Written questions by Glindon.

If he will take steps to help increase levels of awareness of the potential merits of switching to (a) vapes and (b) other alternatives to smoking among adult smokers, in the context of nicotine product display restrictions.

The youth vaping call for evidence, published in 2023, demonstrated that vape flavours are one of the main reasons that vapes appeal to children. However, we recognise that vape flavours can also be a consideration for adult smokers seeking to quit smoking.That is why it is important we strike the balance between restricting vape flavours to reduce their appeal to young people, whilst ensuring vapes remain available for adult smokers as a smoking cessation tool. Before laying any regulations in Parliament, we will undertake a full public consultation to ensure we get this balance right, and consider the views of a range of stakeholders. We will also undertake a full impact assessment on any future flavour restrictions.The Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes regulation making powers to limit how nicotine products are displayed. These are also subject to consultation. Adult smokers will still be able to access vapes as well as other alternative methods to stop smoking. Vapes are commonly used alongside behavioural support within local Stop Smoking Services, helping thousands of adults each year to live healthier lives. In addition, our national Swap to Stop scheme is supporting adult smokers to swap cigarettes for vapes.

What steps she is taking to increase the uptake of free school meals by eligible children.

The department recognises the vital role played by free school meals (FSM) and encourages all eligible families to take their entitlement up. There are currently around 2.1 million pupils eligible for and claiming FSM.The department provides the Eligibility Checking System, allowing local authorities to quickly verify eligibility for FSM and ensure FSM are easily received.The department is aware of a range of measures aimed at maximising take up of FSM, including through approaches being trialled by local authorities. We are supportive of local authorities taking action to ensure government support reaches families, subject to them meeting legal and data protection requirements.The government is committed to delivering an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty by tackling the root causes and giving every child the best start at life. To support this, a new ministerial taskforce has been set up to develop a Child Poverty Strategy, which will be published in spring 2025. The taskforce will consider a range of policies, assessing what will have the greatest impact in driving down rates of child poverty.As with all government programmes, the department will keep its approach to FSM under continued review.

Whether he plans to hold a separate consultation on the NHS workforce plan in addition to the consultation on the 10-Year Health Plan.

The refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan will deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and will ensure that patients get the treatment they need, when and where they need it.In the development of the plan, we will engage with a range of stakeholders to ensure the needs of staff and patients are considered.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her oral Answer to the Question from the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend of 2 December 2024, Official Report, column 11, if she will publish the initial equality impact assessment.

The Department prepared an initial equality impact assessment in advance of the announcement of the location strategy, in line with our responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Department is now consulting trade unions and staff. The consultation is considering the impact on the individuals affected by the decision to close six of our offices, with a view to informing the measures to mitigate those impacts and enable those individuals to continue to perform their roles effectively.The equality impact assessment is being updated throughout that consultation process, to include the feedback from staff, including those with protected characteristics. The latest version has been shared with the trade unions.The final version will be published following completion of that consultation process. My officials have met with trade union representatives on a regular basis and will continue to meet with them throughout the consultation and implementation process.

Communities and Local Government, what account her Department took of the public sector equality duty in taking the decision to close six offices across its estate.

The Department prepared an initial equality impact assessment in advance of the announcement of the location strategy, in line with our responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The Department is now consulting trade unions and staff. The consultation is considering the impact on the individuals affected by the decision to close six of our offices, with a view to informing the measures to mitigate those impacts and enable those individuals to continue to perform their roles effectively.The equality impact assessment is being updated throughout that consultation process, to include the feedback from staff, including those with protected characteristics. The latest version has been shared with the trade unions.The final version will be published following completion of that consultation process. My officials have met with trade union representatives on a regular basis and will continue to meet with them throughout the consultation and implementation process.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's proposed office closures on (a) disabled staff, (b) neurodiverse staff, (c) staff with caring responsibilities and (d) staff with other protected characteristics.

I refer my hon Friend to my answer to Question UIN 19288 on 17 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has met with trade union representatives for staff in her Department since 5 July 2024.

I refer my hon Friend to my answer to Question UIN 19288 on 17 December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to prevent the religious persecution of Christians in Syria.

