Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to publish a preliminary assessment of the (a) timetable and (b) associated costs for the roll out of water fluoridation in England under the proposed powers in the White Paper, Working together to improve health and social care for all.

Water fluoridation is an effective public health intervention that has the ability to improve oral health and reduce oral health inequalities. We are not yet in a position to share any firm plans for expansion, which would be subject to funding being agreed and public consultation following the successful passage of the Bill.