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1697585

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Pupils: Transgender People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps her Department has taken to help protect trans children from bullying and harassment in schools.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	19610
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>The government has sent a clear message to schools that bullying, including cyberbullying, for whatever reason, is unacceptable.</p><p> </p><p>The department has provided over £3 million of funding, between 10 August 2021 and 31 March 2024, to five anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying, this includes projects targeting bullying of particular groups.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to this, on 19 December 2023 the department published the draft guidance for schools and colleges in relation to gender questioning children, along with a consultation, which was clear that bullying must never be tolerated. The consultation closed on 12 March 2024 and the responses will support the department to finalise the guidance for schools and colleges for final publication later this year.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 27/03/2024 16:49:04 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1697586

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Alcoholic Drinks: Excise Duties
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing alcohol duty for independent wine merchants.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	19611
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/03/2024 answer text <p>At Spring Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced that alcohol duty will be frozen until 1 February 2025 to support alcohol producers, pubs, and consumers with cost of living pressures. This extends the six month freeze the Government announced at Autumn Statement 2023 to give businesses time to adapt to the new duty system introduced on 1 August 2023.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its yearly Budget process.</p> answering member constituency Grantham and Stamford answering member printed Gareth Davies question first answered 25/03/2024 14:05:33 answering member 4850 label Biography information for Gareth Davies
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1697587

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	House of Lords: Reform
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reducing the number of sitting peers in the House of Lords.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	19612
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2024 answer text <p>The House of Lords has a key role in scrutinising the executive and as a revising chamber. The Government has made no assessment of the merits of reducing the number of sitting peers and notes that unlike the Commons, peers are not full-time salaried legislators. It is important to focus on the number of peers who attend, and not just the number eligible to sit. Existing mechanisms allow sitting peers to retire or resign.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 28/03/2024 17:26:09 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1696290

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2024
	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	Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to support people living with postural tachycardia syndrome.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	18703
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2024 answer text <p>To improve awareness of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically general practices (GPs), the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training on PoTS as part of its Syncope toolkit, which is available at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=12386&amp;chapterid=247" target="_blank">https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=12386&amp;chapterid=247</a></p><p> </p><p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has also produced a clinical knowledge summary, last revised in November 2023, which outlines the method healthcare professionals should follow for diagnosing PoTS. This summary is available at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/" target="_blank">https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/</a></p><p> </p><p>GPs are asked to investigate symptoms to ensure that it is not misdiagnosed. Following referral, patients are treated within National Health Service cardiology and neurology services. Where more specialist advice is required, a referral will be made to an appropriate clinician.</p><p> </p><p>Services for PoTS are locally commissioned and, as such, it is the responsibility of the local commissioning teams within integrated care boards to ensure that their locally commissioned services meet the needs of their local population.</p><p> </p><p>The Department invests over £1 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds research in response to proposals received from scientists rather than allocating funding to specific disease areas. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including PoTS, although it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. 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 and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 18704 question first answered 20/03/2024 11:39:46 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1696292

	registered interest
	date	14/03/2024
	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	Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to increase (a) awareness of and (b) research investment in postural tachycardia syndrome.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	18704
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/03/2024 answer text <p>To improve awareness of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically general practices (GPs), the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training on PoTS as part of its Syncope toolkit, which is available at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=12386&amp;chapterid=247" target="_blank">https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=12386&amp;chapterid=247</a></p><p> </p><p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has also produced a clinical knowledge summary, last revised in November 2023, which outlines the method healthcare professionals should follow for diagnosing PoTS. This summary is available at the following link:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/" target="_blank">https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/</a></p><p> </p><p>GPs are asked to investigate symptoms to ensure that it is not misdiagnosed. Following referral, patients are treated within National Health Service cardiology and neurology services. Where more specialist advice is required, a referral will be made to an appropriate clinician.</p><p> </p><p>Services for PoTS are locally commissioned and, as such, it is the responsibility of the local commissioning teams within integrated care boards to ensure that their locally commissioned services meet the needs of their local population.</p><p> </p><p>The Department invests over £1 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds research in response to proposals received from scientists rather than allocating funding to specific disease areas. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including PoTS, although it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. 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 and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 18703 question first answered 20/03/2024 11:39:46 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1690446

