Written questions by Osborne.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on public service exemptions for Earned Settlement proposals.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, on a range of subjects, including immigration policy.The Home Office consultation on Earned Settlement closed in February 2026 and responses are currently being analysed. This analysis will inform the development of the final Earned Settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement. Following analysis of the consultation responses, the necessary impact assessments, including those relating to the National Health Service, will be undertaken. Once the final model has been agreed, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

Whether he has made an estimate of the potential cost to the NHS from Earned Settlement proposals.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, on a range of subjects, including immigration policy.The Home Office consultation on Earned Settlement closed in February 2026 and responses are currently being analysed. This analysis will inform the development of the final Earned Settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement. Following analysis of the consultation responses, the necessary impact assessments, including those relating to the National Health Service, will be undertaken. Once the final model has been agreed, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

What assessment has he made of the adequacy of the availability of ear wax removal services in community and primary care settings.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory responsibility to commission cost-effective healthcare to meet the needs of their local population. This includes the arrangement of services for ear wax removal.ICBs are responsible for commissioning ear wax removal services in line with the recommendations for ear wax removal as set out in guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98/chapter/RecommendationsManual ear syringing is no longer advised by the NICE, due to the risks associated with it, such as trauma to their ear drum or infection, so general practitioners (GPs) will often recommend home treatment remedies to alleviate ear wax build-up.However, in line with NICE guidance, a person may require ear wax removal treatment if the build-up of earwax is linked with hearing loss. A GP could then consider referring the patient into audiology services, which ICBs are responsible for commissioning.When ICBs exercise their functions, including commissioning healthcare services such as ear wax removal, they have a duty to reduce inequalities between people with respect to their ability to access health services, and to reduce inequalities between patients with respect to the outcomes achieved for them by the provision of health services.

What estimate he has made of the potential cost of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission proposed code of practice for services, public functions and associations, published on 20 May 2025, in context of the provision of single-sex spaces in healthcare settings.

No assessment has been made of the cost, including any associated legal costs, of implementing the Code of Practice. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently consulting on text for an updated statutory Code of Practice. The English language version closes on 30 June. The Welsh language survey closes on 15 July.The Supreme Court’s ruling gives clarity to service providers, and we expect all providers to follow the clarity it provides.

What recent estimate he has made of the legal costs of implementing the EHRC’s proposed Code of Practise for GPs.

No assessment has been made of the cost, including any associated legal costs, of implementing the Code of Practice. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently consulting on text for an updated statutory Code of Practice. The English language version closes on 30 June. The Welsh language survey closes on 15 July.The Supreme Court’s ruling gives clarity to service providers, and we expect all providers to follow the clarity it provides.

What recent estimate he has made of the legal costs of implementing the EHRC’s proposed Code of Practise for Primary Care Networks.

No assessment has been made of the cost, including any associated legal costs, of implementing the Code of Practice. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently consulting on text for an updated statutory Code of Practice. The English language version closes on 30 June. The Welsh language survey closes on 15 July.The Supreme Court’s ruling gives clarity to service providers, and we expect all providers to follow the clarity it provides.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations of the report by the Taskforce for Lung Health entitled A National Five Year Plan for Lung Health.

The taskforce’s Five Year Plan was published in 2018, and the taskforce has subsequently published a reflection on the progress of the missions within the taskforce plan, which is available at the following link:https://www.taskforceforlunghealth.org.uk/progress/The Government has committed to delivering three big shifts that our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving respiratory health in all parts of the country. This will support earlier diagnosis and better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all help people manage their long-term conditions, including respiratory conditions, closer to home. Earlier diagnosis of conditions will help prevent deterioration and improve survival rates. Taking action to reduce the causes of the biggest killers, such as enabling a smoke free generation, can further help prevent lung conditions.

If he will take steps to integrate HIV (a) prevention and (b) care into the broader health system.

HIV is a priority for the Government, and we have commissioned a new HIV Action Plan to end new HIV transmissions within England by 2030. Integration of services and strengthening the delivery of HIV prevention and care will be key objectives of the plan,...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding for community-based health initiatives in (a) Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency and (b) other constituenci

Local authorities and the National Health Service provide weight management services to support their communities to achieve and maintain a healthier weight. These range from behavioural weight management programmes, to specialist services for those livin...

What steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of obesity in (a) Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency and (b) other constituencies with high rates of obesity; and if he will take steps to s

Local authorities and the National Health Service provide weight management services to support their communities to achieve and maintain a healthier weight. These range from behavioural weight management programmes, to specialist services for those livin...

If he will provide (a) funding and (b) resources to support a year-round online (i) HIV and (ii) STI postal testing service.

Scaling up HIV testing for all population groups will be a key objective of the new HIV Action Plan, which is due to be published in summer 2025. We are currently working together with the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, and other key stakeholders...

If he will take steps to (a) measure and (b) ensure improvements in the quality of life of people living with HIV.

The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) provides key surveillance and data for HIV, including annual official HIV statistics and reports. Their recently published HIV Action Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 2024 report provides key indicators of...

If he will ensure that the new HIV Action Plan includes culturally competent interventions.

HIV is a priority for the Government, and we have commissioned a new HIV Action Plan to end new HIV transmissions within England by 2030. Integration of services and strengthening the delivery of HIV prevention and care will be key objectives of the plan,...

What role the voluntary sector will play in the new HIV Action Plan; and what steps he will take to support that role.

HIV is a priority for the Government, and we have commissioned a new HIV Action Plan to end new HIV transmissions within England by 2030. Integration of services and strengthening the delivery of HIV prevention and care will be key objectives of the plan,...

What steps his Department is taking to stop young sudden cardiac deaths; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) increasing the availability of ECG testing for young people

The UK National Screening Committee does not recommend offering screening for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old. Research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use in young people without symptoms. Individua...