Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on the social boycott against Christians in Andhra Pradesh; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help protect that community.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government is committed to promoting and protecting the right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. Our High Commission in New Delhi, along with our network of Deputy High Commissions, monitors the human rights situation closely. We also engage with civil society and faith leaders to support efforts to promote tolerance and respect between communities.

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 merits of commissioning children's palliative care at (a) national and (b) regional levels.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Palliative care services, including for children, are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. ICBs are responsible for the commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations.   This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative care and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.

Whilst the majority of palliative care and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations also play.

We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

We are also providing £26 million in revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26. I am pleased to confirm the continuation of approximately £26 million, adjusted for inflation, for the next three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29 inclusive, to be distributed again via ICBs.  This amounts to approximately £80 million over the next three years.

The Department and NHS England are currently looking at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all-age palliative care and end of life care in line with the 10- Year Health Plan. 

Road Traffic (No. 2)

Found: Danny Kruger: No interests. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: No interests.

Found: following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Gill German (Labour; Clwyd North) Danny Kruger

Found: following Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: Gill German (Labour; Clwyd North) Danny Kruger

Found: Danny Kruger: No interests. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: No interests.

Found: Danny Kruger: No interests. Lord Taylor of Holbeach: No interests.