Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the current national shortage level of childbirth epidural kits, what assessment they have made of the causes of that shortage, and what plans they have to address the shortage.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no supply issues regarding epidural insertion kits, but there are supply issues impacting some of the usual medicines used to provide pain relief via epidural infusion. However, a range of licensed and unlicensed bags, including unlicensed imports, remain available, and the situation is being closely monitored.

To ensure a system-wide co-ordinated approach on using these products and safe implementation, a National Patient Safety Alert was issued on 2 December 2025 with clear and comprehensive management guidance. The Department and NHS England have also worked with professional stakeholders to provide clinical advice for clinicians at hospital level to minimise potential disruption and maintain safe patient care, a copy of which is attached.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, for the purposes of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, and having regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, what assessment they have made of the risks associated with permitting assistance for someone to end their own life where the person has not previously undergone any deprivation of liberty or comprehensive safeguarding assessment.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is currently under consideration in Parliament, and it is rightly a matter for Parliament to decide if the safeguards in the bill are sufficient. The Government remains neutral on the bill.

Given that the bill is still under consideration, the Government has made no assessment of the risks associated with permitting assistance for someone to end their own life where the person has not previously undergone any deprivation of liberty or comprehensive safeguarding assessment.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when discussions with the European Union about UK participation in the Erasmus+ programme beyond 2028 will commence.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The UK and European Commission have reached an agreement in principle for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027. The Government’s immediate focus is to work to maximise take-up across all sectors so that the benefits of Erasmus+ association in 2027 can be fully realised.

Going forward, any continued UK participation in Erasmus+ under the next Multiannual Financial Framework will be informed by our experience of association in 2027 and will be based on a fair and balanced contribution. Discussions on any future association would commence closer to the time.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what UK military activity has taken place in the past year in support of counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Latin and South America.

Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Navy has conducted one period of counter-illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean in January and February 2025.

The Ministry of Defence has also conducted routine capacity building training with regional partners for example to build their maritime operational capability.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the terms of reference are for the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, and when they will be published.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The membership of the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently being finalised, and the first meeting of the taskforce will be held early this year. Following engagement with some families and stakeholders, the Terms of Reference are also being developed and will be published in due course.

This will allow the taskforce to begin to address some of the entrenched issues we know exist and be fully prepared to act once the national maternity and neonatal investigation reports in Spring 2026.The taskforce will work rapidly to transform the investigation’s recommendations into a deliverable new national action plan to drive real change.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the first meeting of the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is set to take place.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The membership of the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently being finalised, and the first meeting of the taskforce will be held early this year. Following engagement with some families and stakeholders, the Terms of Reference are also being developed and will be published in due course.

This will allow the taskforce to begin to address some of the entrenched issues we know exist and be fully prepared to act once the national maternity and neonatal investigation reports in Spring 2026.The taskforce will work rapidly to transform the investigation’s recommendations into a deliverable new national action plan to drive real change.