Written questions by Owen.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle fraudulent phone calls.

The Government takes fraud seriously. DSIT works closely with the Home Office, who are responsible for fraud policy, as well as Ofcom who have duty to ensure that UK numbers are not misused, to ensure telecoms companies are doing all they can to prevent criminals hijacking their networks to reach victims. From January, new Ofcom rules will require operators to block calls from abroad which present as a UK number.We continue to work with the telecoms sector to ensure that as threats evolve so too does the response.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with telecoms companies on preventing fraudulent phone calls.

The Government takes fraud seriously. DSIT works closely with the Home Office, who are responsible for fraud policy, as well as Ofcom who have duty to ensure that UK numbers are not misused, to ensure telecoms companies are doing all they can to prevent criminals hijacking their networks to reach victims. From January, new Ofcom rules will require operators to block calls from abroad which present as a UK number.We continue to work with the telecoms sector to ensure that as threats evolve so too does the response.

When her Department plans to provide guidance to Network Rail for the construction of lifts at Leagrave Station.

I regret that Ministers are not yet able to comment on next steps regarding accessibility projects at specific stations including at Leagrave station. However, please be assured that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Once we can confirm our approach to individual projects, DfT Ministers will of course ensure that MPs and other key stakeholders are updated.

How many women's health hubs have been established; and in which integrated care board areas they are located.

The Department has invested £25 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support the establishment of at least one pilot women’s health hub in every integrated care system. The 2024/25 NHS priorities and operational planning guidance asks integrated care boards (ICBs) to establish and develop at least one women’s health hub in every ICB by December 2024, working in partnership with local authorities.NHS England has asked the ICBs to report regularly on their progress implementing the funding. As of September 2024, 36 of the 42 ICBs had had reported to NHS England that their women’s health hub was open. Those ICBs are:NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB;NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB;NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB;NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB;NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB;NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB;NHS Cornwall and The Isles Of Scilly ICB;NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB;NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB;NHS Devon ICB;NHS Frimley ICB;NHS Gloucestershire ICB;NHS Greater Manchester ICB;NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB;NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB;NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB;NHS Kent and Medway ICB;NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB;NHS Lincolnshire ICB;NHS Mid and South Essex ICB;NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB;NHS North Central London ICB;NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB;NHS North East London ICB;NHS North West London ICB;NHS Northamptonshire ICB;NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB;NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB;NHS Somerset ICB.NHS South East London ICB;NHS South Yorkshire ICB;NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB;NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB;NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB;NHS Sussex ICB; andNHS West Yorkshire ICB.The Birmingham, RAND, and Cambridge Evaluation, published in September 2024, identified 17 women’s health hubs in England which were established between 2001 and 2022. The report is available at the following link:https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hsdr/JYFT5036/#/abstractThe research notes the difficulty in locating models for women’s health hubs, meaning the research may not have captured all open women’s health hubs, in particular hubs that have opened more recently as locally-led initiatives.

How many invasive surgical procedures to (a) diagnose and (b) treat a reproductive health condition were not completed because of the level of pain experienced by the patient during that procedure in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not held centrally. A range of procedures are used to investigate and treat gynaecological conditions. For example, ultrasound can be used in the diagnosis of fibroids, hysteroscopy can be used to investigate symptoms such as unexplained vaginal bleeding, and laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat endometriosis.The Government recognises that some procedures, such as hysteroscopy, can result in pain, and the level of pain experienced will vary between individual women. It is important that healthcare professionals provide women with information prior to their procedure so that women can make an informed decisions about the procedure and pain relief options, including the option of local or general anaesthetic.

What proportion of GP practices are commissioned to fit long-acting reversible contraception for purposes of gynaecological care; and what the (a) fitting fee and (b) cost is of fitting long-acting reversible contraception in primary care.

Information on the proportion of general practices commissioned to fit long-acting reversible contraception for the purposes of gynaecological care, as well as the fitting fee and cost of fitting in primary care, is not collected centrally.

What progress the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has made in developing guidelines for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Following referral from the Department, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently planning the development of a guideline on the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. The NICE is exploring the possibility of collaboration with a reputable, guidance-producing partner to enhance the speed and efficiency of this work. The NICE’s website will be updated at the earliest opportunity, when expected timings are confirmed.

How much the National Institute for Health and Care Research has spent on research into (a) gynaecological and urogynaecological health, (b) asthma and (c) diabetes in each of the last ten years; and what proportion of the NIHR’s overall spend each of those amounts represents.

