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1713401

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	answering body	Treasury
	answering dept id	14
	answering dept short name	Treasury
	answering dept sort name	Treasury
	hansard heading	Interest Rates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Bank of England on bank rates.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	23479
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>Monetary policy is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. This includes decisions on the Bank Rate.</p><p> </p><p>The Treasury meet with the Bank of England regularly to discuss their assessment of the economy and financial services. This includes regular meetings between the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hitchin and Harpenden answering member printed Bim Afolami question first answered 29/04/2024 14:37:35 answering member 4639 label Biography information for Bim Afolami
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1713406

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	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	Health Services: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what her timetable is for the rollout of Endo Barriers on the NHS.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	23480
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The implantation of a duodenal–jejunal bypass liner, also known as an endo barrier, for managing type 2 diabetes, is not recommended by the NICE, and therefore not available on the National Health Service. Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of the device for managing type 2 diabetes is limited in quality and quantity. For this reason, the NICE recommends that the procedure should only be done as part of a research study. Further information on the NICE guidelines is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg518/chapter/1-Recommendations" target="_blank">https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg518/chapter/1-Recommendations</a></p><p>The NICE may update the guidance, upon publication of further evidence. The NICE recommends that people with type 2 diabetes receive eight care processes at least annually, to support them to achieve three treatment targets to prevent diabetes related complications. The care processes include checks on blood glucose and body mass index, to support weight management. Delivery of all eight care processes is associated with reduced emergency admissions, amputations, and retinopathy. NHS England commissions two national lifestyle services to support adults with type 2 diabetes to manage their weight and improve their health and wellbeing. These are the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme and the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme. The NICE guidance for the care and management for adults with type 2 diabetes is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28" target="_blank">https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28</a></p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 30/04/2024 16:33:44 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1713408

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	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	Georgia: Civil Liberties
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of recent clashes between protestors and police in Georgia; and what discussions he has had with international partners on the protection of civil liberties in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	23481
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK is committed to supporting a vibrant civil society in Georgia, which is an essential attribute of a healthy democracy. We are aware of the recent demonstrations in Georgia against the proposed law on transparency of foreign influence and are monitoring developments. We are working closely with international partners to raise our concerns regarding the re-introduction of this law, and the Minister for Europe highlighted our concerns to the Georgian Ambassador when they met on 18 April.</p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani question first answered 01/05/2024 15:50:49 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1713005

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Crown Court: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the backlog in the Crown Court.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	23198
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>We remain committed to tackling the outstanding caseload in the Crown Court and have introduced a range of measures to achieve this aim.</p><p> </p><p>We expect to have sat around 107,000 days at the Crown Court in the last financial year (FY2023/24), representing around a 30% increase on sitting day levels during the 2019/20 financial year. We have also recruited around 1,000 judges and tribunal members across all jurisdictions in the last financial year so we can hear more cases.</p><p> </p><p>Judges have worked tirelessly to complete more cases. HMCTS Management Information shows that disposals have increased throughout the last calendar year, with February disposals being at their highest level than at any other point in the last 12 months, with 9,958 disposals in February 2024, up 18% on February 2023 (8,451).</p><p> </p><p>We are also investing more in our criminal courts. In August 2023, we announced we are investing £220 million for essential modernisation and repair work of our court buildings across the next two years, up to March 2025. We have also continued the use of 20 Nightingale courtrooms into the 2024/25 financial year, to allow courts to work at full capacity.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer question first answered 01/05/2024 16:05:23 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1713006

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	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	Evan Gershkovich
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what discussions he has had with international partners on the (a) release of Evan Gershkovich and (b) use of imprisonment as a bargaining tactic.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	23199
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>Evan Gershkovich's detention illustrates Russia's disregard for media freedom. Both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have called for his immediate release. As a US national, the US Government is providing Mr Gershkovich with consular support. The UK remains in close contact with the US and has raised his case at the OSCE on several occasions, most recently on 21 March. The UK condemns the use of detention for diplomatic leverage and, working with like-minded partners, we remain determined to deter and combat this practice.</p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani question first answered 01/05/2024 17:05:33 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1713007

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Data Protection: Business
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support businesses secure their digital infrastructure against the provision of technological services from companies deemed a potential threat to national security.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	23200
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The security of UK businesses and their digital infrastructure is a priority for the government and a key part of the National Cyber Strategy. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) works with Ofcom, UK technical authorities (the National Cyber Security Centre &amp; National Protective Security Authority) and industry to identify risks and secure telecoms network infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 sets out one of the world’s toughest telecoms cyber security regimes and places stringent obligations on public telecoms networks providers to protect networks against security threats. The Act also created new national security powers to control the use of high-risk vendors in the UK’s telecoms network. The government encourages businesses to improve their digital infrastructure security through the Cyber Essentials scheme and the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/05/2024 10:15:15 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712660

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Hamas: Hostage Taking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on securing the release of hostages from Gaza.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22944
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government has been working with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals and their families.</p><p>We have been clear that the release of all the hostages is one of the vital elements for a lasting peace and the Foreign Secretary has reiterated that Hamas must send the hostages home and bring to an end the horrific ordeal of those currently being held.</p><p>The UK Government continues to call for an immediate humanitarian pause now to allow for the release of hostages.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 30/04/2024 15:29:05 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712661

