Written questions by Hodgson.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the (a) experiences and (b) interests of (i) children with foetal valproate syndrome and (ii) their families are included in NHS reform.

As part of National Health Service reform, the Department has launched a transformation programme, led by a senior responsible officer. The Department is engaging with partners to ensure their experiences and interests are considered in shaping the future NHS. The valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, is being considered by the Government. This is a complex area of work, involving several Government departments, and it is important that we get this right. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity.

How many children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders also have a diagnosis of foetal valproate syndrome.

Everyone who has been harmed from sodium valproate has our deepest sympathies. Information about the number of children diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder and a diagnosis of foetal valproate syndrome is not collected centrally.

Whether he plans to respond to the Hughes Report before 23 July 2025.

The Government is carefully considering the work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report.

How many and what proportion of schools have administered adrenaline auto-injector devices to pupils experiencing anaphylaxis at school in each year since 2017.

The department does not hold this data.

For what reason (a) Valproate redress and (b) interim payments are delayed.

The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex area of work, involving several Government departments. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending exemptions to the proposed lactose allowance for milk-based drinks to equivalent milk-substitute drinks as part of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

At Autumn Budget 2024 the Chancellor announced her intention to review the Soft Drinks Industry levy (SDIL) – which has incentivised producers to remove almost half (46%) the sugar in relevant drinks – to further drive product reformulation. The ‘Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy’ consultation, published on 28 April 2025 , therefore sets out proposals to reduce the minimum sugar content threshold at which the levy applies, and to remove the current exemptions for milk-based drinks and milk substitute drinks with added sugar. To account for the naturally occurring sugar in the milk component of these milk-based drinks, the consultation proposes the introduction of a lactose allowance. This will be calculated based upon the milk content of each drink. The Government is also consulting on the treatment of milk substitute drinks, and proposes only to extend the SDIL to milk substitutes with added sugar. In a similar fashion to the lactose allowance, drinks with sugars only released from their principal, or ‘core’ ingredient will be out of scope of the levy. This is to maintain consistency of treatment between milk substitute drinks and plain animal milk-based drinks, whilst bringing into SDIL milk substitutes with added sugar, including the flavoured varieties that could be consumed as alternatives to flavoured milk-based drinks. Under these proposals, if any sugars other than those from the principal ingredient are added to a milk substitute drink the SDIL thresholds will apply, based on total sugar content (g) per 100ml.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of controls on stocking (a) palliative care medicines and (b) controlled drugs on the (i) adequacy of access to medication for patients in care homes and (ii) levels of wastage.

Under the Enhanced health in care homes framework, every care home must be aligned to a primary care network (PCN) and must have established protocols between the PCN, the care home, and system partners, such as local general practices and pharmacies, for information sharing, shared care planning, use of shared care records, and clear clinical governance.Pharmacies are expected to maintain a reasonable stock holding to meet their legal obligations to dispense all prescriptions, including to patients in care homes, with reasonable promptness, recognising that it is not feasible for a pharmacy to maintain stock of every medicine. The Pharmacy Quality Scheme rewards community pharmacy contractors that deliver quality criteria, one of which is the Palliative and End of Life Care scheme. Participating pharmacy contractors must declare if they intend to routinely stock 16 critical end of life medicines, including controlled drugs such as morphine and midazolam and/or parenteral haloperidol, and must have an action plan in place to support local access. This enables palliative medicines to be quickly sourced when prescribed.Most care homes with nursing can hold stocks of controlled drugs and will not require a licence to access medicines containing controlled drugs for patients who need them. This is because care homes run by public authorities or charities are exempt from the need for a Home Office controlled drug licence. Care homes without nursing cannot store controlled drugs unless they are prescribed for individual residents.The Government seeks to have a coordinated approach to prevent wastage as much as possible, to improve inefficiencies and reduce costs for the taxpayer. PCNs are required to ensure that Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) for high-risk cohorts, such as care home patients, are implemented. SMRs are an evidence based comprehensive review of a person’s medication, their views, concerns, and safety. The use of SMRs can reduce harmful polypharmacy and medicine wastage.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to (a) palliative care medicines and (b) controlled drugs for patients in care homes.

