Written questions by Maskell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' report on Hunger Hotspots June to October 2024, published in June 2024, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle hunger in the countries included in the report.

The UK is deeply concerned by the findings of the June-October 2024 Hunger Hotspots report. We are the second largest government donor to the World Food Programme (WFP) and to date in 2024 have contributed over $360 million to WFP programmes, including in Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan and Haiti.At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in Brazil in July, I [the Minister for Development] announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty when it launches this month, to increase political support, unlock finance, share and learn, and work with partners to scale-up lasting solutions to tackle hunger and poverty.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' report on Hunger Hotspots June to October 2024, published in June 2024, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the impact of La Niña weather phenomenon; and what assistance he is providing to the countries and territories which are most impacted.

The UK is closely monitoring the potential development of La Niña conditions and in particular the risk of food security impacts in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa.The UK is a committed humanitarian donor, channelling over £277 million in humanitarian aid to African Countries in 2023 and is already operating humanitarian programmes in those countries of concern highlighted in the Hunger Hotspots report. Those programmes are standing by to adapt as required. On 22 August, I [the Minister for Development] announced an additional £15 million of vital assistance to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Food Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations' report on Hunger Hotspots June to October 2024, published in June 2024, what assistance he is providing to the (a) five countries and (b) territories on the highest level of alert at risk of famine.

The UK is deeply concerned by the findings of the June-October 2024 Hunger Hotspots report. We are the second largest government donor to the World Food Programme (WFP) and to date in 2024 have contributed over $360 million to WFP programmes, including in Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan and Haiti.At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in Brazil in July, I [the Minister for Development] announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty when it launches this month, to increase political support, unlock finance, share and learn, and work with partners to scale-up lasting solutions to tackle hunger and poverty.

If he will help ensure that smoking cessation is offered as an opt-out, co-located service for lung screening appointments.

The NHS Lung Cancer Screening programme’s standard protocol includes a mandatory referral to smoking cessation services for all current smokers invited to the programme.The Government is providing £70 million of additional funding this year to support local authorities to increase the provision of local stop smoking services, which will support improved referral pathways and integrated working.

Whether he plans to (a) maintain and (b) increase funding for local authority smoking cessation services; and if he will take steps to raise public awareness of those services.

The Government has invested an additional £70 million in 2024/25 to support local authority-led stop smoking services to help smokers quit smoking, and this funding is being used to build capacity and demand. We encourage local authorities to invest in marketing and promoting local interventions to quit smoking. The Department will confirm the settlement for different programmes for future years in due course.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a 10-year national cancer plan.

The Health Mission sets the objective of building a National Health Service fit for the future. As part of that work, and in response to Lord Darzi’s report, we have launched an extensive programme of engagement to develop a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts from hospitals to the community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention.In addition, following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will develop a new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients.We are now in discussions about what form that plan should take, and what its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider Health Mission should be, and will provide updates on this at the earliest opportunity.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that the release of Jimmy Lai is a prerequisite to any trade agreement with China.

This Government has no plans to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with China. This Government will stand firm on issues relating to human rights. My Right Honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised the case of Jimmy Lai during his recent visit to China from 18-20 October.

If he will take steps to ensure that the use of digital wearables in the NHS is accompanied by professional interventions.

Digital health technologies, including digital wearables, empower patients to manage their own health and get rapid access to peer support and clinical advice. Leveraging digital tools can improve the timeliness of interventions by helping frontline staff to provide high quality care and make the best use of their time.NHS England is working closely with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and the Accelerated Access Collaborative to improve the process for digital health technologies to be adopted by the National Health Service, ensuring it sets robust but clear standards. As part of this work, NHS England is looking at how data from wearable devices can potentially be directed to and monitored by clinical staff.

With reference to inquiry by the Health and Social Care Select Committee into Men's Health in the last Parliament, what steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) services and (b) the use of digital are targeted at demographics with poor health outcomes.