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2024
	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	Motor Neurone Disease
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to support people living with motor neurone disease.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	14853
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published a clinical guideline on the assessment and management of motor neurone disease (MND), to support its diagnosis. The guideline recommends coordinated care for people with MND, using a clinic based, MND specialist, multi-disciplinary team approach. The core multi-disciplinary team should consist of healthcare and other professionals with expertise in MND, and should include specialist nurses.</p><p>The Government has committed to delivering at least £50 million to support MND research over five years, from 2022 onwards, as part of a package of £375 million for research into neurodegenerative diseases. In June 2023, the Government announced that more than £35 million of the £50 million pledged to cutting-edge MND research has now been allocated, just two years into a five-year funding commitment. Work continues at pace to support MND researchers in submitting high-quality bids for open funding calls. Further information is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-continues-delivering-on-50-million-funding-pledge-for-motor-neurone-disease-research" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-continues-delivering-on-50-million-funding-pledge-for-motor-neurone-disease-research</a></p><p>NHS England commissions specialised services to support people living with MND, as set out in the published service specification for specialised neurology services. The support provided includes the provision of multi-disciplinary care from specialist clinicians, including neurologists, specialist nurses, speech and language therapists, dietetics and nutrition support, and physiotherapy, depending on individual clinical need. The service specification for specialised neurology services is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d04-neurosci-spec-neuro.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d04-neurosci-spec-neuro.pdf</a></p><p>In addition, NHS England commissions a specialised communication aid service known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication, as set out in the published service specification. This service supports and prioritises individuals with rapidly degenerative conditions, including MND. The service specification for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/03/aac-serv-spec-jan-2016.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2016/03/aac-serv-spec-jan-2016.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 27/02/2024 14:00:16 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1690447

	registered interest
	date	20/02/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Syria: Earthquakes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what support his Department is providing to Syria following the earthquake in that country last year.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	14854
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2024 answer text <p>In 2023, the UK committed up to £43 million to support the response to the earthquakes in Northwest Syria and Turkey, including £28 million for Syria. The UK also committed up to £150 million to support Syrians at the Brussels Pledging Conference in June 2023. In financial year 2022/23 UK aid in north west Syria supported the provision of over 203,000 health consultations and nutrition support to over 27,000 women and children.</p><p>Since 2012, the UK has spent over £3.8 billion to provide lifesaving and life-sustaining assistance to those in need, both inside Syria and to refugee hosting countries.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 28/02/2024 17:21:53 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1687356

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2024
	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	Dementia: Health Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help support people with early onset dementia.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	12951
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/02/2024 answer text <p>NHS England is committed to delivering high quality care and support for every person with dementia at every age, and central to this is the provision of personalised care. Provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). NHS England would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs.</p><p> </p><p>The Dementia Well Pathway includes diagnosing well, living well, supporting well, and dying well, and highlights that services need to be integrated, commissioned, monitored, and aligned with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) standards for each component of the pathway. It makes it clear that individual needs, wishes and preferences should be taken into account in planning and providing care.</p><p> </p><p>In January 2023 the Government announced that it will publish a Major Conditions Strategy early 2024. By bringing dementia and other conditions strategies together, we will be able to focus on where there are similarities in approach and ensure care is better centred around the patient.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 27/02/2024 14:20:12 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1687357