Recent events in Syria have been extraordinary, and we have been closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities. From the opposition offensive in North West Syria on 27 November to Assad fleeing Syria this weekend, our call for the protection of all civilians, including religious minorities, has been consistent. No one should live in fear because of their beliefs, and our dedication to upholding the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Syria will continue during its political transition. As the Foreign Secretary stated on 9 December, the Government's priority is the protection of all civilians. Promoting FoRB is crucial for building a sustainable future for all Syrians, advancing cultural and religious diversity, and ensuring equality and human dignity for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts in (a) November and (b) December on the security situation for Christians in Syria.

Recent events in Syria have been extraordinary, and we have been closely monitoring the treatment of religious minorities. From the opposition offensive in North West Syria on 27 November to Assad fleeing Syria this weekend, our call for the protection of all civilians, including religious minorities, has been consistent. No one should live in fear because of their beliefs, and our dedication to upholding the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Syria will continue during its political transition. As the Foreign Secretary stated on 9 December, the Government's priority is the protection of all civilians. Promoting FoRB is crucial for building a sustainable future for all Syrians, advancing cultural and religious diversity, and ensuring equality and human dignity for all.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support humanitarian organisations in (a) Gaza and (b) Lebanon to prepare for winter.

The UK is committed to alleviating humanitarian suffering in both Lebanon and Gaza, particularly with the arrival of winter. The Foreign Secretary, together with his French and German counterparts, has written to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar to urge Israel to ensure sufficient aid, including vital medical treatment, reaches civilians in Gaza. Minister Dodds also raised aid restrictions in her meetings with Israeli interlocutors during her recent visit to the region, including with Deputy Foreign Minister Haskel. I raised this issue with Minister Haskel on 05 December and met with Mr Philippe Lazzarini, the UN's Commissioner-General of UNWRA in Doha on 08 December. The UK has announced £112 million for the Occupied Palestinian Territories so far this financial year, providing vital services to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank delivered through partner agencies. Additionally, we have provided £46 million in support to Lebanon, of which £15 million is additional funding to respond to the widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare.

Pursuant to the Answer to Question 12405 of 13 November 2024, whether he has had discussions with the community pharmacy sector on improving real-time communication on the availability of ADHD medications to patients.

No discussions have been held. The Department has worked with specialist clinicians, including those within the National Health Service, to develop management advice for the NHS. The guidance signposts all sectors to refer to the Specialist Pharmacy Service website for updates on the availability of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines. The site is available at the following link:https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/The site is routinely updated to reflect the information we receive from United Kingdom suppliers regarding the availability of ADHD medicines in the UK.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of supply shortages for ADHD medication on the mental health of patients.

The Department is working closely with NHS England’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and medicines supply teams, to help resolve the supply issues and improve information for people with ADHD and clinicians.We are also supporting an independent cross-sector taskforce that NHS England has established to look at ADHD service provision and support across sectors, and their impact on patient experience. The taskforce is bringing together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support. The ADHD taskforce will also work closely with the Department for Education’s neurodivergence task and finish group.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2024 to Question 6227 Mental Health Services: Waiting Lists, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of people who (a) completed treatment and (b) waited less than 6 weeks for their first appointment for talking therapies in (i) Newcastle upon Tyne and (ii) North Tyneside in July 2024.

The following table shows the number of completed treatments and waiting times for a first appointment for Talking Therapies in the nearest equivalent areas, by sub integrated care board area, of NHS Newcastle Gateshead and NHS North Tyneside, in July 2024: NHS Newcastle GatesheadNHS North TynesideReferrals discharged during period1,315430Referrals discharged after completing at least two treatments625195Percentage of referrals discharged after completing at least two treatments47%45%Patient accessing their first treatment915400Patients accessing their first treatment in less than six weeks910375Percentage of patients accessing their first treatment in less than six weeks99%94%Source: NHS Talking Therapies Monthly Statistics, NHS England.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2024 to Question 12735 on Personal Independence Payments, if he will take steps to reduce the median wait for award review decisions.

We are aware that many claimants are waiting a long time for their award review. Due to competing priorities and limited resources, we are currently prioritising getting new claims into payment as quickly as possible to ensure financial support is provided for those who need it. Most award review decisions are now made without the need for an assessment by a Healthcare Professional, where we have sufficient information, which helps to reduce the time taken to process many cases. For those waiting for a review, we keep them informed and continue to extend awards where necessary, to ensure claims remain in payment. This also ensures continuity of entitlement to Motability vehicles and blue badges for those who need it.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of Adult Gaming Centres on (a) the jobs market and (b) the exchequer.

Official statistics from a range of sources provide the Government with insights into the economic contribution of the betting and gaming industry as a whole. The latest headline statistics show that the gambling sector contributed £4.9bn to Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2022, accounting for 0.2% of UK GVA. In the financial year 2023/24, the gambling sector employed around 94,000 people in Britain (provisional), accounting for 0.2% of UK jobs and paid approximately £3.4bn in betting and gaming duty. We do not hold official statistics on GVA, employment or tax revenue for adult gaming centres specifically.The Gambling Commission’s industry statistics show that between April 2022 and March 2023, gross gambling yield for adult gaming centres was £533m. This represented c. 11% of gross gambling yield generated by non-remote casinos, arcades, betting and bingo.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the financial impact of Adult Gaming Centres on the high street economy.

Official statistics from a range of sources provide the Government with insights into the economic contribution of the betting and gaming industry as a whole. The latest headline statistics show that the gambling sector contributed £4.9bn to Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2022, accounting for 0.2% of UK GVA. In the financial year 2023/24, the gambling sector employed around 94,000 people in Britain (provisional), accounting for 0.2% of UK jobs and paid approximately £3.4bn in betting and gaming duty. We do not hold official statistics on GVA, employment or tax revenue for adult gaming centres specifically.The Gambling Commission’s industry statistics show that between April 2022 and March 2023, gross gambling yield for adult gaming centres was £533m. This represented c. 11% of gross gambling yield generated by non-remote casinos, arcades, betting and bingo.

What estimate her Department has made of the average wait for a Personal Independence Payment review decision.

We make every effort to conduct award reviews as soon as possible. Most decisions are made without the need for an assessment by a Healthcare Professional. Where the claimant requests a review of their Personal Independence Payment award, the median wait is 69 working days as of September 2024. Where the review is initiated by the department, the median wait for a decision that is referred to an assessment provider is 290 working days as of September 2024, and 252 days where it is not referred to an assessment provider. Whilst reviews are outstanding, all payments to existing claimants continue. Should a review identify eligibility for an increased award, backdated payments will be made where appropriate to ensure claimants are not adversely impacted by delays.

If she will take steps to (a) advise claimants migrating to Universal Credit from legacy benefits to check whether their eligibility for NHS Help with Health Costs will change and (b) include this advice in migration letters.

Jobcentre staff recognise that not all customers are aware of other financial help they may be entitled to. In such cases staff will signpost customers to online financial support. We do not have plans to include this advice in migration letters. User research suggests that customers can feel overwhelmed with the volume of information in the migration notice, so we are careful about how much we include, focusing on the most relevant information and signpost people to services to support them with making their claim.

If his Department will take steps to improve the communication of the real-time availability of ADHD medications in pharmacies to patients.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within individual pharmacies is not held centrally.To aid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) service providers, prescribers, and pharmacies, we have widely disseminated our communications and continually update a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website, helping ensure that those involved in the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medications can make informed decisions with patients. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/The team also regularly engages with patient groups to provide information on supply issues pertinent to them and their patients, and supports them with any patient communications they may wish to develop.

If she will take steps to improve the capacity of local authorities to administer the Household Support Fund.

Since October 2021, over £2.9 billion has been allocated to Local Authorities (LAs) in England to support those most in need through the Household Support Fund (HSF). LAs have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out for the fund. This is because they have the ties and the knowledge to best determine how support should be provided in their local communities. We understand that improving how local government is funded is crucial to enabling councils to deliver support to their residents and ensuring we can deliver our missions. We will provide councils with more stability and certainty through multi-year funding settlements and by ending wasteful competitive bidding. This will ensure councils can plan their finances for the future properly, delivering better value for money for taxpayers.