Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made on commissioning a cost-effectiveness evaluation to explore the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of different pathways using breast density in the screening pathway in the UK, as promised by the UK National Screening Committee.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The independent UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises the Government on all screening matters, is considering the best approach for women with dense breast tissue. It reviewed the evidence relating to the provision of additional breast screening for women who have dense breast tissue and invited stakeholders’ feedback on the findings to inform future work. The consultation closed in August 2025, and the UK NSC recommended that further work is needed to understand the clinical impact and costs of adding breast density to the screening pathways in the United Kingdom.
In 2025, the UK NSC set up a working group of breast cancer screening experts to help it consider new and emerging evidence and developments that could further improve the UK breast screening programme. This is including breast density as a key issue. This work is ongoing.
Furthermore, the Breast Screening - Risk Adaptive Imaging for Density study is looking into whether supplementary imaging techniques, like magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, could be used for women with dense breast tissue. The UK NSC is in contact with the researchers and is reviewing the evidence as it becomes available.
If, following this work, the UK NSC makes a recommendation regarding breast density, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, would be asked to make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, alongside wider policy and operational advice.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the UK National Screening Committee's commissioned work on the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of additional screening for individuals with dense breasts is due to report publicly, and when they expect to make a recommendation on additional screening for women with dense breasts.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson
The independent UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), which advises the Government on all screening matters, is considering the best approach for women with dense breast tissue. It reviewed the evidence relating to the provision of additional breast screening for women who have dense breast tissue and invited stakeholders’ feedback on the findings to inform future work. The consultation closed in August 2025, and the UK NSC recommended that further work is needed to understand the clinical impact and costs of adding breast density to the screening pathways in the United Kingdom.
In 2025, the UK NSC set up a working group of breast cancer screening experts to help it consider new and emerging evidence and developments that could further improve the UK breast screening programme. This is including breast density as a key issue. This work is ongoing.
Furthermore, the Breast Screening - Risk Adaptive Imaging for Density study is looking into whether supplementary imaging techniques, like magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound, could be used for women with dense breast tissue. The UK NSC is in contact with the researchers and is reviewing the evidence as it becomes available.
If, following this work, the UK NSC makes a recommendation regarding breast density, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, would be asked to make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, alongside wider policy and operational advice.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress he has made on recruiting judges to the first tier tribunal.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government is maintaining investment in annual recruitment of up to 1,000 judges and tribunal members across all jurisdictions, including those with greatest business need. Chamber-specific recruitment is underway for the First-tier Tribunal Property and Immigration & Asylum Chambers, and the Employment Tribunal.
Information on the number of judges in post, leavers, new appointments and promotions is published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/diversity-of-the-judiciary-2025-statistics. The 2026 statistics are expected to be published on 9 July 2026. The independent Judicial Appointments Commission publishes quarterly data on the number of applications and selections for appointment once recruitment is completed: https://judicialappointments.gov.uk/completed-exercises/.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of additional County Court sitting hours to deal with Section 8 possession claims following the commencement of the Renters Rights Act.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice (including its executive agency His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service) has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that the courts have sufficient capacity to manage the impact of the Renter’s Rights Act 2025 including the increase in Section 8 claims following its commencement.
This year, over 80,000 sitting days were committed to the civil jurisdiction. This is a significant increase and recognises the importance of the civil jurisdiction.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the impact of the implementation of the Renters Right's Act on the 1st May 2026 on requirements for additional sitting hours for first tier tribunals.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Ministry of Justice has and continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess the impact of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act and to ensure that the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) has the capacity to manage demand. This includes provision of sufficient sitting days to deal with increased case volumes.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
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 whether funding for epilepsy research is proportionate to the prevalence of epilepsy.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
The Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Departmental investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes, support for researchers to develop and conduct research through NIHR translational infrastructure, and a workforce to deliver research on behalf of other funders through NIHR research delivery infrastructure.
Between 2020/21 and 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department invested £12.8 million in direct research funding on epilepsy. This investment in epilepsy research allows us to continue to develop our understanding of the condition, including on its prevalence, and make a real difference to people living with epilepsy.
Whilst no assessment has been made of whether the funding for epilepsy research is proportionate to the prevalence of epilepsy, the NIHR continues to welcome high quality applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including epilepsy. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to the public and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase funding opportunities for epilepsy research.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Didcot and Wantage on 1 June 2026 to Question 4032.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the April 2026 business rates revaluation and the withdrawal of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief on post offices, including on small and rural branches.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Post offices are eligible for small business rates relief or 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.
Post offices losing rural rate relief, Small Business Rates Relief, or RHL relief at the 2026 revaluation are eligible for the Supporting Small Business scheme, which caps bill increases at the higher of £800 a year, or the relevant Transitional Relief caps.
The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including post offices. The new RHL multipliers replace the temporary RHL relief that had been winding down since the pandemic. Unlike RHL relief, the new multipliers are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there is no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England benefit.
Later this year the Government will publish a High Streets Strategy to support all high streets nationally and equip local authorities with the tools they need to drive long-term high street regeneration.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered introducing targeted business rates relief for post offices in England.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Post offices are eligible for small business rates relief or 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.
Post offices losing rural rate relief, Small Business Rates Relief, or RHL relief at the 2026 revaluation are eligible for the Supporting Small Business scheme, which caps bill increases at the higher of £800 a year, or the relevant Transitional Relief caps.
The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including post offices. The new RHL multipliers replace the temporary RHL relief that had been winding down since the pandemic. Unlike RHL relief, the new multipliers are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there is no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England benefit.
Later this year the Government will publish a High Streets Strategy to support all high streets nationally and equip local authorities with the tools they need to drive long-term high street regeneration.
Asked by: Bambos Charalambous (Labour - Southgate and Wood Green)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the High Streets Strategy will include a policy on business rates support for post offices.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
Post offices are eligible for small business rates relief or 100 per cent rural rate relief if they meet certain conditions.
Post offices losing rural rate relief, Small Business Rates Relief, or RHL relief at the 2026 revaluation are eligible for the Supporting Small Business scheme, which caps bill increases at the higher of £800 a year, or the relevant Transitional Relief caps.
The Government has also introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including post offices. The new RHL multipliers replace the temporary RHL relief that had been winding down since the pandemic. Unlike RHL relief, the new multipliers are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there is no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England benefit.
Later this year the Government will publish a High Streets Strategy to support all high streets nationally and equip local authorities with the tools they need to drive long-term high street regeneration.