Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
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 adequacy of the progress of research on treatments for (a) Alzheimer's and (b) dementia.
Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The government is keen to reduce all non-essential spend - including restricting branded merchandise. In April 2025, the then Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster asked Departments to implement appropriate controls within their Departments. Information on what exemptions have been utilised is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has held discussions with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on (a) attracting and (b) retaining talented (i) researchers and (ii) innovators through the UK visa system.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Home Office regularly engages with the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (and the former Department of Science, Innovation and Technology) on how the government can support researchers and innovators coming to the UK.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
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 to improve glaucoma care in (a) Slough and (b) the South East.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning primary and secondary eye care services to meet the needs of their local populations, including services for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of glaucoma.
National Health Service sight tests play an important role in detecting glaucoma, and free NHS sight tests are available to those at increased risk of glaucoma. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance supports timely diagnosis and management of glaucoma. NHS England's recently published Getting It Right First Time glaucoma best practice guidance also highlights a range of approaches to improve glaucoma care.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps have been taken to raise awareness of free flu vaccination availability in Slough.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Across England, including in Slough and Berkshire, NHS winter planning is focused on prevention, readiness and rapid intervention, including improving same-day access to urgent care, proactive support for vulnerable patients, rapid response for care-homes, seven-day discharge capacity, and pre-agreed arrangements to increase capacity during periods of higher demand. Systems are also undertaking stress testing and assurance to identify potential pressures and ensure appropriate escalation arrangements are in place.
In Slough, and across England, we are also taking action to encourage eligible people to come forward for their free flu vaccine. This includes the ‘Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated’ campaign supported by TV, radio and digital advertising. For children, we are also making vaccination easier to access, including through digital consent for school vaccinations, the continued community pharmacy offer for two- and three-year-olds, and catch-up vaccination for children who missed the offer at school.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps her department has taken to ensure NHS preparedness ahead of winter in (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Across England, including in Slough and Berkshire, NHS winter planning is focused on prevention, readiness and rapid intervention, including improving same-day access to urgent care, proactive support for vulnerable patients, rapid response for care-homes, seven-day discharge capacity, and pre-agreed arrangements to increase capacity during periods of higher demand. Systems are also undertaking stress testing and assurance to identify potential pressures and ensure appropriate escalation arrangements are in place.
In Slough, and across England, we are also taking action to encourage eligible people to come forward for their free flu vaccine. This includes the ‘Stay Strong, Get Vaccinated’ campaign supported by TV, radio and digital advertising. For children, we are also making vaccination easier to access, including through digital consent for school vaccinations, the continued community pharmacy offer for two- and three-year-olds, and catch-up vaccination for children who missed the offer at school.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Defence to support community cohesion in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)
Building a safer, more reconciled society is a key priority. Northern Ireland Office Ministers engage broadly with ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues in Northern Ireland, including community cohesion. Fostering positive community relations in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK requires active leadership and close collaboration across Government, and across our society more broadly.
The Northern Ireland Office is proud to deliver the Connect Fund to support issues of shared interest across the UK such as community cohesion. The Connect Fund supports organisations such as Springboard Opportunities, a fantastic cross-community youth charity, who have received funding to deliver an initiative to evolve community cohesion strategies in Northern Ireland in collaboration with counterparts in England. I am delighted that the Connect Fund will continue to fund projects such as these, with applications opening for Connect Fund Round 3 at the start of next week.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with (a) ISA providers and (b) other financial industry stakeholders on the Lifetime ISA property price cap.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recently consulted on the implementation of the First Time Buyer ISA and engaged with ISA providers, trade bodies and other financial services stakeholders as part of that process. Stakeholders raised a range of issues, including the property price cap. The consultation closed on 18 August, and we are carefully considering the responses received.
Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.
The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to review the Lifetime ISA property price cap, prior to the introduction of the First Time Buyer ISA.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recently consulted on the implementation of the First Time Buyer ISA and engaged with ISA providers, trade bodies and other financial services stakeholders as part of that process. Stakeholders raised a range of issues, including the property price cap. The consultation closed on 18 August, and we are carefully considering the responses received.
Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the Lifetime ISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.
The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.