Written questions by Maskell.

If he will make an estimate of the number of covid-19 related deaths in the last year.

From the week commencing 6 October 2023 to week commencing 20 September 2024, there have been an estimated 9,972 deaths from COVID-19, as measured by death registrations with COVID-19 on death certificates. Further information is available at the following link:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 through a variety of surveillance systems, including in general practices, through the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Surveillance Centre, in healthcare settings, and via the testing of patients in National Health Service and public health laboratories. In addition, a selection of these positive tests are sequenced to provide data on circulating variants and to potentially detect the arrival of new variants. This data is published on the data dashboard, and in surveillance reports, which are published weekly during the winter season, and fortnightly otherwise. The dashboard and surveillance reports are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-seasonDuring vaccination campaigns, data on the effectiveness of the vaccines are collected and analysed, to inform ongoing discussion for future campaigns, both in terms of clinical and cost effectiveness.Following increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations during the waves that appear throughout the year, there is a proportionate increase in COVID-19 deaths. Based on UKHSA data, there is no evidence that recent waves or variants have shown a disproportionate level of severity or mortality. Further information is available at the following link:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19NHS England uses Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports data to monitor COVID-19 impacts through general and acute bed closure data.

For what reason people who turned 80 before 1 September 2024 are not eligible for the RSV vaccine; and whether exceptions can be made.

The policy for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) programme is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which is an independent expert advisory committee on vaccination and immunisation. That advice is provided to Government to inform, develop, and make policy.In the JCVI statement summarising the advice for the RSV programme, the Committee stated that an extension to the initial programme would be considered when there is more certainty about protection provided by the vaccination in the very elderly and evidence of the real-world impact of the programme in the 75 to 80-year-old cohort. The statement is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-immunisation-programme-jcvi-advice-7-june-2023/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-immunisation-programme-for-infants-and-older-adults-jcvi-full-statement-11-september-2023.Following an assessment of specific individual clinical situations, a doctor such as a general practitioner or hospital consultant may choose to prescribe vaccines outside of the national programme, under clinical discretion.

What steps he is taking to monitor the impact of covid-19 on public health.

From the week commencing 6 October 2023 to week commencing 20 September 2024, there have been an estimated 9,972 deaths from COVID-19, as measured by death registrations with COVID-19 on death certificates. Further information is available at the following link:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 through a variety of surveillance systems, including in general practices, through the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Surveillance Centre, in healthcare settings, and via the testing of patients in National Health Service and public health laboratories. In addition, a selection of these positive tests are sequenced to provide data on circulating variants and to potentially detect the arrival of new variants. This data is published on the data dashboard, and in surveillance reports, which are published weekly during the winter season, and fortnightly otherwise. The dashboard and surveillance reports are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-seasonDuring vaccination campaigns, data on the effectiveness of the vaccines are collected and analysed, to inform ongoing discussion for future campaigns, both in terms of clinical and cost effectiveness.Following increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations during the waves that appear throughout the year, there is a proportionate increase in COVID-19 deaths. Based on UKHSA data, there is no evidence that recent waves or variants have shown a disproportionate level of severity or mortality. Further information is available at the following link:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19NHS England uses Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports data to monitor COVID-19 impacts through general and acute bed closure data.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of covid-19 on (a) the NHS and (b) mortality rates.

From the week commencing 6 October 2023 to week commencing 20 September 2024, there have been an estimated 9,972 deaths from COVID-19, as measured by death registrations with COVID-19 on death certificates. Further information is available at the following link:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 through a variety of surveillance systems, including in general practices, through the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Surveillance Centre, in healthcare settings, and via the testing of patients in National Health Service and public health laboratories. In addition, a selection of these positive tests are sequenced to provide data on circulating variants and to potentially detect the arrival of new variants. This data is published on the data dashboard, and in surveillance reports, which are published weekly during the winter season, and fortnightly otherwise. The dashboard and surveillance reports are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-seasonDuring vaccination campaigns, data on the effectiveness of the vaccines are collected and analysed, to inform ongoing discussion for future campaigns, both in terms of clinical and cost effectiveness.Following increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations during the waves that appear throughout the year, there is a proportionate increase in COVID-19 deaths. Based on UKHSA data, there is no evidence that recent waves or variants have shown a disproportionate level of severity or mortality. Further information is available at the following link:https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19NHS England uses Urgent and Emergency Care Daily Situation Reports data to monitor COVID-19 impacts through general and acute bed closure data.

When she plans that pensioners will receive a letter from her Department on eligibility to sign up for pension credit.

Starting this month pensioners in England and Wales will receive a letter informing them of the change in eligibility to the Winter Fuel Payment and encouraging them to check their eligibility for Pension Credit. Similar letters to pensioners in Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow during November. In November we will also be writing to approximately 120,000 pensioners who are in receipt of Housing Benefit and who may also be eligible for, but not currently claiming, Pension Credit. We will be inviting these pensioners to claim Pension Credit by the 21 December, which is the latest date for making a successful backdated Pension Credit claim and still qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment.