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Immigration Controls: Republic of Ireland
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the border between the UK and Republic of Ireland is secure against the passage malign foreign actors.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22945
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>We continue a high level of cooperation on border security with Ireland; working closely together to identify and tackle those who seek to abuse arrangements from entering the Common Travel Area.</p><p>Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 allows a Counter-Terrorism Police Officer to stop, question and, when necessary, detain and search, individuals and goods travelling through UK ports and the “border area” for the purpose of determining whether the person (or the goods) appears to be someone who is, or has been, engaged in hostile activity.</p><p>In Northern Ireland, a place is within the “border area” if it is no more than one mile from the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland or it is the first place at which a train travelling from the Republic of Ireland stops to let passengers off.</p><p>Individuals who seek to abuse the Common Travel Area arrangements are liable to be detained, and if unlawfully entering the UK, removed.</p> answering member constituency Tonbridge and Malling answering member printed Tom Tugendhat question first answered 30/04/2024 14:25:09 answering member 4462 label Biography information for Tom Tugendhat
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712662

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Strokes: Depressive Illnesses
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take steps to (a) monitor the incidence of depression among stroke survivors and (b) improve interventions to enhance (i) aftercare and (ii) quality of life for those people.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22946
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>Depression affects approximately one third of people with stroke, and stroke services in the National Health Service are very aware of the impact this can have on the quality of life and level of independence of people who experienced a stroke, and the importance of understanding through measurement which people are affected, to support appropriate management.</p><p>The National Clinical Guideline for Stroke 2023 recommends that people with stroke should be routinely screened for anxiety and depression using standardised tools, the results of which should be used alongside other sources of information to inform clinical formulation of treatment and support needs.</p><p>The latest published Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) data, from October to December 2023, showed that 92.4% of stroke patients were screened for mood disturbances, including depression, in hospital. 75% of stroke patients who were followed up at six months post stroke also had a mood screen, with 53% of patients receiving the psychological support needed.</p><p>NHS England is driving implementation of the National Service Model for an Integrated Community Stroke Service (ICSS) with a number of specific projects aimed at improving delivery of psychological rehabilitation. The ICSS model is vital to support psychological recovery, return to work, and improved quality of life. From July 2024, the SSNAP will record the amount of psychological rehabilitation provided to patients, and measure changes in quality of life over time.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 26/04/2024 12:17:40 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712663

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis
	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 reduce waiting times for an ADHD diagnosis on the NHS for children.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22947
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. NICE guidelines for ADHD diagnosis and management aim to improve the diagnosis of ADHD, and the quality of care and support people receive. The NICE guidelines do not recommend a maximum waiting time standard for ADHD diagnosis, either from referral for an assessment to receiving an assessment, a diagnosis, or a first contact appointment.</p><p>We know that children and young people often seek an ADHD diagnosis through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Through the NHS Long Term plan, the Government is investing record amounts into children and young people’s mental health services.</p><p>There is, at present, no single, established dataset that can be used to monitor waiting times for assessment or treatment for ADHD nationally. The Department is exploring options to improve data collection and reporting on ADHD assessment waiting times, to help improve access to ADHD assessments in a timely way, and in line with the NICE guideline. In support of this, the National Institute for Health and Care Research Policy Research Programme has commissioned a research project to provide insights into local ADHD diagnosis waiting time data collection.</p><p>NHS England is establishing a new ADHD taskforce alongside the Government, to improve care for people living with the condition. The new taskforce will bring together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, and help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand for assessments and support.</p><p>Alongside the work of the taskforce, NHS England has announced that it will continue to work with stakeholders to develop a national ADHD data improvement plan, carry out more detailed work to understand the provider and commissioning landscape, and capture examples from local health systems who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services to ensure best practice is captured and shared across the system.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 29/04/2024 16:32:42 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712664

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Heart Diseases: Women
	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 public awareness of links between heart disease in women and alcohol consumption.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22948
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>The NHS Health Check is England’s cardiovascular disease prevention programme. It aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease, and some cases of dementia among adults aged 40 to 74 years old. Each year the programme engages over one million people, including women, and prevents approximately 400 heart attacks or strokes. The provision of an alcohol risk assessment, and brief advice about alcohol harm, is a requirement in the NHS Health Check. The guidance to practitioners sets out that people identified as drinking at higher-risk levels should be referred for a liver check, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. In addition, the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Officer’s Low risk drinking guidelines and National Health Service guidance highlight that alcohol use is a risk factor for heart disease.</p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 29/04/2024 14:56:09 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712665

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: 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 discussions she has had with her counterparts in the devolved administrations on ensuring (a) a consistent approach and (b) the applicability of the NHS National Review to ADHD services.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22949
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>My Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has regular discussions on a wide range of matters, with a wide range of people. NHS England is establishing a new attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) taskforce alongside the Government, to improve care for people living with the condition. The new taskforce will bring together expertise from across a broad range of sectors, including the National Health Service, education, and justice, to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, and help provide a joined-up approach in response to concerns around rising demand for assessments and support. NHS England will continue to engage widely throughout the process, and will engage with the devolved administrations as appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 25/04/2024 16:55:48 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712667

