Written questions by Evans.

How much funding has NHS England allocated to the EMIS Web Dispensing Module in 2026/27.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department plans to reopen the Birthing Centre in Crowborough; and what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of its closure on access to maternity care for residents in Sussex Weald.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department held discussions with stakeholders prior to NHS England's decision to cease central funding for the EMIS Web Dispensing Module from 1 April 2026.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of the opportunities to increase the transparency of red diesel (a) supply chains and (b) pricing.

Food security is a priority for Government, and it is taking the impacts from developments from the Middle East conflict seriously. Defra is working collaboratively with colleagues across Government to understand and respond to issues arising from the conflict. Defra is conscious of the particular challenge posed by the price increase to red diesel due to international market volatility. This product is often bought via the spot market and so is more exposed to price volatility than road diesel at forecourts To support farmers, Government has already brought forward a 5p fuel duty cut from March until September. Red diesel also continues to benefit from an 80% tax discount, saving almost £300 million a year. The Competition and Markets Authority has been asked to look into industry concerns about red diesel prices, including price transparency. Defra is determined to help keep costs down for our farmers and producers.

What recent discussions he has had with (a) the Dispensing Doctors Association (b) the British Medical Association, and (c) NHS England on NHS England ceasing to centrally fund the EMIS Web dispensing module from 1 April 2026.

Central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module will remain in place until 31 March 2027. Consultation with relevant bodies including the Dispensing Doctors’ Association and the British Medical Association will take place to help inform the long-term approach regarding the way dispensing is funded, in advance of the expiry of the 12-month extension NHS England have put in place.

For how long he expects NHS England to continue central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module.

Central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module will remain in place until 31 March 2027. Consultation with relevant bodies including the Dispensing Doctors’ Association and the British Medical Association will take place to help inform the long-term approach regarding the way dispensing is funded, in advance of the expiry of the 12-month extension NHS England have put in place.

Whether she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Education on the adequacy of levels of support available in mainstream education environments to young people with a physical disability but without a diagnosis of a learning disability.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2026 to WPQ 122758, if his Department will publish a list of all the (a) professional and (b) clinical criteria which staff will need to meet in order to triage in the Elective Single Point of Access Model.

Amanda Doyle, the National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, wrote to general practices and primary care networks regarding the introduction of elective Single Point of Access (SPoA) in April 2026. The letter clarified that under this model, requests for specialist advice and referrals are to be clinically reviewed by a named consultant.Where a local SPoA model is already in place or is established by local agreement between primary and secondary care, provided there is clear accountability and oversight from a named consultant, this may continue.The letter also sets out the expectations for consultants and general practitioners, as well as operational standards under a SPoA model. A general practitioner’s clinical decision to refer and existing professional and legal accountabilities remain unchanged.

How the clinical importance of ketotifen for specific patient groups is reflected in the Department’s medicines supply shortage management and mitigation processes.

The supplier of ketotifen (Zaditen) one milligram tablets has confirmed that there is currently no shortage of this product, and it is in stock and available to order.While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients.

What the current national status is of the supply of ketotifen.

The supplier of ketotifen (Zaditen) one milligram tablets has confirmed that there is currently no shortage of this product, and it is in stock and available to order.While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Animal Health Certificates on the cost of taking pets abroad.

On 22 April the EU brought in new rules affecting those travelling with their pets from third countries such as Great Britain into the EU. Defra officials have engaged with the European Commission to understand how they are being implemented, and how this impacts those travelling from Great Britain to the EU. Updated guidance is now available on GOV.UK, and any future updates will be published on the relevant pages. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. Instead of the current process of getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Until an agreement with the EU is reached, owners will still need an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they are travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country. Animal Health Certificates are issued by Official Veterinarians in Great Britain. Fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients and neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with EU on the implementation of Animal Health Certificates for pets travelling abroad.

On 22 April the EU brought in new rules affecting those travelling with their pets from third countries such as Great Britain into the EU. Defra officials have engaged with the European Commission to understand how they are being implemented, and how this impacts those travelling from Great Britain to the EU. Updated guidance is now available on GOV.UK, and any future updates will be published on the relevant pages. As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area. Instead of the current process of getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time they travel, pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Until an agreement with the EU is reached, owners will still need an AHC for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they are travelling from GB (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country. Animal Health Certificates are issued by Official Veterinarians in Great Britain. Fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients and neither the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulator of the veterinary profession, nor Defra intervene in the level of fees that are charged.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 120986 on General Practitioners: Contracts, what evidence his Department holds which shows that patients had improved care as a result of changes to Advice and Guidance.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2026 to WPQ 122758, whether his Department will stipulate who should be triaging in the Elective Single Point of Access Model.

Amanda Doyle, the National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, wrote to general practices and primary care networks regarding the introduction of elective Single Point of Access (SPoA) in April 2026. The letter clarified that under this model, requests for specialist advice and referrals are to be clinically reviewed by a named consultant.Where a local SPoA model is already in place or is established by local agreement between primary and secondary care, provided there is clear accountability and oversight from a named consultant, this may continue.The letter also sets out the expectations for consultants and general practitioners, as well as operational standards under a SPoA model. A general practitioner’s clinical decision to refer and existing professional and legal accountabilities remain unchanged.

What steps his Department is taking to prevent interruptions in the supply of ketotifen to patients who are clinically reliant on that medication.

The supplier of ketotifen (Zaditen) one milligram tablets has confirmed that there is currently no shortage of this product, and it is in stock and available to order.While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, we have a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise and mitigate risks to patients.

Whether she is having discussions with cerebral palsy campaign organisations on the challenges faced by young people with cerebral palsy in mainstream education environments.

Awaiting answer.

Whether he has held recent discussions with NHS England on the future of their centralised funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module.

Central funding for the EMIS Web dispensing module will remain in place until 31 March 2027. Consultation with relevant bodies including the Dispensing Doctors’ Association and the British Medical Association will take place to help inform the long-term approach regarding the way dispensing is funded, in advance of the expiry of the 12-month extension NHS England have put in place.

Whether she will assess the potential impact of postponing the proposed increase in fuel duty on the farming community.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with veterinary associations on trends in the number of vets who can issue Animal Health Certificates for pet owners taking their pets abroad.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will assess the potential merits of the increasing the transparency of fertiliser (a) supply chains and (b) pricing.

Defra is monitoring the impact on farmers and fertiliser suppliers of high prices, and impacts in the wider supply chain. We are working closely with industry and farmers to understand risks and issues, and options for action where needed. Defra asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to increase the frequency of its fertiliser price reporting and this data is now being published on a weekly basis. This gives farmers more timely and transparent information to support their decision-making. We also recently ran a survey to understand how fertiliser price rises and supply issues are impacting farmers and land managers on the ground which we will use, alongside other evidence, to inform next steps.