Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that patients with ADHD have reliable access to prescriptions for essential medication.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has made significant progress in improving the availability of medicines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), working closely with industry and key stakeholders to overcome previous supply challenges. Through intensive collaboration with industry, NHS England and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, supply issues have now been fully resolved. All ADHD medicines, across all formulations and strengths, are readily available for prescribing.

We continue to work closely with ADHD medicine suppliers to address any challenges promptly and to strengthen the resilience of the supply chain. This includes securing additional stock, expediting deliveries, and broadening the United Kingdom’s supplier base to meet future demand. To ensure a robust and sustainable supply, we are partnering with NHS England’s ADHD taskforce to develop growth forecasts and share them with industry, enabling effective planning and continuity of supply.

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 support the development of experimental treatments for Type 1 diabetes.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes (ELSA) study is currently screening children across the United Kingdom to identify those at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.elsadiabetes.nhs.uk/

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is developing guidance on the use of Teplizumab for delaying the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in people aged eight years and over with stage 2 type 1 diabetes. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta10981

In addition, a RightCare toolkit has been published by NHS England which sets out what good quality diabetes care looks like for children and young adults and includes guidance on timely and accurate diagnosis. The toolkit is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/children-and-young-people-diabetes-toolkit/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to improve diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in children.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes (ELSA) study is currently screening children across the United Kingdom to identify those at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.elsadiabetes.nhs.uk/

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is developing guidance on the use of Teplizumab for delaying the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in people aged eight years and over with stage 2 type 1 diabetes. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta10981

In addition, a RightCare toolkit has been published by NHS England which sets out what good quality diabetes care looks like for children and young adults and includes guidance on timely and accurate diagnosis. The toolkit is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/children-and-young-people-diabetes-toolkit/

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the use of birth certificates and marriage certificates as proof of right to abode for British citizens living abroad.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Immigration Act 1971 specifies that a British citizen must use a British citizen passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode to enter the UK. There are no plans to change the law in this respect. Birth and marriage certificates on their own may not be sufficient to show that a person has the right of abode.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve passport renewal and acquisition times.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

His Majesty’s Passport Office consistently exceeds the performance indicator for its standard service within the UK, with over 98.5% of customers receiving their passport within three weeks where no further information is required.

Information about the performance of HM Passport Office can be found within the latest transparency data release: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/699c360be1c6bad1576fbb88/passports-and-citizenship-data-oct-dec-2025.ods

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing the price of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to that of an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has not assessed in isolation the specific impact of the potential merits of reducing the price of a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode to that of an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Fees for immigration and nationality applications are set taking account of the charging powers provided by Section 68(9) of the Immigration Act 2014, which include the ability to set fees based on: the cost of processing the application, the benefits and entitlements provided by a successful application and the wider cost of the Migration and Borders system.

Fees for immigration and nationality applications are kept under review and any reduction in fees would need to be considered in terms of its impact on the funding of the Migration & Borders system.

The fee for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode is below the estimated cost to the Home Office of processing the application.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate British dual nationals living abroad to visit the UK.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

We recognise the potential impact of changing travel requirements on dual British nationals who are seeking to travel to the UK without a valid British passport. We have therefore issued temporary operational guidance to carriers, who may at their own discretion accept some expired British passports as alternative documentation. Individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what insurance packages is he preparing to assist households with a potential energy price shock.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further support may be needed.

Changes announced at the Autumn Budget ensure that from April until the end of June, the energy price cap will fall by 7% or £117 per year. The price cap for that period is fixed and will not change.

Households with bigger bills could save more, particularly those with electric heating, many of whom are on lower incomes. We are also ensuring that those on fixed tariffs are supported, with suppliers confirming they will be passing on the savings to customers who have chosen to fix their rates off the price cap.

This action follows the decision to expand the Warm Home Discount this winter, which will see around six million households receive an additional £150 off their energy bills.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment has he made of the potential impact of recent oil price rises on household energy prices in the UK over the next six months.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. We continue to monitor the situation closely and we are looking at what further support may be needed.

