Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sorcha Eastwood this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 261–280 of 292 · this parliament
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the fiscal floor for Northern Ireland.
As part of the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) the UK Government and NIE agreed to add a 24% needs-based factor into the Barnett formula as it applies to the NIE from 2024-25. This is part of the financial package worth over £3.3 billi...
Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the representation of people with hepatitis B in the Infected Blood Inquiry.
The Inquiry is independent of Government and the conduct of the Inquiry is a matter for the Chair. Since it began, the Inquiry sat to hear evidence for 290 days from 374 witnesses, including people with hepatitis B. In total, the Inquiry has received 5,57...
Whether people with hepatitis B who have not received (a) a lump sum and (b) regular payments from a support scheme will be entitled to an award under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.
People who received contaminated blood or blood products which resulted in a chronic Hepatitis B infection will be eligible to claim compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The estates of those who died from an acute Hepatitis B infecti...
If she will hold discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the comparative costs of car insurance in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain.
Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors on an ongoing basis. The Government is determined that insurers should treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are req...
What the NHS geographic availability is of Palforzia as of September 2024; and if he will publish a regional breakdown the number of people that received Palforzia on the NHS since 2022.
Palforzia is a peanut immunotherapy drug that helps reduce the severity of children's allergic reactions that may occur with exposure to peanuts. Data on the number and geographical location of children that have had access to Palforzia in England is not ...
If she will hold discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the (a) comparative costs of paying (i) vehicle and (ii) household insurance (A) annually and (B) in monthly instalments and (b) impact of such co
Treasury Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors on an ongoing basis. The Government recognises that the ability to pay insurance premiums in instalments is an important tool for...
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 July 2024 to Question 1169 on Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, how many times he has requested a review of (a) a Troubles-related death under section 9(3) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 and (b) harmful conduct under section 10(2) of that Act since 1 May 2024.
To date, I have not requested a review of (a) a Troubles-related death under section 9(3) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, or of (b) harmful conduct under section 10(2) of that Act. This was also the case for my predecessor.
What guidance her Department issues on whether people living in the UK on a Graduate visa can start a Master’s degree while waiting for a decision in relation to their application for a Family visa.
The UK government website has guidance on all our immigration rules and criteria, including the requirements of the Student route and the study conditions of the Graduate route: Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate buy-now-pay-later financial products.
Regulating Buy Now Pay Later products is crucial to protect people and deliver certainty for the sector. The government will be looking to work closely with all interested stakeholders and will set out its plans shortly.
Whether she has plans to review the apprenticeship levy.
Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Meeting the skills needs of the next decade is central to delivering the government’s mission. To support business and boost opportunity, the department will transform the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy. This will allow employers to invest in a wider range of training and empower them to upskill their workforces for current and future challenges.The department has already established Skills England which will work closely with employers, training providers, unions, Mayoral Combined Authorities and others across the skills landscape to identify the training for which the Growth and Skills Levy will be accessible.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill on (a) free movement within the Common Travel Area and (b) the land border.
The Common Travel Area (CTA) supports the long-standing principle of free movement for British and Irish citizens between the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man) and has been recognised in law since the 1920s. In support of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement there is no hard border and no immigration controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland and as part of the wider CTA arrangements the UK does not operate routine immigration controls on journeys made within the CTA. The details of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill and the assessment of the Bill’s impact will be set out in due course.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) pancreatic cancer and (b) cystic fibrosis patients have access to Creon.
The Department has been working with suppliers to address current supply issues with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), including Creon, used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis and certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The supply issues are impacting countries throughout Europe, and have been caused by the limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints in producing the volumes needed to meet demand. The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term. This includes asking that they expedite deliveries, source stock from other markets, and increase production.We have issued comprehensive guidance to healthcare professionals about these supply issues, which provides advice on how to manage patients whilst there is disruption to supply. This guidance is being kept under review, and updates will be made as necessary. Serious Shortage Protocols are in place for Creon 10,000 and 25,000 capsules to limit prescriptions to one months’ supply, to allow demand management.We understand how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be. While we can’t always prevent supply issues from occurring, the Department has a range of well-established processes and tools to manage them when they arise, and to help mitigate risks to patients.
If he will make it his policy to publish monthly figures on the number of reviews opened by the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery following requests from (a) his Department, (b) families and (c) others, including whether the reviews relate to (i) deaths and (ii) harmful conduct.
The Commission is independent of Government. As such, it would not be appropriate for the Government to publish information about its operational activities. This is a matter for the commission, which is, I know, committed to openness in its work.
What her policy is on changes to the level of the baseline minimum salary for family visas for spouses and partners.
The new Home Secretary will decide on the future of current Home Office policies in due course. Any changes will be announced to Parliament.
What her policy is on changes to the level of the baseline minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas.
The new Home Secretary will decide on the future of current Home Office policies in due course. Any changes will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.
What her policy is on whether social care workers should be able to bring their dependents to the UK on their visa.
The new Home Secretary will decide on the future of current Home Office policies in due course. Any changes will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.
Whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the adequacy of the level of funding from the UK Government for the redevelopment of Casement Park.
The UK Government is committed to ensuring that EURO 2028 benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. That is why we are working as quickly as possible with all the partners involved in the Casement Park project to assess the options available.
Whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on (a) the adequacy of current travel costs support schemes for young cancer patients from Northern Ireland travelling to receive treatment in England and (b) the potential merits of establishing a UK-wide Travel Fund for young cancer patients to support with the cost of travel to attend specialist treatment across the UK.
