Every parliamentary written question tabled by Daisy Cooper this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 521–540 of 561 · this parliament
Whether he (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on (i) its use of the new severity modifier and (ii) how it (A) measures and (B)
We have received briefings on the use of the severity modifier by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in the development of its guidance for the National Health Service, on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the ...
If he will make representations to (a) Daiichi Sankyo and (b) AstraZeneca following the decision by NICE not to recommend Enhertu as a cost effective treatment for advanced stage breast cancer.
Decisions on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service in England are taken by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), on the basis of an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. The NICE’s methods are internationally respected, and have been developed through extensive work with industry, academics, and the public, to ensure they appropriately capture the costs and benefits, and best reflect social values. These are very difficult decisions to make, and it is important that they are made independently, and on the basis of the available evidence.We understand that despite the NICE instigating an exceptional pause in the process to allow for commercial negotiations to take place with the companies Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, a deal to enable patient access to this treatment on the NHS in England has not been reached.We know the NICE’s announcement has come as a blow to many women and their families. The NICE and NHS England have already sought to apply as much flexibility as they can in their considerations of Enhertu for HER2 LOW breast cancer, and have made it clear to the companies that their pricing of the drug remains the main obstacle to access.Within 16 weeks of the publication of final guidance, companies can also request a rapid review to consider new patient access scheme proposals, with the aim of establishing a pricing agreement that would improve cost-effectiveness and enable patient access to high-cost medicines. The Government wants to see a deal reached to make Enhertu available. The NICE and NHS England remain open to considering an improved offer from the companies through the rapid review process, and we strongly encourage the companies to come back to the table.
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July to Question 383 on Wheelchairs: Procurement, if he will take steps to solicit feedback from ICBs on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas.
The Department does not have specific plans to solicit feedback from integrated care boards (ICBs) on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas.Data collected through the National Wheelchair Data Collection is at ICB level, therefore we do not hold specific provider data. ICBs hold accountability and responsibility for the performance of contracted provision, and any issues arising within the contracting and commissioning of wheelchair services must be reviewed and addressed by the relevant ICB.
If she will make it her policy to grant visa extensions to Ukrainian nationals under the age of 18 on the Ukrainian Sponsorship Scheme that want to pursue higher education.
Ukrainian nationals and their families granted under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme have the right to work, rent or study and access to benefits and services for the duration of their permission. Ukrainian nationals who wish to pursue higher education are free to do so while seeking sanctuary in the UK under the scheme.The Ukraine Permission Extension scheme is due to open for applications in advance of the expiry of the first Ukraine scheme visas in early 2025, providing the same rights to study and access to benefits and services that individuals on the existing schemes have.
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 402 on Special Educational Needs, how many children and young people with education, health and care plans have missed (a) one year and (b) more than one year
The department does not hold the information requested.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to her letter of 16 July 2024 to local council leaders, whether devolution settlements are available to district councils.
English devolution underpins this Government’s national mission to deliver economic growth for everyone, everywhere, raising living standards across the UK. While the previous government hoarded power in Whitehall, this Government will deliver the most ambitious programme of devolution this country has ever seen, pushing power into the hands of cities, towns, and villages across the country to unlock their true potential. Of course, we value the important role districts will play in this mission, and in due course the Government will publish a new devolution framework, which will set out in more detail the role district councils can play.
How many of the new hospitals in the New Hospital Programme have planning permission.
18 schemes in the New Hospital Programme have been granted full planning permission and six have achieved outline planning permission.As my rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced, and as subsequently confirmed in the Chancellor’s statement on 29 July 2024, there is a full and comprehensive ongoing review of the New Hospital Programme to provide a realistic and costed timetable for delivery. This will consider the urgent need to rebuild the seven hospitals built mostly using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete to protect staff and patient safety.The Secretary of State will consider the findings and update Parliament on the outcome of the review reporting back to patients, clinicians, and local communities on the next steps for the New Hospital Programme. We will provide a clear and realistic timetable for delivery of the Programme and agree the investment needed to get patients the care they deserve.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 588 on Private Education: VAT, if she will make it her policy to extend the VAT exemption to children with (a) SEND and (b) in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance.
The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education, which is why we have made the tough decision to end tax breaks for private schools. This will raise revenue for essential public services, including investing in the state education system Where pupils are placed in a private school because their needs cannot be met in the state sector, and they have their places funded by their Local Authority, the Local Authority will be able to reclaim the VAT they incur on these pupils’ fees. In Northern Ireland, it will be the Education Authority who fund placements in private schools and will be able to reclaim the VAT in this way.
If he will make it his policy to seek negotiations with the EU on extending the duration of Schengen Area visas for UK citizens travelling to the EU for longer than 90 days.
Both the UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their arrangements for Third Country Nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the Schengen Borders Code allows for Third Country Nationals to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling to the EU. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the rates paid to providers for free hours childcare and early years education.
Current national average funding rates for local authorities are broadly in line with, or higher than, nursery fees paid by parents last year. However, the department is taking concerns from the early years sector very seriously and wants to ensure that the sector is financially sustainable going forward. Budgets for 2025/26 are still to be agreed at the autumn Spending Review. This includes the 2025/26 early years budget which the department will need to agree across government. The department knows how important these decisions are to local authorities and providers, and is working across government to take them as soon as practicably possible.
If he will make it his policy to (a) publish on the gov.uk website and (b) keep updated a list of current Parliamentary Private Secretaries.
The list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries as of September 2024 is published on gov.uk and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-parliamentary-private-secretaries-pps-september-2024
How much his Department paid to each publisher that took part in the All in, all together advertising campaign since 2020.
The UK government partnered with the newspaper industry to launch the “All in, all Together” Covid-19 advertising campaign. The purpose of the partnership was to amplify public information on critical coronavirus messaging to ensure it reached all communities while also delivering demonstrable value for money. The partnership comprised over 600 titles, to ensure messaging is reaching communities throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and includes over 25 multicultural titles. We only hold information about the press partnership as a whole; it is not broken down by publisher, campaign or newspaper.Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk.
What criteria were used to decide which publishers would be invited to take place in the All in, all together campaign since 2020.
The UK government partnered with the newspaper industry to launch the “All in, all Together” Covid-19 advertising campaign. The purpose of the partnership was to amplify public information on critical coronavirus messaging to ensure it reached all communities while also delivering demonstrable value for money. The partnership comprised over 600 titles, to ensure messaging is reaching communities throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and includes over 25 multicultural titles. We only hold information about the press partnership as a whole; it is not broken down by publisher, campaign or newspaper.Cabinet Office publishes expenditure, including on public information campaigns, on a rolling monthly basis on gov.uk.
How many and what proportion of Disclosure Barring Service checks have been completed by police forces within 60 days in each month of the last two years by police force.
The Home Office does not hold the information in an easily accessible format, therefore the information requested cannot be obtained without disproportionate cost.
Communities and Local Government, if she make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward proposals to permit virtual meetings of (a) local authorities, (b) parish councils and (c) other public bodies on a permanent basis.
Government wants to ensure that local government is modern, efficient, flexible and diverse, and we are keen to break down barriers that prevent people from seeking to serve their communities. Allowing hybrid meetings could be a helpful step in doing that and we are keen to work with the sector to have an evidence based discussion about its merits.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the guidance entitled Local Sites: Guidance on their Identification, Selection and Management, published by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister in 2006, whether local wildlife trusts require landowner permission to designate an area as a local wildlife site.
Local Wildlife Sites are designated by local authorities for their significant nature or geological conservation value and should be identified, mapped and safeguarded through Local Plans. Local Wildlife Sites Partnerships, set up by the local authorities for their areas, have responsibility for selecting the sites. The Partnerships are often hosted by or include the Local Wildlife Trust and may include landowners. The decision for selection (or deselection) of sites, informed by local criteria and surveys, rests with the relevant Partnership. Each Partnership determines the approach to site selection for their area. Although they do not require landowners’ consent prior to designation, they will require approval to undertake necessary surveys on the land and should engage with relevant landowners before selecting sites.
If he will take steps to reinstate the Covid Medicines Delivery Unit to provide access to antiviral drugs for people with covid-19 infections who are clinically vulnerable.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for arranging access to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) recommended treatments, therefore it is not driven by the Department. It is up to ICBs to determine the best model of access for their eligible population.Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 are now routinely available for National Health Service patients at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19, in line with the approach to the rollout set out in the NICE’s guidance published last year.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers before October 2027.
Yes. This Government is committed to creating a roadmap to a zero-waste economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer; waste is reduced; we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs; our economy prospers; and nature thrives. We are reviewing the suite of packaging reforms and are going to work with our devolved government counterparts, industry and other stakeholders to determine the next steps for the Deposit Return Scheme. I would be happy to update the House in due course.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of accepting the recommendations of the report by the Law Commission on wedding law entitled Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law, published on 19 July 2022.
We are aware that weddings are an important issue for humanists and that the Law Commission has made recommendations for wholesale change of weddings law in July 2022. We will take the time as a new Government to properly consider this issue. We will set out our next steps on our manifesto commitment to strengthen rights and protections for women in cohabitating couples in the near future.
Communities and Local Government, by what date she intends to make it a requirement that all new homes and buildings should have solar panels as default except in defined cases; and by what date she will issue guidance as to those defined cases.
As set out in our manifesto, the Government will take steps to ensure we are building more high-quality, well-designed and sustainable homes. We will publish our response to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards 2023 consultation in due course.