Written questions by Dowd.

What her Department's proposed timeline is for decriminalising pavement parking to enable local authorities to take enforcement action against vehicles parked on pavements.

On 8 January 2026, I announced the publication of the government’s formal response to the 2020 public consultation 'Pavement parking: options for change' which sets out what the government plans to do to tackle pavement parking. In the first instance we plan to give local authorities powers before the end of this year to issue Penalty Charge Notices for vehicles parked in a way that unnecessarily obstructs the pavement. The Department will engage with local authorities on the detail of these plans.

What evidence his Department holds, including survey data and commissioned research, on the extent to which disabled people identify inaccessible streets and public transport as barriers to accessing employment and education; and whether he plans to publish that evidence.

The Department regularly conducts research and analysis that looks at the barriers faced by disabled people such as the ‘Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers’ and this can be found on GOV.UK. One way the Department supports disabled people to work with transport accessibility is through Access to Work. Access to Work contributes to the disability-related extra costs of working faced by disabled people and those with a health condition in the workplace that are beyond standard reasonable adjustments. It does not replace an employer’s duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments. The grant provides personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.

What data his department collects to monitor potential inequalities in multiple sclerosis care access; and how those findings are used to inform policy and service delivery improvements.

The Department does not collect patient-level clinical data directly but works with NHS England and other bodies to monitor inequalities in access to multiple sclerosis (MS) services through a range of national programmes and datasets.The UK Multiple Sclerosis Register, which is managed by Swansea University and supported by the MS Society, provides a comprehensive evidence base on the experiences and outcomes of people living with MS across the United Kingdom. It combines patient-reported data with clinical information from National Health Services, enabling analysis of variations in access to treatments, specialist care, and support by geography, deprivation, ethnicity and other demographic factors.Findings from the register are used to inform research policy development and service improvement initiatives. This evidence supports NHS England and integrated care boards in identifying variations in access to treatment and care, guiding commissioning decisions, and helping to reduce health inequalities for people living with MS.Additionally, initiatives such as NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme and its RightCare programme both aim to reduce unwarranted variation in services and improve equity of care for people with MS.GIRFT undertakes clinically-led, data-driven reviews of neurology services across all neuroscience centres and trusts. Its national neurology report sets out recommendations to standardise care, improve access to specialist services closer to home, and share best practice between providers. By addressing these variations, GIRFT helps to ensure that people with MS receive more consistent, high-quality care regardless of where they live.RightCare focuses on population health and on reducing inequalities by providing commissioners with toolkits and benchmarking resources. Its Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit supports systems to assess current provision for conditions such as MS, identify gaps, and prioritise improvements. It promotes integrated, person-centred care and encourages commissioners to benchmark services against national standards, helping to reduce disparities in access and outcomes.

Whether he plans to bring responsibility for medical cannabis policy and governance to his Department in line with Schedule 2 medicines.

The Home Office is the lead department for controlled drug legislation, whilst the Department of Health and Social Care and its Arm's Length Bodies lead on healthcare and the regulation of medicines. This framework applies to all drugs under Schedules 1 to 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, including cannabis-based products for medicinal use. The Government has no plans to change this.The Department of Health and Social Care and the Home Office work closely with other system partners in developing and reviewing the policy on controlled drugs in healthcare, including cannabis-based products for medicinal use.

What steps his Department is taking to support and fund clinical trials aimed at achieving licensing and NHS access for complex, cannabis-based medicines used in the treatment of severe, drug-resistant epilepsy in children.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is funding two trials to investigate the safety and efficacy of cannabinoid treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy in both adults and children. Further detail on the trials can be found on the NIHR’s website, at the following link:https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR131309The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with epilepsy, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments. We are working to fast-track clinical trials to drive global investment into life sciences, improve health outcomes, and accelerate the development of the medicines and therapies of the future, including treatments for epilepsy.

Whether the specific challenges of providing specialised care for rare conditions will be included in the NHS 10 year plan.

The 10-Year Plan will reshape the National Health Service, and in many cases, will provide opportunities to address the challenges that are faced by patients, including those with rare conditions and the people who treat or support them.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of suspending the medicines repurposing programme on people affected by rare conditions.

