Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the status is of the NHS investigation into inappropriate wording referring to the potential benefits of cousin marriage; and whether the outcome of that investigation has resulted in amendments to (a) guidance and (b) training materials.

The medical evidence is clear that first cousin marriages are high risk, and we know the genetic defects and harm that they can cause. The Department has worked with NHS England to understand how previous materials that referred to the potential benefits of cousin marriage were developed, and to ensure such issues do not arise in future. This investigation has concluded, which found that some aspects of the training were inappropriate. Relevant training materials were retired or amended prior to the investigation, so no further amendments were required.