Written questions by Shannon.

Whether NHS England has made an assessment of the adequacy of the preparedness of NHS trusts to implement new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in the context of lessons learned from recent early access programmes.

The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options. If new therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy are approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), then appropriate commissioning plans will be put in place to enable equitable access to treatment through Specialised Neurology Services.The delivery of timely and equitable access to new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy under company-sponsored early access schemes is not the responsibility of NHS England. Individual pharmaceutical companies may put in place Early Access Programmes (EAPs) to allow early access to new medicines that do not yet have a marketing authorisation. Participation in EAPs is decided at an individual National Health Service trust level, and under these programmes, the cost of the drug is free to both patients taking part in it, and to the National Health Service, although NHS trusts must still cover administration costs and provide clinical resources to deliver the EAP.There are no common clinical, data, or regulatory standards for company-sponsored EAPs, meaning each one demands a new protocol to be devised and delivered by each participating trust, which can create significant pressures on clinical and financial resources. Companies providing a sponsored EAP also reserve the right to limit or to close registration of new patients at any time, meaning that any financial and clinical investment made by trusts to establish an EAP could be undermined by a commercial decision that would most likely happen in the event of the treatment not being recommended following an appraisal by NICE.NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge (FoC) medicine schemes, including EAPs, providing advice on potential financial, resourcing, and clinical risks.ICSs should use the guidance to help determine whether to implement any FoC scheme, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/

Whether his Department has made recent progress on making one-off payments to healthcare staff.

The most recent one-off payments for National Health Service staff in England were agreed as part of the 2023 Agenda for Change pay deal. No future one-off payments are actively being considered.The Department provided funding to cover the cost of these payments to eligible staff. It is the responsibility of local employing organisations to ensure correct payments are made to eligible staff.

If he will (a) publish a strategy to help improve the (i) diagnosis and (ii) detection of less survivable cancers and (b) ensure comprehensive (A) commissioning and (B) diagnostic capacity in (1) non-specific symptoms pathways, (2) urgent suspected cancer pathways and (3) GP direct access.

The Department is working to develop a new National Cancer Plan, which will include further details on how we will improve the diagnosis and detection of less survivable cancers.As set out in the new plan for reforming elective care, the Government is committed to improving diagnostic capacity for cancer patients. Providers have been asked to identify local opportunities in both community diagnostic centres (CDCs) and hospital based diagnostic services to improve performance against the NHS Constitution standard for diagnostics and the cancer faster diagnosis standard, to reduce the number of patients waiting too long for a confirmed diagnosis of cancer and to start treatment.The 2025/26 capital guidance confirmed that £1.65 billion of capital funding will be allocated to support National Health Service performance across secondary and emergency care across 2025/26 more broadly. This includes £0.6 billion which has been provisionally allocated for interventions to increase diagnostic capacity, including expanding existing CDCs, as well as building up to five new CDCs in 2025/26.To expand diagnostic capacity in the non-specific symptom pathway (NSS), the NHS is rolling out rapid diagnostic centres (RDC) as part of the NSS pathway, where patients suspected of having cancer can get the right tests at the right time in as few visits as possible. RDC pathways promote the continuous improvement of cancer diagnostics.The NHS is also expanding direct access to diagnostic scans across all general practices through the national roll out of fast track testing, helping to cut waiting times and speed up cancer diagnosis or cancer all-clear for patients, including developing and delivering at least 10 straight-to-test pathways by March 2026.

Representing the Church Commissioners, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the steps the Church is taking to help tackle (a) modern slavery and (b) human trafficking.