The Government's mission is getting the National Health Service back on its feet, so it is there for everyone. We are developing a 10-Year Health Plan so that we are better able to meet the needs of the population, including men. We recognise there are areas of care where men or certain groups of men will require particular support and targeted interventions to ensure they are able to live as healthily as possible.An example where this is currently being delivered is Core20PLUS5, which is focused on improving areas most needing improvement in the poorest 20% of the population, along with other disadvantaged population groups.

If he will take steps to prevent (a) counsellors and (b) psychotherapists from working if they are not on a voluntary register.

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates a voluntary registers programme, which provides a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions, that sits between employer controls and statutory regulation by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for unregulated health and social care occupations.Whilst statutory regulation is sometimes necessary where significant risks to users of services cannot be mitigated in other ways, it is not always the most proportionate means of ensuring public protection. Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions.The Government would encourage anyone accessing the services of independent psychotherapists or counsellors to establish whether a practitioner is registered with a voluntary accredited register through the PSA website. To meet the standards for PSA accreditation, an organisation must have a focus on public protection and robust processes for handling complaints against practitioners. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent and do not fall under Government oversight, and any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for employers and organisations and their members.Individual employers are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately qualified and that they keep their skills and practice up to date.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) psychotherapists and (b) counsellors are subject to (i) professional supervision and (ii) continuous professional development.

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates a voluntary registers programme, which provides a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions, that sits between employer controls and statutory regulation by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for unregulated health and social care occupations.Whilst statutory regulation is sometimes necessary where significant risks to users of services cannot be mitigated in other ways, it is not always the most proportionate means of ensuring public protection. Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions.The Government would encourage anyone accessing the services of independent psychotherapists or counsellors to establish whether a practitioner is registered with a voluntary accredited register through the PSA website. To meet the standards for PSA accreditation, an organisation must have a focus on public protection and robust processes for handling complaints against practitioners. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent and do not fall under Government oversight, and any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for employers and organisations and their members.Individual employers are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately qualified and that they keep their skills and practice up to date.

What assessment he has made of the risks of (a) counsellors and (b) psychotherapists working without (i) statutory regulation and (ii) protection of title.

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates a voluntary registers programme, which provides a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions, that sits between employer controls and statutory regulation by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for unregulated health and social care occupations.Whilst statutory regulation is sometimes necessary where significant risks to users of services cannot be mitigated in other ways, it is not always the most proportionate means of ensuring public protection. Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions.The Government would encourage anyone accessing the services of independent psychotherapists or counsellors to establish whether a practitioner is registered with a voluntary accredited register through the PSA website. To meet the standards for PSA accreditation, an organisation must have a focus on public protection and robust processes for handling complaints against practitioners. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent and do not fall under Government oversight, and any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for employers and organisations and their members.Individual employers are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately qualified and that they keep their skills and practice up to date.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that clinicians who have been found to have posed a risk to patients cannot set up as independent (a) psychotherapists and (b) counsellors.

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates a voluntary registers programme, which provides a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions, that sits between employer controls and statutory regulation by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for unregulated health and social care occupations.Whilst statutory regulation is sometimes necessary where significant risks to users of services cannot be mitigated in other ways, it is not always the most proportionate means of ensuring public protection. Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions.The Government would encourage anyone accessing the services of independent psychotherapists or counsellors to establish whether a practitioner is registered with a voluntary accredited register through the PSA website. To meet the standards for PSA accreditation, an organisation must have a focus on public protection and robust processes for handling complaints against practitioners. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent and do not fall under Government oversight, and any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for employers and organisations and their members.Individual employers are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately qualified and that they keep their skills and practice up to date.

Whether he plans to regulate the (a) psychotherapy and (b) counselling professions.

The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates a voluntary registers programme, which provides a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions, that sits between employer controls and statutory regulation by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for unregulated health and social care occupations.Whilst statutory regulation is sometimes necessary where significant risks to users of services cannot be mitigated in other ways, it is not always the most proportionate means of ensuring public protection. Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions.The Government would encourage anyone accessing the services of independent psychotherapists or counsellors to establish whether a practitioner is registered with a voluntary accredited register through the PSA website. To meet the standards for PSA accreditation, an organisation must have a focus on public protection and robust processes for handling complaints against practitioners. The organisations accredited by the PSA are independent and do not fall under Government oversight, and any decisions about the practice requirements for the professions they represent are a matter for employers and organisations and their members.Individual employers are responsible for ensuring their staff are appropriately qualified and that they keep their skills and practice up to date.