Changes announced at the Autumn Budget ensure that from April until the end of June, the energy price cap will fall by 7% or £117 per year. The price cap for that period is fixed and will not change.

Households with bigger bills could save more, particularly those with electric heating, many of whom are on lower incomes. We are also ensuring that those on fixed tariffs are supported, with suppliers confirming they will be passing on the savings to customers who have chosen to fix their rates off the price cap.

This action follows the decision to expand the Warm Home Discount this winter, which will see around six million households receive an additional £150 off their energy bills.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to increase recruitment of paediatric pathologists.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England established a national programme in late 2022 to address paediatric and perinatal pathologist workforce challenges and has undertaken significant work in relation to workforce funding, training, and incentives. This has included making additional funding available to support training posts in areas where there have been interested candidates but no training post available and changes to the national training course and examination structure. The number of training posts has increased across several recruitment rounds and the perinatal and paediatric training pathway will be at a full complement of 16 training posts from February 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will commit to regularly publishing clear and transparent figures of Whole Genome Sequencing as described in the National Cancer Plan, broken down by trust, tumour type and outlining the percentages of patients receiving this against the number being diagnosed.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since 2023, NHS England has published National Health Service genomic testing activity data on the NHS England website, at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/genomic-testing-activity/

This standardised data is published at a national level and by NHS Genomic Medicine Service region. For whole genome sequencing, data is published by cancer and rare disease. Data is also published for a number of specific cancer clinical indications, including for example lymphoma, lung, colorectal, and others. NHS England will continue to develop this dataset and publish genomic testing activity data on a quarterly basis in line with other diagnostic NHS services.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to limit price increases for heating oil during the current conflict in the Middle East.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Unlike the gas and electricity markets, heating oil is bought on the spot market, making it more exposed to short‑term volatility in global oil prices, which we recognise is a significant concern for those reliant on it.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil distributors of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing. Additionally, the CMA announced on 11 March they are probing further on two main issues consumers have raised with them on heating oil prices. The CMA will not hesitate to take action where there is evidence of breaches of consumer protections.

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 the number of clinical trials running in the UK for people with brain cancer; and whether he has any specific targets on this to reduce the number of patients who travel overseas for treatment.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to turbocharging clinical research and delivering better patient care, to make the United Kingdom a world-leading destination for clinical research. We are working to fast-track clinical trials to drive global investment into life sciences, improve health outcomes, and accelerate the development of medicines and therapies of the future, including treatments for brain cancers.

The Department is supporting the delivery of brain cancer clinical trials through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) that funds research and research infrastructure to support patients and the public to participate in high-quality research. In January 2026, the NIHR announced total investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium to accelerate research into new brain tumour treatments across the UK. The consortium will develop and enhance innovative clinical trials.

There are no specific targets around increasing the number of brain cancer clinical trials, although the Life Sciences Sector Plan aims to double all commercial interventional trial participants in the UK by 2026, and double again by 2029.

As set out in our National Cancer Plan, the Government will implement the Rare Cancers Act, making it easier for clinical trials on brain cancer to take place in England, by ensuring the patient population can be more easily contacted by researchers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the pace at which the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium is developing; and when the organisations that constitute the research consortium will have access to the funds.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium was announced as part of the Government’s commitment to developing new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours.

In December 2025, the NIHR announced an initial £13.7 million investment in the Brain Tumour Research Consortium. In January 2026, the NIHR announced further investment of a minimum of £11.7 million in the Consortium through funding of work packages. This brings the total investment to over £25 million. Payments will be issued over the period of the award contracts which range from five to ten years, as per the schedule of payments agreed between NIHR and the consortium.

We are expecting to be able to make further updates on the progress of the NIHR Brain Cancer Consortium in due course. The NIHR is working to ensure that new investments can get up and running as soon as possible.

