Tag: Nick Thomas-Symonds

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-03-21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2016 to Question 30986, what estimate his Department has made of the number of children who will be lifted out of poverty as a result of universal credit before any effect on employment.

Priti Patel

This Government is committed to eliminating child poverty and transforming the life chances of the most disadvantaged children and families.

We know that work is the best route out of poverty, and Universal Credit is designed to strengthen incentives for parents to move into and progress in work. Ignoring the impact that Universal Credit has on incentivising work and raising the incomes of families is inappropriate.

The impact of Universal Credit cannot be considered in isolation– it is a key component of a broader strategy to move Britain to a higher wage, lower welfare, lower tax society.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-10-07.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of NHS England’s decision not to fund second stem cell transplants on the long-term outcomes of patients.

Nicola Blackwood

Decisions related to the commissioning of National Health Service treatments in England are made by NHS England using a published process that involves an impact assessment. The Department has not made any further assessment of the decision related to the commissioning of second stem cell transplants.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2015-11-17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Care Quality during Oral Questions on 17 November 2015 on the establishment of a working party to examine issues regarding the availability of off-patent, repurposed drugs, when the working party was established; what the working party’s scope and terms of reference are; which organisations and individuals have been invited to join the working party; and when the next meeting of the working party will be convened.

George Freeman

The Government has not established a working party in relation to the Off-Patent Drugs Bill. We did hold a roundtable event in February 2015 with key stakeholders including charities and agreed several follow up actions. We have now agreed additional further actions:

– arrange a further roundtable event specifically for those charities who would like to explore the Bill in more detail;

– input in to the work of the Off-Patent Drugs Bill All Party Parliamentary Group; and

– hold a Ministerial drop-in session on 30 November, for those who would like to discuss the Bill further. This will be hosted by myself.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-01-13.

To ask the Attorney General, if he will review Norman James’ case as raised in the letter from the hon. Member for Torfaen of 15 June 2015 to take account of recent developments in that case.

Robert Buckland

My office has no plans to conduct a review into this matter. The specific allegations raised by Mr James are ones that would be more appropriate to the police to investigate rather than the Crown Prosecution Service for which I am answerable to this House and which in any event does not have any investigatory powers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-03-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what representations she has received on accusations of mis-selling by Home Energy and Lifestyle Management.

Andrea Leadsom

It is not appropriate for me to comment on specific allegations against individual firms. However, I can confirm that in November 2015, acting on information passed to DECC by the Green Deal Ombudsman, I imposed a financial penalty against Home Energy and Lifestyle Management for breaches of the Green Deal Code of Practice related to mis-selling of credit agreements, the obligation under the Code of Practice to act honestly and fairly towards consumers, and the obligation to encourage consumers to obtain alternative quotes. Companies participating in various DECC schemes are expected to adhere to high standards including, where appropriate, those laid out in the Green Deal Code of Practice and the requirements of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. For firms that are authorised Green Deal Providers, consumers may complain to the Green Deal Ombudsman (where the firm is unable to resolve their complaint), and the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body also monitor issues raised involving authorised participants. DECC Officials also work closely with other regulators with an interest in firms working under DECC schemes.

In the summer of 2015, I established the Every Home Matters review, which contains a strong focus on consumers, and I look forward to receiving the recommendations from this in the coming months.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of recently published research from Breast Cancer Now on the availability of bisphosphonates.

Nicola Blackwood

The Independent Cancer Taskforce report included a specific recommendation on the use of adjuvant bisphosphonates for treating people with breast cancer. We understand that NHS England is working to realise the ambitions set out in the report and will publish an update on progress made soon.

National prescribing arrangements already allow for bisphosphonates to be prescribed for the prevention of secondary breast cancer.

Updated guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the use of adjuvant bisphosphonates for the management of breast cancer treatment-induced bone loss, taking into account the latest available evidence, is expected in July 2018.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2015-11-19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of additional regulation of the sale of fireworks.

Anna Soubry

Restrictions on the sale of fireworks already exist under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 and the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015. The majority of people have a sensible and responsible attitude to fireworks and, on balance, I do not believe that further restrictions on their sale would be necessary or proportionate.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he intends to make a decision on the closure of the Risk Sharing Scheme; and what provisions his Department plans to put in place for people who are currently accessing drugs via that Scheme.

George Freeman

The Department is currently discussing with key stakeholders the arrangements for formally bringing the Multiple Sclerosis Risk Sharing Scheme to an end. Patients currently receiving drugs as part of the Scheme will continue to do so for as long as this is clinically appropriate for them.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-03-18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will conduct a revised impact assessment for universal credit on the effect of reforms to its design since 2012.

Priti Patel

Whilst there have been changes to Universal Credit since the impact assessment in 2012, these have not fundamentally altered the service, which remains on course to deliver stronger work incentives and simplicity in the welfare system.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Nick Thomas-Symonds on 2016-10-10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress his Department has made on ensuring that repurposed, off-patent drugs are consistently available to NHS patients where evidence supports their use.

Nicola Blackwood

Current prescribing arrangements already allow off-patent drugs that are found to have new uses to be prescribed to patients.

The Government and medical research charities are working together to ensure that robust evidence showing new uses for existing drugs can be brought more systematically into clinical practice to benefit patients.