If she will take steps with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to help reduce the level of work absence as a result of mental ill health.

My department and I work closely with our counterparts in DHSC on work and health measures, and we have a joint directorate reporting to us that is charged with improving recruitment, retention and the success at work of disabled people and people with long term health conditions.We have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals with mental health conditions to stay in work and get back into work. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies. The Employment Advice in Talking Therapies programme – which is joint funded by the DWP and Department for Health & Social Care - combines the expertise of therapists and employment advisers to give those with mental health conditions the support they need to find work tailored to them, while Access to Work Mental Health Support Service (MHSS) provides up to 9 months of personalised, non-clinical support for people who need mental health support while in employment. Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions to thrive as part of the workforce. Our support to employers includes a digital information service for employers and the Disability Confident scheme.

What steps she is taking to reduce economic inequality.

The Government is committed to building a fairer society, spreading opportunity, and improving living standards for all. The Chancellor will set out her Budget on 30 October.

If he will (a) make an assessment of the adequacy of access to (i) counselling and (ii) psychological support for patients who receive a diagnosis of terminal illness and (b) take steps to ensure that such patients have immediate access to such support.

We want a society where every person receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life, including counselling and psychological support if they need it.NHS Talking Therapies Long Term Conditions services provide evidence-based psychological therapies for people with depression and anxiety disorders, who also have a long-term physical health condition, including those with a terminal diagnosis. All integrated care boards are expected to expand services locally by commissioning NHS Talking Therapies services, which are integrated into physical healthcare pathways.As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment.

What steps is she taking to reduce the number of people in (a) relative poverty, (b) absolute poverty and (c) destitution.

This government is committed to tackling poverty. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so alongside social security this will be the foundation of our approach. The Get Britain Working White Paper, to be set out in the Autumn, will develop measures to reduce inactivity and help people to find better paid and more secure jobs. Alongside this, we have committed to reviewing Universal Credit by listening to the full range of views on potential changes, so that our social security system is fit for purpose.We promised concrete actions in our manifesto to support children and families which is why we announced our Ministerial Taskforce on the 17th July, jointly chaired by the Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries, to begin work on an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy, to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start in life. The Taskforce will publish the Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025 and will explore all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty.We are already taking steps to tackle poverty, including free breakfast clubs in every primary school so children don’t go hungry, protecting renters from arbitrary eviction, slashing fuel poverty and banning exploitative zero hours contracts. As well as this, we announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund in England for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the Household Support Fund in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual. As has been done for previous schemes, the Fund is available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to provide discretionary support to those most in need with the cost of essentials.

What estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of providing a universal palliative care service.

No estimate has been made of the cost to the public purse of providing a universal palliative care service. It is difficult to quantify the total provision of, or spend on, palliative and end of life care at either a national or local integrated care board (ICB) level in England, because it is delivered every day by a wide range of specialist and generalist health and care workers in multiple settings, including in primary care, community care, in hospitals, in hospices, in care homes, and in people’s own homes. So not all palliative and end of life care will be recorded or coded as such.Palliative care services are included in the list of services an ICB must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications. We want a society where every person receives high-quality, compassionate care from diagnosis through to the end of life.The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure that patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle inequalities in access to end of life care services.

The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure that patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift.Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.NHS England has developed a palliative and end of life care dashboard, which brings together all relevant local data in one place. The dashboard helps commissioners understand the palliative and end of life care needs of those their local population, including the ability to filter the available information, such as by deprivation or ethnicity, thereby enabling ICBs to put plans in place to address and track the improvement of health inequalities.Through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Department is investing £3 million in a new Policy Research Unit in Palliative and End of Life Care. This unit launched in January 2024 and will build the evidence base on palliative and end of life care, with a specific focus on inequalities.I recently met NHS England and discussions have begun on how to reduce inequalities and variation in access to, and the quality of, palliative and end of life care.