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2024
	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	Care Homes: Dementia and Learning Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help care homes to improve the support they provide to people with (a) learning difficulties and (b) dementia.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	12952
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2024 answer text <p>From July 2022, under the Health and Care Act 2022, Care Quality Commission registered health and care providers are required to ensure that staff receive training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their role. This will help to ensure that staff have the right knowledge and skills to provide safe and compassionate care for people with a learning disability.</p><p>We are taking steps to help care homes improve the support they provide through the Care Workforce Pathway that sets clear expectations about training at different stages of a career. This includes learning disability and dementia as specific areas of practice. We are also introducing a new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate available to the sector with content that has been underpinned by the Dementia Training Standards and the Core Capabilities Framework on learning disability.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 16/02/2024 12:56:07 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1687358

	registered interest
	date	05/02/2024
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Small Businesses
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department is taking to help support the development of new small businesses.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	12953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/02/2024 answer text <p>The Government reaffirmed its commitment to all the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses with the creation of a new Small Business Council. The Council builds on the Department’s existing support for SMEs and will provide a bespoke forum for small businesses to have their voices represented within Government.</p><p> </p><p>The Help to Grow website is a one-stop shop for small businesses to clearly identify what funding they can access, webinars as well as the basics of setting up a business.</p><p> </p><p>Businesses can still access government-backed financial support from the Start Up Loans Company, which provides loans and support to new entrepreneurs.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake question first answered 12/02/2024 16:55:42 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1678337

	registered interest
	date	15/12/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Sudan: Humanitarian Aid
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to help ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need in Sudan.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	7194
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/12/2023 answer text <p>The UK has announced £36 million in humanitarian aid this year to assist people in urgent need in Sudan. Securing improved humanitarian access into and across Sudan remains a top UK priority. Lack of security remains the biggest constraint for international agencies and NGOs delivering life-saving assistance. We continue to raise humanitarian access, including bureaucratic and administrative impediments, with the warring parties, our international partners and in international fora such as the UN. The UK is working with the UN, other donors and humanitarian agencies to coordinate the effective delivery of aid, and continues to put pressure on both parties to the conflict to abide by their commitments under International Humanitarian Law and to allow lifesaving humanitarian aid to reach the Sudanese people.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 27/12/2023 16:33:08 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1678207

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department is taking to promote freedom of religion and belief in other countries.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	7033
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/12/2023 answer text <p>We continue to ensure that freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is central to our human rights and wider work. Our International Development White Paper published in November includes a commitment to prioritise FoRB in our bilateral and multilateral work.</p><p>We work with UN, G7, and other multilateral fora to promote FoRB. In June this year, the UN Security Council adopted, unanimously, a UK-United Arab Emirates (UAE) co-penned resolution on Tolerance and International Peace and Security, which contained language on FoRB. Bilaterally, Ministers and officials regularly raise specific cases of concern, and do not shy away from challenging those we believe are not meeting their obligations, whether publicly or in private.</p><p>This year, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP served a second consecutive year as Chair of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, a network of 42 countries committed to the promotion and protection of FoRB.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 27/12/2023 09:10:47 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1677808

	registered interest
	date	13/12/2023
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Tax Evasion
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to tackle tax evasion.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	6786
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>Tax evasion is always illegal and HMRC’s aim is for everyone to pay the tax that is legally due, no matter who they are. HMRC’s role is to make it easy to get tax right for the compliant majority and make it hard for the dishonest minority to cheat the system.</p><p>HMRC has achieved a long-term reduction in the UK’s tax gap from 7.5% in 2005-06 to 4.8% (£35.8 billion) in 2021-22 (the latest estimate). The tax gap is composed of a range of customer behaviours: non-payment, use of avoidance schemes, legal interpretation, error, failure to take reasonable care, evasion, the hidden economy and criminal attacks on the tax system.</p><p> </p><p>Evasion is when people or businesses deliberately do not declare or account for what they owe. It made up 0.6% or £4.7 billion of the £35.8 billion.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC works to prevent fraud, tackle avoidance and evasion by designing policies and processes which minimise risk, by promoting good compliance with the tax system through education initiatives and responding with a range of interventions, capabilities and sanctions given to them by Parliament, including the exercising of strong civil and criminal investigation powers.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2010, the Government has introduced over 200 measures to tackle tax avoidance and evasion, including 21 measures introduced since 2021 that are forecast to raise over £7 billion. Of these measures, 4 measures were announced at the Autumn Statement 2022 and are forecast to raise £5 billion in tax revenues over the next five years.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC will continue to work hard, putting in place measures which mean we can go even further in reducing the tax gap, and making sure taxpayers and businesses meet their obligations and pay the tax they owe.</p><p> </p><p>Published information: ‘Measuring tax gaps tables 2023’ (Table 7.1) at gov.uk.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 19/12/2023 16:04:47 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1671979

