Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade to align the Government's life sciences priorities with its ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care works closely to deliver all the Government’s life science priorities with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. In relation to the ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke, this joint effort includes extensive funding of research, and the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework highlights innovation-focused challenge areas which recognise the potential for technologies to support this aim. We will work with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade to promote the spread and adoption of innovation via Health Innovation Networks and will ensure that National Health Service patients have timely access to cutting edge new medicines.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the summary responses to the Call for Evidence to the park home sales commission review will be published; and what next steps will be taken with that evidence.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.
The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.
On 5 March 2026, my Department published a 12-week call for evidence regarding the rationale for the payment of a commission. It can be found on gov.uk here.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and remain committed to publishing a detailed summary of responses ahead of announcing the government's final position by the end of the year.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what update she can provide on the availability of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier schemes for common land.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The department expects commons groups to be able to apply for common land in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier later this year through the new commons application process which is currently being trialled by the Rural Payments Agency ahead of wider roll out.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with pharmaceutical companies on the continuing provision of compassionate use schemes.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Pharmaceutical companies can establish compassionate use or early access programmes through which medicines may be made available to National Health Service patients free of charge ahead of an NHS commissioning decision. Such schemes operate outside the established commissioning arrangements for medicines, and their provision remains a matter for the pharmaceutical companies concerned.
Following discussions with the industry, the Government announced on 23 June 2026 that it will bring forward a new approach to the VAT treatment of free-of-charge donations of medicines, either through changes to the VAT rules or a reimbursement scheme. Officials are continuing to engage with industry to explore the options.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government are taking to help underperforming NHS Trusts tackle delays in beginning cancer treatment.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 1 July 2026 in response to Question 12518.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made on the adequacy of brain tumour freezer capacity across the country.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the response given on 22 September to Question HL2877.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the creation of a register of postpartum individuals, to allow for early detection and intervention of postpartum mental illnesses.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently considering a wide range of evidence and proposals to inform its development of the Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan to be published later this year. Maternal mental health is a key area of focus for the Taskforce, and we will ensure that the Hon Member’s proposals are fed into that process.
We recognise how important it is for women with perinatal mental health problems to get the right care and support they need. Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services, including mother and baby units, specialist perinatal community teams, and Maternal Mental Health Services, are available for women with or at risk of mental health conditions for up to two years after giving birth.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of creating a single point of contact for mental health support for postpartum individuals.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently considering a wide range of evidence and proposals to inform its development of the Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan to be published later this year. Maternal mental health is a key area of focus for the Taskforce, and we will ensure that the Hon Member’s proposals are fed into that process.
We recognise how important it is for women with perinatal mental health problems to get the right care and support they need. Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services, including mother and baby units, specialist perinatal community teams, and Maternal Mental Health Services, are available for women with or at risk of mental health conditions for up to two years after giving birth.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when her Department plans to publish consultations on (a) healthier food sales targets and (b) mandatory reporting requirements for the food and drinks industry.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 July in response to Question 18395.
Asked by: Michelle Scrogham (Labour - Barrow and Furness)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking towards establishing a long-term plan around the application of VAT on donated medicines through compassionate access schemes.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government has heard concerns from patient groups and industry that the application of VAT to free-of-charge donations have impacted patient access. On 23rd June 2026, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury announced that we will bring forward a new approach to address this issue, which will consist either of changes to VAT rules or a reimbursement scheme.
The new approach will be permanent and backdated to 23rd June, giving firms certainty when making donations now.
The Government will set out the details of the new approach at the earliest opportunity.