Media and Sport, whether she (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with representatives of clubs for the elderly that are closing in autumn 2024 on their (i) financial situation and (ii) role in providing warm spaces for the elderly.

This government recognises the vital role that charities play up and down the country, providing crucial support to different groups across society, including the elderly.DCMS is supporting charities with their financial sustainability in a number of ways including delivering grants, growing the social investment market and supporting their ability to bid for contracts.Since I was appointed to my role I have not yet had discussions with representatives for clubs for the elderly. However this new government is keen to reset the relationship with civil society, and I would welcome the opportunity to engage and discuss with them.

What steps he is taking to raise public awareness of the risks of nitazines use.

The Department is actively monitoring the threat posed by synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, and is working to increase awareness of their dangers. Information on synthetic opioids and the dangers they pose is available from the helpline and website Talk to FRANK, the national drug information and advice service supported by the Government.Education on drug use is also a statutory component of relationships, sex, and health education in England. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the Department for Education have commissioned lesson plans and other resources to support teachers to deliver quality drug prevention, which are available to schools. The lesson plans target primary and secondary students, teaching them how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. These resources are in the process of being updated and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs. Drug and alcohol treatment services and local authority public health teams raise awareness of the risks of drug use through targeted campaigns with their local populations, and the OHID supports them in this. The number of ambulance call outs and hospital admissions due to the use of nitazenes is not collected in the format requested.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to ensure schools take account of the NHS five steps to mental wellbeing in their education provision.

The department is working to support children and young people to thrive and achieve at school as a critical part of its mission to break down barriers to opportunity. That is why this government is working to ensure the right support is available to every young person that needs it, which includes providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. The government will also be putting in place new Young Futures hubs, including access to mental health support in schools, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.Additionally, we recognise that mental health is built over a lifetime and know that the NHS’s 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing guidance can provide a useful framework for children and young people to learn how to develop good habits for their mental wellbeing. Schools may choose to take account of the 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing when considering their education provision, alongside the department’s guidance on the 8 principles of a whole school or college approach to promoting mental health and wellbeing. The guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-children-and-young-peoples-emotional-health-and-wellbeing.

How many people claimed Pension Credit in each of the last 12 months.

Internal Pension Credit operational information is not currently produced monthly, but rather weekly. Please find data from 4th September 2023 up to the end of week commencing 30th September 2024. This data is a longer time series of the ad hoc statistics recently published by the Department, available via Weekly Pension Credit claims received from 1 April 2024 to 22 September 2024 - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/weekly-pension-credit-claims-received-from-1-april-2024-to-1-september-2024/weekly-pension-credit-claims-received-from-1-april-2024-to-1-september-2024 Week Commencing Pension Credit Claims Received04 September 20233,70011 September 20234,10018 September 20234,80025 September 20234,20002 October 20234,30009 October 20234,20016 October 20234,70023 October 20234,60030 October 20235,20006 November 20234,90013 November 20234,40020 November 20234,20027 November 20234,80004 December 20236,60011 December 20234,50018 December 20232,90025 December 20231,30001 January 20243,10008 January 20244,60015 January 20244,80022 January 20244,50029 January 20244,40005 February 20245,80012 February 20245,60019 February 20245,80026 February 20247,20004 March 20246,20011 March 20245,10018 March 20245,10025 March 20243,80001 April 20243,90008 April 20244,40015 April 20244,40022 April 20244,20029 April 20243,70006 May 20243,40013 May 20244,10020 May 20244,00027 May 20243,30003 June 20244,20010 June 20244,00017 June 20243,40024 June 20243,20001 July 20243,80008 July 20244,10015 July 20243,30022 July 20243,50029 July 20247,90005 August 20247,30012 August 20245,90019 August 20248,40026 August 20249,00002 September 202410,70009 September 202413,40016 September 202411,80023 September 20249,80030 September 20248,300

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure the financial sustainability of charities.

This government recognises the vital role that charities have played in providing, often life-saving work in our society in increasingly difficult circumstances.DCMS is supporting charities with their financial sustainability in a number of ways. DCMS delivers a number of grant programmes which help voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), including charities. For example, the £25.5m VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme is supporting frontline organisations across England to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability, through independent energy assessments and capital grants. This funding runs until March 2025.Support for charities is available through social investment which provides access to grants, repayable finance and a blend of the two. This government is continuing to look at how dormant assets can be used to support the availability of finance to facilitate VCSEs becoming more entrepreneurial and financially resilient. An estimated £350 million will flow into the Dormant Assets Scheme between 2024-28, with details on how this money will be allocated to be provided in due course.Support is also available through the Contract Readiness Programme, a £900,000 package of support enabling VCSEs in England to better compete for government contracts. The programme provides fully funded training for VCSEs interested in bidding for public contracts. This aims to create more opportunities for VCSEs to secure contracts, helping to diversify their income and increase their sustainability. Since launch, over 850 VCSEs have benefitted from the programme. This programme will run until March 2025.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to give indirect witnesses of criminal offences that have taken place on social media standing in law to complain to the (a) Police and (b) Independent Office for Police Conduct about those offences.