Under the Enhanced health in care homes framework, every care home must be aligned to a primary care network (PCN) and must have established protocols between the PCN, the care home, and system partners, such as local general practices and pharmacies, for information sharing, shared care planning, use of shared care records, and clear clinical governance.Pharmacies are expected to maintain a reasonable stock holding to meet their legal obligations to dispense all prescriptions, including to patients in care homes, with reasonable promptness, recognising that it is not feasible for a pharmacy to maintain stock of every medicine. The Pharmacy Quality Scheme rewards community pharmacy contractors that deliver quality criteria, one of which is the Palliative and End of Life Care scheme. Participating pharmacy contractors must declare if they intend to routinely stock 16 critical end of life medicines, including controlled drugs such as morphine and midazolam and/or parenteral haloperidol, and must have an action plan in place to support local access. This enables palliative medicines to be quickly sourced when prescribed.Most care homes with nursing can hold stocks of controlled drugs and will not require a licence to access medicines containing controlled drugs for patients who need them. This is because care homes run by public authorities or charities are exempt from the need for a Home Office controlled drug licence. Care homes without nursing cannot store controlled drugs unless they are prescribed for individual residents.The Government seeks to have a coordinated approach to prevent wastage as much as possible, to improve inefficiencies and reduce costs for the taxpayer. PCNs are required to ensure that Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) for high-risk cohorts, such as care home patients, are implemented. SMRs are an evidence based comprehensive review of a person’s medication, their views, concerns, and safety. The use of SMRs can reduce harmful polypharmacy and medicine wastage.

What steps she is taking to help increase uptake levels of the license for access to controlled drugs in UK care homes with nursing provision.

Most care homes will not require a licence to access medicines containing controlled drugs for patients who need them. This is because care homes run by public authorities or charities are exempt from the need for a licence. In addition, all care homes with nursing provision are exempt from needing a licence for medicines containing controlled drugs in Schedules 3-5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, and Schedule 2 drugs in circumstances where medication is patient prescribed. Any care home that does need a licence can apply for one from the Home Office. Details of how to register and then apply are available on GOV.UK.No recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the current controlled drugs licensing regime specifically in relation to care homes, however information about the process is easily available and the Home Office regularly receives applications from care homes to which it gives due consideration. Additionally, the Care Quality Commission provides guidance and tools to healthcare providers around the use of controlled drugs in care, and supports collaboration and consistent practice through its Controlled Drugs National Group.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the existing licensing scheme for access to controlled drugs in UK care homes.

Most care homes will not require a licence to access medicines containing controlled drugs for patients who need them. This is because care homes run by public authorities or charities are exempt from the need for a licence. In addition, all care homes with nursing provision are exempt from needing a licence for medicines containing controlled drugs in Schedules 3-5 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, and Schedule 2 drugs in circumstances where medication is patient prescribed. Any care home that does need a licence can apply for one from the Home Office. Details of how to register and then apply are available on GOV.UK.No recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the current controlled drugs licensing regime specifically in relation to care homes, however information about the process is easily available and the Home Office regularly receives applications from care homes to which it gives due consideration. Additionally, the Care Quality Commission provides guidance and tools to healthcare providers around the use of controlled drugs in care, and supports collaboration and consistent practice through its Controlled Drugs National Group.

Whether her Department has provided guidance to Personal Independence Payment assessors on the impact of surgical mesh on women's ability to work.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people with a long-term health condition or impairment, whether physical, sensory, mental, cognitive, intellectual, or any combination of these. It is paid to contribute to the extra costs that disabled people may face, to help them lead full, active and independent lives. PIP can be paid to those who are in full or part-time work as well as those out of work. From 09 September 2024 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) took ownership of the core training and guidance material (CTGM) for the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS); this is provided by DWP to the HAAS assessment suppliers (AS). AS must use the material to inform the development of their final training product(s) and use all content from CTGM that relates to specific condition(s) and assessment policy. DWP has provided AS with CTGM on mesh injury/implants. This contains clinical and functional information relevant to the condition and is quality assured to ensure its accuracy from both a clinical and policy perspective.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of misdiagnosis of women’s health symptoms on levels of diagnosis of ovarian cancer in (a) all women and (b) women under the age of 50.

The Government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care of gynaecological conditions, including ovarian cancer. NHS England has taken urgent action to address gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Recovery Plan, including support for innovative care models that bring services closer to patients, and the piloting of gynaecology pathways within community diagnostic centres.As a first step towards improving the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and reducing misdiagnosis, the National Health Service is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week. The NHS is also improving pathways to get people diagnosed once they are referred, including non-specific symptom pathways for patients who do not fit clearly into a single urgent cancer referral pathway. Combined, these interventions will help ensure early diagnosis and faster treatment, including for women with ovarian cancer, with further actions to be outlined in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.The most recent data available from the National Disease Registration Service shows that in England in 2022, 3,151 people were diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stages 3 & 4, which is classed as advanced.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the removal of the target to increase the percentage of cancers diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 from the NHS Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance on women with ovarian cancer.

The Government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care of gynaecological conditions, including ovarian cancer. NHS England has taken urgent action to address gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Recovery Plan, including support for innovative care models that bring services closer to patients, and the piloting of gynaecology pathways within community diagnostic centres.As a first step towards improving the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and reducing misdiagnosis, the National Health Service is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week. The NHS is also improving pathways to get people diagnosed once they are referred, including non-specific symptom pathways for patients who do not fit clearly into a single urgent cancer referral pathway. Combined, these interventions will help ensure early diagnosis and faster treatment, including for women with ovarian cancer, with further actions to be outlined in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.The most recent data available from the National Disease Registration Service shows that in England in 2022, 3,151 people were diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stages 3 & 4, which is classed as advanced.