The following table shows how much the National Institute for Health and Care Research spent on research, as well as that spend as a percentage of total research spend, for gynaecological and urogynaecological, each year from 2014/15 to 2023/34, and in total over that period:Financial yearSpendProportion of total research spend2014/15£3,820,5981.3%2015/16£4,119,7361.4%2016/17£4,598,5861.6%2017/18£5,794,3551.5%2018/19£4,876,8141.3%2019/20£5,558,2411.3%2020/21£5,255,7471.3%2021/22£5,808,2971.2%2022/23£5,472,8051.0%2023/24£6,381,9061.3%Total 2014 to 2024£51,687,0861.3% Additionally, the following table shows how much the National Institute for Health and Care Research spent on research, as well as that spend as a percentage of total research spend, for asthma, each year from 2014/15 to 2023/34, and in total over that period:Financial yearSpendProportion of total research spend2014/15£2,881,9191.0%2015/16£3,148,3521.1%2016/17£2,222,0350.8%2017/18£4,451,8421.2%2018/19£4,999,8041.3%2019/20£8,823,0172.1%2020/21£8,950,5352.2%2021/22£7,378,1251.5%2022/23£6,947,8811.3%2023/24£8,733,9151.7%Total 2014 to 2024£58,537,4251.5% Finally, the following table shows how much the National Institute for Health and Care Research spent on research, as well as that spend as a percentage of total research spend, for diabetes, each year from 2014/15 to 2023/34, and in total over that period:Financial yearSpendProportion of total research spend2014/15£8,886,0013.1%2015/16£8,570,4712.9%2016/17£8,899,3253.0%2017/18£12,240,0873.3%2018/19£13,180,0083.4%2019/20£17,097,2124.1%2020/21£16,899,5894.1%2021/22£21,713,7454.3%2022/23£20,346,3333.8%2023/24£25,271,5945.1%Total 2014 to 2024£153,104,3663.8%

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) medical relief and (b) humanitarian aid his Department has provided to Sudan in the context of recent trends in the number of Cholera related deaths.

The Sudan conflict has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with 24.8 million people in need of assistance. The UK is extremely concerned about the increasing cases of cholera in Sudan with death rates from the outbreak surging up to three times the global average. The UK is responding though our humanitarian programmes in Sudan. The UK has spent £113.5 million this year in response to the conflict in Sudan and the resulting regional refugee crisis. As part of this funding, we support the Sudan Humanitarian Fund which provides flexible, muti-sector support to NGOs, including medical relief for the cholera outbreak.

Whether his Department plans increase breast screenings for young women with (a) neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and (b) other determinants of being at risk of developing breast cancer.

All women with neurofibromatosis type 1 are eligible to begin screening at the age of 40 years old. This is 10 years below the normal screening age of 50 years old. Women can have screenings from a younger age if they have a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer, for example due to family history or an inherited gene such as BRCA.

Whether his Department plans to develop standardised national guidelines for the (a) identification and (b) treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

We remain committed to the UK Rare Diseases Framework, which highlights helping patients get a final diagnosis faster, and improved access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs as priorities to improve the lives of people with living with rare diseases.NHS England commissions a service for adults and children with complex neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This is provided by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. The overall aim of the service is to provide the highest quality of care to people with complex NF1 through accurate diagnosis, including genetic testing, coordinated care from a specialist multidisciplinary team, monitoring of complications of the disease, and referral to other specialties as required. The two national centres and a multi-disciplinary team of senior doctors and nurses co-ordinate diagnosis and long-term care of patients with complex NF1. A referral is needed to access this service, and both centres also accept non-complex NF1 referrals. The clinicians in the complex NF1 team contribute to the evidence base on this condition, including development of international guidelines. Genetic testing for NF1 is available through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has no plans to develop a guideline on NF1. With the exception of health technology evaluations, where the NICE's responsibilities are clearly defined, the NICE will not routinely produce guidelines that relate to single rare diseases. Instead, they seek to identify commonalities between conditions to provide products that can be applied across multiple rare disease groups.NICE guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence, and through extensive engagement with interested parties. They describe best practice, and healthcare professionals are expected to take them fully into account in the care and treatment of their patients, although they are not mandatory and do not override a clinician’s responsibility to make decisions appropriate to individual patients.

What assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Education of the potential impact of changes to the eligibility of people with student visas to bring dependents on enrolment numbers in higher education settings.

A full economic Impact Assessment (IA) was produced relating to the potential impacts of changes to the eligibility of student visa holders to bring dependants. The IA is available at: 2023 changes to the student route and consequential changes to work routes: impact assessment (publishing.service.gov.uk)Home Office also publish monthly statistics on visas issued (including those on study visas and their dependants). These statistics do not consider the extent to which the lower volumes relative to last year are attributable to the specific policy changes in question. The monthly statistics are available at: Monthly monitoring of entry clearance visa applications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What percentage of the recent pay award for Agenda for Change staff will be funded from (a) existing NHS budgets, (b) the Departmental budget, (c) additional funding from the Treasury, (d) efficiencies, and (e) any other sources; and what consequential funding will be allocated to each of the devolved administrations as a result.

The statement from my Rt hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29 July 2024 sets out the position across the Government, and includes departments making savings to pay towards the outcomes of the Pay Review Bodies. As the process for agreeing savings is not yet complete, at this point we cannot provide the breakdown requested.However, the Government is committed to ensuring the National Health Service receives the funding it needs to pay for this deal. There will be no reduction in the availability or quality of frontline health and care services as a consequence of funding this pay award.Any Barnett consequential would be provided to the devolved administrations in the usual way. Any additional funding that flows to the Department as a result would be at supplementary estimates in 2024/25.