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Cancer: Screening
	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 (a) trial and (b) roll-out early cancer screening.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22951
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>In England, early cancer screening is already in place for cervical, breast, and bowel cancer. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) does not currently recommend screening for prostate cancer due to the inaccuracy of the current best test, called Prostate Specific Antigen. We are providing £16 million of funding to Prostate Cancer UK's £42 million trial, which is aimed at helping us find a way of catching prostate cancer in men as early as possible. The UK NSC is also commissioning evidence for six possible approaches to targeted prostate screening for those at higher risk. The UK NSC will publish its recommendations when complete.</p><p>NHS England is responsible for the running of the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme, and its conversion to a nationally rolled out NHS Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Programme by 2030.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 24/04/2024 14:48:02 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712668

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Insomnia: Exercise
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to increase public awareness of the potential merits of regular exercise in reducing the effects of insomnia.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22952
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>Being active can help prevent and manage chronic conditions and diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, depression, and musculoskeletal conditions. It is also important for a range of other things, including energy balance, to maintain a healthy body weight, cognitive functioning, and sleep.</p><p>Our current focus is supporting people who are the most inactive to become more active, as this is where the greatest health gains can be achieved. This includes promoting easy and fun ways to get active through the Better Health social marketing campaign, including Couch to 5k, and Active 10 apps.</p> answering member constituency South Northamptonshire answering member printed Andrea Leadsom question first answered 29/04/2024 15:01:11 answering member 4117 label Biography information for Andrea Leadsom
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712718

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Azerbaijan: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has had recent discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart on (a) the preservation of Christian religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh, (b) regulations on religious practice and (c) other protections for Christians from repression and intimidation in that country.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22953
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/04/2024 answer text <p>We are clear that the preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is an important issue and we take seriously reports of the destruction of churches and other sites of religious significance in both Armenia and Azerbaijan as a result of their long-running conflict. The UK is committed to standing up for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) globally. British Embassies in Yerevan and Baku have raised the need to protect such sites with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments consistently and at the most senior levels.</p> answering member constituency Wealden answering member printed Ms Nusrat Ghani question first answered 29/04/2024 09:12:09 answering member 4460 label Biography information for Ms Nusrat Ghani
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712719

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	Nicaragua: Human Rights and Religious Freedom
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has made representations to his counterpart in Nicaragua on protecting (a) human rights and (b) religious freedoms (i) since the conviction of Bishop Rolando Álvarez and (ii) in the context of the treatment of Christians and Jews by President Daniel Ortega's regime.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22954
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>We share widespread international concern about the suppression of human rights in Nicaragua. The UK has been increasingly vocal against the rising repression of the right to freedom of religion or belief for all, including Christian and Jews. Most recently, on 18 April, we released a statement marking the sixth anniversary of the brutally repressed protests in Nicaragua, highlighting continued UK concern at the ongoing situation. On 29 February, the UK also made a statement in response to the latest report by the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, in which we urged President Ortega to respect fully the human rights of all its citizens. In my [Minister Rutley's] tweet on 16 January, I welcomed the release of Bishop Álvarez and 18 other clergy from their unjust detention but condemned their expulsion from Nicaragua and the continued detention of other political and religious figures.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 30/04/2024 17:00:44 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1712720

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	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	India: Christianity
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in India on the treatment of Christian churches and foreign missionaries in India.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22955
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK Government is committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all and promoting tolerance between different religious and non-religious communities, including respect for all places of worship.</p><p>India is committed via its constitution to freedom of religion and belief. Where specific issues or concerns arise, we raise these with the Government of India.</p><p>Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia, discussed FoRB with the Government of India, leaders of faith groups and others during his visit to India in May 2023. The British High Commission in New Delhi and our network of Deputy High Commissions across India regularly engage with civil society and religious representatives on these issues.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 30/04/2024 15:47:17 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701260

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Hong Kong: Civil Liberties
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what discussions his Department has had with international partners on civil liberties in Hong Kong.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21988
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK continues to act as a convening power, bringing together our international partners to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out violations of their rights and freedoms, and to hold China to its international obligations. That includes through the G7 and the Media Freedom Coalition. On 20 March, the UK raised Hong Kong's new national security legislation (Article 23) at the UN Human Rights Council, setting out our view that it will further erode rights and freedoms in the city.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 24/04/2024 13:47:51 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701263

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Semaglutide: Health Hazards
	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 increase the public's awareness of the side effects that can arise from taking weight loss drugs such as Ozempic.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21989
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines and healthcare products available to patients in the United Kingdom. Patient safety remains the MHRA’s highest priority, and they take every opportunity to encourage reporting of any safety concerns to the Yellow Card scheme, which helps to improve the safe use of medicines and medical devices for everyone.</p><p>New medicines including, Mounjaro and Wegovy, are intensively monitored to ensure that any new safety concerns are identified promptly. The Commission on Human Medicines and the MHRA encourages the reporting of all suspected reactions to newer drugs and vaccines, which are denoted by an inverted Black Triangle symbol. This symbol appears next to the name of a relevant product in drug safety updates, the British National Formulary and the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary, the monthly index of medical specialities, the electronic medicines compendium, and advertising material. Patient information leaflets accompanying licensed medicines in the UK must include a description of the adverse reactions which may occur in normal use of the medicinal product, as well as information on how to report them. All adverse reactions must be reflected in the leaflet, in language that the patient will understand.</p><p>The MHRA has received a small number of reports of falsified and unlicenced medicines being sold illegally online as a treatment for weight loss. The agency has issued public health messaging warning of the dangers of buying such medicines from illegal trading sources online.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 22/04/2024 11:07:07 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701264

