Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the visa brake on student visa applicants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan on individuals who are studying a foundation course in the UK on a valid student visa but whose next course begins more than 28 days after the expiry of their current permission; and whether she plans to make any provision for such students to continue their studies in the UK.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The visa brake applies only to relevant out‑of‑country applications.
It was introduced in response to patterns of visa‑linked asylum claims by nationality, and at present we do not intend to introduce exceptions for students who have previously studied in the UK on foundation courses.
The visa brake will be kept under regular review. It is not intended to be a permanent measure and will be lifted once the Government considers it appropriate to do so.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
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 support the safety and appropriate care of patients with suspected craniocervical instability; what plans he has to improve access to appropriate imaging and specialist clinical review for such patients, including those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using patients’ lived experience to inform future policy development and service provision in this area.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Decisions on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of suspected craniocervical instability (CCI) are made by National Health Service clinicians on a case‑by‑case basis, drawing on established neurological, neurosurgical, rheumatology, and pain pathways. The Department has not issued specific national guidance on CCI, including in patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS). Responsibility for designing and commissioning pathways for rare or complex conditions rests with integrated care boards (ICBs), which are best placed to plan services that reflect local needs and available specialist expertise.
Patients with symptoms suggestive of CCI may be referred for appropriate diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scanning, where clinically indicated. Access to imaging continues to expand through the Government’s programme of community diagnostic centres, which is increasing diagnostic capacity and supporting earlier identification of complex conditions as part of the wider 10‑Year Health Plan.
Where specialist clinical review is required, referral decisions are made by NHS clinicians, who can access expertise across neurology, neurosurgery, and associated sub-specialties. ICBs are responsible for ensuring that local pathways support timely referral to the most appropriate service.
The Department recognises the value of patients’ lived experience in improving the design of services for complex conditions. Department officials are working with patient groups to identify service gaps, improve equity of access, and inform future service development. This approach helps ensure that the needs and experiences of patients with suspected CCI, including those with EDS, are reflected in wider policy work.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of generative AI on academic standards in higher education.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Universities are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for designing and implementing their own artificial Intelligence (AI) policies. They are already responding to the opportunities and challenges AI presents.
The Office for Students (OfS) set out its approach to the use of AI in higher education (HE) in June 2025. The approach can be found here: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/blog/embracing-innovation-in-higher-education-our-approach-to-artificial-intelligence/.
Providers are responsible for detecting and preventing academic misconduct, including misuse of AI, in line with the OfS’ regulatory framework. Providers that fall below these standards could be subject to regulatory action.
The government is committed to ensuring that AI is not used to undermine high academic standards in HE. As set out in the Post-16 education and skills white paper, the department will support the OfS to assess the impact of artificial intelligence, including how students are using it in assessments, to ensure the integrity of HE assessments and qualifications is not compromised.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
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 Pakistani counterpart on the a) health and b) access to medical treatment of Imran Khan.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 6 March to Question HL14686.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations her Department has made to the Government of Azerbaijan regarding the detention of Ali Karimli; and whether she will call for his immediate release.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK continues to monitor the human rights situation in Azerbaijan closely. On 4 December, senior officials from our Embassy in Baku raised this case with senior members of the Azerbaijani Government, including ensuring due legal process and where necessary access to medical care in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of making digital watermarking of AI mandatory.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government continues to explore the feasibility of technical solutions for the labelling of AI-generated content to support transparency, such as through the Deepfake Detection Challenge.
AI is a general-purpose technology with a wide range of applications, which is why the government believes that most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use. In response to the AI Action Plan, the government committed to work with regulators to boost their capabilities. The government has been clear that we will legislate where needed, but we will do so on the basis of evidence where any serious gaps are.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of current waiting times on decisions on claims for Attendance Allowance; and whether he will take steps to reduce the target processing time from up to 12 weeks, particularly for claimants undergoing active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department keeps Attendance Allowance processing times under review and recognises the importance of timely decisions for older people, including those undergoing significant medical treatment.
