or emerging issues not in the scope of the original guideline.NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance and would consult on proposed changes with a wide range of stakeholders if significant new evidence was to emerge.Both integrated care boards and healthcare providers are expected to take national guidance into consideration when commissioning and delivering services, respectively.

How many referrals to cardiology there were in 2024.

There were 1,007,365 referrals to cardiology in England in 2024. The data is publicly available on NHS England’s website, at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to promote the John Bunyan Fund for Freedom of Religion and Belief.

The UK Government champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) John Bunyan Fund (JBF), the designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects, has a budget allocation of £460,720 in financial year (FY) 2024/25. The FCDO works to ensure that Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance irrespective of race, religion, or ethnicity. This includes minority religious or belief communities, including Christians, who are assessed by our partners when determining those most in need of protection and assistance.

What progress he has made on (a) developing and (b) promoting an effective methodology for assessing value when purchasing medical (i) devices and (ii) consumables; and what plans he has to promote the uptake of a value based procurement approach.

The Department is working with NHS England and the NHS Supply Chain to develop and promote a standardised methodology for National Health Service trusts and integrated care systems (ICS) to assess value when procuring medical technologies, including devices and consumables. As part of this, the Department is engaging medical technology suppliers, patient forums, as well as broader networks of financial teams, clinicians, and NHS procurement professionals.The methodology will provide a consistent and transparent approach to assessing value, for use at both the national and local levels. This aims to shift the majority of the weighting in procurement decisions towards value over upfront cost. The guidance will include a bank of questions, model answers, and scoring criteria showing how to assess defined values consistently, such as patient experience and outcomes, and whole system costs.The Department will be testing this guidance with the NHS at the ICS and NHS trust level over the coming months, with the ambition to refine and publish the guidance in Autumn 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reports of disappeared Tibetans on freedom of religion in that region.

We note reports, including one from UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups in November 2024, further evidencing China's repression of the people of Tibet. We raise human rights at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang and Vice Premier He respectively).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) his counterparts in Algeria and (b) representatives of the Kabylie people on the political and human rights situation in Kabylie.

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of school sensory equipment; and what steps she is taking to ensure the adequacy of that equipment.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.All education settings have duties under the Equality Act 2010 towards individual disabled children and young people. Part 6 of the Equality Act outlines that schools must make reasonable adjustments, including the provision of auxiliary aids and services for disabled children, to prevent them being put at a substantial disadvantage.The government’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the right support to achieve and thrive in their education and as they move into adult life.My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has announced £740 million of high needs capital for the 2025/26 financial year to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and/or who are in alternative provision.This funding can be used to adapt classrooms to better meet the needs of all children including the provision of sensory equipment within mainstream schools, alongside continuing to provide and adapt spaces to support pupils with the most complex needs in special schools.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports concerning religious oppression in Kabylie, including the closure of churches in the region.

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps in response to reports of religious oppression in Kabylie, in the context of the designation of Algeria by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom as a Special Watch List country.

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe. The British Embassy in Algiers raises FoRB with the Algerian authorities, doing so most recently when the Ambassador met the Minister of Religious Affairs on 10 February. The Embassy remains in regular contact with religious groups on how best to support FoRB. We will continue to raise the issue and advocate for freedom of expression, including in Kabylie and regarding the operation of the Protestant Church of Algeria.

Whether he has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on firearms licenses.

The issuing of firearms licences in Northern Ireland is a largely devolved matter, overseen by the Department of Justice, aside from where it touches on excepted matters. I meet regularly with the Justice Minister to discuss a range of issues. Similarly Northern Ireland Office officials meet with their counterparts at the NI Department of Justice to discuss firearms licencing on a regular basis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to help secure the release of hostages held by the Fulani militia in Nigeria in the last six months.

The UK Government condemns all violence, including kidnaps, across Nigeria. Kidnapping for ransom is sadly a widespread practice in Nigeria, particularly in the North West where banditry is prevalent. Kidnappings often have financial rather than religious motives and communities of all religions and beliefs are vulnerable. Through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), a Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAKFC) has been established to support cooperation between Nigeria's security and justice agencies. This will both reduce the harm to victims and hold those responsible to account. Through the SDP, the UK also continues to deliver support such as training to strengthen the capability of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on the protection of people non-adherent to the majority religion.

Promoting the rights and safety of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I underlined the importance of religious tolerance and harmony when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November. In a meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister on 20 November, the British High Commissioner and I also raised these issues.

What steps he is taking to ensure people diagnosed with gout have access to medical care.

We know how important it is that patients with gout receive the care they need from their general practices (GPs) and secondary care.We want to make it easier for patients to see a GP when they need to. In October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered, benefitting thousands of patients that are struggling to get the care they desperately need, including those with gout.We are committed to moving towards a Neighbourhood Health Service, with more care delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier, and we will also bring back the family doctor, by incentivising GPs to see the same patient, so ongoing or complex conditions are dealt with effectively. In doing so, we will improve continuity of care, which is associated with better health outcomes, and will improve patient health and care as a result.Tackling waiting lists, including for those waiting for rheumatology treatment, is a key part of our Health Mission. The Elective Reform Plan, launched as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, sets out how we will get back to the NHS Constitutional Standard that 92% of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by the end of this Parliament, and will also ensure that patients have the best possible experience of care.

How many confirmed cases of bile duct cancer there have been in the UK since January 2024.

The most recently published data on registrations of bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma, are available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2022There were 2,973 diagnoses of bile duct cancer in 2022.