Written questions by Morris.

How much and what proportion of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant was allocated to rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment in each of the last five financial years.

Through the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG), the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted funding to improve drug and alcohol services and recovery support.Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services to meet local need. Further details are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-2025-to-2026/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-allocations-2025-to-2026For 2025/26, the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant (RSDATG) component of the DATRIG was published separately. £58.7 million is being provided through this component to support people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough with drug and alcohol treatment needs. Further information can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rough-sleeping-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-grant-2025-to-2026-funding-allocationsDue to there being some local authority flexibility around DATRIG spend, the previously separate grant components, other than the RSDATG element, have not been published.The DATRIG is new for this financial year. Before 2025/26, the RSDATG was a standalone grant, and up to £186.5 million was available between 2022 and 2025 to fund targeted drug and alcohol treatment services and support for the rough sleeping population in 83 local authorities and via five pan-London projects. Up to £75 million was available for the RSDATG programme between 2020 and 2022.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 41043 on Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment, what his Department's process of advertising the funding applications to NHS foundation trusts was.

In December 2024, NHS England wrote to all radiotherapy treatment providers inviting them to apply for funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines.

How much and what proportion of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant will be allocated to (a) inpatient detoxification, (b) housing support, (c) rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment and (d) supplemental substance misuse and recovery elements in the 2025-26 financial year.

Through the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG), the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted funding to improve drug and alcohol services and recovery support.Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services to meet local need. Further details are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-2025-to-2026/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-allocations-2025-to-2026For 2025/26, the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant (RSDATG) component of the DATRIG was published separately. £58.7 million is being provided through this component to support people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough with drug and alcohol treatment needs. Further information can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rough-sleeping-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-grant-2025-to-2026-funding-allocationsDue to there being some local authority flexibility around DATRIG spend, the previously separate grant components, other than the RSDATG element, have not been published.The DATRIG is new for this financial year. Before 2025/26, the RSDATG was a standalone grant, and up to £186.5 million was available between 2022 and 2025 to fund targeted drug and alcohol treatment services and support for the rough sleeping population in 83 local authorities and via five pan-London projects. Up to £75 million was available for the RSDATG programme between 2020 and 2022.

Whether he plans to (a) decentralise the commissioning of radiotherapy and (b) give English regions more control over (i) treatment pathways and (ii) new radiotherapy technologies.

The Government is investing £70 million of central funding to replace radiotherapy machines, to ensure the most advanced treatment is available to patients who need it, however since April 2022, the responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy machines has been with local systems.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including those undergoing radiotherapy treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

When the most recent new NHS radiotherapy centre was built that was not linked to the closure of an existing centre in (a) England and (b) the North East.

The Department does not collect information as to why new radiotherapy centres were built, and what links may exist with closures of radiotherapy centres. This is because decisions about radiotherapy treatment are made at local level.However, the most recent NHS radiotherapy centre in England that opened was the Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre in Milton Keynes which opened to patients in January 2025. The most recent radiotherapy centre to open in the North East of England is at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough, which opened in May 2012.

What data his Department holds on the availability of Buvidal, broken down by region.

Ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice have discussed the issue. The Department of Health and Social Care advises local areas that they can use the funding given to them to deliver drug and alcohol treatment to enable prescribing of buprenorphine long-acting injection in their areas, and advises and supports local areas to establish, maintain and grow this provision and this includes for those who leave prison.It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice. Buvidal is available in all regions in England; the following table shows its availability in community structured treatment as a proportion of the overall population in treatment for opiate use, broken down by region, for the fourth quarter of 2023/24, the latest period for which data is available:RegionAdults in treatment for opiatesBuprenorphine long lasting injectionBuprenorphine long lasting injection (%)East Midlands116191841.58%East of England108862262.08%London176306863.89%North East101213293.25%North West241169393.89%South East144852821.95%South West133712882.15%West Midlands166663422.05%Yorkshire & the Humber183555292.88%England13724938052.77%Source: National Drug Treatment Monitoring System March 2024

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 31856 on Buprenorphine, if he will hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of ensuring Buvidal is made available on release from prison to all people who have received Buvidal whilst in prison.

Ministers in the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice have discussed the issue. The Department of Health and Social Care advises local areas that they can use the funding given to them to deliver drug and alcohol treatment to enable prescribing of buprenorphine long-acting injection in their areas, and advises and supports local areas to establish, maintain and grow this provision and this includes for those who leave prison.It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice. Buvidal is available in all regions in England; the following table shows its availability in community structured treatment as a proportion of the overall population in treatment for opiate use, broken down by region, for the fourth quarter of 2023/24, the latest period for which data is available:RegionAdults in treatment for opiatesBuprenorphine long lasting injectionBuprenorphine long lasting injection (%)East Midlands116191841.58%East of England108862262.08%London176306863.89%North East101213293.25%North West241169393.89%South East144852821.95%South West133712882.15%West Midlands166663422.05%Yorkshire & the Humber183555292.88%England13724938052.77%Source: National Drug Treatment Monitoring System March 2024

When his Department plans to conclude its consultation on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.

We are working at pace with Community Pharmacy England to ensure that the funding we have available is used to support community pharmacy in the best way possible. We will announce the outcome in the normal manner, by letter to contractors, when the consultation has concluded.

When his Department plans to publish the contract for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.

We are working at pace with Community Pharmacy England to ensure that the funding we have available is used to support community pharmacy in the best way possible. We will announce the outcome in the normal manner, by letter to contractors, when the consultation has concluded.

Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of ringfencing funding for buvidal.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need, and this includes the provision of buprenorphine long-acting injections, including Buvidal. The Department funds local authorities to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services through the Public Health Grant and the additional Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant. Through the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant, the Department allocated local authorities an additional £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Funding for 2025/26 will be announced very shortly.The Department has advised local areas that they are able to use these funding sources to enable the prescribing of buprenorphine long-acting injections in their areas, and advises and supports local areas to establish, maintain, and grow this provision. The Department promotes sharing and learning between local authorities and is working on additional clinical guidance which will be published later this year.It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice. Buvidal is available in all regions in England, including in County Durham and Easington, and including for those who have been released from prison. The Government has no current plans to ring fence funding specifically for the provision of Buvidal and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not held discussions with Cabinet colleagues specifically on this issue and the provision of Buvidal for prisoners.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of buvidal in (a) County Durham and (b) Easington constituency.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need, and this includes the provision of buprenorphine long-acting injections, including Buvidal. The Department funds local authorities to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services through the Public Health Grant and the additional Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant. Through the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant, the Department allocated local authorities an additional £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Funding for 2025/26 will be announced very shortly.The Department has advised local areas that they are able to use these funding sources to enable the prescribing of buprenorphine long-acting injections in their areas, and advises and supports local areas to establish, maintain, and grow this provision. The Department promotes sharing and learning between local authorities and is working on additional clinical guidance which will be published later this year.It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice. Buvidal is available in all regions in England, including in County Durham and Easington, and including for those who have been released from prison. The Government has no current plans to ring fence funding specifically for the provision of Buvidal and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not held discussions with Cabinet colleagues specifically on this issue and the provision of Buvidal for prisoners.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the availability of Buvidal.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need, and this includes the provision of buprenorphine long-acting injections, including Buvidal. The Department funds local authorities to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services through the Public Health Grant and the additional Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant. Through the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant, the Department allocated local authorities an additional £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Funding for 2025/26 will be announced very shortly.The Department has advised local areas that they are able to use these funding sources to enable the prescribing of buprenorphine long-acting injections in their areas, and advises and supports local areas to establish, maintain, and grow this provision. The Department promotes sharing and learning between local authorities and is working on additional clinical guidance which will be published later this year.It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice. Buvidal is available in all regions in England, including in County Durham and Easington, and including for those who have been released from prison. The Government has no current plans to ring fence funding specifically for the provision of Buvidal and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not held discussions with Cabinet colleagues specifically on this issue and the provision of Buvidal for prisoners.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the availability of buvidal for people released from prison.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need, and this includes the provision of buprenorphine long-acting injections, including Buvidal. The Department funds local authorities to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services through the Public Health Grant and the additional Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant. Through the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant, the Department allocated local authorities an additional £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Funding for 2025/26 will be announced very shortly.The Department has advised local areas that they are able to use these funding sources to enable the prescribing of buprenorphine long-acting injections in their areas, and advises and supports local areas to establish, maintain, and grow this provision. The Department promotes sharing and learning between local authorities and is working on additional clinical guidance which will be published later this year.It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice. Buvidal is available in all regions in England, including in County Durham and Easington, and including for those who have been released from prison. The Government has no current plans to ring fence funding specifically for the provision of Buvidal and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not held discussions with Cabinet colleagues specifically on this issue and the provision of Buvidal for prisoners.

What steps he is taking to increase the availability of non-invasive cancer treatment technologies in the NHS.

Data on the number of cancer patients that have had access to minimally invasive cancer therapies in the last year by integrated care board (ICB), is not collected. The adoption of new treatments, including increasing the number and availability of minima...

How many cancer patients have had access to minimally invasive cancer therapies in the last year by integrated care board.

Data on the number of cancer patients that have had access to minimally invasive cancer therapies in the last year by integrated care board (ICB), is not collected. The adoption of new treatments, including increasing the number and availability of minima...

Whether (a) access to radiotherapy cancer treatment and (b) overall cancer treatment waiting times are within the scope of the independent investigation of NHS performance led by Professor Lord Darzi.

My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has commissioned Professor Lord Darzi of Denham to conduct an immediate and independent investigation of the National Health Service. Professor Lord Darzi will be considering data and intelligence across a broad range of measures, assessing patient access to healthcare, the quality of healthcare being provided, and the overall performance of the health system. Full Terms of Reference for the review can be found on GOV.UK website.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2024 to question 52 on Dental Health: Pupils, for what reason the National Screening Committee have not reviewed school dental screening recommendations in the period 2022-23.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) was due to review screening for dental disease in children under nine years old in 2022/23. However, a number of reviews, including this one, were delayed due to staff depletion and delays to recruitment, following the UK NSC secretariat function moving into the Department, and the Committee’s remit expanding. Staffing levels have now been resolved, and the UK NSC is addressing the outstanding reviews in their planned three-year programme of work.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2024 to question 52 on Dental Health: Pupils, when the UK National Screening Committee will next review recommendations on school dental screening.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) was due to review screening for dental disease in children under nine years old in 2022/23. However, a number of reviews, including this one, were delayed due to staff depletion and delays to recruitment, following the UK NSC secretariat function moving into the Department, and the Committee’s remit expanding. Staffing levels have now been resolved, and the UK NSC is addressing the outstanding reviews in their planned three-year programme of work.

If he will take steps to ensure that the National Equipment Tracking and Inventory System highlights radiotherapy cancer treatment machines that are over 10 years old; and if he will ensure that sufficient capital funding is available to replace those machines.

The Department can confirm that the National Equipment Tracking and Inventory System highlights radiotherapy cancer treatment machines within the National Health Service, as well as their associated ages.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 NHS for 2022 to 2025, and the latest Capital Planning Guidance.

What steps he plans to take to increase radiotherapy treatment capacity in the NHS.

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...