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Women
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the report entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues published by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on 21 March 2024, HC 638.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21990
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>In laying the report before Parliament at the end of March, the Ombudsman has brought matters to the attention of this House, and a further update to the House will be provided once the report's findings have been fully considered.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 23/04/2024 15:00:35 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701265

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Electric Vehicles and National Grid: National Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department is taking steps to secure the (a) electricity grid and (b) electric vehicle infrastructure from remote disruption by foreign actors.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21991
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government takes the security of the electricity grid and electric vehicle infrastructure extremely seriously. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero works closely with Ofgem, the National Cyber Security Centre, and operators to strengthen infrastructure against attacks, share threat intelligence, and set clear and robust regulatory standards that are enforced through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018.</p><p> </p><p>The 2021 electric vehicle smart charge point regulations include cyber security requirements. These require that all private charge points meet physical tamperproof requirements, check regularly for security updates, and encrypt all communication to and from the charge point.</p><p> </p><p>The Government has recently published a detailed consultation package, '<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/delivering-a-smart-and-secure-electricity-system-implementation" target="_blank">Delivering a smart and secure electricity system: implementation</a>'. This sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements for Energy Smart Appliances and load controlling organisations to further mitigate risk.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 24/04/2024 14:13:55 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701266

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Mental 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 she is taking to improve early intervention for mental health conditions in working-age adults.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21992
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The £795 million of additional funding announced in the Autumn Statement will see thousands of working-age adults with mental ill health helped back into work over the next five years, keeping them out of poverty, improving their wellbeing, and raising their living standards.</p><p>This will increase the number of sessions per course of Talking Therapies treatment, to tackle the root causes of common mental health conditions like anxiety and depression and to broaden access, leading to an expected additional 384,000 people completing a course of treatment by 2028/29.</p><p>The investment will also fund an additional 100,000 Individual Placement and Support places over five years, which will help people with severe mental illness gain and retain paid employment.</p><p>Between 2019 and 2022, total number of NHS Talking Therapies staff across England, including clinical and non-clinical, has risen by 38%. NHS England has published a positive practice guide for NHS Talking Therapies staff working with those from black and ethnic minority groups, which is helping providers take appropriate action to ensure that communities have equality of access to NHS Talking Therapies</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 22/04/2024 16:07:46 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701335

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Blood Cancer: Drugs
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2024 to Question 15636 on Blood Cancer: Drugs, on what date her Department first became aware of challenges presented by the appraisal of combination therapies; and what solutions her Department is considering with NHS England to ensure continued equal access to combination medicines for multiple myeloma across the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21993
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) worked closely with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over a number of years on the CMA’s statement on combination therapies, published in November 2023.</p><p>The steps taken by the CMA provide a clear commercial position that means that deals involving multiple drugs licensed by different companies can now be agreed under specific circumstances. This has been welcomed by the ABPI as an opportunity to unlock the door to more transformative combination therapies on the National Health Service.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 24/04/2024 15:37:14 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701336

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	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	Drugs: Procurement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will have discussions with NHS England on the effectiveness of its Commercial Framework in tackling challenges presented by the appraisal and reimbursement system when applied to combination medicines and medicines with multiple indications.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21994
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>As part of the 2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth, NHS England has committed to undertake two consultations on its Commercial Framework for New Medicines. The first of these will be launched in summer 2024 and will align with the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) statement on combination medicines. In addition, it will be more explicit about the approach taken for assessing the eligibility of medicines treating multiple indications to qualify for indication specific pricing mechanisms.</p><p>Following the first consultation, a revised framework will be published by the end of 2024, and engagement with pharmaceutical companies and patient groups on these issues is already taking place.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 24/04/2024 15:42:59 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701337

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Renewable Fuels: Public Consultation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to launch a consultation on the renewable liquid heating fuel obligation before 23 July 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21995
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government intends to issue the consultation by September this year, in line with commitments made by ministers during Parliamentary debates on the Energy Act.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 23/04/2024 10:43:09 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701338

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Renewable Fuels: Public Consultation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the (a) scope and (b) terms of reference of the consultation on the renewable liquid heating fuel obligation will be.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21996
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government will consult on the potential role of renewable liquid fuels in heat by September, in line with commitments made during the passage of the Energy Act. The Department is developing the consultation at pace and its final scope and terms of reference will be confirmed in due course.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 23/04/2024 10:42:12 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701339

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Renewable Fuels: Public Consultation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to support the use of renewable liquid fuels following the removal of renewable liquid fuel import tariffs from the US in February 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21997
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government supports the use of renewable fuels in several ways. Regulations generate demand for them in the UK and provide a signal for future investments. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) scheme continues to support renewable fuels, which are primarily deployed in road transport, and delivers a third of transport’s carbon savings under carbon budget 4. The Government will introduce a similar mandate scheme to drive the deployment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2025. We also have a track record of supporting UK production of advanced renewable fuels through grant funding programmes. Most recently the Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) has allocated over £135 million of capital funding to 13 projects to support the development of a UK SAF industry.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 22/04/2024 08:58:02 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701341