The Department is responsible for healthcare in England. In Northern Ireland, health is a transferred matter, and for Scotland and Wales, health is a devolved matter. The Government has not yet made a formal assessment on a cancer plan for children and young people, or a United Kingdom-wide cancer needs delivery group. However, as part of the Department’s work to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with cancer in England, Department officials have previously undertaken some engagement work with stakeholders across the cancer sector to gain a further understanding of the unique needs and challenges for children and young people with cancer in England. This engagement included exploring key issues in relation to detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation. While the initial focus has been on children and young people’s cancer services in England, the Department is keen to expand collaboration in order to benefit children and young people’s cancer outcomes as widely as possible.Department officials regularly meet with counterparts from other Government departments and the devolved administrations, to support research and access to clinical trials across the UK. The Department is committed to ensuring clinical trials are people-centred and more accessible, including for children and young people. This will involve making it easier for patients, service users, and members of the public across the UK to access and participate in research, if they want to. Our aim is to lead the world in clinical trials and ensure that all patients, their families, and their carers are empowered to directly and proactively explore research opportunities, and to make informed decisions about participating in research.At this stage the Department has not made a formal assessment of the adequacy of support for travel for young cancer patients, including schemes for young cancer patients from Northern Ireland travelling to receive treatment in England, or the merits of establishing a UK-wide travel fund. NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of local communities are met, including providing support for travel. The National Health Service runs schemes in England to provide financial assistance for travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostics tests, when referred by a doctor or other primary healthcare professional. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial assistance to patients in England who do not have a medical need for transport, but who require assistance with the costs of travelling to receive certain NHS services. Patients who do not qualify for the HTCS and are on a low income may be able to claim the costs from the Department for Work and Pensions through Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment.
With reference to the report by Young Lives vs Cancer entitled Running on Empty: Research exploring the costs young cancer patients and their families face travelling for treatment, published in June 2023, if he will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of travel cost support schemes for young cancer patients and (b) the potential merits of establishing a UK-wide travel fund for young cancer patients.
The Department is responsible for healthcare in England. In Northern Ireland, health is a transferred matter, and for Scotland and Wales, health is a devolved matter. The Government has not yet made a formal assessment on a cancer plan for children and young people, or a United Kingdom-wide cancer needs delivery group. However, as part of the Department’s work to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with cancer in England, Department officials have previously undertaken some engagement work with stakeholders across the cancer sector to gain a further understanding of the unique needs and challenges for children and young people with cancer in England. This engagement included exploring key issues in relation to detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation. While the initial focus has been on children and young people’s cancer services in England, the Department is keen to expand collaboration in order to benefit children and young people’s cancer outcomes as widely as possible.Department officials regularly meet with counterparts from other Government departments and the devolved administrations, to support research and access to clinical trials across the UK. The Department is committed to ensuring clinical trials are people-centred and more accessible, including for children and young people. This will involve making it easier for patients, service users, and members of the public across the UK to access and participate in research, if they want to. Our aim is to lead the world in clinical trials and ensure that all patients, their families, and their carers are empowered to directly and proactively explore research opportunities, and to make informed decisions about participating in research.At this stage the Department has not made a formal assessment of the adequacy of support for travel for young cancer patients, including schemes for young cancer patients from Northern Ireland travelling to receive treatment in England, or the merits of establishing a UK-wide travel fund. NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of local communities are met, including providing support for travel. The National Health Service runs schemes in England to provide financial assistance for travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostics tests, when referred by a doctor or other primary healthcare professional. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial assistance to patients in England who do not have a medical need for transport, but who require assistance with the costs of travelling to receive certain NHS services. Patients who do not qualify for the HTCS and are on a low income may be able to claim the costs from the Department for Work and Pensions through Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure a whole-UK approach to addressing the unique needs of all children and young people with cancer; if he will establish a dedicated cross-UK group to deliver on these needs; and if he will take steps to bring forward a cancer plan for children and young people.
The Department is responsible for healthcare in England. In Northern Ireland, health is a transferred matter, and for Scotland and Wales, health is a devolved matter. The Government has not yet made a formal assessment on a cancer plan for children and young people, or a United Kingdom-wide cancer needs delivery group. However, as part of the Department’s work to improve the experience and outcomes for children and young people with cancer in England, Department officials have previously undertaken some engagement work with stakeholders across the cancer sector to gain a further understanding of the unique needs and challenges for children and young people with cancer in England. This engagement included exploring key issues in relation to detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, and research and innovation. While the initial focus has been on children and young people’s cancer services in England, the Department is keen to expand collaboration in order to benefit children and young people’s cancer outcomes as widely as possible.Department officials regularly meet with counterparts from other Government departments and the devolved administrations, to support research and access to clinical trials across the UK. The Department is committed to ensuring clinical trials are people-centred and more accessible, including for children and young people. This will involve making it easier for patients, service users, and members of the public across the UK to access and participate in research, if they want to. Our aim is to lead the world in clinical trials and ensure that all patients, their families, and their carers are empowered to directly and proactively explore research opportunities, and to make informed decisions about participating in research.At this stage the Department has not made a formal assessment of the adequacy of support for travel for young cancer patients, including schemes for young cancer patients from Northern Ireland travelling to receive treatment in England, or the merits of establishing a UK-wide travel fund. NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of local communities are met, including providing support for travel. The National Health Service runs schemes in England to provide financial assistance for travel to a hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostics tests, when referred by a doctor or other primary healthcare professional. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) provides financial assistance to patients in England who do not have a medical need for transport, but who require assistance with the costs of travelling to receive certain NHS services. Patients who do not qualify for the HTCS and are on a low income may be able to claim the costs from the Department for Work and Pensions through Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment.