Asked by: Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party - Strangford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) medical researchers and (b) other professionals on trends in the level of severe allergies in children in the last 10 years; and steps his Department is taking to screen more children for severe allergies.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government is strongly committed to supporting research into all aspects of human health, including research into allergies. The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health. These are judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality, and the NIHR will work with researchers to facilitate the development of good-quality proposals that will move the evidence base forward.
An Expert Advisory Group for Allergy (EAGA) was established in 2023, and brings together key stakeholders, including clinical organisations, with the aim improving the quality-of-life of people with allergies. Chaired jointly by the Department and the National Allergy Strategy Group, the EAGA identifies priority areas for the Department, NHS England, and other Government departments and agencies relating to allergies that require policy change or development, and advises on how to best achieve improved outcomes.
The Department has also held a number of meetings with the National Allergy Research Foundation (NARF) to discuss both the research and policy aspects of allergies. The NARF is a charity with a mission to make allergy history through pioneering scientific and medical research, to change the lives of those living with allergies, starting with food allergies.
Blood and skin allergy tests can detect a patient's sensitivity to common allergens, including food allergens, and advice on the circumstances under which such tests should be offered are contained in the guidance, Food allergy in under 19s: assessment and diagnosis [CG116], published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance, and would consult on proposed changes if significant new evidence were to emerge.
Asked by: Lewis Cocking (Conservative - Broxbourne)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help protect rural communities at risk of flooding.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Protecting communities around the country from flooding and coastal erosion is one of the new Secretary of State’s five core priorities. That’s why we are launching a Flood Resilience Taskforce to provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season.
In the current floods investment programme, approximately 40% of the Environment Agency’s flood defence schemes, and 45% of their investment, protect properties in rural communities. We will review the floods programme to ensure flood risk management is fit for the challenges we face now and in the future.
Working with farmers and landowners is an important part of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Roadmap up to 2026. As part of this, the Rural Flood Resilience Partnership focuses on helping farmers and land managers adapt to a changing climate.
Asked by: Charlotte Cane (Liberal Democrat - Ely and East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the risk of flooding in the Fens in East Cambridgeshire.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Protecting communities around the country from flooding and coastal erosion is one of the new Secretary of State’s five core priorities.
This Government will improve resilience and preparation across central government, local authorities, local communities and emergency services to better protect communities across the UK. We will launch a new Flood Resilience Taskforce to turbocharge the delivery of new flood defences, drainage systems and natural flood management schemes.
In the short-term, the Environment Agency are working hard to sustain the current standard of service in the Fenland area. £172m in capital investment has been committed between 2021/22 - 2026/27 across the area, with £23.93m of this in the East Cambridgeshire area.
In parallel, work is progressing to develop a long-term adaptive plan for flood infrastructure in the Fens. The 'Fens 2100+’ is a £9.8m programme to develop a Fens-wide flood resilience investment strategy that achieves long-term value for money and generates regional and national benefits. It’s being developed with, and for, Flood Risk Management Authorities so they can plan for the next 20-25 years of flood risk management. This investment strategy will be completed in 2025.
Further information can be found here: Fens2100+ - Environment Agency - Citizen Space (environment-agency.gov.uk).
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to develop a national fishing strategy.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I have recently heard the representations of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations and others on the benefits of a national fishing strategy. This is something to discuss further with the industry and with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations given fisheries issues are largely devolved.
Asked by: Rachael Maskell (Labour (Co-op) - York Central)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the will National Food Strategy.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
It’s time for a change. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers. The only way to do this effectively is to listen to farmers and others with a stake in our food system, countryside and nature.
We will consider relevant evidence and analysis, including that contained in Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy, as we develop our plans to support our farmers and food and drink businesses, boost food security, invest in rural communities, deliver growth, manage waste more effectively across the supply chain, improve resilience to climate change and tackle biodiversity loss.
Asked by: Lord Rose of Monewden (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to continue the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme as part of a national food security strategy.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is carefully considering the Migration Advisory Committee’s review of the Seasonal Worker route and will announce a detailed response in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Boycott (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to introduce an obesity strategy.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Supporting people in staying healthier for longer is at the heart of the Government’s health mission. We face a childhood obesity crisis, and the Government will take action to tackle it head on, easing the strain on the National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever.
As set out in the King’s Speech, we will bring forward the necessary secondary legislation to ban junk food advertising to children, and stop the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds. The Government recognises that prevention will always be better than a cure. Further action on obesity under the Government’s health mission will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Lord Moynihan (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what national initiatives have been introduced to improve the health of the nation by tackling obesity, improving mental health and promoting physical activity, since the establishment of the Office of Health Promotion.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recognises that prevention will always be better, and cheaper, than a cure. Under our Health Mission, we will take preventative public health measures to tackle the biggest killers and support people to live longer, healthier lives. We have a bold ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history – giving every child a healthy start in life.
