Written questions by Hodgson.

What steps she is taking to ensure that schools' core budgets in more deprived communities are not disproportionately used to meet the costs of providing free school meals.

This department spends over £1.5 billion annually supporting the provision of free and nutritious meals to around 3.4 million children. We have also set aside over £1 billion over the multi-year spending review period to back our significant expansion of free meals support to all households on Universal Credit, taking effect from September 2026 and benefitting over half a million children.As with all policies, we continue to keep free meals policy, including funding, under review to ensure that nutritious meals continue to be deliverable. Departmental officials meet regularly with the sector, including the school catering industry, and use these insights to inform our work.

Whether his Department plans to make the provision of women's health hubs by ICBs mandatory.

A target on women’s health hubs was not needed in this year’s planning guidance because the target was met. We have moved away from central targets through the planning guidance and are supporting integrated care boards (ICBs) to continue improving their delivery of women’s health hubs. This is in line with their responsibility to decide which services they want to commission in order to meet the needs of their local populations and will therefore not be mandated. We have heard from ICBs on the positive impacts that women’s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experiences. The Government is committed to encouraging ICBs to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women and girls.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the Government’s commitments on tackling long National Health Service waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the removal of the mandatory target for the provision of women's health hubs in each ICB area in the 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, last updated on 22 August 2025, on the availability of (a) conservative treatment and (b) pelvic floor physiotherapy for (i) stress incontinence and (ii) prolapse for women.

A target on women’s health hubs was not needed in this year’s planning guidance because the target was met. We have moved away from central targets through the planning guidance and are supporting integrated care boards (ICBs) to continue improving their delivery of women’s health hubs. This is in line with their responsibility to decide which services they want to commission in order to meet the needs of their local populations and will therefore not be mandated. We have heard from ICBs on the positive impacts that women’s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experiences. The Government is committed to encouraging ICBs to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women and girls.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the Government’s commitments on tackling long National Health Service waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community.

For what reason the target to include a women's health hub within every ICB area is not included in the document by NHS England entitled 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance, last updated on 22 August 2025.

A target on women’s health hubs was not needed in this year’s planning guidance because the target was met. We have moved away from central targets through the planning guidance and are supporting integrated care boards (ICBs) to continue improving their delivery of women’s health hubs. This is in line with their responsibility to decide which services they want to commission in order to meet the needs of their local populations and will therefore not be mandated. We have heard from ICBs on the positive impacts that women’s health hubs have on both women's access to care in the community and their experiences. The Government is committed to encouraging ICBs to further expand the coverage of women’s health hubs and to support ICBs to use the learning from the women’s health hub pilots to improve local delivery of services to women and girls.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are committed to moving towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities, to identify and address problems earlier and closer to home. Women’s health hubs are an example of this approach and can play a key role in delivering the Government’s commitments on tackling long National Health Service waiting lists, as well as shifting care into the community.

With reference to the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, whether his Department has considered establishing one of the always on munitions factories in the North East; and when he expects to announce the locations of those factories.

The Strategic Defence Review committed to build at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently developing a plan to deliver this commitment alongside our wider Defence Industrial Strategy, delivering long-term investment to boost UK growth and generating skilled UK jobs and export opportunities. The MOD is carefully considering arrangements for those factories including potential locations, and more detail will be set out in due course. It is currently considered to be premature to discuss specific proposals or sites until the necessary preparatory work has concluded. I can reassure the hon. Member that I am aware of lobbying by MPs from the North East looking to increase defence investment in the region and as this Government delivers defence being an engine for growth I believe there are opportunities for the region in the future. I would be happy meeting her and regional colleagues to discuss further.

In which year the NHS created a Hospital Episode Statistic Code for rectopexy mesh.

The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are a curated data product containing details about admissions, outpatient appointments and historical accident and emergency attendances at National Health Service hospitals in England. This includes data on rectopexy procedures.Since 1 April 2020, rectopexy mesh procedures can be identified in the HES data product through a combination of codes. There are two codes that relate to rectopexy procedures, but will not specifically be limited to rectopexy using mesh:H35.2 Posterior fixation of rectum using prosthetic material – introduced pre-2006H35.5 Anterior fixation of rectum using prosthetic material – implemented for use 1 April 2020There are four codes that specifically classify where mesh has been used in a procedure and should be used in addition to the above codes, which have been mandates since 1 April 2020. The combination of these two codes allows for the identification of where a rectopexy procedure has used mesh:Y28.1 Insertion of synthetic mesh into organ not otherwise classifiable (NOC)Y28.2 Insertion of biological mesh into organ NOCY28.3 Insertion of composite mesh into organ NOCY28.4 Insertion of mesh into organ NOC