Modern slavery remains hidden in British society, and the National Church Institutions of the Church of England take human trafficking and modern slavery seriously. With the support of the then Prime Minister Theresa May, the Church set up the Clewer Initiative in 2017 as its response to the prevalence of modern slavery, developing several tools for addressing modern slavery through the 'Car Wash' and 'Nail Bar' apps, and creating resources for identifying and tackling the exploitative agricultural and social care labour, sexual exploitation, and county lines traffickingThe Clewer Initiative continues to work closely across the Church in its parishes and dioceses to raise awareness through engagement with police, support and information services, and direct work with victims of trafficking in communities. You can find out more about their work here: https://theclewerinitiative.org. As the Clewer Initiative is in the process of becoming a separate charity, the National Church Institutions cannot provide a more detailed assessment of their workThe parishes of the Church of England are, through the clergy and congregations, committed to tackling the issues of modern slavery and offering support and signposting to victims on an ongoing basisThe Church Commissioners have continued at a global level to challenge the businesses in which they invest to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. Details about the policies of the National Investing Bodies towards Human Rights, modern slavery, and combating trafficking can be found here: human-rights-advice-and-policy.pdf. Page 38 of the Church Commissioners' stewardship report also gives more details about how the Church Commissioners are addressing modern slavery in the companies in which they invest: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/6677_cc_stewardship_v11b_0.pdfThe Lord Bishop of Bristol, who serves as the Church's lead Bishop on modern slavery, continues to advocate for more action on modern slavery through her work in Parliament with the Government and civil society. London has the highest number of reported cases of modern slavery, and the Diocese of London has recently launched a campaign and resources to inform, support and address this issue. More information can be found here: https://www.london.anglican.org/church-and-parish-support/compassionate-communities/refugees-asylum-seekers-modern-slavery/responding-to-modern-slavery/?searchterm=modern+slavery National Church Institutions staff are also receiving training to help them spot signs of modern slavery and how to access help for those affected.

Whether he plans to increase funding for the research and development of diagnostic (a) tests and (b) tools to help support GPs to (i) diagnose and (ii) detect less survivable cancers (A) earlier and (B) faster.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.6 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.The level of funding for research and development generally depends on funding applications received. The NIHR continues to welcome high quality, high impact funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including less survivable cancers.In September 2024, the NIHR awarded £2.4 million to develop an artificial intelligence tool to support general practitioners (GPs) to identify suspected cancer faster and more effectively. It will use lung and pancreatic cancers as the first test cases. The NIHR also funded recently completed, January 2025, research into understanding how GPs use existing national guidance for urgent suspected cancer referral in primary care, with the findings expected to be published later this year.It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer earlier and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes for all patients across England. We are improving public awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, streamlining referral routes, and increasing the availability of diagnostic capacity through the roll-out of more community diagnostic centres.We are also investing an additional £889 million in GPs to reinforce the front door of the NHS, bringing total spend on the GP Contract to £13.2 billion in 2025/26. This is the biggest increase in over a decade. We are committed to ensuring that GPs have the right training and systems to identify cancer. The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients. It will aim to speed up diagnosis and treatment and ensure all patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with international partners to help ensure that people are not subject to violence due to their religion.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in, and we work to promote tolerance and mutual respect for all.We continue to highlight FoRB violations and abuses on the international stage, including through our position at the UN and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB.We work with our allies and partners to encourage all states to uphold their international human rights obligations and hold those who violate or abuse human rights to account.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to support efforts to tackle (a) malaria and (b) other diseases of poverty globally.

The UK is a leading donor to the fight against Malaria. Our £1 billion pledge (2023-2025) to the Global Fund will support distributing 86 million treated mosquito nets, provide 452,000 doses of seasonal malaria chemoprevention and provide malaria treatment for 18 million people. The UK's £1.65 billion funding (2021-2025) to Gavi is helping to fund the rollout of malaria vaccines in up to 25 countries by the end of 2025. This is complemented by investments to support research and development and to improve access to key malaria products and support to the World Health Organisation and others to strengthen health systems. Additionally, our £1 billion funding to the Global Fund is expected to provide antiretroviral therapy for 1.8 million people and provide Tuberculosis treatment and care for 1.1 million people. Our £1.65 billion funding to Gavi will support immunisation of 300 million children and save up to 8 million lives from vaccine preventable diseases.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Assembly on supporting innovation in cyber security expansion.

