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1144616

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
answering dept id	36
answering dept short name	Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
answering dept sort name	Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
hansard heading	Electoral Register: Advertising
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how much the Commission has spent on direct advertising in the last three years to increase registration of (a) young people aged 18 to 25 and (b) members of the expatriate community.
tabling member constituency	Vale of Clwyd
tabling member printed	Chris Ruane
uin	286652
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">None.</del> <ins class="ministerial"><em>The Commission has spent no money on this. </em></ins>Direct advertising (or marketing) does not form part of the Commission’s approach to its work encouraging voter registration.</p> answering member constituency Houghton and Sunderland South answering member printed Bridget Phillipson question first answered 09/09/2019 08:21:11 question first ministerially corrected 09/09/2019 13:41:11 answering member 4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson previous answer version 133677 answering member constituency Houghton and Sunderland South answering member printed Bridget Phillipson answering member 4046 label Biography information for Bridget Phillipson
tabling member	534 label Biography information for Chris Ruane

1144852

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Northern Ireland Office
answering dept id	21
answering dept short name	Northern Ireland
answering dept sort name	Northern Ireland
hansard heading	Abortion: Northern Ireland
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with pro-life groups in Northern Ireland on the legislation to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland.
tabling member constituency	Lagan Valley
tabling member printed	Sir Jeffrey M. Donaldson
uin	286661
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">There are a range of sensitive policy issues to carefully work through in order to deliver regulations to provide access to abortion services in Northern Ireland by 31 March 2020 in Northern Ireland. This duty will come into effect if the Northern Ireland Executive is not restored by 21 October 2019. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Government officials including from the NIO have met some representatives of the medical profession and other stakeholders and will continue to do so in the weeks ahead.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">There will also be a period of consultation throughout this process for individuals in Northern Ireland as well as relevant organisations to provide input and views. I will continue to keep the House updated on these plans at the appropriate opportunities through the Executive Formation Act reporting requirements.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government's preference remains seeing the Stormont institutions back up and running so they can take forward any issues of reform on these types of sensitive devolved issues, as a matter of priority.</ins></p> answering member constituency Skipton and Ripon answering member printed Julian Smith question first answered 09/09/2019 16:56:41 question first ministerially corrected 02/10/2019 16:30:30 answering member 4118 label Biography information for Julian Smith previous answer version 135690 answering member constituency Skipton and Ripon answering member printed Julian Smith answering member 4118 label Biography information for Julian Smith
tabling member	650 label Biography information for Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

