Written questions by Shannon.

How many children have been given a meningococcal vaccine in the last 12 months.

The UK Health Security Agency measures the coverage of vaccines against meningococcal disease. The latest figures for Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly (COVER) are for the period from April 2023 to March 2024, and meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccination figures cover the period from September 2023 to August 2024.The 2023 to 2024 annual published COVER figures at 12 months, given between eight weeks and 16 weeks, for the meningitis B vaccine are 62,0552 out of 68,1961 babies, or 91.0%. The 2023 to 2024 annual published COVER figures at two years, given at 12 months, for the haemophilus influenzae type B and meningitis C vaccine is 64,7263 out of 72,6395 babies, or 89.1%. The 2023 to 2024 annual published COVER figures at two years, given at 12 months, for the meningitis B vaccination booster is 63,7955 out of 72,6395 babies, or 87.8%. A total of 34,4062 out of 72,5289, or 47.4%, of 14-year-olds, those born between 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010, had received the MenACWY vaccine during the 2023 to 2024 academic year. Information on the coverage of vaccines against meningococcal disease is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-immunisation-statistics/england-2023-24

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help (a) reduce and (b) prevent the use of ketamine by (i) people under the age of 25 and (ii) other people.

The Department takes seriously the threat of ketamine and other drugs to our young people, and is working with partners across the Government to respond to existing and new drug threats and to reduce and prevent the health harms. We know that drug treatment is protective, and the number of places in treatment for people who use drugs other than opiates is being increased by 30,000.The Government has a drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK, which aims to reduce drug misuse and its harms by increasing awareness for young people and parents. Information on ketamine and the danger of its misuse is available at the following link:https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/ketamineThe Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) is developing a briefing on ketamine for local areas, many of which are already mobilising in response to local need. The OHID also commissions drug education materials to be used by schools in personal, social, health, and economic education.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the child vaccination rate for (a) MMR and (b) other dangerous diseases.

In England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works closely with NHS England and the Department and wider health system partners at the national regional and local levels to improve uptake of the routine childhood immunisations and catch-up children who missed out.Increasing uptake of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in order to achieve the World Health Organization target of 95% uptake by the time children reach five years old is a key priority for the National Health Service and a clear commitment in its Long Term Plan, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-term-plan/The first UKHSA Childhood Immunisation communication campaign, encouraging parents to ensure their child’s vaccinations were up to date, ran from 4 March until mid-April 2024. The current campaign is running from 26 August until 4 October 2024. To raise awareness of potential vaccination benefits and increase awareness of the programmes, UKHSA also provides a comprehensive suite of public facing resources, including information leaflets in multiple languages and accessible formats, including easy read, BSL and braille, and provides comprehensive clinical guidance, including e-learning programmes and training, for healthcare professionals.

What assessment she has has made of the adequacy of student accommodation provision.

Education is a devolved matter, and this response outlines the information for England only.Student accommodation is a busy part of the housing market. As universities and landlords are private, autonomous bodies, the government has no role in the provision of student accommodation, nor a remit to intervene in how it is allocated.The department recognises the concerns that many students have about the availability and cost of their accommodation. We expect universities and private landlords to review their accommodation policies to ensure they are affordable, fair, clear and promote the interests of students.All student landlords must be registered with a local authority or belong to one of the three government-sponsored Accommodation Codes of Practice. Since 2006, these have protected the interests of students to ensure standards are maintained and disputes are resolved promptly.