Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to ensure the competitiveness of the NHS Genomic Testing Services tender; and what steps he is taking to mitigate risk associated with monopoly providers of whole genome sequencing.

NHS England and Genomics England follow robust and regular procurement procedures and review their processes regularly to ensure a fair and level playing field across competing providers.

Genomics England has sought to partner with the very best providers of the latest available global technologies. Genomics England continues to evaluate all potentially credible alternative providers of clinical grade whole genome sequencing and to enter into contracts accordingly.