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Secondary Education: Teachers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for her policies of the proportion of time spent by secondary school teachers spending teaching subjects they are not trained in.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21998
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.</p><p>There is currently the highest number of teachers on record. There are now over 468,000 full-time equivalent teachers in state-funded schools in England, which is an increase of 27,000 (6%) since the School Workforce Census began in 2010.</p><p>The most recent School Workforce Census shows that almost 9 in 10 (87.4%) hours taught in English Baccalaureate subjects were taught by a teacher with a specialism in that subject. Overall, teachers spent a total of 3 in 5 teaching hours (63.7%) teaching the English Baccalaureate subjects of mathematics, English, sciences (including computer science), history, geography and modern languages. The School Workforce Census is available online at: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england</a>.</p><p>Further information on the numbers and proportions of hours taught by teachers with relevant specialism in state-funded secondary schools in England in November 2022 can be found in the census publication at the following link: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f8c83028-7cce-463b-4c97-08dc5d297e6b" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f8c83028-7cce-463b-4c97-08dc5d297e6b</a>.</p><p>The department recognises that there is further to go to improve recruitment in some subjects and to ensure that more teaching is done by teachers with a specialism in the relevant subject. That is why the department has put in place a range of measures, including increased bursaries worth up to £28,000 tax-free and scholarships worth up to £30,000 tax-free, to encourage talented trainees to key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing, and the department’s financial incentives package for the 2024/25 initial teacher training recruitment cycle is worth up to £196 million, which is a £15 million increase on the last cycle.</p><p>Additionally, the department is offering a Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 after tax for mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing teachers in the first five years of their careers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools, including in Education Investment Areas. For 2024/25 and 2025/26, the department will be doubling the rates of the Levelling Up Premium to up to £6,000 after tax. This will support recruitment and retention of specialist teachers in these subjects and in the schools and areas that need them most.</p><p>Last year the department accepted in full the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendations for the 2023/24 pay award for teachers and leaders. This means that teachers and leaders in maintained schools received a pay award of 6.5%, which is the highest pay award for teachers in over thirty years. The 2023/24 award also delivered the manifesto commitment of a minimum £30,000 starting salary for school teachers in all regions of the country.</p><p>The department also funds a number of subject-specific curriculum hubs, in subjects such as mathematics, sciences and languages, where schools can access more targeted training and development for their teachers, including those teaching out of specialism.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 24/04/2024 12:13:40 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701342

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's Postgraduate initial teacher training targets for the 2024/25 academic year, for what reason the target number of secondary trainees teachers of Religious Education has been reduced to 580.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21999
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Postgraduate initial teacher training is only one of many routes into the teacher workforce, all of which are considered when calculating targets. Other routes include Undergraduate higher education institution (HEI) courses, Assessment Only (AO), the upcoming teacher degree apprenticeship, returners, new to the state-funded sector entrants and newly qualified entrants that defer entry into the profession (deferrers).</p><p>The 2024/25 postgraduate initial teacher training recruitment target of 580 for Religious Education (RE) is the highest since 2018/19 (if we exclude the 655 in 2023/24). Therefore, the current target is quite high compared to the recent historical time series. The target fell by 11.5% this year, which is in line with the fall of 9.1% for the overall secondary target.</p><p>These targets were calculated by the Teacher Workforce Model, and the fall was driven by two key factors. Firstly, recruitment forecasts for both returners and teachers that are new to the state-funded sector (including deferrer NQEs, newly qualified entrants) are more favourable this year. If we expect to recruit more teachers from these sources, all else being equal, we require fewer newly qualified entrants, and thus teacher trainees.</p><p>Secondly, whilst secondary pupil numbers are still growing, they are now growing more slowly; in advance of peaking around 2025/26. This acts to reduce the rate at which the workforce needs to grow and has helped lead to this year’s lower overall secondary target.</p><p>Finally, it is important to note that teacher training recruitment is unlimited this year; a lower recruitment target does not necessarily mean lower levels of recruitment.</p><p>Further information may be found in the following publication: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets</a>.</p><p><br></p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 24/04/2024 16:30:33 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1701343

