Written questions by Shannon.

What steps he is taking to help tackle rickets.

Rickets is a condition that affects bone development in children. Cases of rickets are rare in the United Kingdom, and have been relatively consistent over recent years. The most common cause of rickets is a lack of vitamin D and calcium, although in rare cases, children can be born with a genetic form of the condition.Since it is difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, the Government advises that everyone should consider taking a daily 10-microgram vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, pregnant and breastfeeding women, all children aged one to four years old, and all babies, unless they're having more than 500 millilitre of infant formula a day, should take a daily supplement throughout the year. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D include:⎯ those who are not often outdoors, for example if they're frail or housebound;⎯ are in an institution like a care home;⎯ usually wear clothes that cover up most of their skin when outdoors; and⎯ those who have dark skin, such as people with an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background. Government advice on vitamin D is communicated via the NHS.UK website and the social marketing campaigns Start4Life, Better Health, and Healthier Families. Through our Healthy Food Schemes, like Healthy Start, Nursery Milk, and the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, the Government provides a nutritional safety net to those who need it the most. Beneficiaries of our food scheme Healthy Start are eligible for free Healthy Start vitamins, which include vitamin C and D. The law also requires the addition of vitamin D to all infant formula.

What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on water charges in Northern Ireland.

I have discussed with the First and deputy First Minister the urgent need to transform how public services are funded and delivered in Northern Ireland. It is for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly to make decisions on how to sustainably fund public services in Northern Ireland within its Budget and to raise revenue to support this. This Government is committed to supporting the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure better outcomes for citizens.

How many people have been admitted to hospital following a drug overdose in the last 12 months.

Information on hospital admissions is not available in the format requested. NHS England publishes data on the number of admissions due to accidental and intentional poisoning by substance type. This information is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-admitted-patient-care-activity/2022-23

If he will make it his policy to publish an action plan to help tackle heart disease.

The NHS Long Term Plan set an aim to prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes, and dementia cases by 2029, and activity is underway. However, we know there is more to do to tackle cardiovascular disease, including heart disease. That is why in our Health Mission to Build an NHS Fit for the Future, we have committed to reducing deaths from heart disease and strokes by a quarter within 10 years. The Department and NHS England are working together on this ambitious mission, and we will share more in due course.

Whether she has had discussions with the devolved Administrations on ensuring value for money in legal aid provision.

Legal aid is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland. My Rt. Hon. friend the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice has not yet had the opportunity to discuss legal aid with the devolved governments. Ministers look forward to working with their counterparts in the devolved governments on a range of issues, including legal aid.

What plans he has to roll-out self-sampling cervical cancer tests.

A recently published YouScreen study provides evidence on offering a self-sampling test to non-attenders in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) plans to review this evidence and make a recommendation by the e...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing clean energy generation on energy efficiency.

Investing in clean energy at speed and scale is the only way to deliver energy security and protect families from future energy shocks.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the proportion of defence spending that is allocated to Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland and its defence sector companies play an important role in the collective defence of the United Kingdom and the promotion of our global interests. The Strategic Defence Review, launched by the Prime Minister on 16 July 2024, will ensure defence is central to both the security and the economic growth and prosperity of the whole United Kingdom.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing VAT from the sale of defibrillators; and if she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the potential impact of doing so on access to defibrillators.

The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. For example, when an AED is purchased with funds provided by a charity and then donated to an eligible body no VAT is charged.VAT is the UK’s second largest tax forecast to raise £176 billion in 2024/25. Taxation is a vital source of revenue which helps to fund public services.The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.

If he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Health Minister on the provision of NHS dental care in Northern Ireland.

Whilst the provision of National Health Service dental care is devolved, My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care intends to engage fully with Ministers from all four nations on matters crucial to the future of our health and social care system. My Rt hon. Friend will keep me updated on these discussions.

If he will take steps with the food industry to help reduce the calorie content of processed foods.

The Government recognises that prevention will always be better, and cheaper, than a cure, and we will take preventative public health measures to tackle the biggest killers and to support people in living longer, healthier lives.As suppliers of what we eat and drink, the food industry has a key role to play in supporting the health of the nation. The voluntary calorie reduction programme requires businesses in all sectors to reduce the level of calories in the everyday food we buy for consumption, in or out of the home. This delivers change that will enable consumers to eat more healthily, without having to change their usual diets. Processed foods in scope of the programme include pizzas, crisps, sandwiches, and ready meals.Retailers and manufacturers are required to reduce calorie levels by 10%, and out of home businesses, including takeaway and delivery, are required to reduce calorie levels by 20%, against a 2017 baseline. Up to 25% of all adult energy intake is consumed out of the home, and foods and dishes served in the out of home sector generally contain double the levels of calories seen in similar products purchased in supermarkets, which is why they have a higher target.The first progress report on the voluntary programme showed generally little change in calorie levels across all sectors and categories between 2017 and 2021, so it is clear that more needs to be done. The Government recognises that we face an obesity crisis and need to act. As set out in the King's Speech, the Government will bring forward the necessary secondary legislation to ban junk food advertising to children, and to stop the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16-year-olds.

Whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that people who are eligible for IVF treatment receive three cycles of NHS-funded treatment.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. Organisations are expected to commission fertility services in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines, which are based on the clinical evidence of the most effective treatment. The Department will be working with NHS England to support ICBs in improving the current National Health Service offer for patients.

What plans he has to roll out Fracture Liaison Services.

More than 500,000 fragility fractures occur every year, and up to 40% of fracture patients will suffer another fracture. I am pleased to reiterate the Government’s commitment to expanding access to fracture liaison services. The Department is working closely with NHS England to develop plans to ensure better quality and access to these important preventive services.

What steps she plans to take to tackle the number of small boat crossings.

Dangerous small boat crossings are undermining our border security and putting lives at risk. The recent tragic incidents in the Channel underscore that danger and show why it is imperative to tackle the criminal gangs responsible for facilitating them. The new Border Security Command (BSC) has been launched. It will be led by a new Border Security Commander, reporting directly to the Home Secretary, who will provide strategic direction to the National Crime Agency, police, intelligence agencies, Immigration Enforcement, and Border Force to relentlessly pursue and smash the criminal gangs. Through the new BSC, work is already underway to recruit more investigators, experts and analysts, and new counter-terrorism style powers will equip law enforcement partners to pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for this vile trade. We will continue to work closely with our French counterparts and seek closer cooperation with our European and International partners to prevent further dangerous crossings and reduce risk to life at sea.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of AI on public sector productivity.

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) is working with departments to assess the potential of digital transformation on key public facing services, and to improve them. CDDO continues to assess the potential impacts of AI on public service productivity, and is collaborating with departments to explore AI opportunities aimed at enhancing Civil Service productivity, looking to then trial the products to assess the real-world impact.

What will be the (a) role and (b) remit of the proposed new Armed Forces Commissioner.

The Armed Forces Commissioner will be a strong independent champion of our Armed Forces and their families, to improve service life. The new Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for service personnel and their families to raise issues impacting service life. They will have the power to proactively launch independent reviews into issues affecting Service personnel and their families more widely, and to lay those reports before Parliament. The Commissioner will also incorporate the functions currently undertaken by the Service Complaints Ombudsman The Armed Forces Commissioner will strengthen Parliamentary oversight of issues facing our Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will be subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Defence Select Committee and will report directly to Parliament, not Ministers, via an annual report. There will be opportunities to fully debate the role and remit of the Armed Forces Commissioner when the Government brings forward the relevant Legislation referenced in the King’s Speech.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps with the European Commission to allow the Northern Ireland Executive to allocate state aid to fisheries projects in the same manner as other UK nations.

A key aim for this administration is to reset the UK government’s relationship with devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and EU and therefore look forward to discussions on a range of issues relating to the Windsor Framework, including State aid.

Media and Sport, if she will undertake a review of the BBC licence fee in the context of changing viewing habits of the public.

The Government is committed to the licence fee for the remainder of the current Charter period. The Government will keep an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and will engage with the BBC and other relevant stakeholders before deciding on next steps.

If she will introduce a new modern slavery strategy.

Modern slavery is a scourge that traumatises and dehumanises its victims. The Government is committed to tackling it, taking a holistic approach that puts victims first. We will update on the future of Home Office policies in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle unemployment for people aged between 18 and 24.

The Department understands the negative effects of unemployment can be particularly pronounced for young people and can have longstanding implications on their future earnings potential and life chances. This is why DWP have a particular focus on ensuring young people are supported into employment, whilst also recognising their needs will vary depending on where they live and their own individual circumstances. Existing operations will be reviewed in line with the new government’s priorities.The Governments Back to Work Plan is critical to growing the economy. This includes implementing a new national jobs and career service to help get more people into work alongside a Youth Guarantee, meaning more quality opportunities for training, an apprenticeship or help to find work for all young people aged 18-21 years old, to prevent them becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age.DWP currently provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.