Written questions by Jermy.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to help remove lead paint in older homes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Questions UIN 27855 on 6 February 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve services in rural isolated communities.

This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural communities. To achieve this, we are ensuring that the needs of people and businesses in rural areas are at the heart of our policymaking. We recognise that there are significant challenges facing rural communities, and that the Government must play its part in overcoming them. We know that prosperous, thriving rural communities require improvements in rural transport and digital infrastructure, the availability of affordable housing and energy, and access to essential services such as healthcare and education. That is why this Government is committed to rural proofing, ensuring that rural areas are not overlooked, that all intended outcomes of the missions are deliverable in rural areas, and all policy decision-making takes account of the issues facing rural communities. Defra leads on rural proofing, but individual departments are responsible for ensuring that their policy decision-making is rural proofed.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of shortening the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer.

NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, address barriers to acting on them, and encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner (GP). Previous phases of the campaign have focused on abdominal symptoms which, among other abdominal cancers, can be indicative of ovarian cancer.NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, also publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. This information can be found on the NHS website.The Government has not made a formal assessment of the potential merits of shortening the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer. It is, however, a priority for the Government to support the NHS to diagnose cancer, including ovarian cancer, as quickly as possible, to treat it faster, and to improve outcomes. This is supported by NHS England’s key ambition on cancer to meet the Faster Diagnosis Standard, which sets a target of 28 days from urgent referral by a GP or screening programme to patients being told that they have cancer, or that cancer is ruled out.Reducing inequalities and variation in cancer care is a priority for the Government, as is increasing early cancer diagnosis, as both are key contributors to reducing cancer health inequalities. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the NHS’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.GPs are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development.All United Kingdom registered doctors are also expected to meet the professional standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC). In 2012, the GMC introduced revalidation, which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and has to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council. The RCGP provides a number of resources on cancer prevention, diagnosis and care for GPs, relevant for the primary care setting.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) stop lead contamination in the food supply chain.

Defra monitors concentrations of ten heavy metals, including lead, in naturally-growing mosses as part of the European Moss Survey, which takes place every five years. The moss data provide a cost-effective measure of pollution deposition from the atmosphere which complements conventional precipitation analysis. The latest report for the 2020-2022 survey is publicly available here. It shows that lead deposition has declined since 1990. The UK Heavy Metals Network forms the basis of the UK’s compliance monitoring for the Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010), which covers lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and mercury. Lead in the PM10 fraction of air (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or less) is measured at 26 sites. The UK has been compliant with applicable limit values in legislation for ambient lead in air for over 20 years. Further details are publicly available here: Air Pollution in the UK report – Defra, UK. Treated sewage sludge (commonly called biosolids) can be beneficially spread to agricultural land under the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (SUiAR). Details are publicly available here. In England the Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing the SUiAR, which are supported by a sewage sludge in agriculture code of practice. Details are publicly available here. The SUiAR provides controls that protect the environment and human health when these organic materials are spread to agricultural land. Provided the use of sewage sludge is carried out in accordance with the relevant regulatory controls and good practice guidance is followed, the recycling of sewage sludge to land is an allowable activity. The SUiAR require that sludge shall be used in such a way that the quality of the soil and of the surface and ground water is not impaired. A person using sludge has to ensure they can meet this requirement of the SUiAR. The requirement is applicable to all relevant contaminants which could, when sludge is used, cause the quality of the soil and of surface and ground water to be impaired. Lead is a contaminant that can be present in sludge and which is specifically listed in both the SUiAR and its supporting sewage sludge in agriculture code of practice. Emissions of lead from industrial installations in England are subject to stringent emission limits and monitoring requirements under The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) assess and (b) help mitigate the risk of lead contamination in agricultural land in (i) England, (ii) East Anglia and (iii) South West Norfolk constituency.

Defra monitors concentrations of ten heavy metals, including lead, in naturally-growing mosses as part of the European Moss Survey, which takes place every five years. The moss data provide a cost-effective measure of pollution deposition from the atmosphere which complements conventional precipitation analysis. The latest report for the 2020-2022 survey is publicly available here. It shows that lead deposition has declined since 1990. The UK Heavy Metals Network forms the basis of the UK’s compliance monitoring for the Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010), which covers lead, arsenic, cadmium, nickel and mercury. Lead in the PM10 fraction of air (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm or less) is measured at 26 sites. The UK has been compliant with applicable limit values in legislation for ambient lead in air for over 20 years. Further details are publicly available here: Air Pollution in the UK report – Defra, UK. Treated sewage sludge (commonly called biosolids) can be beneficially spread to agricultural land under the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (SUiAR). Details are publicly available here. In England the Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing the SUiAR, which are supported by a sewage sludge in agriculture code of practice. Details are publicly available here. The SUiAR provides controls that protect the environment and human health when these organic materials are spread to agricultural land. Provided the use of sewage sludge is carried out in accordance with the relevant regulatory controls and good practice guidance is followed, the recycling of sewage sludge to land is an allowable activity. The SUiAR require that sludge shall be used in such a way that the quality of the soil and of the surface and ground water is not impaired. A person using sludge has to ensure they can meet this requirement of the SUiAR. The requirement is applicable to all relevant contaminants which could, when sludge is used, cause the quality of the soil and of surface and ground water to be impaired. Lead is a contaminant that can be present in sludge and which is specifically listed in both the SUiAR and its supporting sewage sludge in agriculture code of practice. Emissions of lead from industrial installations in England are subject to stringent emission limits and monitoring requirements under The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) training and (b) support is in place to help GPs diagnose ovarian cancer.

NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, address barriers to acting on them, and encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner (GP). Previous phases of the campaign have focused on abdominal symptoms which, among other abdominal cancers, can be indicative of ovarian cancer.NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, also publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. This information can be found on the NHS website.The Government has not made a formal assessment of the potential merits of shortening the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer. It is, however, a priority for the Government to support the NHS to diagnose cancer, including ovarian cancer, as quickly as possible, to treat it faster, and to improve outcomes. This is supported by NHS England’s key ambition on cancer to meet the Faster Diagnosis Standard, which sets a target of 28 days from urgent referral by a GP or screening programme to patients being told that they have cancer, or that cancer is ruled out.Reducing inequalities and variation in cancer care is a priority for the Government, as is increasing early cancer diagnosis, as both are key contributors to reducing cancer health inequalities. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the NHS’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.GPs are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development.All United Kingdom registered doctors are also expected to meet the professional standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC). In 2012, the GMC introduced revalidation, which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and has to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council. The RCGP provides a number of resources on cancer prevention, diagnosis and care for GPs, relevant for the primary care setting.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) monitor and (b) stop lead contamination in waterways.

The Environment Agency identifies and prioritises sources of metal pollution, including waterways contaminated by lead, and conducts regular and routine water quality inspections, in line with their regulatory duties. The results are published on the Environment Agency’s public water quality archive website. The Government has set a long-term statutory target under the Environment Act to reduce by half the 1,500km of English rivers polluted by target metals (including lead) from abandoned metal mines by 31 December 2038. To achieve this target, the Government is building mine water treatment schemes and diffuse interventions under the Water & Abandoned Metal Mines Programme - a partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency and the Mining Remediation Authority - to prevent metals from abandoned metal mines, including lead, from polluting rivers.

Whether his Department plans to take steps to tackle regional variations in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, address barriers to acting on them, and encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner (GP). Previous phases of the campaign have focused on abdominal symptoms which, among other abdominal cancers, can be indicative of ovarian cancer.NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, also publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. This information can be found on the NHS website.The Government has not made a formal assessment of the potential merits of shortening the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer. It is, however, a priority for the Government to support the NHS to diagnose cancer, including ovarian cancer, as quickly as possible, to treat it faster, and to improve outcomes. This is supported by NHS England’s key ambition on cancer to meet the Faster Diagnosis Standard, which sets a target of 28 days from urgent referral by a GP or screening programme to patients being told that they have cancer, or that cancer is ruled out.Reducing inequalities and variation in cancer care is a priority for the Government, as is increasing early cancer diagnosis, as both are key contributors to reducing cancer health inequalities. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the NHS’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.GPs are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development.All United Kingdom registered doctors are also expected to meet the professional standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC). In 2012, the GMC introduced revalidation, which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and has to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council. The RCGP provides a number of resources on cancer prevention, diagnosis and care for GPs, relevant for the primary care setting.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that water companies assess the levels of lead in domestic drinking water supplies.

Lead pipes have not been permitted since 1970, but they may be present in older properties. To reduce the risk of lead leaching into water, water companies treat the water with orthophosphate which reduces the problem significantly. Any failure of the lead standard of 10 micrograms per litre is investigated thoroughly by water companies with resamples being taken. Failures of the standard are generally caused by internal lead pipework and fittings which are the responsibility of the owner. In Defra’s Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat, we supported action by the water industry to trial approaches to reduce exposure to lead which have been agreed in water companies’ business plans for 2025-2030. Two Green Recovery projects, approved by Ofwat, are also trialling replacement of customer supply pipes made of lead. On public drinking water – the Drinking Water Inspectorate are the body who provide the independent assurance that public drinking water supplies are safe. Drinking water for the human consumer remains safe as it is tested and appropriately treated before distribution to the tap, so the human health risk from drinking water remains very low.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with water companies on the replacement of water pipes to households in which lead has been found in the water supply in (a) England, (b) East Anglia and (c) South West Norfolk constituency.