DSIT continues to support Northern Ireland’s cyber ecosystem through key investments such as the Cyber AI Hub programme at Queen’s University Belfast. The programme drives innovation in AI-based cyber security technologies, research, and skills development.During Cyber NI Week 2025 I visited Belfast and met with NI stakeholders to discuss the strengths of the sector and explore the opportunities and challenges for growth.More broadly, my DSIT ministerial colleagues and I regularly engage with Ministers in the NI Executive to maximise the benefits of science and technology across Northern Ireland. DSIT also has a Regional Cyber Lead in Northern Ireland who regularly engages with the sector, including relevant policy teams in the Northern Ireland Executive.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of government services for elderly people.

The Government is committed to ensuring that digital public services are accessible to all, including elderly people.Public sector bodies must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines standard supporting a wide range of users.Service Standard point 5. requires departments to consider the full range of users, including those who may lack confidence or digital skillsService Standard point 3. ensures that alternatives to digital access, such as telephone or face-to-face, are available and usable by all.We continue to improve inclusion across government services, recognising the importance of designing services that work well for older people and other groups at risk.The UK government is supporting the skills pipeline in the UK, including developing the Industrial Strategy, setting up Skills England and launching the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review. Digital skills will be a critical part of this work and include skills provision for vulnerable groups’ (including older adults).

Whether she has had recent discussions with (a) Capita and (b) other relevant organisations on ensuring that Personal Independence Payment assessors have specialist knowledge in (i) multiple sclerosis, (ii) Crohn's and (iii) other non-visible disabilities.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognises the importance of ensuring that health professionals (HPs) conducting assessments possess the necessary experience, skills, and training. To uphold this standard, DWP has established clear competency requirements, outlined in both guidance and regulations. Assessment suppliers (AS) must demonstrate that their HPs meet these standards before they are authorised to carry out assessments on behalf of the department. DWP does not require HPs to be specialists in the specific medical conditions or impairments of the individuals they assess. Instead, the emphasis is on ensuring HPs are experts in disability analysis, focusing on how a person’s condition affects their daily life and functional abilities. All HPs receive thorough training in disability analysis, which includes evaluating the impact of a wide range of health conditions on everyday activities. To support this, DWP provides AS with core training materials and guidance on conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Ulcerative Colitis, and other non-visible disabilities. These contain clinical and functional information relevant to the conditions and is quality assured to ensure its accuracy from both a clinical and policy perspective.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a right to consular assistance for medical emergencies.

The Government is committed to strengthening consular services, including introducing a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is considering a package of measures to achieve this, which we will announce in due course.

How many children aged one to five have been prescribed montelukast in each of the last five years.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds patient identifiable data relating to drugs prescribed in England and dispensed within a community setting, and which are submitted to the NHSBSA for processing.The following table shows the total number of identified children in the requested age bands that were prescribed Montelukast for the financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025:Financial yearAge band one to five years oldAge band five to 11 years old2020/202131,44857,0572021/202244,67562,5872022/202347,30169,8372023/202441,34674,8592024/202530,84970,903Data Source: NHSBSA Information Services Data Warehouse.It should be noted that the age ranges requested overlap for children aged five years old, so the given age bands should not be added or combined.Care should be taken when interpreting the patient counts, as some patients could appear in the results for multiple time periods. For example, a single patient could appear in the results for multiple financial years. Therefore, the patient numbers should not be combined and reported at any other levels other than as provided in the dataset.

How many children aged between one to five years of age have been prescribed Clenil in each of the last five years.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds patient identifiable data relating to drugs prescribed in England and dispensed within a community setting, and which are submitted to the NHSBSA for processing. The following table shows the total number of identified children in specific age bands that were prescribed Clenil Modulite for the financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025:Financial yearAge band one to five years oldAge band six to 10 years old2020/202184,498149,2962021/2022127,765160,1422022/2023138,224171,3232023/2024124,551179,8652024/2025105,336172,698Data Source: NHSBSA Information Services Data Warehouse.Please note that care should be taken when interpreting the patient counts as some patients could appear in the results for multiple time periods and age bands. For example, a single patient could appear in the results for multiple financial years, or at both ages five and six years old within the same year. Therefore, the patient numbers should not be combined and reported at any other levels other than as provided in the dataset.

