Written questions by Dhesi.

Whether he plans to introduce routine antenatal screening for Group B streptococcus.

Screening for group B streptococcus (GBS) is not routinely offered to all pregnant women. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) last reviewed the evidence to screen for GBS at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy in 2017, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits of screening would outweigh the harms. This is because the test currently available cannot accurately distinguish between those mothers whose babies are at risk, and those who are not. This means that many women would unnecessarily be offered antibiotics during labour. A risk-based approach is taken, whereby those women identified as being at increased risk of having a baby affected by GBS are managed according to agreed clinical guidelines on the prevention of early on-set neonatal GBS infection. The National Institute for Health Research funded a large-scale clinical trial to compare universal screening for GBS against the usual risk factor-based strategy. The UK NSC will review its recommendation, considering the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.

What steps he is taking to ensure (a) early and (b) consistent diagnosis of Group B streptococcus.

Screening for group B streptococcus (GBS) is not routinely offered to all pregnant women. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) last reviewed the evidence to screen for GBS at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy in 2017, and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the benefits of screening would outweigh the harms. This is because the test currently available cannot accurately distinguish between those mothers whose babies are at risk, and those who are not. This means that many women would unnecessarily be offered antibiotics during labour. A risk-based approach is taken, whereby those women identified as being at increased risk of having a baby affected by GBS are managed according to agreed clinical guidelines on the prevention of early on-set neonatal GBS infection. The National Institute for Health Research funded a large-scale clinical trial to compare universal screening for GBS against the usual risk factor-based strategy. The UK NSC will review its recommendation, considering the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the provision of youth services in Slough.

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. Over the past three years, Slough has received funding from the Million Hours Fund and via our support for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. These funds create new opportunities for young people to access regular activities, volunteering and adventures away from home.Our government has also recently announced the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which will be produced together with young people and the youth sector. This Strategy will better coordinate youth services, as well as move away from national, one-size-fits all programmes from government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector.The Strategy will be published next year.

With reference to the First Report of Session 2023–24 of the Liaison Committee, Promoting national strategy: How select committee scrutiny can improve strategic thinking in Whitehall, HC 31, published on 29 May 2024, whether his Department has taken recent steps to develop a cross-Whitehall lexicon.

The Government is considering the Liaison Committee's report and looks forward to discussing it with the incoming Chair once elected.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of paragraph 29 of the First Report of Session 2023–24 of the Liaison Committee, Promoting national strategy: How select committee scrutiny can improve strategic thinking in Whitehall, HC 31, published on 29 May 2024.

The Government is considering the Liaison Committee's report and looks forward to discussing it with the incoming Chair once elected.

What discussions she has had with Network Rail on steps to prepare the rail network for adverse winter weather.

Network Rail owns and is responsible for maintaining railway infrastructure to ensure passenger and freight services operate safely. Officials hold regular discussions with Network Rail and industry to ensure winter preparedness plans are in place with clear mitigations to reduce the impacts of winter weather on punctuality and reliability. Network Rail Routes liaise closely with train operators to ensure comprehensive winter checklists are in place and to align customer messaging. Additionally, in Control Period 7 between 2024-2029, Network Rail plans to invest c.£2.8bn to help it better cope with extreme weather and climate change, ultimately safeguarding a more reliable railway.

How their Department defines strategy.

As defined in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, “a strategy outlines longer term objectives, outcomes and outputs, and the means to achieve them, to inform future decisions and planning”. The Functional Standards Common Glossary is published on the Gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/functional-standards-common-glossary/functional-standards-common-glossary#s

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the GOV.UK website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

Media and Sport, how their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

Food and Rural Affairs, how their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the GOV.UK website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the GOV.UK website.

Innovation and Technology, how their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.

How their Department defines strategy.

The definition is detailed in the Functional Standards Common Glossary, which is published on the gov.uk website.