	registered interest
	date	16/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Teachers: Training
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of secondary school trainee teachers of (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) foreign languages, (d) religious education, (e) mathematics and (f) computing have been recruited to begin training in Autumn 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	22000
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>Departmental targets for 2024/25 postgraduate initial teacher training (PGITT) were calculated by the Teacher Workforce Model (TWM) and include recruitment to High Potential ITT (HPITT) which is a two year employment-based ITT programme attracting high performing graduates and career changers who are unlikely to have otherwise joined the profession. The targets are calculated to replace all teachers expected to leave the workforce in 2025/26, and the working hours lost from teachers that will reduce their teaching hours between years. PGITT is only one of many routes into the teacher workforce, all of which are considered when calculating targets. Other routes include undergraduate university courses, Assessment Only (AO), the upcoming teacher degree apprenticeship, returners, new to the state-funded sector entrants, and newly qualified entrants that defer entry into the profession (deferrers).</p><p>Further information may be found in the following publication: <a href="https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets" target="_blank">https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets</a>.</p><p>Departmental targets are for 23,955 secondary teacher trainees to start their initial teacher training (ITT) in autumn 2024, including HPITT trainees. As of last month, there have been 7,618 acceptances to postgraduate secondary courses in England (excluding HPITT acceptances).</p><p>​Acceptance figures exclude HPITT acceptances as this data is not published. It is expected that more candidates will be recruited in the final four months of the cycle. Therefore, although acceptance figures provide a better indication of the number of teacher trainees starting training in Autumn 2024, they are not directly comparable to TWM trainee targets.</p><p>​The physics TWM trainee target is 2,250 (incl. HPITT) and currently there have been 554 acceptances (excl. HPITT).</p><p>​The chemistry TWM trainee target is 1,220 (incl. HPITT) and currently there have been 314 acceptances (excl. HPITT).</p><p>​The modern foreign languages TWM trainee target is 2,540 (incl. HPITT) and currently there have been 622 acceptances (excl. HPITT).</p><p>The religious education TWM trainee target is 580 (incl. HPITT) and currently there have been 198 acceptances (excl. HPITT).</p><p>The mathematics TWM trainee target is 3,065 (incl. HPITT) and currently there have been 1,001 acceptances (excl. HPITT).</p><p>The computing TWM trainee target is 1,330 (incl. HPITT) and currently there have been 202 acceptances (excl. HPITT).</p><p>​One of the department’s top priorities is to ensure that it continues to attract and retain high-quality teachers. The department is investing in attracting the best teachers where they are needed the most, through its teaching marketing campaign, support services for prospective trainees, and financial incentives package including bursaries worth up to £28,000 and scholarships worth up to £30,000. The department’s in-house teacher recruitment journey and associated digital services are generating new real-time data and insight to drive innovation. For example, the department has now rolled out an ITT course specifically designed to support more engineers to teach physics.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 26/04/2024 17:09:25 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1700795

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Police: Early Retirement
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers have retired due to ill health in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21667
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office collects and publishes data annually on the number of police officers leaving the police service and their reasons for leaving, including medical retirements, as at 31 March each year, in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin which can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales</a>.</p><p>Information on the number of police officers leaving the police service by reason for leaving, including medical retirements, between the years ending 31 March 2007 and 2023 can be found in the ‘Leavers Open Data Table’ here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ba76662059dc000d5d27c0/open-data-table-police-workforce-leavers-260723.ods" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ba76662059dc000d5d27c0/open-data-table-police-workforce-leavers-260723.ods</a></p><p>The Home Office does not hold data on the number of police officers taking medical retirement in Scotland or Northern Ireland.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 24/04/2024 09:15:01 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1700796

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Defence
	answering dept id	11
	answering dept short name	Defence
	answering dept sort name	Defence
	hansard heading	Watchkeeper WK450
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many watchkeeper drones the UK has.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21668
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 March 2024 to Question 18362 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey).</p> answering member constituency South Suffolk answering member printed James Cartlidge question first answered 23/04/2024 12:35:16 answering member 4519 label Biography information for James Cartlidge attachment 1 file name 18362 - Watchkeeper WK450.docx title Watchkeeper WK450
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1700797

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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: Floods
	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 provided financial assistance to farmers to repair flood damage.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Farming Recovery Fund has been opened to provide farmers support to recover from uninsurable damage with grants of between £500 and £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was before exceptional flooding of Storm Henk. The fund was initially opened in nine English local authority areas where the Flood Recovery Framework has already been activated to help farms which have experienced the highest levels of flooding, and the eligibility for the Fund remains under review.</p><p> </p><p>This forms part of a package of support available to farmers through the Flood Recovery Framework, including a grant of up to £2,500 through the Business Recovery Grant Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore grouped question UIN 21522 question first answered 23/04/2024 10:54:08 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1700798

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	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	Bovine Tuberculosis
	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 estimate he has made of levels of bovine tuberculosis.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	21670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>Bovine TB is a devolved policy matter.</p><p> </p><p>The latest bovine TB statistics published on GOV.UK, which can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bovine-tb" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/bovine-tb</a>, continue to show a gradually improving picture in most headline indicators for England overall and particularly in the High Risk Area and the Edge Area. In 2023 the lowest annual incidence of TB in cattle herds in England was recorded since 2007. In the Low Risk Area, the incidence and prevalence of TB in cattle herds remain very low and stable.</p><p> </p><p>During the 2023 calendar year, just over 20,000 cattle were slaughtered for TB-related reasons in England, having peaked at 34,500 in 2018.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 23/04/2024 14:58:00 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1698868

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	Airports: Unmanned Air Vehicles
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the (a) detection and (b) management of drones around UK airports.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	20629
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulate the use of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (drones) to ensure the use of drones remains safe and secure.</p><p> </p><p>Some airports in the UK are already using drone detection systems supplied by third parties to detect and/or manage drone activities within their airspace.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South Cambridgeshire answering member printed Anthony Browne question first answered 15/04/2024 11:12:57 answering member 4801 label Biography information for Anthony Browne
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1698869

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	Tibet: Human Rights
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Lhasa.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	20630
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>We are concerned about human rights violations in Lhasa and Tibet more widely, including restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and on freedom of assembly and association, reports of forced labour, and reports that boarding schools are being used to assimilate Tibetan children into Han culture.</p><p>The UK Government consistently raises human rights issues with the Chinese authorities - the Foreign Secretary did so in February in a meeting with China's Foreign Minister. We also regularly raise Tibet in multilateral fora, for example, in January at China's Universal Periodic Review, and on 20 March as part of our Item 4 statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 19/04/2024 13:25:31 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1698870

	registered interest
	date	26/03/2024
	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	China
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans to visit China.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	20631
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>We will confirm Ministerial travel in the usual way.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 19/04/2024 13:23:28 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1698374