In April 2025, a decision was made to suspend the national Medicines Repurposing Programme. The decision was made with consideration to the following factors: The programme team and partners have learned that there are fewer repurposing opportunities in practice than was originally envisaged when the programme was established. Partly this is because many opportunities to use existing medicines in new ways can be delivered without a formal repurposing programme;Very few repurposed medicines have a strong enough research evidence base to support a licence variation application; andThe planned integration of NHS England into the Department. There are alternative sources of advice and support for clinicians or charities wanting to repurpose a medicine, including for a rare condition, such as the Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health and Care Research, and scientific advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Medicines repurposing means using an existing medicine in a new way, outside of its current marketing authorisation. Clinicians are very familiar with the option of prescribing medicines outside their licence, known as off-label use, particularly within specialised care. Off-label access is often agreed at a local level, informed by the available evidence and clinical guidelines, and where the clinician feels this best meets the needs of the patient. When appropriate and supported by the available evidence, national guidance from organisations including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence or the British National Formulary could potentially support equitable patient access to repurposed medicines. A further potential route to support patient access to a repurposed medicine used in specialised care in England is to develop a national clinical commissioning policy. A policy will confirm whether a specific treatment should be routinely available to eligible patients in the National Health Service. A policy can only be developed if the medicine is used within prescribed specialised services, namely services for which NHS England is the accountable commissioner, and not services where the accountable commissioners are integrated care boards. National clinical policies are based on the available research evidence and may be subject to a process of funding prioritisation, depending on the cost of the treatment concerned. A NHS clinician can propose a new or revised national clinical commissioning policy where there is sufficient supporting evidence. More information on the process is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya1A9WTzQXQ NHS England develops clinical commissioning policies in line with published methods and eligibility criteria, which have been subject to consultation. A clinical commissioning policy can recommend medicines that are used on-label or off-label. More information on the policies is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/methods-national-clinical-policies/ The national medicines repurposing programme included a small number of medicines to treat rare diseases. In some cases, the programme supported academics to obtain MHRA scientific advice and gather evidence to support a licensing application. To date, no licensing applications have been received via the programme for medicines to treat rare disease.

How the NHS 10 year plan will improve the delivery of healthcare for people with rare conditions.

The 10-Year Plan will reshape the National Health Service, and in many cases, will provide opportunities to address the challenges that are faced by patients, including those with rare conditions and the people who treat or support them.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on people with rare conditions.

Working under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases.We are currently in the initial phases of scoping and designing a new integrated Department that aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our healthcare system. Ministers and senior Department officials will work with the new executive team at the top of NHS England, led by Sir Jim Mackey, to lead the formation of a new joint centre. As we work to bring the two organisations together, we will ensure that we continue to evaluate impacts of all kinds.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the (a) National Disease Registration Service and (b) National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service continue after the planned abolition of NHS England.

Working under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases. Digital data and technology are underpinning themes of the UK Rare Diseases Framework. We acknowledge the important role of the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service, part of the National Disease Registration Service, in underpinning the delivery of England’s Rare Diseases Action Plans. Further information about the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs/about/ncardrsWe are currently in the initial phases of scoping and designing a new integrated department that aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our healthcare system. The important role of the National Disease Registration Service will be taken into account as part of future plans.

What his timetable is for releasing funds to support the UK National Screening Committee’s review of newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Following the 2023 UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommendation for an in-service evaluation (ISE) of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), partnership planning between the Department, NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and other stakeholders has been in progress to implement an ISE in the National Health Service.An ISE is a programme of work to develop high quality evidence in live NHS services. Successfully implementing the ISE will require funding, however, departmental budgets, including for the NHS beyond 2025/26, will be set through Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will conclude and be published in June 2025.The findings of the ISE, which will run over a few years, will provide the UK NSC with real-world evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and clinical and cost-effectiveness, as well as longer term health outcomes. Along with an SMA screening modelling study, these will inform a UK NSC recommendation on whether SMA should be added to the newborn blood spot screening programme.

What the planned timetable is for the UK National Screening Committee's review of its advice on screening for spinal muscular atrophy.