Whether his Department has had discussions with industry stakeholders on the pricing strategies of (a) alcohol-free drinks and (b) alcoholic beverages.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol alternatives. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards, to support the growth of the sector and provide clarity to consumers and producers.At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.Manufacturers, retailers, and industry stakeholders have a key role to play in working with the Government to improve the health of the nation. Ministers and officials regularly engage with these groups when developing policy.

If he will hold discussions with (a) manufacturers and (b) retailers on improving the affordability of alcohol-free alternatives.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government has committed to tackling harmful levels of alcohol consumption through exploring options to encourage consumers to reduce their alcohol intake by substituting standard strength drinks with no- and low-alcohol alternatives. One of the first steps will be to explore raising the upper alcohol limit for drinks labelled as alcohol-free to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) from 0.05% ABV, aligning with international standards, to support the growth of the sector and provide clarity to consumers and producers.At the same time, we will explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages, including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old.Manufacturers, retailers, and industry stakeholders have a key role to play in working with the Government to improve the health of the nation. Ministers and officials regularly engage with these groups when developing policy.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of (a) tax and (b) subsidy incentives in reducing the cost of alcohol-free drinks.

Alcohol-free drinks are already tax advantaged compared to alcoholic drinks because they do not attract alcohol duty, which is charged only on products containing 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more. This reflects the Government’s intentions to encourage healthier lifestyle choices. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. Soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are subject to the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT. Further information about the VAT treatment of soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-products-and-vat-notice-70114 The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. The Government welcomes representations from relevant stakeholders in advance of the Budget.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) VAT rates and (b) other fiscal measures on the relative pricing of (i) alcohol-free and (ii) alcoholic drinks.

Alcohol-free drinks are already tax advantaged compared to alcoholic drinks because they do not attract alcohol duty, which is charged only on products containing 1.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) or more. This reflects the Government’s intentions to encourage healthier lifestyle choices. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. Soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are subject to the standard 20 per cent rate of VAT. Further information about the VAT treatment of soft drinks and non-alcoholic drinks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-products-and-vat-notice-70114 The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. The Government welcomes representations from relevant stakeholders in advance of the Budget.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of for what reason alcohol-free drinks are priced (a) comparably to and (b) higher than alcoholic equivalents.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food supply matters. However, it is not for the Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has held discussions with (a) retailers and (b) producers on the pricing of alcohol-free drinks.

Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers on a range of food supply matters. However, it is not for the Government to set retail food and drink prices nor to comment on day-to-day commercial decisions taken by businesses.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2025 to Question 65738 on Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, if he will make interim payments to valproate families following the end of the pilot project.

The NHS England-commissioned Fetal Exposure to Medicine Pilot project covers assessment, expert advice, and treatment planning for people impacted by sodium valproate and other anti-seizure medications.On the question of interim payments to valproate families, the Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, including a recommendation for a two-stage financial redress scheme, comprising of an interim scheme and a main scheme.This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments, including the Cabinet Office. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report.

If there is a Hospital Episode Statistics code used to record instances of mesh used for rectopexy.

The latest National Clinical Coding Standards, code OPCS-4 2025, which are used in the Hospital Episode Statistics dataset to capture procedure information, includes four codes for use where a procedure concerns the insertion or removal of a mesh. These should be combined with other treatment codes to indicate where a mesh was used for a procedure, including for rectopexy procedures. The following table shows the relevant procedures and their coding:ProcedureProcedure codeRectopexy, abdominal posterior resectionWithout meshH35.3 H10.- (if the sigmoid is resected)With meshH35.2 Y28.1-Y28.4 H10.- (if the sigmoid is resected)Rectopexy, ventral mesh, which may also be described as anteior rectopexy with mesh or VMROpenH35.5 Y28.1-Y28.4LaparoscopicH35.5 Y75.- Y28.1-Y28.4

What the outcome was of the MHRA rectopexy review.

