Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Evans this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 541–560 of 868 · this parliament
What proportion of the 2.5% increase in Defence spending is accounted for by payments under the UK-Mauritius treaty on the Chagos Islands.
The costs of the Chagos Archipelago Treaty will be met from within the FCDO and MOD budgets set out at the spending review. The NATO qualifying status of these costs will be considered in the usual way.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 54377 on Veterans: Housing, if he will (a) make an assessment of the adequacy of trends in levels of Op FORTITUDE caseload and (b) review levels of (i) supply and (ii) demand for single occupancy housing for veterans.
We remain fully committed to ensuring the right support is in place for veterans, including housing support. As of June 2025, Op FORTITUDE has received a cumulative total of over 3,500 referrals and supported over 900 veterans into housing. The Government has committed £500,000 to supporting Op FORTITUDE's operation this financial year. We have also funded an evaluation of Op FORTITUDE and the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme, which has been commissioned by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. The Government is taking steps to increase affordable housebuilding, and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 41721 on 3 April 2025.
What information would need to be passed to Mauritius in the event of an armed attack on a third State directly emanating from the military base on Diego Garcia.
It is standard practice for basing arrangements to include an agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory. Additionally, the UN Charter has a requirement to notify the UN of military action taken in self-defence. Any notification to Mauritius will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. The United Kingdom will inform Mauritius through normal diplomatic channels.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will reconvene the Responsible Dog Ownership Working Group.
The Government has reconvened the Responsible Dog Ownership Taskforce and looks forward to receiving its findings and recommendations.
Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason his Department has not yet responded to the 2024 fairer food labelling consultation.
A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken last year by the previous Government. A summary of responses to this consultation is available on GOV.UK.
Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the 2024 consultation on fairer food labelling.
A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken last year by the previous Government. A summary of responses to this consultation is available on GOV.UK.
What discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and (b) local authorities on ensuring that people who do not have digital connectivity can access (i) the Jobs and Careers Services online portals and (ii) alternative provision.
As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain which will include a modern, joined up and enhanced digital offer where people can access support through the channels that best meet their needs. This reconfigured service will be accessible to everyone; it will use data intelligently to join up government and personalise support. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and officials have been in regular engagement with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and with local areas as we develop our plans for a new Jobs and Careers Service. This builds on the vision as laid out in ‘A blueprint for modern digital government’ published in January. The new service will be digital where possible, and human when needed. A large number of those seeking employment support or careers advice will be best served digitally, however we recognise this will not be appropriate for everyone and other channels of support will be available. The department also continues to work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other government departments to deliver on the Digital Inclusion Action Plan. Its first steps were published on 29 February 2025 and outline the government’s initial actions and long-term goals to tackle digital exclusion in the UK. As we set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are exploring the use of digital employment support for customers and testing how to enhance collaboration between Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service. This will be key to understanding how we can better integrate employment support and careers advice in England. As part of our plans to develop the new Jobs and Careers Service, Ministers and officials are working in collaboration with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Wakefield Local Authority to design and deliver tests within our first Pathfinder that will inform the design of the new service.
If his Department will take legislative steps to improve the regulatory oversight of the non-surgical cosmetic sector.
The Government is committed to taking action to address the longstanding concerns about the safety of the cosmetics sector and is exploring options for further regulation in this area. We will set out the details of our approach in our response to the consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, which we will publish at the earliest opportunity.
What organisations he has had discussions with on including objectives to tackle melanoma skin cancer in the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.
To address barriers and reduce the levels of melanoma skin cancer cases, the Department continues to advise patients to follow National Health Service guidance on reducing the risk of skin cancer. This advice is available publicly on the NHS website, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/NHS England run Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address the barriers to acting on them, and to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms as well as encouraging body awareness to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers, including melanoma, at an earlier point.The Department and NHS England are committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. The call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan closed on 29 April 2025, with over 11,000 responses from individuals, professionals, and organisations, sharing their views on how the Government can continue to improve cancer care in England.Alongside the call for evidence, the Department regularly engages with many cancer partners, including charities and those within the cancer community, to ensure we are hearing from a range of different voices.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how the Government will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology. The National Cancer Plan for England is planned for publication in the second half of this year.