1144865

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Workplace Pensions: Tax Allowances
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, with respect to the National Statistics data published in April, which estimated the total cost of pension tax relief in respect of registered pension schemes for the year ending 5 April 2018 at £36.3 billion including £4.3 billion in tax relief on employee contributions to occupational pension schemes, (1) what is the estimated figure of gross pension contributions on which this figure was based, and (2) what specific assumptions were made as to the rates of tax applicable in arriving at the figure of £4.3 billion; and whether these assumptions included that all employees making contributions to occupational schemes receive the full tax relief to which they are entitled, including those contributing to net pay pension schemes.
tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
uin	HL17699
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">HMRC publishes estimates of the cost of pension tax relief which is available in table 6 of HM Revenue and Customs Personal Pension Statistics on Gov.uk. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><em> </em></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">These estimates were revised on 26<sup>th</sup> September 2019 as part of an overall update to HMRC’s Personal Pension and Pension Relief statistics. Estimates of the cost of tax relief on contributions are produced using the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for income, individual and employer contributions for members of pension schemes that use the net pay mechanism; and administrative data HMRC holds on relief at source administrative data matched to the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) - for income, individual and employer pension contributions for members of pension schemes that use the relief at source mechanism.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The cost of tax relief for all contributions made by individuals is approximately £6.3bn, broken down as the cost of relief on employee contributions to occupational schemes (£4.2bn), to personal pension schemes (£1.6bn), and self-employed contributions to pensions (£0.5bn). Occupational pensions here includes some master trust pension schemes which use the relief at source method. Personal pensions here includes workplace personal pension schemes (such as group personal pensions).</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">i) The £4.3bn figure referenced is the cost of pension tax relief relating to occupational pension schemes. Estimates of the cost of pension tax relief were revised on September 26<sup>th</sup> 2019 as part of an overall update to HMRC’s Personal Pensions and Pension Relief Statistics. The £4.3bn figure referenced has since been revised to £4.2bn. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">This £4.2bn figure of tax relief is derived from around £15.9bn of estimated “relievable” individual pension contributions to occupational pension schemes, (where “relievable” refers to our best estimates of contributions which are within the individual’s pensions Annual Allowance). </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">ii) Marginal rate tax relief is applied to these estimates of “relievable” contributions as if these contributions were taxed. Estimates are produced assuming all members contributing to all pension schemes receive full marginal rate tax relief on their contributions.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><em> </em></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">As noted in the publication, costs are subject to large revisions and have a particularly wide margin of error – reflecting the variety of sources of data (both administrative and survey) required to produce these estimates.</ins></p> answering member printed The Earl of Courtown question first answered 09/09/2019 16:33:08 question first ministerially corrected 08/10/2019 12:38:27 answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown previous answer version 135351 answering member printed The Earl of Courtown answering member 3359 label Biography information for The Earl of Courtown
tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1144876

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Iran: Nuclear Power
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to maintain the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran.
tabling member printed	Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
uin	HL17710
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government is committed to preserving the Iran nuclear deal (JCPoA) as the best way of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. We are deeply concerned by Iran’s steps to reduce compliance with the deal and are working with remaining parties to address this. We are also working hard to deliver the sanctions relief envisaged under the terms of the JCPoA as part of our efforts to encourage Iran to return to full compliance with the deal.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:24:59 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:43:37 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133956 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	627 label Biography information for Lord Campbell of Pittenweem

1144877

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sudan and Syria: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 31 July (HL17137), what considerations led them to adopt the positions that “the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy” and that they “have no intention of encouraging the Global Coalition to cooperate with its security forces”; whether they have applied similar considerations in developing their position on Sudan; and, if so, how those considerations were applied to their decision to engage in strategic dialogue with the regime there.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL17711
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The basis for reaching the conclusion that the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy is the clear evidence of the atrocities the regime has committed against the Syrian people, as documented by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and other independent bodies. These atrocities include, but are not limited to, the repeated use of chemical weapons; repeated violations of international humanitarian law including attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals; and systematic use of torture, including sexual violence, and summary execution against those suspected of opposition to the regime. As the regime's security forces have played a major role in directing and committing these atrocities, we have no intention of encouraging the Global Coalition to cooperate with them.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial">The UK policy towards Sudan has been one of clear and public condemnation of human rights abuses, alongside a very limited process of engagement to explain to the Sudanese Government what needed to change in order that Sudan could progress and their relations with the international community could improve. As the protest movement gathered pace in 2018 and 2019, we publicly supported the calls of those protestors and pressured the government to heed those demands. Our approach has been described by many in the protest movement, and those now in government, as well judged and critical.<ins class="ministerial"> </ins></ins></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Our engagement with Sudan's former regime sought to maintain pressure on the then Sudanese authorities to make democratic reforms. The Strategic Dialogues also enabled us to have frank and constructive exchanges on pressing issues such as increasing protections for human rights and macroeconomic reform; the resolution of conflict and matters related to UN peacekeeping; and, to address shared threats including terrorism, modern slavery and illegal migration. We repeatedly raised our deep concern, both publicly and directly on a range of issues, including the response to the protest movement. The UK, alongside Troika partners (US and Norway) and Canada, made clear in a statement of 8 January that the (then) Government of Sudan's actions and decisions towards protestors would impact our approach to future engagement.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"><ins class="ministerial">Following the overthrow of Omar al Bashir, an agreement was reached between the Transitional Military Council and Forces of Freedom and Change who represented the protestors. The UK welcomes the appointment of a civilian led government and Prime Minister Hamdok's agenda of freedom, peace and justice for all in Sudan. We are engaging with him and the newly formed government on how best we can practically support these ambitions towards Sudan's democratic transition. In addition to supporting the reforms and changes that the people of Sudan deserve, we will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need across Sudan.</ins></ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:24:04 question first ministerially corrected 07/10/2019 11:21:27 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133944 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1144878