How many children aged between six to 10 years of age have been prescribed Clenil in each of the last five years.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds patient identifiable data relating to drugs prescribed in England and dispensed within a community setting, and which are submitted to the NHSBSA for processing. The following table shows the total number of identified children in specific age bands that were prescribed Clenil Modulite for the financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025:Financial yearAge band one to five years oldAge band six to 10 years old2020/202184,498149,2962021/2022127,765160,1422022/2023138,224171,3232023/2024124,551179,8652024/2025105,336172,698Data Source: NHSBSA Information Services Data Warehouse.Please note that care should be taken when interpreting the patient counts as some patients could appear in the results for multiple time periods and age bands. For example, a single patient could appear in the results for multiple financial years, or at both ages five and six years old within the same year. Therefore, the patient numbers should not be combined and reported at any other levels other than as provided in the dataset.

What steps she is taking to support young people not able to work due to primary caring responsibilities.

As announced in the “Get Britain Working” White Paper, we are launching a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. Young people (16-24) who have full-time caring responsibilities may be eligible for Universal Credit which provides additional financial support for primary carers of children and those who provide unpaid care for a person who is receiving an eligible disability benefit. They are not required to work but can ask for employment support if they want to combine caring with work. If they are in Work Focused Interview or Work Preparation groups, they can voluntarily access the Youth Offer. DWP offers an extensive range of support through jobcentres and local partners. Childcare support is available for those with childcare responsibilities to enable them to work as well as care for their children.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help improve the condition of social housing properties.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 6 February 2025 (HCWS423).

How many children aged between five to 11 years of age have been prescribed Montelukast in each of the last five years.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) holds patient identifiable data relating to drugs prescribed in England and dispensed within a community setting, and which are submitted to the NHSBSA for processing.The following table shows the total number of identified children in the requested age bands that were prescribed Montelukast for the financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025:Financial yearAge band one to five years oldAge band five to 11 years old2020/202131,44857,0572021/202244,67562,5872022/202347,30169,8372023/202441,34674,8592024/202530,84970,903Data Source: NHSBSA Information Services Data Warehouse.It should be noted that the age ranges requested overlap for children aged five years old, so the given age bands should not be added or combined.Care should be taken when interpreting the patient counts, as some patients could appear in the results for multiple time periods. For example, a single patient could appear in the results for multiple financial years. Therefore, the patient numbers should not be combined and reported at any other levels other than as provided in the dataset.

How many children are on the waiting list for tonsillectomy; and how many of those have been waiting for (a) under one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years and (e) over five years.

The Government has committed to returning to the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of all patients wait no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment for consultant-led care, including children who require a tonsillectomy. As a first step towards this, we have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments across elective services, having now delivered over three million more.There were 11,091 cases where a child was waiting for tonsillectomy as of 11 May 2025. Of those, in 9,205 cases the child had been waiting under one year and in 1,886 cases the child had been waiting between one and two years. There were no cases where a child had been waiting more than two years.

What recent discussions she has had with university leaders on tackling antisemitism.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will shortly convene a roundtable discussion on antisemitism with a group of Vice Chancellors. This will be an opportunity to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.

What recent discussions she has had with the Office for Students on antisemitism at universities.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education will shortly convene a roundtable discussion on antisemitism with several Vice Chancellors. The Office for Students (OfS) will be represented at this roundtable. This will be an opportunity to discuss what more can be done collectively, and at all levels, to make our universities a safe and inclusive environment for all.Departmental officials meet regularly with the OfS and have discussed campus antisemitism with them in the context of the implementation of the new E6 condition, and when considering how best to uphold the rights of minority groups alongside freedom of speech.