Lead pipes have not been permitted since 1970, but they may be present in older properties. To reduce the risk of lead leaching into water, water companies treat the water with orthophosphate which reduces the problem significantly. Any failure of the lead standard of 10 micrograms per litre is investigated thoroughly by water companies with resamples being taken. Failures of the standard are generally caused by internal lead pipework and fittings which are the responsibility of the owner. In Defra’s Strategic Policy Statement to Ofwat, we supported action by the water industry to trial approaches to reduce exposure to lead which have been agreed in water companies’ business plans for 2025-2030. Two Green Recovery projects, approved by Ofwat, are also trialling replacement of customer supply pipes made of lead. On public drinking water – the Drinking Water Inspectorate are the body who provide the independent assurance that public drinking water supplies are safe. Drinking water for the human consumer remains safe as it is tested and appropriately treated before distribution to the tap, so the human health risk from drinking water remains very low.

What data his Department holds on the number of children reported to have had lead poisoning in each year since 2016.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) coordinates the Lead in Children Exposure Surveillance System (LEICSS), a passive surveillance system covering England, which aims to identify elevated blood lead concentrations in children under 15 years old.The following table shows the LEICSS data on case numbers between 2016 and 2023, inclusive:YearNumber of cases201633201749201845201936202035202112120221912023226Note: Between 2016 to 2020, the annual number of cases ranged between 33 and 49. From 2021 there was a marked increase in the number of cases. The steep rise in reported cases from 2021 onwards is due to a change in the case definition in our surveillance system.

What steps his Department is taking to increase testing for lead poisoning in (a) adults and (b) children.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) made a recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning in 2018. The UK NSC has not been asked to review screening adults for exposure to toxic metals. Further details on the UK NSC’s review are available at the following link: https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/lead-poisoning/We are aware that a proposal has been submitted to the UK NSC via its open call, to review the decision made in 2018 for screening children for lead poisoning, in light of new evidence. The UK NSC is currently considering all open call proposals. More information about the UK NSC’s open call is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal

When the National Screening Committee review into lead poisoning will be complete.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) made a recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning in 2018. The UK NSC has not been asked to review screening adults for exposure to toxic metals. Further details on the UK NSC’s review are available at the following link: https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/lead-poisoning/We are aware that a proposal has been submitted to the UK NSC via its open call, to review the decision made in 2018 for screening children for lead poisoning, in light of new evidence. The UK NSC is currently considering all open call proposals. More information about the UK NSC’s open call is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 5973 on Lead: Paint, whether his Department is taking steps to prepare new guidance.

Defra does not currently plan to issue new guidance on lead paint.

What steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of ovarian cancer month.

NHS England runs Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms, address barriers to acting on them, and encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner (GP). Previous phases of the campaign have focused on abdominal symptoms which, among other abdominal cancers, can be indicative of ovarian cancer.NHS England and other National Health Service organisations, nationally and locally, also publish information on the signs and symptoms of many different types of cancer, including ovarian cancer. This information can be found on the NHS website.The Government has not made a formal assessment of the potential merits of shortening the diagnostic pathway for ovarian cancer. It is, however, a priority for the Government to support the NHS to diagnose cancer, including ovarian cancer, as quickly as possible, to treat it faster, and to improve outcomes. This is supported by NHS England’s key ambition on cancer to meet the Faster Diagnosis Standard, which sets a target of 28 days from urgent referral by a GP or screening programme to patients being told that they have cancer, or that cancer is ruled out.Reducing inequalities and variation in cancer care is a priority for the Government, as is increasing early cancer diagnosis, as both are key contributors to reducing cancer health inequalities. Early cancer diagnosis is also a specific priority within the NHS’s wider Core20Plus5 approach to reducing healthcare inequalities.GPs are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up-to-date and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development.All United Kingdom registered doctors are also expected to meet the professional standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC). In 2012, the GMC introduced revalidation, which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), and has to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council. The RCGP provides a number of resources on cancer prevention, diagnosis and care for GPs, relevant for the primary care setting.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission has tested for lead levels on the parliamentary estate.

We are aware lead is present in the Palace of Westminster and other older buildings on the estate, particularly underneath existing paintwork. When left undisturbed lead does not pose a risk to users of the buildings.Where relevant, lead is tested for as part of surveys during the construction project process, and this is carried out in accordance with the control measures and guidelines set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002. We also carry out paint analysis, to gather information on the building history, original appearance, and techniques used, and this will also reveal if lead is present in the paint.While we follow all appropriate control measures as set by the Health and Safety Executive, we do not record lead levels or routinely test for lead outside of project works involving known lead as it is not a statutory requirement to do so.

What her policy is on the potential provision of funding for dualling the Norwich Western Link.

The Secretary of State for Transport has commissioned a review of the Department’s capital portfolio which will inform the next phase of the cross-Government Spending Review. It is too early to say how this will affect the proposed Norwich Western Link, but the Department will be in touch with the promoter, when there is further information.

If her Department will dual the A47 from Tilney to East Winch.

There are currently no plans to dual the A47 from Tilney to East Winch, Norfolk. The performance of this section of the A47, and the wider A47 route, has been considered by National Highways as part of its interim East of England Route Strategy, and its investment requirements will form the basis of future network planning.