Written questions by Shannon.

What steps he is taking to help reduce delays in treatment for cancer patients.

Lord Darzi’s report has set out the scale of the challenges we face in fixing the National Health Service and the need to improve cancer waiting time performance and cancer survival. In particular, he highlighted the need to improve the number of patients starting their treatment within 62 days of referral and to increase the number of patients diagnosed at an earlier stage.We will improve cancer survival rates and hit all NHS cancer waiting time targets within five years, so no patient waits longer than they should.The NHS will maximise the pace of the roll-out of additional diagnostic capacity, delivering the final year of the three-year investment plan for establishing Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) and ensuring timely implementation of new CDC locations and upgrades to existing CDCs, with capacity prioritised for cancer diagnostics.

What assessment his Department has made of the viability of aldesleukin as a routine treatment for people who have had a heart attack.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and the NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility are supporting research into the benefits of low doses of aldesleukin for people who have experienced a heart attack, to reduce inflammation in the arteries after the initial heart attack.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of rises in energy costs on disabled people who use electronic aids and adaptations at home during Winter 2024-25.

We understand that energy bills are a concern for many people. We believe the only way to protect bill payers permanently, including disabled people, is to accelerate the green transition towards homegrown, clean energy.This Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and working with them so that their views and voices are at the heart of everything we do.We know disabled people face extra costs every day and this has been exacerbated by the increased cost of living. Ministers and officials have met with disabled stakeholders to discuss the impact of high energy costs for disabled people, including those who use electronic aids and adaptations in the home.We also expect energy suppliers to do everything they can to support customers who are struggling with their bills, especially vulnerable households such as those with individuals who are disabled. We encourage any vulnerable consumer who needs extra support to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

What data his Department holds on the number of people being prescribed propranolol to treat anxiety.

The information requested is not held. National Health Service prescriptions do not list the indication for which the medicine is prescribed. It is therefore not possible to determine from prescribing data held by the NHS Business Services Authority the number of people being prescribed propranolol to treat anxiety.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to increase the use of digital technologies across Government; and what steps he plans to take to improve the training for such technologies.

We are fully committed to the goal of driving a modern digital government and harnessing data and technology to help deliver the government’s five missions.To achieve this goal, this government is creating a new digital centre of government within DSIT, bringing together several expert teams. The new digital centre of government will champion digital and data across government, accelerating the use of digital technologies in order to deliver a modern digital government that gives citizens a better experience. This modern digital government will also build on existing programmes such as the Digital Excellence Programme and Tech Track to recruit, develop and retain digital talent across government.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to increase cross-government collaboration with the devolved Administrations.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State made clear the importance of resetting her department’s relationship with devolved governments so that we are increasing collaboration on shared opportunities and challenges.The Deputy Prime Minister has held productive meetings with First Ministers and Deputy First Ministers across the UK, and look forward to continuing positive engagement in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.Ministers are also working actively with counterparts in the devolved governments, with recent meetings on housing and the Grenfell announcement.

What steps he is taking to improve the Government's national security risk assessment policies, in the context of the recent CrowdStrike software outages.

The UK is facing an ever-changing and growing set of risks. All risks in the government's National Risk Register (NRR) are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform emergency preparedness and resilience activity.

Whether he has had recent discussions with the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on the potential impact of the Mental Health Bill on Northern Ireland.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has made clear his commitment to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the devolved governments. Officials are currently working to find a date for the next Health and Social Care Interministerial Group.The Department has engaged with Northern Ireland Department of Health officials on the Mental Health Bill. Officials have established a regular Four Nations Meeting on mental health reform, in which the Mental Health Bill’s measures and potential implications for the devolved governments are discussed. We will continue to engage our counterparts in Northern Ireland closely throughout the bill’s passage.

Whether she has made an assessment of trends in the number of sales of electric vehicles in the last 12 months.

The total number of EVs registered in the UK continues to increase, amidst a growing overall market. Just under 270,000 battery electric cars have been sold so far this year, according to industry statistics, 13% higher than the number sold this time last year. The battery electric vehicle share of the new car market in the year to date is 17.8%, and in the month of September 2024 this was 20.5% - a record high.

What discussions she has had with police forces on tackling violence at football games.

The Government is committed to tackling and preventing violence and disorder at football matches and tournaments in England, Wales and overseas. Policing is devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Government funds the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), a unit designed to reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and disorder at football events involving UK football teams. The UKFPU undertakes various statutory and operational national policing functions, including maintaining oversight of the football banning order regime, working with overseas policing counterparts and coordinating policing deployment at international matches, and coordinating policing’s football disorder strategy.The Home Office works closely with the UKFPU, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Football Policing and other police stakeholders to ensure the police are supported to tackle football-related violence and disorder.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current level of tuition fees.