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	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	Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the uptake of the cervical cancer vaccine.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	20311
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for adolescents offers a life-saving vaccine to all children in Year 8, to protect them against strains of HPV that can cause some cancers including cervical, anal, head, and neck. High-risk HPV DNA is found in over 99% of all cervical cancers. The UKHSA monitors uptake of the adolescent HPV vaccination programme, and publishes annual statistics for England and the United Kingdom, with further information available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2022-to-2023" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2022-to-2023</a></p><p>This data is used by local NHS Screening and Immunisation Teams to develop local plans to improve uptake and reduce inequalities, in collaboration with key partners such as directors of public health, and their teams in local authorities. Publication of statistical data also generates national communication activity, to raise awareness and improve uptake.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 15/04/2024 08:52:54 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1698376

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Home Office
	answering dept id	1
	answering dept short name	Home Office
	answering dept sort name	Home Office
	hansard heading	Slavery: Victims
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the national referral mechanism.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	20312
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government is focussed on improving National Referral Mechanism (NRM) decision-making timescales. We have seen an unprecedented increase in the volume of referrals in the NRM; a 625% rise between 2014 and 2022. In 2023, 17,004 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office, the highest annual number since the NRM began in 2009. Despite this, since January 2023 the number of decisions outstanding has been coming down for the first time ever, showing that what we are doing is working.</p><p>The Government is committed to ensuring that genuine victims are identified and introduced legislation under the Nationality and Borders Act to ensure that there is a robust system which supports victims and reduces the opportunity for misuse.</p><p>The Home Office holds all policies and procedures under review to ensure they are effective in delivering the aims of the government. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of the NRM accordingly.</p> answering member constituency Newbury answering member printed Laura Farris question first answered 19/04/2024 12:16:28 answering member 4826 label Biography information for Laura Farris
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697023

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Pensions: Young People
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he is taking steps to encourage young people under the age of 18 to opt in to pensions.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19353
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The 2017 Review of Automatic Enrolment (AE) sets out our ambition to reduce the qualifying age for AE below 22, so that younger workers can begin to save as soon as they join the labour market.</p><p> </p><p>The government supported the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Act 2023 which gives us the legislative powers to implement this expansion of AE subject to consultation with employers and workers. Government is committed to make this change in the mid-2020s.</p><p> </p><p>In the meantime, the current AE framework allows workers who are not automatic enrolled to opt-in to a workplace pension, including those below age 22, and many employers already choose to enrol those workers.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 26/03/2024 11:34:10 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697024

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination
	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 encourage the uptake of HPV vaccinations in schools.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19354
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>National Health Service Commissioned School Aged Immunisation Service providers have robust catch-up plans in place for the adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme based on population need, utilising opportunities from the move to one dose in September 2023.</p><p>The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works closely with several charities to develop resources that can be used to raise awareness of HPV. UKHSA also publishes annual statistics to support local NHS teams in developing plans to improve HPV uptake and reduce inequalities.</p><p>NHS England has improved digital communications on vaccinations, including expanding the NHS app, and improved vaccine access outside of schools through community clinics at convenient times and locations. UKHSA produces a number HPV resources which are available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hpv-vaccination-programme" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hpv-vaccination-programme</a></p><p>Other materials are available on the UKHSA Health Publications website in a range of language and accessible formats, which are available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.html" target="_blank">https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.html</a></p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 26/03/2024 11:14:33 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697025

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Measles: Diagnosis
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many diagnoses of measles there have been in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19355
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes routine data on laboratory confirmed measles.</p><p>Between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, there have been 368 laboratory confirmed cases in the England. From 1 October 2023, there have been 730 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England.</p><p>The 2023 data is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023/confirmed-cases-of-measles-in-england-by-month-age-and-region-2023" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023/confirmed-cases-of-measles-in-england-by-month-age-and-region-2023</a></p><p>As part of the national incident response, 2024 data is currently being published weekly at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023/national-measles-standard-incident-measles-epidemiology-from-october-2023" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-epidemiology-2023/national-measles-standard-incident-measles-epidemiology-from-october-2023</a></p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 26/03/2024 11:18:34 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697026

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Domestic Abuse: Convictions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convictions for domestic abuse there have been in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19356
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of convictions for criminal offences covering the period requested. The latest data available, until year ending June 2023, can be obtained in the following published tool: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65bd0675704282000d752143/outcomes-by-offence-june-2023.xlsx" target="_blank">Outcomes by Offence tool: June 2023</a>.</p><p>However, it is not possible to separately identify convictions for ‘domestic abuse’ because the information held centrally is related to the offence in law for which a defendant is convicted for. Domestic abuse related offences can be prosecuted under a wide range of legally defined offences. This information may be held on court records, but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs.</p> answering member constituency Newbury answering member printed Laura Farris question first answered 27/03/2024 12:56:58 answering member 4826 label Biography information for Laura Farris
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697027