At the end of 2024, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) completed its’ first stage review into the use of mesh in rectopexy procedures, which involved a comprehensive review of the mesh products available in Great Britian’s market, and a patient survey which was conducted in October 2024. As part of the review, the agency conducted a thorough evaluation of manufacturer data, including assessing what products are indicated for rectopexy or may be used for this purpose. Evaluation of the literature was undertaken to understand the range of mesh products used for rectopexy procedures, and this noted that the range of mesh used in patients were wider than those ‘indicated’ by manufacturers.The survey identified that a small majority of patients experienced worsening symptoms after their rectopexy procedure, usually within the first-year post-surgery. The survey also indicated that there was relatively low awareness of the Yellow Card adverse incident reporting scheme among responders.In December 2024 the MHRA presented a series of recommendations to the Interim Devices Work Group (IDWG) to address the issues identified in the review. These recommendations were endorsed by the group as documented in the meeting minutes, which are available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/683042a2c054883884bff48e/IDWG_Summary_Minutes_10th_December_2024.pdfThe MHRA is currently working to implement the recommendations agreed by the IDWG. These recommendations include, for example, exploring what broader work can be conducted across the regulatory and healthcare environment and with manufacturers to address the off-label use of mesh products and the associated risks to patient safety. This project will also involve engagement with patient and healthcare stakeholder groups to bring about greater awareness of the issues. The MHRA expects the engagement to begin in spring 2026. There is also work currently ongoing in parallel, which will aid in addressing the recommendations. This includes the application of the new Post-market Surveillance Regulations for medical devices placed in Great Britian’s market, which came into force on the 16 June 2025 and enhances both the manufacturers' and the MHRA’s capacity to detect and monitor safety issues.The MHRA continues to work with colleagues from across the health sector and international regulators, to monitor and examine evidence as it becomes available. The MHRA is committed to helping address the serious concerns raised by patients who have experienced complications and will take further action as appropriate to protect public health.

Whether the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence plans to publish updated guidance on the eight types of hernia mesh.

Topics for new or updated guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are considered through the NICE prioritisation process. Decisions as to whether NICE will create new, or update existing, guidance are overseen by an integrated, cross-organisational prioritisation board, chaired by NICE’s Chief Medical Officer. NICE’s prioritisation board is considering the use of hernia mesh in the treatment of ventral and inguinal hernias as a potential topic for guidance, and a decision will be taken in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of continuing the use of Education, Health and Care Plans to support children who have Special Education Needs and Disabilities with a guaranteed right to support.

The department is determined to restore confidence in the system of support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), so that all children and young people get the chance to achieve and thrive in their education. Our aim is to improve educational outcomes.The department is working with and listening to parents, local authorities, SEND organisations, education settings and others on how best we can strengthen the SEND system. We want to deliver better support for these vulnerable children and young people and their parents, and we are committed to getting this right. We will continue with this engagement over the summer, in preparation for consultation on a Schools White Paper in the autumn.We have made no decisions yet on the future of education, health and care plans. There will, however, always be a legal right to additional support for children and young people with SEND.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 63541 on Autism: Foetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, if she will take steps to collate this information centrally.

Research already exists that shows evidence of an increased risk for children of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, when exposed to Valproate during pregnancy. This includes the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s publication, Valproate: review of safety data and expert advice on management of risks.As this link is already identified in the evidence and research available, NHS England has no plans to collate further information about the number of children with autism also diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of appointing a Government lead to establish a strategic mission for (a) rare and (b) less survivable cancers.

We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster so more patients survive, and we will improve patients’ experience across the systemThe Government supports Scott Arthur’s Private Members Bill on rare cancers. The bill will make it easier for clinical trials into rare cancers to take place in England by ensuring the patient population can be easily contacted by researchers. The Government is committed to backing innovative clinical research ecosystem in the United Kingdom so that British patients can be among the first to benefit as we make the NHS fit for the future.Finally, the National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for patients with rare cancers, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

For what reason the role of the Patient Safety Commissioner is now going to be hosted within the MHRA; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this on her ability to advocate for MHRA reform.

Dr Dash’s review of patient safety across the health and care landscape was published in July 2025. The review sets out a broad aim to streamline, simplify, and consolidate functions across the patient safety landscape. Dr Dash made nine recommendations which the Government has accepted in full and fed into the 10-Year Health Plan.The review specifically recommends that the patient safety commissioner is hosted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. The office of the patient safety commissioner remains accountable to the Department, as it is now.The Patient Safety Commissioner will play an important role in holding the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to account for its work on patient safety and in ensuring that patient safety and the voice of patients remains a core priority in the agency’s work.