Through our wider Service Modernisation programme, we have taken steps to speed up and streamline the processing of new Attendance Allowance claims. We are now working to a target of clearing 90% of new claims within 30 days, and current performance shows that the majority of claims are being cleared within around 3–4 weeks, supported by increasing uptake of the new digital application route.
For customers who are nearing the end of life, we operate a dedicated fast-track process under the Special Rules for End of Life, where claims are prioritised and typically cleared within 8 days. The extension of the end of life definition from 6 months to 12 months ensures more people with advanced conditions can benefit from this expedited process.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with substance use issues can access specialist inpatient detox treatment.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services according to local need as part of their public health responsibilities, and this includes the provision of inpatient detoxification services.
In line with recommendations in Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drug treatment and recovery, the Department created a distinct grant to support and expand inpatient detoxification for people who use drugs and alcohol. The £10 million a year grant ran between 2022/23 and 2024/25, before being consolidated into the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant in 2025/26. Investment in inpatient detoxification services will continue beyond 2026. The Government has committed over £13.45 billion across three years through the Public Health Grant, including £3.4 billion ringfenced for drug and alcohol prevention, treatment, and recovery, which includes funding for inpatient detoxification. This multi-year funding provides greater certainty for local areas as they plan and sustain services.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the availability of NHS provision on the number of patients with Cranio-Cervical Instability who are seeking (a) diagnosis and (b) surgical treatment overseas.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
The Department recognises that Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) and associated cranio‑cervical instability (CCI) are complex conditions that can be challenging to diagnose and manage, and we acknowledge the concerns raised by patients and clinicians about variation in expertise and access to appropriate care.
Care for CCI is managed within existing specialised neurology and spinal pathways, delivered in centres with the appropriate expertise. NHS England works with clinical experts and integrated care boards to ensure that provision reflects the best available evidence and supports patients with complex connective‑tissue and neurological presentations. Decisions on surgical interventions for CCI must be based on individual clinical assessment, the strength of available evidence for benefit, and consideration of potential risks.
Once qualified, healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up to date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. Clinical teams are expected to use the best available evidence and follow national guidance when assessing and managing patients with complex connective tissue disorders.
The Department continues to engage with patient groups, charities, and Members of Parliament on the issues facing people with EDS and CCI. Insights from this engagement, including on the barriers patients encounter in accessing National Health Services, are informing our ongoing consideration of what further action may be needed to strengthen referral routes, support the dissemination of clinical resources, and consider where further system support may improve diagnostic confidence and care coordination.
The Department is aware of a number of individual cases where patients with suspected CCI have travelled overseas for imaging or surgery not routinely available in the NHS.
Asked by: Nadia Whittome (Labour - Nottingham East)
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 improve a) (a) the diagnosis of, (b) clinician training on and (c) access to treatment for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and associated Cranio-Cervical Instability.
Answered by Ashley Dalton
The Department recognises that Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) and associated cranio‑cervical instability (CCI) are complex conditions that can be challenging to diagnose and manage, and we acknowledge the concerns raised by patients and clinicians about variation in expertise and access to appropriate care.
Care for CCI is managed within existing specialised neurology and spinal pathways, delivered in centres with the appropriate expertise. NHS England works with clinical experts and integrated care boards to ensure that provision reflects the best available evidence and supports patients with complex connective‑tissue and neurological presentations. Decisions on surgical interventions for CCI must be based on individual clinical assessment, the strength of available evidence for benefit, and consideration of potential risks.
Once qualified, healthcare professionals are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge remains up to date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development. Clinical teams are expected to use the best available evidence and follow national guidance when assessing and managing patients with complex connective tissue disorders.
The Department continues to engage with patient groups, charities, and Members of Parliament on the issues facing people with EDS and CCI. Insights from this engagement, including on the barriers patients encounter in accessing National Health Services, are informing our ongoing consideration of what further action may be needed to strengthen referral routes, support the dissemination of clinical resources, and consider where further system support may improve diagnostic confidence and care coordination.
The Department is aware of a number of individual cases where patients with suspected CCI have travelled overseas for imaging or surgery not routinely available in the NHS.