Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to correspondence from the Chair of the Maternity and Neonatal Investigation confirming that the Investigation is not limited to 37 weeks’ gestation and considers stillbirth from 24 weeks onwards, what the Government's policy is on coronial investigation of stillbirths; and whether the Ministers agreed to a change in the Terms of Reference.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The independent investigation in National Health Service maternity and neonatal care led by Baroness Amos set out in its terms of reference that it will look to understand the potential role of coroners in the investigation of late term stillbirths, 37 weeks or later, and identify mistakes which would help prevent future deaths. The Terms of Reference for the Investigation were agreed by Baroness Amos and ministers and were published on 15 September 2025. The Department is aware that Baroness Amos was also looking at earlier stillbirths and this was also reflected in her interim report. We want to ensure the Government’s position on coronial investigations of stillbirths reflects any potential, relevant recommendations the independent investigation makes, and therefore await its final report and recommendations in June.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the effectiveness of accountability frameworks for Police and Crime Commissioners; and whether she plans to reform those frameworks to help prevent institutional self-protection.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are democratically elected and are ultimately held to account by the public at the ballot box. To ensure transparency of their actions and decisions, PCCs have statutory responsibilities under the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 to publish certain information, such as decisions they’ve taken, expenditure and force performance. This includes information about conflicts of interest.
PCCs are scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels (PCPs) who are also responsible for investigating non-criminal complaints made about a PCC. Criminal allegations must be referred by the Panel to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Home Office does not collect data on the number of complaints about PCCs. The Home Office issues guidance and training to support Panels in their scrutiny of PCCs, as well as guidance to aid the recruitment and retention of independent panel members.
The Government’s view is that the PCC model has failed to live up to expectations and has committed to abolishing it at the end of the current term of office in 2028. Successor arrangements for the oversight of policing by Mayors and Policing and Crime Boards will be set out in the forthcoming Police Reform Bill.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what independent oversight arrangements exist to scrutinise complaints of misconduct against Police and Crime Commissioners; and how many such complaints have been investigated in each of the last three years.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are democratically elected and are ultimately held to account by the public at the ballot box. To ensure transparency of their actions and decisions, PCCs have statutory responsibilities under the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 to publish certain information, such as decisions they’ve taken, expenditure and force performance. This includes information about conflicts of interest.
PCCs are scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels (PCPs) who are also responsible for investigating non-criminal complaints made about a PCC. Criminal allegations must be referred by the Panel to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Home Office does not collect data on the number of complaints about PCCs. The Home Office issues guidance and training to support Panels in their scrutiny of PCCs, as well as guidance to aid the recruitment and retention of independent panel members.
The Government’s view is that the PCC model has failed to live up to expectations and has committed to abolishing it at the end of the current term of office in 2028. Successor arrangements for the oversight of policing by Mayors and Policing and Crime Boards will be set out in the forthcoming Police Reform Bill.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve transparency requirements for Police and Crime Commissioners, particularly regarding the handling of complaints and potential conflicts of interest.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are democratically elected and are ultimately held to account by the public at the ballot box. To ensure transparency of their actions and decisions, PCCs have statutory responsibilities under the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 to publish certain information, such as decisions they’ve taken, expenditure and force performance. This includes information about conflicts of interest.
PCCs are scrutinised by Police and Crime Panels (PCPs) who are also responsible for investigating non-criminal complaints made about a PCC. Criminal allegations must be referred by the Panel to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Home Office does not collect data on the number of complaints about PCCs. The Home Office issues guidance and training to support Panels in their scrutiny of PCCs, as well as guidance to aid the recruitment and retention of independent panel members.
The Government’s view is that the PCC model has failed to live up to expectations and has committed to abolishing it at the end of the current term of office in 2028. Successor arrangements for the oversight of policing by Mayors and Policing and Crime Boards will be set out in the forthcoming Police Reform Bill.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to accelerate the process of TB vaccinations for cows.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The CattleBCG vaccine, when coupled with the new Detect Infected amongst Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) skin test, represents a significant advancement in bovine TB control for cattle herds.
Field trials began in June 2021, with the final planned phase now underway and due to complete by 2027. Data gathered during lab and field trials will support the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Marketing Authorisation applications to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and achieving international recognition. The Government is looking at all options to accelerate progress.