The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) was established as a group within the Department in 2021 following the closure of Public Health England. OHID’s role is to improve the nation’s health so that everyone can expect to live more of life in good health, and to reduce health inequalities.
Policies implemented to tackle obesity include the introduction of calorie labelling in large restaurants, cafes and takeaways, and the restriction on placement of less healthy food and drink in key selling locations in store and online.
To address obesity and promote healthy eating and physical activity, OHID has delivered behaviour change tools such as the NHS Weight Loss Plan app, Couch to 5k, Active 10, 10 Minute Shake Up, Start for Life and Healthy Steps email programmes through “Better Health” Campaigns. OHID delivered the Better Health rewards pilot, in Wolverhampton, to test whether financial incentives can be used to support people to make healthier choices in their diet and increase physical activity. With Sport England, OHID has delivered support and training to equip health care professionals to enable patients to move more to improve their physical and mental health.
National initiatives to improve mental health include the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges across England, and the publication of a new five-year Suicide Prevention Strategy for England in September 2023.
Asked by: Steve Barclay (Conservative - North East Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, to provide a breakdown by (a) department and (b) job title of senior civil service jobs (i) offered and (ii) appointed since 30 May 2024.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The information held by the Cabinet Office relating to the Senior Civil Service shows there have been 43 offers made and 41 candidates posted/taken up duty since 30th May 2024. Recruitment data from some departments is collected on a biannual basis by the Cabinet Office.
Please see the full breakdown of the data held centrally on the below table.
Department | VacancyTitle | Grade | Number of vacancies | Number of jobs | Offer Reached | Candidates Posted |
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs | DG Food Biosecurity and Trade | SCS 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Department of Health and Social Care | DG NHS Ten Year Plan | SCS 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | DG Digital Centre | SCS 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Maritime and Coastguard Agency | Director of People & Safety | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Transport | Deputy Director Strategy and Programme, Euston Directorate (Maternity contract) | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Business and Trade | Director, Consumer and Competition Policy | SCS Pay Band 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Transport | Deputy Director – Policy Sponsorship (Roads investment Strategy) | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Business and Trade | Director, Grants Delivery | SCS Pay Band 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | SCS2 Director Digital Service Owner (Infected Blood Compensation Authority) - EOI (6-9 months initially) | SCS Pay Band 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
HM Treasury | Deputy Director - Government Financial Reporting (12 Month Fixed Term Appointment) | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department of Health and Social Care | Head of Statistics and Data Science team- Closing date extended to 28th May 23:55 | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | Deputy Director Energy Security and Resilience Analysis Team (ESRA) | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Business and Trade | Deputy Director - Futures and Green Strategy Unit | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science | Senior Responsible Owner – Cefas Future Delivery at Sea | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | Deputy Director Counter-Terrorism and Serious Organised Crime | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | Deputy Director, Public Services | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | Deputy Director, Defence | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | SCS1 Deputy Director Middle East Strategy Cell, National Security Secretariat - EOI (6 months) | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | SCS2 Director Communications (Infected Blood Compensation Authority) - EOI (6-9 months initially) | SCS Pay Band 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | Deputy Director, i.AI Strategy and Business Engagement | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Internal) | Deputy Director, Legal Counsellor, Joint Head Sanctions and Asia Pacific Team | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | Deputy Director for Operating Model & Organisational Capability Programmes | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Department for Work and Pensions | Deputy Director Talent and Apprenticeships (Part-Time)? | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science | Director of Strategy and Delivery | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | Deputy Director, Net Zero Strategy Directorate | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
HM Treasury | Deputy Director, Financial Services Strategy | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Work and Pensions | Deputy Director, Group Strategy and Coordination | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
National Crime Agency | Deputy Director HR Delivery Services | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Business and Trade | Senior Investment Partner, Office for Investment | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | SCS2 Director Operations (Infected Blood Compensation Authority) - EOI (6-9 months initially) | SCS Pay Band 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | Deputy Director for Shared Services, | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Business and Trade | UK Pavilion Director – Osaka World Expo 2025 | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero | Deputy Director, Smart Metering Implementation Programme, Stewardship Team | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Department for Culture, Media and Sport | Deputy Director, BBC Policy | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | Deputy Director, Head of Office for Quantum Technologies | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
HM Treasury | Deputy Director, Education & Skills | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cabinet Office | Deputy Director National Security Communications | SCS Pay Band 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to help reduce roadside littering.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local councils are responsible for keeping the majority of trunk roads and other minor roads clear of litter. They have enforcement powers to help them do this, such as issuing a civil penalty to the keeper of a vehicle from which litter is thrown.
National Highways is responsible for keeping motorways and certain trunk roads clean and clear of litter. They inspect and grade the Strategic Road Network in accordance with Defra’s Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse and litter is picked almost every day on their roads. Their activities are reported and monitored via its corporate Performance Indicator outlined in the Roads Investment Strategy.
At this stage, the Government has not yet made an assessment of what actions to take to address the specific challenges associated with roadside litter.