Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic, published on 29 June 2025, whether he has had discussions with the hospitality sector on mandatory food reporting.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
As we set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will take decisive action on the obesity crisis, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.
Businesses, including in the restaurant sector, have told us that they need the Government to help create a level playing field to make healthier choices more commercially viable. We will continue to work closely with industry, including the hospitality sector, and the Food Strategy Advisory Board, and will set out next steps shortly.
With measures like mandatory business targets, we are moving to a more strategic, outcomes-based approach focussing on reducing unhealthy food consumption whilst giving businesses freedom in how to achieve this. This is consistent with our approach towards growth, while also helping us create a health service fit for the future through our Plan for Change.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 54908 on Fast Food, whether sandwiches for consumption off the premises are deemed to be fast food.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
In February 2025, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published data on fast food outlets per 100,000 population. In this analysis, fast food was described as “food that is energy dense and available quickly, usually via a counter service, and for consumption on or off the premises”. This definition covers a range of outlets selling foods, including, but not limited to:
It is for local planning authorities, when receiving a planning application, to consider whether, given the type of food and service to be provided at the location proposed, they consider the outlet to be either a hot food takeaway or a fast food outlet.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52268 on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, whether the financial expenditure report will include the chair's salary.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
As the Commission is independent, it will be responsible for reporting on its financial expenditure and is responsible for what it includes in the report.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to bring forward regulation on vaping stores in (a) high streets and (b) town centres.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
It is crucial that we reduce the visibility and accessibility of vapes to protect children from getting hooked on nicotine. That is why the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products and will provide powers to introduce future regulations on where and how vapes and other nicotine products can be displayed within shops. Analysis and consultation will take place before any specific restrictions are introduced to ensure we are bringing about the most impactful change possible.
The bill will also provide powers for ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. Introducing a licensing scheme will strengthen enforcement, acting as a deterrent to rogue retailers who breach the law, while supporting legitimate businesses. The scheme will be subject to consultation before regulations are introduced.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 51393 on Fast Food, whether the Food Standards Agency categorises (a) Pret a Manger, (b) Subway and (c) Greggs as a fast food outlet.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) does not categorise businesses as fast-food outlets. The FSA gathers information on and categorises food businesses based on understanding potential risk in relation to food safety only.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 51393 on Fast Food, how the (a) Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and (b) Public Health England defines a fast food outlet.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
In February 2025, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published data on fast food outlets per 100,000 population. In this analysis, fast food was described as “food that is energy dense and available quickly, usually via a counter service, and for consumption on or off the premises”. This definition covers a range of outlets selling foods, including, but not limited to:
Public Health England was abolished in 2021, but published comparable data, and in 2018 defined fast food as “energy dense food that is available quickly, therefore it covers a range of outlets that include, but are not limited to, burger bars, kebab and chicken shops, chip shops and pizza outlets.”
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2025, to Question 32583, on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, what is the annual remuneration of Baroness Casey of Blackstock for her role as Chair of the Commission.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed as a Direct Ministerial Appointment, and in line with Cabinet Office guidance, this appointment will be remunerated. The commission will report on its financial expenditure in due course.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2025 to Question 43484 on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, what information his Department holds on which quarter of 2028 the phase two report will be published; when his Department plans to respond to the phase two report; and what estimate he has made of the subsequent timetable for consultation.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Chaired by Baroness Casey of Blackstock, the independent commission into adult social care will be split over two phases.
Phase one, reporting in 2026, will focus on how we can make the most of the existing resources to improve people’s lives over the medium term. Phase two, reporting by 2028, will then consider the long-term transformation of adult social care, setting us on the road to fundamental reform that will build a social care system fit for the future.
Baroness Casey’s commission is independent, but it has been tasked by the Government to report back by 2028. The quarter in which the phase two report will be published will be determined in due course. The Government will consider and respond to the commission’s recommendations, including whether there is a need for further consultation or legislation, when it reports.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2025 to Question 45023 on Fast Food, how the Food Standard Agency defines fast food outlets.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The term ‘fast food outlet’ is not one that is used or defined in retained European Union or domestic food hygiene and safety legislation. In addition, there is nothing in terms of food standards regarding the definition of a fast-food outlet.
Any food business that sells, cooks, stores, handles, prepares, or distributes food may be considered a food business and will need to register with their local authority.
When a food business registers, they confirm what type of business they are, including if they supply take away food. They would be regulated in a similar way to restaurants, cafés, and canteens.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 43484 on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the estimated timetable on the timing of reforms to social care in this Parliament.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Independent Commission is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus on how we can deliver meaningful, long lasting, and sustainable change. It will be undertaken in two phases, with the first phase reporting next year.
In the first phase of the commission, Baroness Casey will make recommendations that can be delivered within the financial envelope set for this Parliament. The second phase of the commission will consider longer-term reforms and will report back by 2028.
While the commission continues its work, we are already laying the groundwork for more substantial, long-term changes that will create a more resilient and sustainable system. Through our Plan for Change, we've hit the ground running to improve the social care system we inherited in crisis, with up to £3.7 billion in extra funding, £172 million for approximately 15,000 home adaptations for disabled people, a £2,000 uplift to the Carer’s Allowance, and via the introduction of legislation for the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement for care workers.