	registered interest
	date	21/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Deposit Return Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on developing the interoperability criteria for deposit return schemes in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	2862
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2023 answer text <p>In May 2023, the Government published a position statement setting out that deposit return schemes across the UK should be interoperable to reduce complexity for businesses and consumers, and to avoid unnecessary barriers to trade. Defra is working closely with devolved administrations at pace on the next steps to deliver interoperable schemes across the UK. We will be providing updates on this as soon as possible.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 29/11/2023 15:48:54 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1671430

	registered interest
	date	20/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Seeds: Databases
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what objectives there are for the OrganicXseeds database; how long the database has been in operation; and how much his Department spent on (a) maintaining the database and (b) producing an annual report of non-organic seed authorisations in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	2577
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2023 answer text <p>The UK is legally required to maintain a database listing the varieties of available organic seed or seed potatoes. The regulation detailing that requirement notes that the database should help operators to find organic seed and seed potatoes. The UK database has been in operation since 2004, with a separate database for Northern Ireland going live in 2021 following EU-exit. Since its inception in 2004, Defra has delegated the operation and maintenance of the database, and production of the annual non-organic seed authorisation reports, to the Soil Association. In 2022-23, Defra paid the Soil Association £23,086 + VAT for carrying out those responsibilities.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 23/11/2023 16:00:54 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1671431

	registered interest
	date	20/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Agriculture: Seeds
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many emergency authorisations were granted to certified organic producers to use non-organic seed in each of the last five years; and if he will make an assessment of the reasons for the trend in the number of emergency authorisations granted in that period.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	2578
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2023 answer text <p>It is possible for non-organic seed (as part of a mix or entirely non-organic) to be used on certified organic farmland, but only under prescribed circumstances, and with prior authorisation in accordance with regulations. The annual non-organic seed authorisation reports produced by the Soil Association on behalf of Defra details the total number of authorisations in each of the past 5 years as follows:</p><p> </p><ul><li>2022 – 17,314</li><li>2021 – 16,598</li><li>2020 – 13,106</li><li>2019 – 15,783</li><li>2018 – 15,828</li></ul><p> </p><p>In cases where, due to limited availability, a producer cannot source the required seeds in sufficient quantities, the organic regulation allows producers to use non-organic seeds. This is because it is recognised that sometimes, insufficient stocks may be available. Authorisations to use non-organic seed are granted only under specific circumstances and must be obtained in advance of their use. It is also worth highlighting that these authorisations cover all crop species and varieties used by organic farmers within the UK, each with unique variables as to availability of supply. Defra’s engagement with seed suppliers has not highlighted any systemic or structural issues with the supply of organic seed beyond those associated with the well-documented supply chain issues caused by the Covid pandemic and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 23/11/2023 15:58:07 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1669727

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Sustainable Farming Incentive
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Sustainable Farming Incentive programme on (a) farm-level crop yields, (b) national agricultural productivity and (c) domestic food self-sufficiency levels.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	1545
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2023 answer text <p>Our overall assessment of the impacts of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) on yields, productivity and domestic food production is based on a review of quantitative and qualitative evidence. SFI is designed to support farmers in managing their land in an environmentally sustainable way. Many SFI actions are designed to be undertaken alongside their agricultural operations and do not require land be taken out of production. Some actions within SFI are likely to take small areas of often marginally productive land out of production, lowering overall output for the farm in the short term. In the longer term this is likely to be offset by long term improvements in soil health and pollinator abundance which will support increased yields. Some actions in SFI will also reduce the need for fertilisers or pesticides leading to lower inputs and higher productivity. SFI, along with other schemes in the wider farming and countryside programme (including for example the Farming Resilience Fund, the Farming Investment Fund and the Farming Innovation Programme) will collectively support increases in agricultural productivity over the agricultural transition. Overall, this should allow participating farmers to broadly maintain long-run food production and to meet the objective, set out on the Food Strategy, of maintaining national food production at current levels.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Mark Spencer question first answered 23/11/2023 15:26:36 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1669728

