Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alicia Kearns this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 381–400 of 401 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2024 to Question 12092 on Spain: Floods, how many British citizens have been affected by floods in Spain.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided consular assistance in 31 cases to British nationals and/or their families, who have been affected by the floods. We encourage anyone seeking assistance to contact the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 from the UK or +34 917 146 300 from Spain.
What steps his Department is taking to improve care for people with migraines.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline, Headaches: Diagnosis and management of headaches in young people and adults, updated in December 2021, sets out best practice for healthcare professionals in the care, treatment, and support of people who suffer from headaches, including migraines. It aims to improve the recognition and management of headaches and migraines.At the national level, there are a number of initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with migraines, including the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for Neurology and the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit. The GIRFT Programme published a National Speciality Report, which makes several recommendations in relation to improving the recognition and diagnosis of migraines by general practitioners. Additionally, the RightCare Headache and Migraine Toolkit sets out key priorities for improving care for patients with migraines, which includes correct identification and diagnosis of headache disorders.The Royal College of General Practitioners has developed two e-learning modules about migraines and cluster headaches, which aim to raise awareness amongst primary care clinicians about the different types of migraines and their associated symptoms, and how to differentiate.Over the last four years, a new class of drugs, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors, has been made available on the National Health Service for the prevention and treatment of episodic and chronic migraines. On 15 May 2024, Atogepant became the latest CGRP inhibitor for which the NICE has published guidance. The NICE recommended Atogepant for use as a preventive medication for the treatment of migraines on the NHS in England.
What steps he is taking to ensure that patient (a) experience and (b) voice is reflected in the NHS 10-year plan.
As the Government works to fix the National Health Service, the public must begin to feel the difference in their daily lives. That is why, as part of the engagement exercise to support the development of the 10-Year Health Plan, there will be lots of easy ways for the public to express their views, with face-to-face events in every region, local conversations, and an online portal.Working with Thinks Insight, integrated care systems, and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector, we will seek to reach demographics and communities who may experience barriers to being involved.This will be the biggest conversation in the NHS’s history. We want to hear from a wide range of individuals, including the experiences of patients, carers, and health and care workers. We have ambitious plans to engage across the country, and want as many people as possible to share their views.
Whether the Solar Taskforce plans to take steps to (a) assess the prevalence of and (b) tackle the use of Uyghur forced labour in solar supply chains.
No company operating in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain. We are working with colleagues across Government to tackle the issue of Uyghur forced labour in supply chains. The Solar Taskforce is focussed on identifying and taking forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour. This will support the significant increases in deployment of solar panels needed to meet our ambition of radically increasing solar deployment by 2030. Recommendations from the Solar Taskforce will be contained in the Solar Roadmap, which will be published in due course.
What steps he is taking to increase uptake of early screening interventions for chronic kidney disease.
NHS England is working to detect people at risk of kidney disease through the NHS Health Check Programme. The programme, which is available for everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 years old who are not already on a chronic disease register, assesses people’s health and risk of developing certain health problems. Using this information, patients are supported to make behavioural changes and access treatment which helps to prevent and detect kidney disease earlier.The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) reviewed chronic kidney disease (CKD) and glomerulonephritis in 2011, concluding that a population-wide screening programme would not be recommended. The UK NSC has not looked at the evidence for a targeted programme. The UK NSC can be alerted to any new published peer-reviewed evidence which may suggest the case for a new screening programme. Further information 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-proposalThe National Health Service provides access to tests and therapies to diagnose, code, and treat patients with early-stage CKD. NHS England, through the Renal Services Transformation Programme and regional renal networks, is implementing initiatives to provide better integrated care, reduce health inequalities, and focus on prevention and timely intervention for kidney disease. Regional renal clinical networks prioritise CKD diagnosis and prevention within their transformation ambitions, facilitating earlier treatment. This includes considerations to develop a unified approach to testing populations at risk of developing CKD, and includes raising awareness of diagnostic tools like urine albumin creatinine tests, enabling CKD diagnosis at stages 1 and 2. NHS England aims to improve awareness and access to these important urine and blood tests across primary and secondary care. In addition, the transformation programme launched a renal toolkit earlier last year, for use by systems, that outlines the principles to support better management of patients identified with CKD throughout their patient journey.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance, Chronic kidney disease: Assessment and management [NG203], updated in November 2021, sets out best practice for clinicians in the diagnosis and management of CKD. The guidance covers the care and treatment of patients at risk of CKD. It includes recommendations on the monitoring of patients at risk of CKD and aims to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng203
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will place sanctions on the (a) Montenegro based company International Business Corporation Bar and (b) Serbia based company Ventrade DOO for supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment for its invasion of Ukraine.
The UK remains steadfast in our support to Ukraine. Together with our international partners, we have implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. The UK alone has sanctioned more than 2,000 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime. Whilst we do not comment on future or individual designations, the Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of tackling third-country support to Russia's military-industrial complex at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 October. I [Minister Doughty] regularly raise third-country circumvention and the Common High Priority Items list with counterparts. We have sanctioned several entities in third countries involved in supporting Russia's war machine.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) any Ministers from his Department held meetings with Representative Vincent Yao from the Taipei Representative Office in the UK in (i) September and (ii) October.
The Foreign Secretary and other FCDO ministers did not hold any meetings with Representative Vincent Yao in September or October.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has (a) offered assistance to the Spanish Government following the recent flooding and (b) held discussions with his Spanish counterpart on the floods.
