Written questions by Rosindell.

Whether his Department has made an estimate of future licensing and enforcement costs of a generational ban on tobacco.

As set out in the King’s Speech, a bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can be sold cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will pave the way for a smoke-free United Kingdom and will be the biggest public health intervention since the ban on smoking in indoor public places in 2007.The bill will be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks, and an Impact Assessment will be published early in the passage of the bill. We will also conduct New Burdens Assessments for the measures in the bill and any future regulations, which will assess any costs to local authorities of enforcing the new measures.

Whether his Department plans to use the impact assessment entitled Tobacco and Vapes Bill: impact assessment, published on 20 March 2024, as part of its forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

As set out in the King’s Speech, a bill will be introduced to progressively increase the age at which people can be sold cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will pave the way for a smoke-free United Kingdom and will be the biggest public health intervention since the ban on smoking in indoor public places in 2007.The bill will be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks, and an Impact Assessment will be published early in the passage of the bill. We will also conduct New Burdens Assessments for the measures in the bill and any future regulations, which will assess any costs to local authorities of enforcing the new measures.

Whether he plans to increase radiotherapy treatment capacity for patients in Romford constituency.

Since April 2022, the responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy machines sits with local systems. This is supported by the 2021 Spending Review, which set aside £12 billion in operational capital for the National Health Service for 2022 to 2025, and the latest Capital Planning Guidance.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a cancer plan that (a) increases (a) radiotherapy and (b) other services.

Professor Lord Darzi is currently undertaking an independent investigation into the state of the National Health Service, the findings of which will feed into the Government’s 10-year plan to build a health service that is fit for the future. The Government will set out any further priorities on cancer and health in due course. The Government’s Health Mission will aim to make progress against major diseases, including cancer.