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Crimes of Violence: Convictions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many convictions for aggravated assault there have been in the last 12 months.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19357
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of convictions for criminal offences, including various assault offences, covering the time period requested. The latest data available, until year ending June 2023, can be obtained in the following published tool: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65bd0675704282000d752143/outcomes-by-offence-june-2023.xlsx" target="_blank">Outcomes by Offence tool: June 2023</a>.</p><p>Information relating to aggravating factors for assault offences is only available centrally where this forms a specific offence in legislation, including those listed below. Information on other aggravating factors may be held on court records but to examine individual court records to identify all aggravated assaults would be of disproportionate costs.</p><ul><li>8.06 Racially or religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm</li><li>8.07 Racially or religiously aggravated common assault or beating</li></ul> answering member constituency Orpington answering member printed Gareth Bacon question first answered 27/03/2024 12:52:43 answering member 4798 label Biography information for Gareth Bacon
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697029

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Sports: Artificial Intelligence
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the sporting industry.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19358
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The government is committed to using technology to help drive increased participation at every level, as well as economic growth in the sector.</p><p>The government will continue to work with both the technology and the sport sectors to help identify innovative, inclusive digital solutions which help increase participation and activity.<strong><br></strong></p><p>On artificial intelligence specifically, for the development of the National AI Strategy and the AI regulation white paper, the government engaged with hundreds of businesses across a range of sectors, including civil society. We will continue this engagement to understand the impacts AI may have on different industries.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 26/03/2024 10:17:59 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697030

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Oral Cancer: Diagnosis
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of people diagnosed with mouth cancer in the last twelve months.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19359
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>The information requested is not available for the last twelve months. The most recent data available from 2021 shows 9,018 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer in England. Further information is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2021---summary-counts-only" target="_blank">https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2021---summary-counts-only</a></p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 27/03/2024 10:13:35 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1697031

	registered interest
	date	19/03/2024
	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	Fisheries: Northern Ireland
	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 he has had recent discussions with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the number of skilled workers employed in the Northern Irish fisheries industry.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19360
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government believes that every role in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland requires a wide variety of skills. The most recent statistics from the Marine Management Organisation’s Sea Fisheries Statistics 2022 show that the fishing industry in Northern Ireland employed 799 people, all of whom are skilled.</p> answering member constituency Sherwood answering member printed Sir Mark Spencer question first answered 22/04/2024 13:00:51 answering member 4055 label Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1696605

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2024
	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	Hong Kong: Asylum
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether Ministers in his Department have plans to meet with Hong Kong activists (a) Nathan Law, (b) Finn Lau and (c) Christopher Mung.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19056
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/03/2024 answer text <p>We will not tolerate any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK. Officials in Hong Kong, Beijing and London have raised the issuing of arrest warrants and bounties for these individuals with the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities. As the Foreign Secretary said on 14 December, the Hong Kong Police are deliberately targeting individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression. We have called for the repeal of the National Security Law and continue to make clear our strong objections, including to its extraterritorial reach. That extends to the decisions by the Hong Kong Police to issue arrest warrants and bounties for activists. We call on Beijing to repeal the National Security Law and end its persecution of political activists.</p> answering member constituency Berwick-upon-Tweed answering member printed Anne-Marie Trevelyan question first answered 28/03/2024 09:40:10 answering member 4531 label Biography information for Anne-Marie Trevelyan
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1696606

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2024
	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	Asthma
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance her Department plans to issue to asthmatic people on projected high pollen levels this summer.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19057
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>At present, NHS England has no plans to issue guidance to asthmatic people on projected high pollen levels this summer. However, the National Health Service website contains advice on asthma, which includes advice on understanding and managing triggers, such as pollen. The NHS site also links to Asthma and Lung UK’s advice on asthma management, which contains more detailed information on managing triggers, and how best to reduce risk when pollen levels are high.</p><p>The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has new capabilities for monitoring real-time pollen levels for this year’s pollen season. This adds to the UKHSA’s Real-time Syndromic Surveillance, which includes the monitoring of presentations of asthma to the NHS. The UKHSA also provides weekly updates via publicly available surveillance bulletins, which are available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/syndromic-surveillance-systems-and-analyses" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/syndromic-surveillance-systems-and-analyses</a>.</p><p>In addition to this work, the Met Office provides alerts and advice when pollen levels are high. These alerts provide valuable information on pollen levels over the next five days for asthmatics and hayfever sufferers, so they can appropriately modify their planned future activities, and ensure they use or have their medication with them.</p> answering member constituency Lewes answering member printed Maria Caulfield question first answered 26/03/2024 13:47:43 answering member 4492 label Biography information for Maria Caulfield
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1696607

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2024
	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	Falkland Islands
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had recent discussions with his European Union counterparts on the July 2023 summit declaration between the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States that referred to the Falklands Islands as Islas Malvinas.
	tabling member constituency	Strangford
	tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
	uin	19058
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>We engage in multilateral and bilateral fora, including with the European Union and its Member States, in support of the Falkland Islanders' right of self-determination. Following publication of the EU - Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit communiqué, the EU publicly clarified their position has not changed. We will, in all fora at which the UK is present, continue to insist on the use of the name that the Islanders recognise and wish to use: the Falkland Islands. This reflects the UK's unequivocal commitment to upholding the Falkland Islanders' right of self-determination, including in our discussions with the EU and its Member States.</p> answering member constituency Macclesfield answering member printed David Rutley question first answered 26/03/2024 16:49:21 answering member 4033 label Biography information for David Rutley
	tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon