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Written Question
Dermatology: Artificial Intelligence
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration has been given to the use of AI algorithms to help triage patients in primary care settings, particularly in relation to patients presenting with dermatological symptoms that can be mistaken as allergy, such as patients living with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Each medical school in the England sets its own undergraduate curriculum which must meet the standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC) in its Outcomes for Graduates. The GMC would expect that, in fulfilling these standards, newly qualified doctors are able to identify, treat and manage any care needs a person has, including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and similar conditions. The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the relevant Royal College and must also meet the standards set by the GMC.

To support clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of patients with CSU, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed an online Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) for the management of the condition. Patients can usually be managed with either antihistamines or steroids, but the guidance also makes clear that patients with CSU should be considered for a referral to a dermatologist where symptoms are severe, persistent, or unresponsive to first-line treatments.

The NICE CKS and Technology Appraisal is on the NICE website in an online-only format.

Skin lesion analysis tools that use an artificial intelligence (AI)-based fixed algorithm are currently being trialled in several National Health Service trusts. These AI tools have the potential to free up dermatology capacity and reduce waiting times by effectively triaging patients with skin lesions where there is a suspicion of cancer. Data from trials in 2023/2024 suggests these tools could help with diagnosing and discharging around 30% of cases from the pathway. This will allow more patients to be seen and get a diagnosis in a timely manner.


Written Question
Civil Servants: Business Interests
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Finn (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HLWS867), whether they will publish the audit findings by the Civil Service Commission on the application of Business Appointment Rules below senior levels; and what redress will be available to applicants in the event that a department is found to have applied the rules inconsistently.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government's policy is set out in the Written Ministerial Statement. Further details will be shared with Parliament in due course.


Written Question
Hives: Diagnosis
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve awareness of chronic spontaneous urticaria among clinicians, particularly in primary care settings, to help reduce delays to diagnosis.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Each medical school in the England sets its own undergraduate curriculum which must meet the standards set by the General Medical Council (GMC) in its Outcomes for Graduates. The GMC would expect that, in fulfilling these standards, newly qualified doctors are able to identify, treat and manage any care needs a person has, including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and similar conditions. The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is set by the relevant Royal College and must also meet the standards set by the GMC.

To support clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of patients with CSU, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed an online Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) for the management of the condition. Patients can usually be managed with either antihistamines or steroids, but the guidance also makes clear that patients with CSU should be considered for a referral to a dermatologist where symptoms are severe, persistent, or unresponsive to first-line treatments.

The NICE CKS and Technology Appraisal is on the NICE website in an online-only format.

Skin lesion analysis tools that use an artificial intelligence (AI)-based fixed algorithm are currently being trialled in several National Health Service trusts. These AI tools have the potential to free up dermatology capacity and reduce waiting times by effectively triaging patients with skin lesions where there is a suspicion of cancer. Data from trials in 2023/2024 suggests these tools could help with diagnosing and discharging around 30% of cases from the pathway. This will allow more patients to be seen and get a diagnosis in a timely manner.


Written Question
Ethics and Integrity Commission and Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards: Management
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Finn (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HLWS867), what the line management structure will be of (1) the Ethics and Integrity Commission, and (2) the secretariat supporting the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards; and whether those staff will report to a named senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Line management for the secretariat of the Committee on Standards in Public Life - which will be established as the Ethics and Integrity Commission - and for the Independent Adviser Secretariat sits in the Propriety and Constitution Group of the Cabinet Office. There are no current plans to alter these arrangements.

The EIC, as with CSPL, will remain an independent Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body of the Cabinet Office, led by its Chair and other officeholders. The Independent Adviser remains an independent office-holder, as set out in the role's existing terms of reference.


Written Question
Civil Service: Management
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Finn (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the Civil Service committees or individuals that exercise management functions in relation to the Civil Service, including the membership of each committee; and what changes, if any, have been made to the Civil Service Governance Framework since the publication of Independent Review of Governance and Accountability in the Civil Service: The Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham on 13 November 2023.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Civil Service governance structures and fora were reorganised in January 2025.

Current Civil Service committees that exercise management functions in relation to the Civil Service are:

  • Heads of Department
  • People Board
  • Operations Board
  • Senior Leadership Committee

There have been a number of changes to the composition of these Civil Service boards and committees (for example due to the appointment of new permanent secretaries). Once these changes are complete the details of the new arrangements and membership will be published on Gov.uk.


Written Question
Ethics and Integrity Commission and Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards: Management
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Finn (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the secretariat supporting (1) the Ethics and Integrity Commission, and (2) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, will be (a) independent of the Propriety and Constitution Group, and (b) under the line management of the Director General of the Propriety and Constitution Group.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Line management for the secretariat of the Committee on Standards in Public Life - which will be established as the Ethics and Integrity Commission - and for the Independent Adviser Secretariat sits in the Propriety and Constitution Group of the Cabinet Office. There are no current plans to alter these arrangements.

The EIC, as with CSPL, will remain an independent Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body of the Cabinet Office, led by its Chair and other officeholders. The Independent Adviser remains an independent office-holder, as set out in the role's existing terms of reference.


Written Question
Former Ministers and Civil Servants: Business Interests
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Finn (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Statement by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 July (HLWS867), whether they will publish all individual decisions or recommendations relating to the application of the Business Appointment Rules by (1) the Civil Service Commission in respect of former civil servants and special advisers, and (2) the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards in respect of former ministers; and if not, what criteria will govern decisions on publication.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Business Appointment Rules set out the expectations on publication which will continue to apply once the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments’ functions are transferred to the Civil Service Commission and Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.


Written Question
Dermatology
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration is being given to specialised dermatology, immunology and allergy services as part of NHS England’s review of commissioning, including services for patients living with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England and the British Association of Dermatologists have established a specialist dermatology clinical reference group. Its objectives are to: measure and improve quality; improve value and reduce unwarranted variation; improve equity of service; and transform and provide advice and support to integrated care boards as they take on responsibility for specialised service commissioning.

In addition, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is working to improve capacity and waiting times through its established Further Faster programme. This programme brings together hospital trust clinicians and operational teams with the challenge of collectively going ‘further and faster’ to transform patient pathways, reduce unnecessary follow-up outpatient appointments and improve access and waiting times for patients, including dermatology patients.

A Further Faster handbook for dermatology has been produced, to share best practice and support National Health Service dermatology teams to reduce the number of Did Not Attend appointments, reduce unnecessary follow ups and, where appropriate, reduce the number of outpatient appointments by booking patients straight to tests, helping to free up capacity for patients in need of specialist dermatology services.

The GIRFT team is carrying out regular visits to and meetings with challenged departments to support them in this work.


Written Question
Dermatology
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase capacity in specialist dermatology services.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England and the British Association of Dermatologists have established a specialist dermatology clinical reference group. Its objectives are to: measure and improve quality; improve value and reduce unwarranted variation; improve equity of service; and transform and provide advice and support to integrated care boards as they take on responsibility for specialised service commissioning.

In addition, NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is working to improve capacity and waiting times through its established Further Faster programme. This programme brings together hospital trust clinicians and operational teams with the challenge of collectively going ‘further and faster’ to transform patient pathways, reduce unnecessary follow-up outpatient appointments and improve access and waiting times for patients, including dermatology patients.

A Further Faster handbook for dermatology has been produced, to share best practice and support National Health Service dermatology teams to reduce the number of Did Not Attend appointments, reduce unnecessary follow ups and, where appropriate, reduce the number of outpatient appointments by booking patients straight to tests, helping to free up capacity for patients in need of specialist dermatology services.

The GIRFT team is carrying out regular visits to and meetings with challenged departments to support them in this work.


Written Question
Apprentices: Finance
Wednesday 6th August 2025

Asked by: Baroness Redfern (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review further the apprenticeship levy arrangements, particularly the requirement that funds can be split equally between (1) apprenticeships, and (2) other, flexible training opportunities.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.

At this stage, the government has not put targets or limits on the level of flexibility in the growth and skills offer. This will be informed by the result of Skills England’s analysis and engagement, including on where flexibilities will be most helpful for employers.