What estimate his Department has made on the number of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer at an advanced stage.

The Government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care of gynaecological conditions, including ovarian cancer. NHS England has taken urgent action to address gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Recovery Plan, including support for innovative care models that bring services closer to patients, and the piloting of gynaecology pathways within community diagnostic centres.As a first step towards improving the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and reducing misdiagnosis, the National Health Service is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week. The NHS is also improving pathways to get people diagnosed once they are referred, including non-specific symptom pathways for patients who do not fit clearly into a single urgent cancer referral pathway. Combined, these interventions will help ensure early diagnosis and faster treatment, including for women with ovarian cancer, with further actions to be outlined in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.The most recent data available from the National Disease Registration Service shows that in England in 2022, 3,151 people were diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stages 3 & 4, which is classed as advanced.

Whether she has considered the implications of the more costly staffing ratios for Special Educational Needs Schools and Alternative Provisions (APs) in the funding arrangement for the new national primary breakfast club program.

The early adopter scheme will test and learn how schools are able to use programme funding, support and guidance to ensure inclusive and accessible provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, in a range of schools, including special schools and alternative provision (AP).In recognition of the need for higher staff to pupil ratios in these settings, special schools and AP will receive a higher funding rate per pupil in addition to the fixed termly payments and set up cost funding.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the Family Nurse Partnership to include more than the existing 44 local authorities.

The Family Nurse Partnership Programme (FNP) is the Department’s current service for the most vulnerable first-time parents, for example, teenagers, care leavers, those known to the care system, or those who would otherwise have extremely poor clinical outcomes, affecting both themselves and their children. The FNP has been shown to improve vulnerable children’s development, school readiness and early educational attainment.Provision of the FNP is currently a choice for local authorities. The programme is currently available in 45 local authorities. Local authorities have a statutory duty for commissioning public health services for children and young people aged between zero and 19 years old. The Public Health Grant, from which various programmes for children and young people are funded, including FNP, has been uplifted for 2025/26 by 5.4%, a percentage equalling almost £200 million.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on reducing food supply chain waste through mandatory food waste reporting.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. No recent discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of mandatory food waste reporting. This Government is committed to setting a clear roadmap to a circular economy – a future where our resources are used as efficiently and productively as possible for as long as possible, and waste is reduced. We are reviewing policies to address the challenges associated with tackling food waste in the supply chain and we are working with businesses to drive down food waste and make sure food is put on the plates of those in greatest need. This includes supporting surplus food redistribution to charities and programmes to help citizens reduce their food waste.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March to Question 33256 on Revenue and Customs: Telephone Services, (a) what steps her department is taking to decrease the average wait time for calls to be answered by HMRC and (b) what plans she has to prevent customers being directed to digital services and the HMRC app when their case requires an over-the-phone conversation.

HMRC received additional funding last year to recruit more customer service advisers to help improve telephony performance. HMRC recognise the real difficulties that delays on phones cause customers. At the end of last year, performance on helplines had improved and HMRC met their telephony service standard in Quarter Three of 2024-25. They continue to aim to answer calls as quickly as possible but wait times may be longer than usual during busy periods. HMRC publish monthly performance data, including information on their telephony service, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports. HMRC’s online services and the HMRC app consistently receive high customer satisfaction ratings. However, HMRC know that not all tasks can currently be completed online. The HMRC transformation roadmap, which will be published later this year, will include details about additional digital services that will mean a better experience for taxpayers, agents, and businesses. In the meantime, HMRC’s helplines remain available to support taxpayers with any queries which cannot be resolved online. HMRC are committed to providing efficient and accessible services to all their customers.

If she will take steps to exempt training provided by the Music and Dance Scheme from VAT.

Performing arts schools that offer full-time education to children of compulsory school age and/or 16-19 year olds for a charge will remain in scope of the policy to apply VAT to their fees and this includes the Music and Dance Scheme. This is to ensure fairness and consistency across all schools that provide education services and vocational training for a charge. The Government has no plans to exempt further schools from this policy. However, the Department for Education has decided to adjust its Music and Dance Scheme bursary contribution for families with a relevant income below £45,000 to account for the VAT that will be applied on fees, ensuring that the total parental fee contributions for families with below average relevant incomes remain unchanged for the rest of the 2024/25 academic year.

If she will take steps to provide financial assistance mirroring arrangements for schools via the Music and Dance Scheme to cover the cost of changes to (a) employer National Insurance contributions and (b) the National Minimum Wage.

The Music and Dance Scheme grant funding of both private schools and Centres for Advanced Training relates to financing places via means-tested bursaries only and is not intended as direct funding to meet wider employment costs..