Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential merits of automatic tests for (a) carbon monoxide and (b) other toxins for people who have died of unexplained causes.

The Department for Work and Pensions has not held any discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on automatic tests as gas safety and, more broadly, carbon monoxide (CO) awareness is a cross government issue.

There is a Cross-Government Group on Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide, which has members from several government departments such as the UK Health Security Agency, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Health and Safety Executive. The Group ensures a joined-up approach to reduce carbon monoxide poisoning and improve gas safety, whilst maintaining an overview of incidents and trends, and publishing an Annual Report to explain the collective work of government.