Education is a devolved matter, and this response outlines the information for England only. The government is determined that the higher education (HE) funding system should deliver for our economy, for universities and for students. The department will look carefully at all options and come forward with proposals. Funding plans for the HE sector will be set out at the relevant fiscal event in line with the approach to public spending commitments across government. The department recognises the immediate financial strain that some providers are under. As such, the department will continue to work closely with the Office for Students to monitor any risks and to ensure there are robust plans in place to mitigate them.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of prison workforce numbers.

We know that sufficient and skilled frontline staffing is fundamental to delivering safe, secure, and rehabilitative prison regimes. In England and Wales, we are currently above our target staffing levels for prison officers, although challenges remain in some sites with higher numbers of vacancies. Recruitment efforts will continue at all sites with a current or projected future need, and we have a number of targeted recruitment interventions that can be deployed where needed. Where establishments feel that their staffing levels will affect stability or regime, we look to provide short-term tactical support.HMPPS has also commissioned a workforce delivery project to refresh the current staffing model for prisons, and to help improve our analysis of resource allocation across the system, so we are better able to prioritise our staff resources to improve delivery.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of interest rates on SMEs.

For SMEs that pay interest at a variable rate, or those contemplating new borrowing, lower interest rates are clearly beneficial.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to prevent cyber attacks; and what data his Department holds on the number of cyber attacks against Government infrastructure in the last 12 months.

I refer the honourable member to my answer from 2 September, (2302) and would add that the UK Government does not comment upon operational security matters.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help support families affected by the recent landslide in southern India.

The UK is a major contributor to the Start Fund which has allocated over £200,000 to Caritas India and SEEDS India. These two non-governmental organisations are providing support to vulnerable communities that were severely affected by the landslides and flooding in Wayanad District in Kerala. This included basic household goods, such as bedding, kitchen and hygiene items, and cash assistance.

What plans he has to increase employee protection from unfair dismissal.

The Government introduced the Employment Rights Bill in the House on 10 October 2024. The Bill will make basic protection against unfair dismissal a day one right for all employees, ending the current arbitrary system that leaves employees waiting up to two years to access this right.

Whether he is taking steps to raise awareness of the symptoms of migraines.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline, Headaches: Diagnosis and management of headaches in young people and adults, updated in December 2021, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment, and support of people who suffer from headaches, including migraines. It aims to improve the recognition and management of headaches and migraines.NHS RightCare has also produced a Headache and Migraine Toolkit. The toolkit sets out key priorities for improving care for patients with migraines, which includes correct identification and diagnosis of headache disorders. Additionally, Getting It Right First Time for Neurology published a National Speciality Report, which makes several recommendations in relation to improving recognition and diagnosis of migraines by general practitioners.The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed two e-learning modules about migraine and cluster headaches, which aim to raise awareness amongst primary care clinicians about the different types of migraine and their associated symptoms, and how to differentiate between them.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the initiation of supervisory proceedings against Jehovah's Witnesses in Denmark.

The FCDO is aware of supervisory proceedings against Jehovah's Witnesses in Denmark. We are committed to the safeguarding of all vulnerable people, as well as promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) around the world. We will continue to monitor developments.

What steps he plans to take with NHS England's (a) clinical chairs and (b) device working groups to refine the process for the inclusion of new devices and range extensions within the existing national catalogue; where those processes are published; and what steps he is taking to ensure clarity for external stakeholders.

Under the Specialised Service Devices programme, clinical chairs and advisors in the device working group are continuing work to refine the inclusion process for new devices, while also developing range extensions within the existing national catalogue. This is alongside continuing work on device category specifications.Device working groups will develop a clinical utilisation methodology designed to reduce unwarranted variation in the extensive range of available devices, while NHS Supply Chain will deliver price reductions in devices purchased.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Nigerian counterparts on (a) violence by non-state actors and (b) freedom of religion for minority communities.

The UK continues to champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all in Nigeria, and beyond. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not believe in. We work to uphold the right to FoRB through our position at the UN, G7 and other multilateral fora and bilaterally in Nigeria. The UK Government remains committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to FoRB. In September, the Foreign Secretary had an initial conversation with his Nigerian counterpart on security issues and will be seeking to engage proactively on FoRB in upcoming discussions.