Which bodies he has had recent discussions with on tackling melanoma skin cancer as part of the national cancer plan.
To address barriers and reduce the levels of melanoma skin cancer cases, the Department continues to advise patients to follow National Health Service guidance on reducing the risk of skin cancer. This advice is available publicly on the NHS website, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/NHS England run Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address the barriers to acting on them, and to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms as well as encouraging body awareness to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers, including melanoma, at an earlier point.The Department and NHS England are committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. The call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan closed on 29 April 2025, with over 11,000 responses from individuals, professionals, and organisations, sharing their views on how the Government can continue to improve cancer care in England.Alongside the call for evidence, the Department regularly engages with many cancer partners, including charities and those within the cancer community, to ensure we are hearing from a range of different voices.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how the Government will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology. The National Cancer Plan for England is planned for publication in the second half of this year.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential barriers to reducing levels of of melanoma skin cancer cases.
To address barriers and reduce the levels of melanoma skin cancer cases, the Department continues to advise patients to follow National Health Service guidance on reducing the risk of skin cancer. This advice is available publicly on the NHS website, at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/NHS England run Help Us Help You campaigns to increase knowledge of cancer symptoms and address the barriers to acting on them, and to encourage people to come forward as soon as possible to see their general practitioner. The campaigns focus on a range of symptoms as well as encouraging body awareness to help people spot symptoms across a wide range of cancers, including melanoma, at an earlier point.The Department and NHS England are committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer. The call for evidence for the National Cancer Plan closed on 29 April 2025, with over 11,000 responses from individuals, professionals, and organisations, sharing their views on how the Government can continue to improve cancer care in England.Alongside the call for evidence, the Department regularly engages with many cancer partners, including charities and those within the cancer community, to ensure we are hearing from a range of different voices.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how the Government will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology. The National Cancer Plan for England is planned for publication in the second half of this year.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, col 103, who the (a) chair and (b) members of the health and justice strategic advisory group are.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, col 103, when she plans to provide an update on the work of the health and justice strategic advisory group.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, col 103, how many times the health and justice strategy advisory group has met.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, col 103, what the remit of the health and justice strategic advisory group is.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, col 103, how she plans to monitor the effectiveness of the health and justice strategy advisory group.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, column 103, what work the health and justice strategic advisory group has undertaken.
The first formal meeting of the mental health and justice strategic advisory group is planned to take place on 1 July 2025. The group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, who will report regularly to Ministers and be responsible for agreeing a joint work plan to support implementation of the statutory time limit for transfers between prisons and hospitals, identifying solutions to common barriers to timely transfers and holding partners to account.An initial planning meeting was held on 30 April 2025 and the chair, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, column 103, who the (a) chair and (b) members of the health and justice strategic advisory group are.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, column 103, how he plans to monitor the effectiveness of the health and justice strategy advisory group.
The mental health and justice strategic advisory group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, and the group’s membership is still in the process of being confirmed. The mental health and justice strategic advisory group has not yet started its work. The National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning, and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group, and its first meeting is expected to take place in early July. The Chair will provide a quarterly report on progress and impact to ministers in both the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Care, with the first report expected in the Autumn.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice of 31 March 2025 in the debate on the Report Stage of the Mental Health Bill, Official Report, House of Lords, column 103, how many times the health and justice strategy advisory group has met.
The first formal meeting of the mental health and justice strategic advisory group is planned to take place on 1 July 2025. The group will be chaired by NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, who will report regularly to Ministers and be responsible for agreeing a joint work plan to support implementation of the statutory time limit for transfers between prisons and hospitals, identifying solutions to common barriers to timely transfers and holding partners to account.An initial planning meeting was held on 30 April 2025 and the chair, along with senior leads in health and justice, specialised commissioning and community mental health are in the process of agreeing the terms of reference for the group.