Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
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 adoption of innovative medical technologies by the NHS.
Answered by Will Quince
The Department’s inaugural Medical Technology (MedTech) Strategy was published on 3 February 2023, building on the broader Life Sciences Vision. We are committed to ensuring that the Department utilises innovative MedTech as implementation progresses.
The MedTech Strategy includes a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the end-to-end innovation pathway, including procurement routes, to expedite patient access to MedTech and boost adoption within the National Health Service.
The Innovative Devices Access Pathway pilot was launched on 19 September 2023. This new pathway will provide multi-partner support for the rapid development of innovative technologies for adoption into the NHS to address unmet clinical needs. More information on the pilot is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-innovative-devices-access-pathway-idap
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will undertake new Multi-Technology Evaluations of technologies in use and at a later stage in their lifecycle. These evaluations will enable comparisons between similar products and support the NHS to make better informed decisions on the right product for the right price.
The Department is working closely with NHS Supply Chain and NHS England to develop a consistent methodology for value-based procurement (VBP). VBP aims to shift procurement decisions away from an emphasis on reducing product costs to working with industry to consider technologies that represent a reduction in total costs within the patient pathway. Timeframes are still being determined.
The Department will consult on updating processes on applications to Part IX of the Drug Tariff to support the adoption of innovation in primary and community care.
The NHS Innovation Service is providing innovators with the resources, tools and support they need to increase the chances of getting their product or idea adopted by the NHS. More information is available at the following link:
We plan to assess the impact of these initiatives through the MedTech Strategy Programme governance structures.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of innovative medical technologies on the (a) Life Sciences Vision and (b) MedTech Strategy.
Answered by Will Quince
The Department’s inaugural Medical Technology (MedTech) Strategy was published on 3 February 2023, building on the broader Life Sciences Vision. We are committed to ensuring that the Department utilises innovative MedTech as implementation progresses.
The MedTech Strategy includes a range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the end-to-end innovation pathway, including procurement routes, to expedite patient access to MedTech and boost adoption within the National Health Service.
The Innovative Devices Access Pathway pilot was launched on 19 September 2023. This new pathway will provide multi-partner support for the rapid development of innovative technologies for adoption into the NHS to address unmet clinical needs. More information on the pilot is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-innovative-devices-access-pathway-idap
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will undertake new Multi-Technology Evaluations of technologies in use and at a later stage in their lifecycle. These evaluations will enable comparisons between similar products and support the NHS to make better informed decisions on the right product for the right price.
The Department is working closely with NHS Supply Chain and NHS England to develop a consistent methodology for value-based procurement (VBP). VBP aims to shift procurement decisions away from an emphasis on reducing product costs to working with industry to consider technologies that represent a reduction in total costs within the patient pathway. Timeframes are still being determined.
The Department will consult on updating processes on applications to Part IX of the Drug Tariff to support the adoption of innovation in primary and community care.
The NHS Innovation Service is providing innovators with the resources, tools and support they need to increase the chances of getting their product or idea adopted by the NHS. More information is available at the following link:
We plan to assess the impact of these initiatives through the MedTech Strategy Programme governance structures.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to reduce reoffending rates.
Answered by Damian Hinds - Minister of State (Education)
The overall proven reoffending rate has decreased significantly.
We are taking action to drive this down further by ensuring prisoners leavers have access to employment and accommodation.
For instance, we have rolled out Prison Employment Leads to match candidates to jobs and appointed business leader chairs to our Employment Advisory Boards.
We have also begun delivering our temporary accommodation service, so prison-leavers have a stable base on release.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the amount of funding provided by (a) France, (b) Germany, (c) China and (d) other Framework Convention on Tobacco Control partner foundations to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Investment Fund.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
There has been no contribution from the UK Government to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol) Investment Fund. The UK does not hold information on the contributions of other Parties.
The Investment Fund is not yet operational and requires an Oversight Committee to be established. We would expect fundraising to commence after this is formed.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding his Department has provided in support of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Investment Fund; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
There has been no contribution from the UK Government to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products (the Protocol) Investment Fund. The UK does not hold information on the contributions of other Parties.
The Investment Fund is not yet operational and requires an Oversight Committee to be established. We would expect fundraising to commence after this is formed.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress he has made on revising the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The consultation on the new approach to domestic upholstered furniture fire safety is currently being finalised and will be published shortly. The consultation will include draft regulations and will set out a proposed timetable for introducing the new approach.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her planned timetable is for the revision of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The consultation on the new approach to domestic upholstered furniture fire safety is currently being finalised and will be published shortly. The consultation will include draft regulations and will set out a proposed timetable for introducing the new approach.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when a draft of the revised The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 will be published.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The consultation on the new approach to domestic upholstered furniture fire safety is currently being finalised and will be published shortly. The consultation will include draft regulations and will set out a proposed timetable for introducing the new approach.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, when she plans to publish the full details of the New Commonwealth Deal.
Answered by James Duddridge
We are committed to working with our friends and allies in the Commonwealth to remove unnecessary barriers to free and fair trade, strengthen trading relationships, and building better, greener and more resilient global supply chains.
Of the 55 other Commonwealth members, we have trade agreements with 33 and an additional 16 qualify for preferential access to the UK market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
There are no current plans to proceed with a Commonwealth New Deal as we are negotiating an ambitious programme of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) at unprecedented pace to help our nation become a truly Global Britain. We are progressing negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as negotiating FTAs with India, Canada, Mexico, Israel, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Asked by: Mark Eastwood (Conservative - Dewsbury)
Question
To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reported concerns by the Bishop of Norwich, the lead Church of England bishop on environmental issues, on plans by the Church Commissioners to put forward land as potential investment zones.
Answered by Andrew Selous - Second Church Estates Commissioner
The process of policy formation in the Church Commissioners takes into account a wide range of views, including those of bishops. The Commissioners will consider on a case by case basis any approaches from regional or local authorities wanting to submit expressions of interest for new Investment Zones that include land owned by the Commissioners.