The Government is continuing to work at pace but will only deploy the vaccine and companion DIVA skin test when we have all the right steps in place. The aim is to deliver an effective cattle TB vaccination strategy within the next few years, helping drive down the disease burden for future generations and advance progress towards achieving Officially TB Free status for England by 2038.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the length of short term Farm Business Tenancies beyond two years.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government recognises the benefits that longer term tenancies can provide in delivering food security and environmental goals. In the recently published Land Use Framework the Government committed to working with landowners, including members of the National Estate for Nature, to test, implement and encourage wide uptake of longer-term tenancy agreements. Industry guidance on long term tenancies was published on 16 March to support landlords, tenants and their advisers think through the main considerations involved in agreeing a long-term farm business tenancy.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the NHS of providing healthcare to asylum seekers.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
DHSC and NHSE do not hold the information requested. The overall management of people seeking asylum is a matter for the Home Office.
The NHS is a residency-based system; this means that people who do not live here on a lawful, settled basis must contribute to the cost of their care.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what criteria will be taken into consideration in decisions on job centre closures.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
When considering moving colleagues and services to an alternative location the Department considers a wide range of factors and evidence. These include the impact on customers, business needs, local labour market conditions, and the ability to maintain a geographical presence and service continuity to customers. Decisions also take into account building quality, lease events, and value for money.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to limit consideration of coronial investigations to stillbirths occurring at 37 weeks' gestation or later; and on what statutory basis gestational thresholds may be applied.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all parents bereaved by baby loss. Bereavement is never easy, but the loss of a child is unimaginable, and we recognise the profound and lifelong impact this has on parents and families.
As I set out in my answer to the Right Honourable Member of 12 March, the wider landscape of maternity investigations has continued to evolve since the publication of the consultation on the coronial investigation of stillbirths in 2019 and the factual summary of responses published in 2023.
Most recently, this Government commissioned the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care led by Baroness Amos. As outlined in the investigation’s terms of reference, it will, amongst other issues, look to consider the potential role of coroners in the investigation of late term stillbirths (37 weeks or later). We are aware that Baroness Amos has confirmed she will publish her final report in June 2026.
As I have previously confirmed to the Right Honourable Member, the Department has not made a formal assessment of the delay in publishing a decision in this area. It is important that the Government’s published position on coronial investigations of stillbirths is fully informed by any findings and relevant recommendations the independent investigation makes, and more broadly that it supports the most effective model for maternity investigation, one that strengthens learning, improves accountability and delivers better outcomes for families.
Section 4 of the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 provides the statutory framework to enable, by way of regulation, amendments to be made to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 in respect of the investigation of stillbirths and makes provisions about the content of those regulations.
The Government’s 2019 consultation, and the factual summary in 2023 were jointly published by the Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice. The Government intends to communicate its position on this issue after the investigation has published its final report.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information his Department holds on whether the Maternity and Neonatal Investigation commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care will report to Parliament on coronial investigations of stillbirths following the 2019 consultation.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all parents bereaved by baby loss. Bereavement is never easy, but the loss of a child is unimaginable, and we recognise the profound and lifelong impact this has on parents and families.
As I set out in my answer to the Right Honourable Member of 12 March, the wider landscape of maternity investigations has continued to evolve since the publication of the consultation on the coronial investigation of stillbirths in 2019 and the factual summary of responses published in 2023.
Most recently, this Government commissioned the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care led by Baroness Amos. As outlined in the investigation’s terms of reference, it will, amongst other issues, look to consider the potential role of coroners in the investigation of late term stillbirths (37 weeks or later). We are aware that Baroness Amos has confirmed she will publish her final report in June 2026.
As I have previously confirmed to the Right Honourable Member, the Department has not made a formal assessment of the delay in publishing a decision in this area. It is important that the Government’s published position on coronial investigations of stillbirths is fully informed by any findings and relevant recommendations the independent investigation makes, and more broadly that it supports the most effective model for maternity investigation, one that strengthens learning, improves accountability and delivers better outcomes for families.
Section 4 of the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 provides the statutory framework to enable, by way of regulation, amendments to be made to the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 in respect of the investigation of stillbirths and makes provisions about the content of those regulations.
The Government’s 2019 consultation, and the factual summary in 2023 were jointly published by the Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice. The Government intends to communicate its position on this issue after the investigation has published its final report.