Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential role of GLP-1 medications in reducing inflammation and pain associated with lipoedema.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department has not made any assessment of the potential role of GLP-1 medications in reducing inflammation and pain associated with lipoedema. Newly licensed medicines are appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on which new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE only makes recommendations on medicines within their licensed indications, and there is no GLP1 inhibitor with a United Kingdom marketing authorisation for use in the treatment of lipoedema. If a manufacturer applies for a UK marketing authorisation it may then be considered for evaluation by NICE.
In the absence of NICE guidance, clinicians are able to prescribe a medicine if they consider it appropriate for their patients, subject to funding being available. NHS commissioners are expected to make funding decisions based on an assessment of the available evidence.
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his department will assist post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients who currently have to pay for private dentistry due to a lack of NHS dentistry places, despite regular check-ups being an essential part of their post-radiotherapy care.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
To assist post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients, dentists will prioritise patients at a higher risk of oral cancer for more frequent recall and review in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.
Members of the public who are worried about their oral health in relation to cancer, including post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer patients, should seek advice from their dentist or general practitioner (GP). Patients with symptoms of concern should be assessed and offered an urgent dental appointment based upon clinical need, in line with advice from NHS England.
Some people are eligible for exemptions from NHS dental patient charges, or help with part of the cost of treatment, including those who are receiving certain benefits. Further information is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/who-can-get-free-nhs-dental-treatment/
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase resourcing for the Sussex Endometriosis Centre in Mid Sussex constituency.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The specialist service at the Sussex Endometriosis Centre, run by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, has experienced some workforce challenges with the dedicated staff for this service.
However, NHS England continues to work closely with providers, including the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, to support further improvements in waiting times and remains committed to working towards delivery of the ambitions set out by the Government, including eliminating long waits for patients.
The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan which will ensure the National Health Service has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to extend marketing restrictions for HFSS products to outdoor advertising.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Under the Health Mission, the Government is committed to prevention and to tackling obesity by creating a fairer, healthier food environment. We are already delivering the biggest public health reforms in a generation which includes restrictions on junk food advertising on television and online, a ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for children under 16 years old, and boosting the impact of the advertising and promotion restrictions by applying the updated Nutrient Profiling Model. We are also introducing mandatory healthy food sales reporting for large food businesses and will set new targets to increase the healthiness of sales in all communities, a world first.
Last year, the Government published the revised National Planning Policy Framework for local government, giving local authorities stronger, clearer powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools and where young people congregate. This will stop the relentless targeting of children and young people by the fast-food industry, which is a particular problem in some of the most deprived areas.
We welcome the work metropolitan mayors are progressing to support action being taken at a local level to ban junk food marketing across the public transport networks and public spaces that are controlled locally.
We currently have no plans to extend the marketing restrictions on products that are high in fat, sugar, and salt to outdoor advertising, but we continue to review the evidence of the impacts on children of advertising for less healthy food and drink products and will consider where further action is needed.
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies on tackling unmet needs for social care of The University of Manchester's publication entitled ‘Tackling unmet needs for social care among older people’ published on 21 May 2025.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The publication by the University of Manchester raises important implications for how adult social care is delivered by local authorities. The Government recognises the long-term trend of a reduction in the number of local authority funded long-term packages of adult social care, despite an ageing population. This can result in people’s care needs going unmet, placing pressure on unpaid carers, including spouses and family members, who provide essential care and support.
We remain committed to ensuring that local authorities meet their duties under the Care Act 2014, including the requirement to undertake Carer’s Assessments for those who appear to have needs and may be eligible for support. Where eligible, local authorities have a duty to provide appropriate, high-quality support services that focus on carers wellbeing.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is assessing how well local authorities in England are performing against their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, including their duties relating to unpaid carers. Formal assessments commenced in December 2023 and as of October 2025, the CQC has published over 80 local authority assessments. So far, the CQC has identified a number of emerging themes in local authorities’ delivery of adult social care, including a lack of support for unpaid carers. Ratings and reports are published on the CQC’s website, at the following link:
https://www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/local-authority-assessment-reports
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered research from The University of Manchester advocating for care support packages that target whole households.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We have not made a direct assessment of the potential merits of implementing care support packages for households, rather than for individuals requiring care. However, we recognise the importance of people’s wider support networks for those drawing on care and support.
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities in England must provide a broad range of high-quality, sustainable care and support services to meet the needs of their local populations, including carers and those who draw on care.
Local authorities are required to take a holistic approach when carrying out a needs assessment, considering an individual's needs, circumstances, and the outcomes they wish to achieve. Where family members or friends are involved, the assessment must take into account the extent to which they are willing and able to provide support. In addition, where a carer appears to have needs for support and may be eligible for help, the local authority is required to carry out a Carer’s Assessment to determine the appropriate support.
We also welcome the use of models such as family group conferencing in places like Camden, which put both individuals and their families and friends at the heart of the decision making.
Asked by: Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat - Mid Sussex)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many officials are assigned to work in the secretariat of the independent commission into adult social care.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are currently 11 officials assigned to work in the secretariat of the independent commission into adult social care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey. This secretariat may expand as the commission carries out its work, and as Baroness Casey considers what further skills and expertise she needs.