Following the 2023 UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommendation for an in-service evaluation (ISE) of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), partnership planning between the Department, NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and other stakeholders has been in progress to implement an ISE in the National Health Service.An ISE is a programme of work to develop high quality evidence in live NHS services. Successfully implementing the ISE will require funding, however, departmental budgets, including for the NHS beyond 2025/26, will be set through Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will conclude and be published in June 2025.The findings of the ISE, which will run over a few years, will provide the UK NSC with real-world evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and clinical and cost-effectiveness, as well as longer term health outcomes. Along with an SMA screening modelling study, these will inform a UK NSC recommendation on whether SMA should be added to the newborn blood spot screening programme.

What assessment he has made of concerns raised by the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) stakeholder community on the speed of progress being made by the UK National Screening Committee in its work to start an in-service evaluation of screening for SMA in NHS services.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is aware of the concerns raised by stakeholders. Plans for the in-service evaluation are being developed; however, its roll out and timeline will not be confirmed until after the 2025 Spending Review.

What discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on expediting the publication of its research brief to inform the UK National Screening Committee’s in-service evaluation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is aware of the plans being developed for the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s research call and the in-service evaluation. However, its roll out and timeline will not be confirmed until after the conclusion of the 2025 Spending Review.

What steps his Department is taking to help support advances n CJD treatment.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease. As of yet, there is no cure. Treatment options focus on symptom control and palliative care.The Department, via the National Institute for Health and Care Research, funds world-leading research to improve people’s health and wellbeing. The Department welcomes applications from specialist centres, and others, to explore advances in CJD treatment.

What steps he is taking to ensure that there are an adequate number of health professionals trained in (a) identifying and (b) supporting people affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a very rare but rapidly progressive and fatal disease. Effective diagnostic and care services are important in ensuring that patients and their families get the support that they need. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for CJD. Treatment options focus on symptom control and palliative care.Specialist diagnostic services are provided by the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit. From April 2025, funding for these services is being transferred from the National Institute for Health and Care Research to NHS England.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) support research into Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease and (b) ensure that UK research does not fall behind well-funded programmes in other countries.

The Department funds research through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). Since 2002, the Department has made over £43 million of funding available for research and surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and prion diseases. The Department is working closely with NHS England on future funding for CJD diagnostic services. The Department also works closely with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to align funding for priority research, and has met specifically with the MRC Prion Unit recently. Both the NIHR and the MRC welcome research proposals on all aspects of human health, including CJD and prion disease. Research applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

What collaboration there is between NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council on Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease funding; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of withdrawal of funding on (a) Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and (b) prion disease research by those bodies.

The Department funds research through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). Since 2002, the Department has made over £43 million of funding available for research and surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and prion diseases. The Department is working closely with NHS England on future funding for CJD diagnostic services. The Department also works closely with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to align funding for priority research, and has met specifically with the MRC Prion Unit recently. Both the NIHR and the MRC welcome research proposals on all aspects of human health, including CJD and prion disease. Research applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of welfare support for people with bipolar.

The extra costs disability benefits, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), provide a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition. These benefits are assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself, so are available to those with bipolar disorder and other mood disorders when they meet the qualifying criteria. The extra costs benefits are non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth over £9,500 a year, tax free. Individuals can choose how to use their benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences. They were not subject to the benefits freeze, were most recently uprated by 6.7 per cent from 8 April 2024 and, subject to Parliamentary approval, are due to be uprated by 1.7 per cent from April this year. The benefits can also be paid in addition to any other financial or practical support someone may be entitled to such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, NHS services, free prescriptions or help with travel costs to appointments. They can also attract additional support such as premiums and additional amounts paid within the income-related benefits, access to Carer’s Allowance, the Motability scheme and the Blue Badge scheme.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on improving co-ordination between healthcare services and the welfare system to support people with bipolar.

Ministers hold discussions with other ministerial colleagues regularly, on a range of issues.The Get Britain Working White Paper confirms the Government’s commitment to continuing to expand the number of places on Individual Placement Support schemes to help thousands more people with severe mental illness, including bipolar disorder, to find and stay in employment.The White Paper also confirms our commitment to expand NHS Talking Therapies. Over 90% of NHS Talking Therapies services in England provide access to Employment Advisers with an aspiration that, by March 2025, 99% will offer employment support as part of their service.