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Syria: Sanctions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the (1) impact of the EU's sanctions on Syria since their imposition in 2012 on (a) the behaviour of the government of Syria, and (b) the economic wellbeing of the population of Syria, (2) the likely impact of those sanctions in the near future, and (3) the effectiveness of measures seeking to deprive Syria of access to oil.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL17712
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">These sanctions are aimed at ending the violent repression of the civilian population in Syria by the Assad regime, and achieving a negotiated political settlement to bring about a peaceful end to the conflict in Syria. We will continue to use sanctions, along with other levers, to support that goal. We have sought to minimise the impact of sanctions on ordinary Syrians. The sanctions regime prohibits giving economic resources (which may include oil) to any designated person. Baniyas Refinery Company in Syria, has been designated by the EU since 2014, for providing financial support for the regime. We keep these sanctions under regular review.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:33:26 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:45:41 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133946 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1144879

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Sudan and Syria: Politics and Government
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 31 July (HL17137), what was the basis for reaching their conclusions that (1) the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy, and (2) they will not encourage the Global Coalition to cooperate with the Assad regime's security forces; whether they have applied similar considerations in developing their position on Sudan; and if so, how those considerations were applied in their decision to engage in strategic dialogue with the regime in Sudan.
tabling member printed	Baroness Cox
uin	HL17713
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The basis for reaching the conclusion that the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy is the clear evidence of the atrocities the regime has committed against the Syrian people, as documented by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and other independent bodies. These atrocities include, but are not limited to, the repeated use of chemical weapons; repeated violations of international humanitarian law including attacks on civilian infrastructure such as schools and hospitals; and systematic use of torture, including sexual violence, and summary execution against those suspected of opposition to the regime. As the regime's security forces have played a major role in directing and committing these atrocities, we have no intention of encouraging the Global Coalition to cooperate with them.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The UK policy towards Sudan has been one of clear and public condemnation of human rights abuses, alongside a very limited process of engagement to explain to the Sudanese Government what needed to change in order that Sudan could progress and their relations with the international community could improve. As the protest movement gathered pace in 2018 and 2019, we publicly supported the calls of those protestors and pressured the government to heed those demands. Our approach has been described by many in the protest movement, and those now in government, as well judged and critical.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Our engagement with Sudan's former regime sought to maintain pressure on the then Sudanese authorities to make democratic reforms. The Strategic Dialogues also enabled us to have frank and constructive exchanges on pressing issues such as increasing protections for human rights and macroeconomic reform; the resolution of conflict and matters related to UN peacekeeping; and, to address shared threats including terrorism, modern slavery and illegal migration. We repeatedly raised our deep concern, both publicly and directly on a range of issues, including the response to the protest movement. The UK, alongside Troika partners (US and Norway) and Canada, made clear in a statement of 8 January that the (then) Government of Sudan's actions and decisions towards protestors would impact our approach to future engagement.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">Following the overthrow of Omar al Bashir, an agreement was reached between the Transitional Military Council and Forces of Freedom and Change who represented the protestors. The UK welcomes the appointment of a civilian led government and Prime Minister Hamdok's agenda of freedom, peace and justice for all in Sudan. We are engaging with him and the newly formed government on how best we can practically support these ambitions towards Sudan's democratic transition. In addition to supporting the reforms and changes that the people of Sudan deserve, we will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need across Sudan.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:33:22 question first ministerially corrected 07/10/2019 11:21:57 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133947 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	3364 label Biography information for Baroness Cox

1144880

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Zimbabwe: Pensions
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of Zimbabwe about pension arrears owed to former Crown servants; and what was the outcome of those discussions.
tabling member printed	Lord Goodlad
uin	HL17714
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">We regularly press the Government of Zimbabwe on the importance of fulfilling their responsibilities to all those who are entitled to a Zimbabwe Government pension. In 2016, we secured written confirmation from the Government of Zimbabwe of their responsibility for these payments. In April 2019, we raised the issue of pensions with Finance Minister Ncube and he confirmed Zimbabwe's commitment to resume payments when the economic situation allows.</ins></p> answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon question first answered 09/09/2019 16:24:36 question first ministerially corrected 01/10/2019 10:43:11 answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon previous answer version 133958 answering member printed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answering member 4210 label Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
tabling member	670 label Biography information for Lord Goodlad

1144882

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Fertility: Medical Treatments
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to direct the Clinical Commissioning Groups in South East London to withdraw their prohibition on single women receiving fertility treatment on the NHS as laid out in the South East London Treatment Access Policy Document 2019/20.
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL17716
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"> <p><ins class="ministerial">The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.</ins></p></ins></p> answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford question first answered 09/09/2019 16:57:40 question first ministerially corrected 30/09/2019 11:20:55 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford previous answer version 135703 answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

1144883

registered interest
date	04/09/2019
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Fertility: Medical Treatments
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement contained in page 34 of the South East London Treatment Access Policy Document 2019/20 that "because of the known disadvantage that providing assisted conception to a single woman would cause both the child and the mother, funding of assisted conception for single women is not available".
tabling member printed	Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
uin	HL17717
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2019 answer text <p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.</del></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The level of provision of local health services, including fertility treatment, available to patients is, and has been since the 1990s, a matter for local healthcare commissioners, who must consider the needs and priorities of all their population. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have the current statutory responsibility to commission high-quality services that meet the needs of their local population. Decisions about treatment should always be based on patients’ clinical needs.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Secretary of State has no power to direct individual CCGs in relation to their commissioning functions. The Department has no role in the oversight of individual CCG board activities. If there are concerns about provision of care, we expect NHS England to ensure the CCG is not breaching its statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the needs of the local population. Where performance concerns are identified, NHS England has the ability to exercise formal legal powers to either provide an enhanced support to a CCG, or in rare circumstances to intervene where it is believed that a CCG is failing, or is at risk of failing, to discharge its functions.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">NHS England has advised that the CCGs in south east London have agreed to undertake a rapid review of the NHS South East London’s Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to access criteria for funding in vitro fertilisation (IVF) by the end of November 2019. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The CCGs have made a public apology for any offence caused by the wording in the Treatment Access Policy Document in relation to single women’s access to IVF treatment and the review document it refers to and agree that this wording is unacceptable. The statement on page 34 is based on evidence from a review of literature undertaken in 2011 by commissioners and public health doctors. The review references literature available at the time.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The rapid review will also specifically consider issues relating to equality and discrimination in relation to single women. The CCGs will publish the review alongside any changes to the revision of the policy.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that the CCGs are undertaking a review of the policy, as the body responsible for that policy. All CCG governing bodies were asked to review and approve any changes to the NHS South East London Treatment Access Policy made for 2019/20.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial"> </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">In taking clinical decisions about fertility treatment and taking account of their public sector equality duty, CCGs should make assessments based on clinical infertility and not on relationship status.</ins></p> answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford question first answered 09/09/2019 16:57:57 question first ministerially corrected 30/09/2019 11:19:33 answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford previous answer version 135706 answering member printed Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford answering member 4019 label Biography information for Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford
tabling member	2024 label Biography information for Lord Hunt of Kings Heath