In addition, the NIHR continues to strongly encourages brain cancer research applications through its regular funding opportunities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, following the announcement on the19 December 2025 on the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, when the additional announcements will be made on further funding into brain tumour treatment trials beyond the £13.7 million initial investment.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium was announced as part of the Government’s commitment to developing new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours.

In December 2025, the NIHR announced an initial £13.7 million investment in the Brain Tumour Research Consortium. In January 2026, the NIHR announced further investment of a minimum of £11.7 million in the Consortium through funding of work packages. This brings the total investment to over £25 million. Payments will be issued over the period of the award contracts which range from five to ten years, as per the schedule of payments agreed between NIHR and the consortium.

We are expecting to be able to make further updates on the progress of the NIHR Brain Cancer Consortium in due course. The NIHR is working to ensure that new investments can get up and running as soon as possible.

In addition, the NIHR continues to strongly encourages brain cancer research applications through its regular funding opportunities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, over what period he expects the £13.7 million initial funding in the Brain Tumour Research Consortium to be disbursed.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.7 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium was announced as part of the Government’s commitment to developing new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours.

In December 2025, the NIHR announced an initial £13.7 million investment in the Brain Tumour Research Consortium. In January 2026, the NIHR announced further investment of a minimum of £11.7 million in the Consortium through funding of work packages. This brings the total investment to over £25 million. Payments will be issued over the period of the award contracts which range from five to ten years, as per the schedule of payments agreed between NIHR and the consortium.

We are expecting to be able to make further updates on the progress of the NIHR Brain Cancer Consortium in due course. The NIHR is working to ensure that new investments can get up and running as soon as possible.

In addition, the NIHR continues to strongly encourages brain cancer research applications through its regular funding opportunities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of ADHD services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has recognised that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England will make the National Health Service fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.

This Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. We are working through how the Plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Through local commissioning, the Government will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries and colleges to offer timely and joined-up support to children, young people and their families including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. This independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD and autistic people to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate levels of staffing for ADHD services.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has recognised that, nationally in England, demand for assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England will make the National Health Service fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support.

This Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.

The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it. We are working through how the Plan will articulate the changes for different professional groups.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to ADHD assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Through local commissioning, the Government will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries and colleges to offer timely and joined-up support to children, young people and their families including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced on 4 December 2025 the launch of an Independent Review into Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. This independent review will inform our approach to enabling people with ADHD and autistic people to have the right support in place to enable them to live well in their communities.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of business rates on early years education settings.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business rates are a broad-based tax on the value of non-domestic properties, including early years education settings. At the Budget, the Government announced a £4.3 billion support package to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. As a result of the Budget package, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, in 2026-27, DfE expect to provide over £9.5 billion for childcare entitlements for children aged from 9 months to 4 years. This is over £1 billion more compared to 2025-26, as it delivers a full year of the expanded 30 hours entitlements for working parents and an above inflation increase to funding rates.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to take steps to lower business rates on early years education settings.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business rates are a broad-based tax on the value of non-domestic properties, including early years education settings. At the Budget, the Government announced a £4.3 billion support package to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. As a result of the Budget package, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, in 2026-27, DfE expect to provide over £9.5 billion for childcare entitlements for children aged from 9 months to 4 years. This is over £1 billion more compared to 2025-26, as it delivers a full year of the expanded 30 hours entitlements for working parents and an above inflation increase to funding rates.

Water sector reform

NHS funding for mental health services

LGBTQ+ veterans

Student finance system reform

State visits to the US

Understanding of Tourette Syndrome

New US sanctions on Cuba

Right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

Heating oil prices

Found: Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (added 28 Oct 2024; removed 17 Nov 2025) 24 of 42 (57.1%) Cameron Thomas

Found: Early day motion about changes to the Health and Care Worker visa On 26 January 2026, Cameron Thomas

Submit Evidence (by 17 Apr 2026)

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is inviting written submissions on the future of the BBC as part of a new inquiry into the Royal Charter Review.