	registered interest
	date	13/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Land Use
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the Government’s land use framework for England; and with reference to the commitments in the Food Strategy published in June 2022, whether the framework will take account of the potential impacts of (a) the Sustainable Farming Incentive and (b) other environmental land management schemes.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	1546
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2023 answer text <p>The Government will publish a Land Use Framework for England this year. The Framework will provide a long-term perspective on the land uses required to deliver growth, Net Zero, climate change adaptation, nature recovery, food security, and economic infrastructure. Our work preparing the Framework is taking a broad range of factors into account, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive and other environmental land management schemes.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 27/11/2023 11:19:32 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1667638

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Wood-burning Stoves: Fraud
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support local councils to tackle illegal log burning.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	196
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2023 answer text <p>Burning logs is not illegal, but we have introduced policies to reduce emissions from wood burning. These include:</p><ul><li>Restricting the sale of small volumes of wet wood (less than 2m<sup>3</sup>) - wood sold in small volumes must have a moisture content of 20% or less, and</li><li>Making it easier for local authorities to enforce smoke control area rules by replacing the criminal offence for smoke emissions with a civil penalty regime.</li></ul><p>The Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) sets out further measures to reduce emissions from wood burning. These include:</p><ul><li>Publishing outdoor burning best practice guidance.</li><li>Extending the solid fuels legislation, including to fuels burned outside.</li><li>Tightening the limits that new stoves in Smoke Control Areas must meet.</li><li>Driving a shift away from older, more polluting appliances to newer appliances which meet our tough new emission standards.</li><li>Continuing our targeted communications campaign to promote best practice when burning.</li></ul><p> </p><p>As set out in our recent Air Quality Strategy, we also continue to work with local authorities to help them tackle emissions from domestic combustion in their communities. This includes funding relevant local projects through our 2023/24 Air Quality Grant.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 16/11/2023 10:48:17 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1667639

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Wood-burning Stoves: Air Pollution
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to tackle air pollution from log burners.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	197
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2023 answer text <p>Air quality is a devolved matter. In England, regulations introduced in 2020 put restrictions on the sale of wet wood for domestic burning, placed limits on the emission of sulphur and smoke from manufactured solid fuels and phased out the sale of bituminous coal (traditional house coal). Through the Environment Act 2021, we also introduced measures to streamline the enforcement of Smoke Control Areas (SCAs).</p><p /><p>Since 1 January 2022 all stoves placed on the market in the United Kingdom must be Ecodesign compliant. This is in addition to the separate requirement in Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) that householders can only burn approved fuels or use a Defra exempt appliance.</p><p /><p>The Environment Improvement Plan sets out further measures to reduce domestic combustion emissions. These include:</p><ul><li>Publishing outdoor burning best practice guidance</li><li>Extending the solid fuels legislation, including to fuels burned outside</li><li>Tightening the limits that new stoves in SCAs must meet</li><li>Driving a shift away from older, more polluting appliances to newer appliances which meet our tough new emission standards;</li><li>Continuing our targeted communications campaign to promote best practice when burning</li></ul><p> </p><p>As set out in our recent Air Quality Strategy, we also continue to work with local authorities to help them tackle emissions from domestic combustion in their communities. This includes funding relevant local projects through our 2023/24 Air Quality Grant.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 16/11/2023 10:29:57 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1667665