Any individual is entitled, and should be encouraged, to report anything they believe to be criminal behaviour, however they became aware of it, to the police.Section 12 of the Police Reform Act 2022 sets out that to use the police complaints system, a person (member of the public) must have been adversely impacted by the events about which they complain.The Home Office are responsible for policy and legislation on the reporting of crime and complaints to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

How many (a) ambulance call outs and (b) hospital admissions took place due to the use of nitazines in each of the last three years.

The Department is actively monitoring the threat posed by synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, and is working to increase awareness of their dangers. Information on synthetic opioids and the dangers they pose is available from the helpline and website Talk to FRANK, the national drug information and advice service supported by the Government.Education on drug use is also a statutory component of relationships, sex, and health education in England. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the Department for Education have commissioned lesson plans and other resources to support teachers to deliver quality drug prevention, which are available to schools. The lesson plans target primary and secondary students, teaching them how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. These resources are in the process of being updated and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs. Drug and alcohol treatment services and local authority public health teams raise awareness of the risks of drug use through targeted campaigns with their local populations, and the OHID supports them in this. The number of ambulance call outs and hospital admissions due to the use of nitazenes is not collected in the format requested.

What the schedule is for the advertising campaign for pension credit sign up.

Alongside our continuing work with key stakeholders, for which the Pension Credit week of action (2 -6 September) was a focal point, DWP has also launched paid marketing activity to promote Pension Credit. The activity, which is aimed at potential pensioner customers, began on 16 September and includes radio, national and regional press, paid social media and GP and Post Office screens across Great Britain. We are also advertising on podcasts through a paid media partnership, aimed at friends and family who can encourage and support older relatives and friends to apply. A key message of the campaign this quarter is that those who are eligible and apply for Pension Credit by 21 December could also qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment (or the equivalent in Scotland)

Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with representatives of charities on the funding of organisations that provide clubs for the elderly.

This government recognises the vital role that charities play up and down the country, providing crucial support to different groups across society, including the elderly.DCMS is supporting charities with their financial sustainability in a number of ways including delivering grants, growing the social investment market and supporting their ability to bid for contracts.Since I was appointed to my role I have not yet had discussions with representatives for clubs for the elderly. However this new government is keen to reset the relationship with civil society, and I would welcome the opportunity to engage and discuss with them.

Whether her Department is recording the number of cases of nitazene use in prison which has required (a) on site medical attention and (b) an ambualance to be called in each of the last three years.

The information requested, which relates to the responsibilities of more than one Government Department, is not collected in a format that would enable us to do so without incurring disproportionate cost.

How many confiscations of nitazines took place in prisons in each of the last three years.

The information requested is not collected in a format that would enable it to be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

If he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of an increase in the public health grant.

Lord Darzi’s investigation into the National Health Service set out the impact of past reductions to local government public health funding. We will confirm 2025/26 public health grant allocations as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.

How many prisoners have required medical attention for (a) suspected overdoses and (b) drug-related ill health in each quarter of each of the last ten years.

The Department does not hold information on the number of prisoners requiring medical attention for suspected overdoses and drug related ill health.

What steps he is taking to help support people who have alcohol dependencies.

A vital part of delivering the Health Mission shift to prevention will be action to reduce the harms from excess alcohol consumption. The Department is continuing to invest in improvements to local alcohol treatment services to ensure those in need can access high quality help and support. Funding for alcohol treatment services is provided through the public health grant. In addition, local authorities have a further £267 million from the Department this year to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery, alongside £105 million made available by the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to improve treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. This additional investment is improving the quality and capacity of alcohol treatment services in England which includes action to expand the alcohol treatment and recovery workforce.As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, over £30 million of national funding has been invested between 2019 and 2025, on an ambitious programme to establish new, or optimise the existing, Alcohol Care Teams in the 25% hospitals with the highest need, which are 47 out of 188 eligible sites in England. This is estimated to prevent 50,000 avoidable admissions over five years.The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published a Commissioning Quality Standard providing guidance for local authorities to support them in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services in their areas. The UK Clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment are expected to be published later this year which will include recommendations to promote good practice. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-quality-standard-alcohol-and-drug-services

If she will make it her policy to ban price surging in the taxi trade.

The Government keeps all policies under review and is aware of stakeholder concerns about the current legislative and regulatory framework for taxis and private hire vehicles. To increase consistency in standards, the Department for Transport issues guidance to all licensing authorities in England. The Government is considering how to improve the current regulatory position even further, whilst still enabling the sector to deliver safe and accessible services that meet a wide range of passenger needs.