To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care if he will make a statement on the potential impact of VAT on the availability of medicines through compassionate use schemes
Urgent matter raised by an MP
An urgent question from Conservative MP Dr Caroline Johnson asks the Health Secretary to clarify how a planned VAT increase will affect medicines available through compassionate use schemes—programmes that provide experimental or unlicensed drugs to terminally ill patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. The question probes whether VAT will be charged on these drugs, potentially raising their cost and restricting access to patients who may have no other medical recourse.
Compassionate use schemes serve patients facing life-threatening conditions with no approved treatments available. A VAT charge could price desperate patients out of potentially life-extending or life-saving medicines, raising ethical and equity concerns. The question signals Conservative concern that the government's fiscal position may be overriding patient access to experimental therapies.
Urgent questions draw responses from across the House — any MP may participate, so we don't show a predicted interest list.
Related business
Upcoming similar business
- Urgent question25 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on the situation in Sudan and diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire
- Urgent question24 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the publication of the Media Green Paper
- Urgent question22 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care if he will make a statement on the decision to proceed with the PATHWAYS study into puberty suppression for children with gender incongruence after its pause earlier this year
- Urgent question18 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on progress made since the publication of the Casey Review into group-based child sexual exploitation
- Urgent question17 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade if he will make a statement on the impact of the proposed 50% steel tariffs, due on 1 July, on UK manufacturing competitiveness and supply chains.
- Urgent question15 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of the time taken to publish the Defence Investment Plan on the ability of the armed forces to defend the UK
Past similar business
- Urgent question10 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Defence Investment Plan
- Urgent question10 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the violent disorder that took place last night in Belfast
- Urgent question9 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on reports of a serious violent attack in north Belfast involving a foreign national, and the implications for public safety, immigration enforcement and community cohesion
- Urgent question8 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology if she will make a statement on the Government’s new policy announcements regarding children’s online safety, social media and smartphones
- Urgent question8 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the performance of the water sector
- Urgent question8 Jun 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Cuba, following the US naval and financial blockade
Upcoming on related topics
- Motion6 Jul 2026
Motion to Approve the Draft Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2026
Health & NHSTax & Public Finances - Estimates Day30 Jun 2026
Estimates day (second allotted day). Department for Culture, Media and Sport (subject for debate: spending of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on sport and youth services) Department of Health and Social Care (subject for debate: spending of the Department of Health and Social Care on pharmaceutical procurement) Department for Work and Pensions (subject for debate: spending priorities and performance of the Department for Work and Pensions)
Tax & Public FinancesHealth & NHS - Backbench Business18 Jun 2026
General debate on the infected blood compensation scheme
Health & NHSTax & Public Finances - Westminster Hall debate16 Jul 2026
Capital funding for Changing Places toilets
Health & NHS - Ten Minute Rule Motion15 Jul 2026
Registration of stillbirths (England and Wales)
Health & NHS - Oral questions13 Jul 2026— Home Office
Home Office (including Topical Questions)
Health & NHS
Past on related topics
- Motion1 Jun 2026
Health Bill: Ways and Means
Health & NHSTax & Public Finances - Money Resolution1 Jun 2026
Health Bill: Money
Health & NHSTax & Public Finances - Debate27 Apr 2026
First Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Vaping Duty Stamps (Requirements, Reviews and Appeals) Regulations 2026
Tax & Public FinancesHealth & NHS - Ministerial statement14 Apr 2026
Infected Blood Compensation Scheme update
Health & NHSTax & Public Finances - Debate10 Jun 2026
Eighth Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Food Supplements Purity Criteria (Magnesium L-threonate monohydrate) (England) Regulations 2026
Health & NHS - Westminster Hall debate10 Jun 2026
Local government reform
Tax & Public Finances