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2023
	answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept id	13
	answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
	hansard heading	Food: Waste
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to increase food waste reporting.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	198
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2023 answer text <p>We are committed to tackling food waste, which is why we are taking action to increase the take up of the voluntary approach to reporting through the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap delivered by WRAP. This year more than £2 million will go to our food waste prevention programme, with action across the supply chain including working with trade associations and businesses to measure and report their food waste. We ask all businesses to sign up to the Roadmap and to ‘Target, Measure and Act’ on their food waste.</p> answering member constituency Taunton Deane answering member printed Rebecca Pow question first answered 15/11/2023 13:23:57 answering member 4522 label Biography information for Rebecca Pow
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1666774

	registered interest
	date	18/10/2023
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Antimicrobials: Drug Resistance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on antimicrobial resistance awareness, prevention and education goals ahead of the UN General Assembly high-level meeting in September 2024.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	906670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/10/2023 answer text <p>I attended and spoke at the UN General Assembly last month during which I discussed multiple global health challenges, including Antimicrobial Resistance, with my international counterparts.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 24/10/2023 14:37:10 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1665019

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	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	Lung Diseases: Health Education
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of pulmonary fibrosis.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	202713
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>Patients with pulmonary fibrosis are cared for by National Health Service regional specialist Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) services, who are commissioned by NHS England. To be referred to a specialist service patients need to be identified in primary and secondary care. Early and accurate diagnosis is a priority for NHS England, and the work to improve this area of clinical care is underway, which should have an impact on reducing delayed diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p>NHS England is responsible for the commissioning of services for ILD and funds the cost of anti-fibrotic treatments to treat this disease. Access to these treatments has recently been expanded to patients with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis following the publication of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s technology appraisal ‘Nintedanib for treating progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases’ in November 2021.</p><p>The Department has no plans for an awareness campaign.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 202714 question first answered 19/10/2023 15:57:32 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1665020

	registered interest
	date	16/10/2023
	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	Lung Diseases: Diagnosis and Medical Treatments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to (a) early diagnosis and (b) treatment for people living with pulmonary fibrosis.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	202714
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>Patients with pulmonary fibrosis are cared for by National Health Service regional specialist Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) services, who are commissioned by NHS England. To be referred to a specialist service patients need to be identified in primary and secondary care. Early and accurate diagnosis is a priority for NHS England, and the work to improve this area of clinical care is underway, which should have an impact on reducing delayed diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p>NHS England is responsible for the commissioning of services for ILD and funds the cost of anti-fibrotic treatments to treat this disease. Access to these treatments has recently been expanded to patients with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis following the publication of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s technology appraisal ‘Nintedanib for treating progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases’ in November 2021.</p><p>The Department has no plans for an awareness campaign.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince grouped question UIN 202713 question first answered 19/10/2023 15:57:32 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy

1663068

	registered interest
	date	13/10/2023
	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	Dementia: Medical Treatments
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that new disease-modifying treatments for dementia will be available on the NHS.
	tabling member constituency	York Outer
	tabling member printed	Julian Sturdy
	uin	200922
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/10/2023 answer text <p>To be made routinely available to National Health Service patients in England, new medicines must receive a marketing authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and a positive recommendation from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to demonstrate clinical and cost effectiveness.</p><p>A number of potential new disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are in development and MHRA, NICE, NHS England and the Department are working closely to ensure that arrangements are in place to support the adoption of any new licensed and NICE recommended treatment for Alzheimer’s disease as soon as possible.</p><p>NICE’s appraisal of lecanemab for treating early Alzheimer's disease is currently underway and, subject to licensing and the company engaging in the process, NICE expects to publish final guidance in July 2024 as close to licence as possible. NICE is also due to begin its appraisal of donanemab for treating early Alzheimer’s disease later this year.</p><p>To prepare for these appraisals, and the expected pipeline of further disease modifying dementia treatments, the NICE Health Technology Assessment Innovation Laboratory has already started working on identifying potential challenges that might face the evaluation of these medicines and ways of addressing them.</p> answering member constituency Colchester answering member printed Will Quince question first answered 19/10/2023 14:38:04 answering member 4423 label Biography information for Will Quince
	tabling member	4079 label Biography information for Julian Sturdy