Written questions by Eastwood.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing children and young people with cancer to apply for (a) Personal Independence Payment, (b) Disability Living Allowance and (c) other disability benefits immediately following their diagnosis.

Other than for those who are nearing the end of their life, the extra costs disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), are assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a long-term health condition or disability rather than a diagnosis. PIP has replaced DLA for working age people. DLA is claimed by children under the age of 16 years old. Children and young people who have been diagnosed with cancer and who face extra costs as a result of their ill health can apply for DLA immediately. The qualifying period does not apply to DLA claimants who are terminally ill and do not have to satisfy the three--month qualifying period. They will have their claim fast tracked and are eligible for the higher-rate care component from the date of claim. The Department supports people nearing the end of life through the Special Rules for End of Life, as they will incur additional costs for additional care and support. We enable children and young people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to the extra costs disability benefits with a guaranteed entitlement.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Seasonal Agricultural Workers scheme in Northern Ireland to include mushroom growers.

The Seasonal Worker visa allows workers to come to the UK for up to six months in any twelve month period to pick both edible and ornamental crops (e.g. fruit and flower picking). The list of eligible occupations covered by the route already includes mushroom pickers, as set out in paragraph SAW4.1(f)(vi) of Appendix Temporary Work - Seasonal Worker of the Immigration Rules.

Whether he is taking steps to (a) raise awareness of and (b) help increase stem cell donation.

The Department’s Stem Cell Programme is providing £2.4 million of funding for the period 2022 to 2025. The programme is being delivered by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), and Anthony Nolan. It aims to enhance the resilience of the United Kingdom’s stem ...

What steps he is taking to support delivery of (a) blood and (b) other cancer clinical trials.

£1.5 billion per year is invested by the Department of Health and Social Care on health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).The NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was over £121.8 million for 2022/23, with mor...

Whether he is taking steps to facilitate the construction 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.

What discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on ensuring that all children and young people are enabled to (a) participate in research and (b) access clinical trials, where appropriate to support their treatment and care.

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 discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on the potential impact of the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme on the tourism industry in Northern Ireland.

The Government is in the process of reviewing a number of Home Office policies including this one and will make a decision in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the impact of Electronic Travel Authorisation on tourism in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain.

The Government is in the process of reviewing a number of Home Office policies including this one and will make a decision in due course.

Whether he has had discussions with Harland and Wolff on their application for an Export Development Guarantee.

The Secretary of State shared an update on the discussions with Harland and Wolff through a Written Ministerial Statement on 22nd July. The statement can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-07-22/hcws15

Whether her Department will continue the work of the Department’s Children in Hospital Stakeholder Group.

Supporting parents with care and compassion whilst they navigate some of the toughest moments a parent can face is something all in this house would believe in. We will consider the work done by the previous Government before making a decision on next steps.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing an exemption to the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for tourists travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland.

The Government is in the process of reviewing a number of Home Office policies including this one and will make a decision in due course.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of funding allocated to cancer research by his Department; and if he will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing such funding.

Cancer remains a priority area for the Government, and £1.5 billion has been invested on health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR’s research expenditure for all cancers was over £121.8 million for 2022/23, with more spent on cancer than any other disease group. The overall budget for research investment is agreed with the Treasury at the outset of each Spending Review period, and the Department regularly engages with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about a range of issues.Our investments in cancer are pivotal to informing efforts to improve cancer prevention, treatment, and care.The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including all cancer types. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients, health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.