Written questions by Stafford.

With reference to the National Cancer Plan for England, what empirical evidence his Department is reviewing to inform the design of mandatory alcohol health warnings, including those used in South Korea and Ireland.

The recently published National Cancer Plan reiterated the commitment made in Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Department officials are working at pace to review all available and emerging evidence. This includes data from a broad range of countries and engaging with a wide range of national and international stakeholders, including stakeholder feedback provided at and after the recent roundtables.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure industry and civil society are prepared for the forthcoming consultation on mandatory alcohol labelling; and whether draft policy scenarios will be shared with Parliament ahead of its launch of a consultation.

In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government committed to strengthening and expanding existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages. The plan can be accessed online at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the-futureThe Department is working towards opening a consultation in late 2026, setting out the options under consideration, for the public and businesses to respond to. The consultation will be prepared in line with guidance on seeking collective agreement across Government departments.

Including for long‑lifecycle products such as wine.

The recently published National Cancer Plan reiterated the commitment made in Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Department officials are currently exploring and assessing the potential options for and impacts of delivering this policy commitment, which includes reviewing all available and emerging evidence, and considering stakeholder feedback, having just completed a round of stakeholder engagement.The Department is working towards opening a consultation in late 2026, setting out the options under consideration, for the public and business to respond to.

Whether his Department has assessed the potential merits of using QR codes or digital labelling to supplement mandatory on‑label health warnings.

The recently published National Cancer Plan reiterated the commitment made in Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Department officials are currently exploring and assessing the potential options for and impacts of delivering this policy commitment, which includes reviewing all available and emerging evidence, and considering stakeholder feedback, having just completed a round of stakeholder engagement.The Department is working towards opening a consultation in late 2026, setting out the options under consideration, for the public and business to respond to.

With reference to the National Cancer Plan for England, if he will set out the formats for mandatory health warnings on alcohol labels that his Department is considering, including whether these include text‑only warnings, cancer‑specific messaging, imagery, rotating labels, and pictograms.

The recently published National Cancer Plan reiterated the commitment made in Fit for the Future: 10-Year Health Plan for England, to strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display consistent nutritional information and health warning messages.Department officials are currently exploring and assessing the potential options for and impacts of delivering this policy commitment, which includes reviewing all available and emerging evidence, and considering stakeholder feedback, having just completed a round of stakeholder engagement.The Department is working towards opening a consultation in late 2026, setting out the options under consideration, for the public and business to respond to.

What assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of historical sex-based discrimination in British nationality law on individuals born to British mothers prior to January 1983.

Legislative reforms made through the British Nationality Act 1981 removed previous sex-based restrictions on the acquisition of British nationality. Further changes made in 2003 and 2022 provide routes for individuals born before 1983 to claim citizenship under sections 4C and 4L of the 1981 Act, where they were previously unable to become British due to historical legislative unfairness.

When the Government plans to establish a task and finish group to oversee delivery of the Life Sciences Sector Plan as it relates to generic and biosimilar medicines.

The United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector is central to our Industrial Strategy, driving growth, investment, and high-quality jobs. As set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which we developed while working closely with the sector, there is an opportunity for the National Health Service to save £1 billion over five years through biosimilars uptake, delivering value for patients and the NHS. The Life Sciences Council is an important forum that brings together senior industry and Government leaders to shape the sector’s future. The Government remains committed to this partnership and is looking to convene the council in due course.Medicines UK and its members are represented on the Single National Formulary Industry Task and Finish Group. In addition, the Government is working to convene further task and finish groups to drive forward defined areas of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, including in the generic and biosimilars space. These groups will direct focused ministerial and official attention toward a clear set of priorities and will work closely with industry to deliver tangible progress within a set timeframe.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reinstating the Life Sciences Council with representation from the generic and biosimilar medicines industry.

The United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector is central to our Industrial Strategy, driving growth, investment, and high-quality jobs. As set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which we developed while working closely with the sector, there is an opportunity for the National Health Service to save £1 billion over five years through biosimilars uptake, delivering value for patients and the NHS. The Life Sciences Council is an important forum that brings together senior industry and Government leaders to shape the sector’s future. The Government remains committed to this partnership and is looking to convene the council in due course.Medicines UK and its members are represented on the Single National Formulary Industry Task and Finish Group. In addition, the Government is working to convene further task and finish groups to drive forward defined areas of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, including in the generic and biosimilars space. These groups will direct focused ministerial and official attention toward a clear set of priorities and will work closely with industry to deliver tangible progress within a set timeframe.

What consideration has been given to the role of the generic and biosimilar medicines sector in shaping life sciences policy, in the context of it supplying around 85% of NHS prescription drugs by volume.

The United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector is central to our Industrial Strategy, driving growth, investment, and high-quality jobs. As set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which we developed while working closely with the sector, there is an opportunity for the National Health Service to save £1 billion over five years through biosimilars uptake, delivering value for patients and the NHS. The Life Sciences Council is an important forum that brings together senior industry and Government leaders to shape the sector’s future. The Government remains committed to this partnership and is looking to convene the council in due course.Medicines UK and its members are represented on the Single National Formulary Industry Task and Finish Group. In addition, the Government is working to convene further task and finish groups to drive forward defined areas of the Life Sciences Sector Plan, including in the generic and biosimilars space. These groups will direct focused ministerial and official attention toward a clear set of priorities and will work closely with industry to deliver tangible progress within a set timeframe.

Whether the Government plans to reinstate the Life Sciences Council.

The United Kingdom’s world leading life sciences sector is central to our Industrial Strategy, driving growth, investment, and high-quality jobs. The sector is forecast to grow by £41 billion and create 100,000 jobs by 2030, supporting our ambition to lead Europe in life sciences by 2030.The Life Sciences Council is an important forum that brings together senior industry and Government leaders to shape the sector’s future. The Government remains committed to this partnership and is looking to convene the council in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to help increase the uptake of generic and biosimilar medicines to meet the objectives set out in the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan.

The United Kingdom is a global leader in adopting biosimilar and generic medicines, which deliver major National Health Service savings and expand patient access to effective treatments sooner. We are working with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and NHS England to understand forthcoming biosimilars and to ensure they reach the frontline efficiently. Through NHS England’s Best Value Biologicals Framework, clinicians start patients on the most cost‑effective biologics where appropriate, and switches are made swiftly and safely. This has already delivered £1.2 billion in savings over the past three years. As set out in the 10‑Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan, we are streamlining regulation, improving procurement, and reducing variation in uptake. NICE’s whole‑lifecycle approach ensures clinical pathways are regularly reviewed so that patients benefit as soon as cost‑effective generics and biosimilars become available, as seen in recent cancer treatments. These actions support timely access to effective off‑patent medicines and a sustainable, competitive market for the NHS.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a respiratory modern service framework on winter pressures on the NHS.

Modern service frameworks will define an aspirational, long-term outcome goal for a major condition and then identify the best evidenced interventions and the support for delivery. Early priorities will include cardiovascular disease, severe mental illness, and the first ever service framework for frailty and dementia.The Government will consider other long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks, including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future modern service frameworks will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. There has not, therefore, been a specific assessment made in relation to winter pressures.NHS England, working with the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, and other partners, is taking action to reduce the impact of respiratory conditions on the National Health Service this winter. Further details of the actions being taken to reduce demand on acute services during winter is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

Communities and Local Government, what progress his Department has made on setting out plans to seek further evidence from the park homes sector on the rationale for the maximum 10 per cent commission payable on the sale of a park home.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 97962 on 15 December 2025.

Whether his Department has assessed the potential impact of the removal, relocation and temporary decommissioning of rooftop telecommunications equipment as part of programmes to install rooftop solar panels, heat pumps and other energy infrastructure on mobile network coverage, including 5G.

No assessment has been made.

Whether his Department has considered the potential impact of alternative rooftop land uses, including solar panels and energy infrastructure, on the (a) valuation of properties hosting telecommunications equipment and (b) landowners’ willingness to continue hosting mobile network infrastructure.

No assessment has been made.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with (a) Waverley Borough Council and (b) East Hampshire District Council on the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspaces and housing delivery.

Local planning authorities must ensure that development does not adversely affect the integrity of sites protected under the Habitats Regulations (including through mitigation measures where appropriate).Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) is one type of mitigation for the recreational pressures that new housing can place on protected habitats like Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). It provides an attractive alternative green space for new residents, drawing visitors away from sensitive habitats.Local planning authorities are responsible for ensuring that developers deliver SANGs where they are needed, following an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations of a relevant development. It is therefore for local planning authorities to monitor local capacity of SANGs.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the availability of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace capacity within local planning authorities covering the (a) Thames Basin Heaths, (b) Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons, and (c) Wealden Heaths Phase II Special Protection Areas.

Local planning authorities must ensure that development does not adversely affect the integrity of sites protected under the Habitats Regulations (including through mitigation measures where appropriate).Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) is one type of mitigation for the recreational pressures that new housing can place on protected habitats like Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). It provides an attractive alternative green space for new residents, drawing visitors away from sensitive habitats.Local planning authorities are responsible for ensuring that developers deliver SANGs where they are needed, following an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations of a relevant development. It is therefore for local planning authorities to monitor local capacity of SANGs.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department collects or holds data on the number of residential planning permissions that cannot be implemented due to a lack of available Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace capacity.

Local planning authorities must ensure that development does not adversely affect the integrity of sites protected under the Habitats Regulations (including through mitigation measures where appropriate).Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) is one type of mitigation for the recreational pressures that new housing can place on protected habitats like Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). It provides an attractive alternative green space for new residents, drawing visitors away from sensitive habitats.Local planning authorities are responsible for ensuring that developers deliver SANGs where they are needed, following an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Regulations of a relevant development. It is therefore for local planning authorities to monitor local capacity of SANGs.

What discussions he has had with stakeholders on his Department's modelling of workforce numbers in the 10 Year Workforce Plan.

The Government will publish the 10 Year Workforce Plan in spring 2026. This plan will set out action to create a National Health Service workforce which is able to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. It is important we do this in a robust and joined up way. We are therefore engaging extensively with partners to ensure this plan delivers for staff and patients.That engagement began well before the call for evidence was closed. In early November, ministers hosted an event with nearly one hundred representatives of partner organisations to hear views from across the health system.Engagement is now continuing while we analyse the submissions to our call for evidence, including a roundtable with medical royal colleges on 14 January, which I chaired.We have committed to publishing regular workforce planning. This will start with the 10-Year Workforce Plan, which will include updated workforce modelling and its underlying assumptions when published in spring 2026. The updated workforce modelling will be subject to independent scrutiny by our appointed external scrutiny panel.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the risk to public safety from the publication of sensitive information relating to the physical security of properties on local authority planning registers.

My Department has made no such assessment.I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 106884 on 27 January 2026.