Written questions by Pitcher.

What information his Department holds on (a) the likelihood of patients who develop one dopamine agonist-associated impulse control disorder developing additional impulse control disorders and (b)

Awaiting answer.

What estimate his Department has made of the number and proportion of patients who, having developed impulse control disorders while taking dopamine agonists and attempted withdrawal, subsequently

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the typical duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms associated with dopamine agonist dose reduction or discontinuation; and how those outcomes vary b

Awaiting answer.

What data his Department and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency holds on how many and what proportion of patients develop withdrawal symptoms, including dopamine agonist withdr

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the extent of under-reporting of dopamine agonist-related impulse control disorders to the Yellow Card scheme; and what steps it is taking to improv

Awaiting answer.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of patients exposed to dopamine agonists for (a) Parkinson’s disease and (b) restless legs syndrome; and what comparison the Department has made

Awaiting answer.

How many Yellow Card reports have (a) listed pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine and cabergoline as a suspected medicine and (b) included any reaction term relating to impulse control disorders, in

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients prescribed dopamine agonists are informed about the risk of impulse control disorders.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for ensuring that medicines and healthcare products meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness and are supported by detailed product information, via the P...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Great British Summer Savings scheme to include admission to public swimming pools.

From 25 June to 1 September the Government is introducing a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions. This is a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s ...

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with complex dementia needs, including those requiring one-to-one support, can access safe and suitable care placements following discharge

The Government recognises the challenges in securing suitable care placements for people with complex needs including dementia. National Health Service bodies and local authorities are expected to work together to plan discharge early and ensure that care...

How many deaths related to open water swimming have been recorded in England in 2026 to date.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 1st June is attached.

What steps she is taking to ensure that schoolchildren receive adequate water safety education before the summer holiday period.

The PE national curriculum makes specific reference to swimming and water safety, stating that all primary pupils must learn to swim competently and confidently over a distance of at least 25 metres, use a range of strokes effectively and perform safe sel...

What steps she is taking to increase the speed at which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency processes driving licence renewals.

The quickest way to transact with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is by using its online services. The DVLA’s target is to dispatch 95 per cent of straightforward online driving licence applications within three working days and 90 per cent...

What assessment he has made of the case for restoring the right to strike for prison officers in England and Wales.

Prison officers work in difficult environments every day, with some of the most challenging people in society. The Government recognises that the work of prison officers is of critical importance in protecting the public and ensuring the safety and securi...

What financial support his Department has provided to small businesses in the context of recent trends in the level of kerosene costs.

The government recognises that many businesses across the country will see the global events and be concerned about the impact on their fuel bills. We are monitoring the situation closely and actively engaging with industry and trade associations to under...

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that integrated care boards are held accountable for commissioning services for those with very severe ME/CFS the absence of a national specialised service.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are expected to commission services for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) across all levels of severity, including those with severe and very severe ME/CFS, in line with national standards, service specifications and clinical access policies set by NHS England. Prioritisation and funding remain at the discretion of ICBs.Officials have begun work to develop a template service specification for mild and moderate ME/CFS. This template will provide best practice examples to guide the commissioning of services for ME/CFS and will now include reference to severe ME/CFS as an interim support measure.To help support healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS, the Department has worked with NHS England to develop an e-learning programme for healthcare professionals. All four sessions of the e‑learning programme are now available, with sessions one, two and three having universal access, while the fourth session, which focuses on the management of severe ME/CFS, is only available to healthcare professionals. The e-learning is available at the following link: https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/mecfselearning?nodeId=7288

Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the ability of places of worship to reclaim VAT on repairs and maintenance works following the replacement of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme with the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.

The Department has not made an assessment of the ability of places of worship to reclaim VAT following the ending of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will have a budget of £23 million per year. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will award grants for projects to cover capital works, rather than just the VAT element of a project, as is the case with the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. In some cases the amount granted could be greater than just the VAT element currently funded.

Whether her Department has made an of the potential impact of banks not accepting cheques on groups with protected characteristics; and whether she has discussions about this with (a) the Financial Conduct Authority, (b) the Payment Systems Regulator and (c) UK Finance.

The Government recognises that cheques remain an important payment method for some people, including those with protected characteristics. UK’s largest retail banks continue to accept cheques through a range of channels, including at bank branches, in banking hubs and the Post Office, by post, and digitally through cheque imaging. The Treasury has not made a formal assessment of the impact of individual banks’ decisions on specific groups. Where banks have taken commercial decisions to change how they accept cheque deposits, they are expected to consider the needs of customers in vulnerable circumstances and to ensure alternative routes remain available. The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. Treasury Ministers and officials engage regularly with the FCA, the Payment Systems Regulator and UK Finance on matters relating to retail banking and payments. Ensuring everyone has access to the appropriate financial products and services they need is a priority for the Government. That is why we have published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a package of ambitious measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience across the UK. Access to banking is a key area of focus in the Strategy, alongside digital inclusion, including an intervention to make financial products more accessible through an industry-led inclusive design working group. Action to improve financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach, and the Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively across the UK on this important agenda going forward.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of food imports produced to lower animal welfare standards on the competitiveness of UK farmers.

The Government shares the public’s high regard for the high animal welfare standards we have in this country; they are one of the selling points of our British farming industry and are greatly valued by consumers both at home and abroad. As set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the department will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare standards. Defra recognises concerns about methods of production, such as sow stalls and battery cages, which are not permitted in the UK. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases and other contextual reasons, we will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, the Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of ending the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on (a) listed religious buildings and (b) their congregations.

While we have confirmed the extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme until 31 March 2026, the future funding of the scheme after this date is being assessed and considered as we work through the output of the Spending Review and the Departmental business planning process.