Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publicise the scope and timing of the proposed consultation on proposals to expand water fluoridation in the North East; what steps he plans to take to encourage participation in that consultation; and if he will make a statement.

The Government has stated its intention to expand water fluoridation across the North-East of England. Public consultation is proposed to start in 2023. Following the consultation, we will provide an update on the proposals for water fluoridation. The Government sought views on the future consultation process in 2022 with the outcome published and available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/water-fluoridation-seeking-views-on-future-consultation-process/outcome/water-fluoridation-seeking-views-on-future-consultation-process-government-response-to-consultation-outcome