The Foreign Secretary and I were shocked and saddened to see the devastating scenes in Spain, and by the deaths and damage caused by heavy flooding. The Foreign Secretrary has been in touch with the Foreign Minister of Spain to express the UK's condolences and offer our support, the Prime Minister and I have also contacted our counterparts. Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected. The British Embassy in Madrid and Consulates in affected areas are providing consular support to affected British Nationals.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of UK nationals affected by the floods in Spain.
We have passed on our sincere condolences to the Spanish government following the devastating floods that have hit the country. We are in contact with the local authorities in Spain to offer our support and determine the number of British Nationals impacted by the catastrophe. The FCDO is providing consular support to a number of British nationals who have been affected by the floods and we encourage anyone seeking our assistance to contact us on 020 7008 5000 from the UK or +34 917 146 300 from Spain.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has allocated additional resources to the British Embassy and Consulates in Spain following the recent flooding.
Determining the safety and welfare of British nationals impacted by the severe floods in Spain, through our Embassy and Consulates in the country, is a top priority for the FCDO. We are regularly reviewing the situation and our resources in place to support this effort, working closely with the Spanish authorities, to ensure we continue to act in line with our commitment to provide support to affected British Nationals.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has demarched the North Korean chargee over North Korean troops in Russia and Ukraine.
The DPRK Charge d'Affairs was called in on 29 October to express our concern about DPRK's support for Russia. We condemn the increasing military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia in the strongest possible terms. We are gravely concerned about the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia, and the reports of DPRK and Ukraine engaged in combat. This demonstrates Russia's growing reliance upon third country support at a time when their casualties are at their highest level. We are working with our partners on a coordinated response, and have made clear to the DPRK that this action is dangerous and has serious consequences for peace and security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2311 on British Nationals Abroad: Departmental Responsibilities, whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan) is responsible for cross-departmental representation of British expats within the Government on matters other than consular and crisis operations.
I am the Minister responsible for consular and crisis operations. My Ministerial responsibilities do not include cross-departmental representation of British expats beyond consular and crisis operations.The Government has no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a ministerial portfolio for representing the interests of UK citizens living abroad. Detailed information for British Nationals living abroad can be found on GOV.UK. Our Consular operation offers British Nationals a 24/7, 365 days a year service.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2311 on British Nationals Abroad: Departmental Responsibilities, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a ministerial portfolio for representing the interests of UK citizens living abroad.
I am the Minister responsible for consular and crisis operations. My Ministerial responsibilities do not include cross-departmental representation of British expats beyond consular and crisis operations.The Government has no plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a ministerial portfolio for representing the interests of UK citizens living abroad. Detailed information for British Nationals living abroad can be found on GOV.UK. Our Consular operation offers British Nationals a 24/7, 365 days a year service.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the United Nations on the attendance of the UN Secretary General at the BRICS summit in Russia.
The Foreign Secretary spoke to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres prior to the BRICS Summit in Kazan, where the UNSG reiterated his position that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had violated the United Nations Charter and international law. The meetings that the Secretary-General chooses are a matter for him, not the UK Government. The UK Government continues to bring economic and diplomatic pressure to bear on Russia, including through sanctions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take diplomatic steps to reduce Iranian influence in Lebanon.
During recent calls, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have made it clear to Iran that it must cease its support for its proxies and partners. We will continue to work alongside international partners to hold Iran to account for its escalatory behaviour through its support for its proxies and partners, including Lebanese Hezbollah, in the Middle East and its attempts to undermine global security. On 2 September, the UK imposed sanctions against four Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) Quds Force targets who have a role in supporting Iranian proxy actions. Furthermore, the UK has proscribed Lebanese Hezbollah and sanctioned the IRGC in its entirety.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2024 to Question 7857 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, how much funding he plans to allocate to that new trust fund.
We recognise the importance of the British Indian Ocean Territory / Chagos Archipelago to Chagossians and we have worked to ensure this agreement reflects their interests. The government will endeavour to provide Parliament with appropriate details about the new trust fund for Mauritius in support of Chagossians, including additional support for Chagossians in the UK when the Treaty is laid before Parliament.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government considers that the All-Serb Assembly Declaration of June 2024, made by the Republic of Serbia and Republika Srpska, is compatible with the Dayton Agreement.
The UK Government considers that a number of elements in the Declaration of 8 June do not align with the Dayton Peace Agreement. The UK is firmly committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character and completely oppose statements supporting secessionism or stoking division. We will continue to work closely with our allies in the EU and US to ensure the upholding of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to answer Question 6569 on Armenia: Azerbaijan tabled by the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford on 4 October 2024.
I [Minister Doughty] responded to Question 6569 on 14/10/2024.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has offered assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina following recent flooding and landslides.
I [Minister Doughty] was in contact with the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on 5 October and expressed the UK's condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by flooding and landslides. On 4 and 5 October, British search and rescue specialists (in BiH as a short-term training team arranged by the British Embassy in Sarajevo) provided advice and expertise to BiH armed forces and emergency services on the ground. The UK's Ambassador to BiH visited the worst affected sites on 5 October, meeting the UK team and local mayors. The UK Government is considering, with BiH authorities and international partners, how it might support further responses.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding the Government will contribute to Italy's Rome Process; and what that funding will be used for.
The UK will contribute up to £4 million to the Rome Process, the Italian government's initiative bringing together international partners to tackle drivers of irregular migration. The funding will be channelled through a new multi-donor fund - the Rome Process Financing Facility - that will support climate-related development projects in Africa.