Sarah Gibson MP: written questions
390 published records · newest first.
Written questions
MiscarriageDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to improve the recording of miscarriage in NHS services.
Answer: The risk of miscarriage is estimated at 15%, and there are approximately 100,000 to 150,000 miscarriages per year in the United Kingdom. However, due to lack of data on the earliest losses, the true figure could be higher at approximately 250,000 a year.A...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMaternity Services: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support retention within the maternity and neonatal workforce.
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals.To support this ambition, the Government pl...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS Trusts: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has assessed the factors contributing to variation in intervention rates between NHS trusts.
Answer: The Department has made no specific assessment. Local National Health Service commissioners are responsible for planning healthcare services that meet the needs of their respective populations. NHS trust interventions will vary across services and in resp...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMaternity ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Ockenden report, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the progress in delivering the Immediate and Essential Actions; and if he will publish an up
Answer: The final report of the Ockenden review contained 96 immediate and essential actions (IEAs), some national and some for local implementation. The IEAs contained in the Ockenden review were brought together, alongside other reports and guidance, into NHS E...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: ApprenticesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95357More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the eligibility criteria for fully funded SME apprenticeships for people under 25.
Answer: As announced at the Budget, the government will fully fund apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This does not change the policy on level 7 apprenticeships which the...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: ApprenticesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 27 Nov 2025WithdrawnUIN 95356More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the full funding for SME apprenticeships for people under 25 announced in the Budget will cover Level 7 apprenticeships.
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: ApprenticesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95355More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the full funding for SME apprenticeships for people under 25 announced in the Budget will cover Level 7 apprenticeships, including architecture.
Answer: As announced at the Budget, the government will fully fund apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This does not change the policy on level 7 apprenticeships which the...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94369More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the use of AI-based mental health tools in the NHS; and what plans he has to consult on the use of these tools.
Answer: The Department recognises the potential of artificial intelligence-based tools to support mental health services in the National Health Service. Recent discussions have focused on ensuring that these technologies meet safety, ethical, and clinical standar...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had on the use of AI-based mental health tools in the NHS; and whether he plans to consult relevant stakeholders on the use of such tools.
Answer: The Department recognises the potential of artificial intelligence-based tools to support mental health services in the National Health Service. Recent discussions have focused on ensuring that these technologies meet safety, ethical, and clinical standar...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: NeurodiversityMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93822More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department holds data on the proportion of neurodivergent service personnel.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is committed to a diverse workforce and regularly reviews both its policies and its data collection requirements on neurodiversity, however, there are no current plans to revise Joint Service Publication 822 Defence Direction for T...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: NeurodiversityMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93821More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing routine monitoring and data collection on neurodivergent Service Personnel, including those with conditions beyond Specific Learning Differences;
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is committed to a diverse workforce and regularly reviews both its policies and its data collection requirements on neurodiversity, however, there are no current plans to revise Joint Service Publication 822 Defence Direction for T...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: Small BusinessesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92888More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the new cross-government veteran employment taskforce is taking to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in rural areas, have access to veteran talent.
Answer: The Government recognises the vital role small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK play in our economy and is committed to ensuring they have access to the skills and talents they need to succeed. Veterans bring exceptional qualities such as...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: Identity CardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92886More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure that veterans without reliable digital access can still obtain the Digital Veteran Card.
Answer: We recognise that not all veterans can reliably access digital services or the internet. The digital Veteran Card is an optional version of the existing physical HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. Eligibility for a digital version, includes that applicants mus...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeteransMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92885More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish the membership and terms of reference for the cross-government delivery group for veterans.
Answer: The Veterans Strategy commits to redesign the underpinning governance and engagement that drives delivery of veterans’ priorities and decision making. I will work with Ministers across UK Government and Devolved Governments to deliver on the priorities se...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: HousingMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeline is for implementing the Government’s Forces First approach for new homes built on surplus Ministry of Defence land, and whether any such sites are planned in Wiltshire.
Answer: The Government’s Forces First approach will apply to a proportion of new homes on selected surplus Defence sites, agreed between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the local authority and the developer based on demand and site viability. This will increase th...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: WiltshireMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92883More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans in Wiltshire accessed support through Op FORTITUDE in the last 12 months, and what assessment he has made of future needs.
Answer: Between 21 November 2024 and 21 November 2025, Op FORTITUDE has received 47 referrals in Wiltshire. This Government is fully committed to ensuring that all veterans across the UK have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committ...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: VeteransDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92882More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of GP accreditation coverage for Veteran Aware practices in Wiltshire, and what steps are being taken to close any gaps.
Answer: NHS England has been working with the regional providers of Op COURAGE to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. This includes reviewing the time that veterans wait for assessment and treatment. Any required changes identified through this in...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: VeteransDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92880More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government will commit to publishing outcome data and not only referral figures for Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE as set out in the Veterans Strategy.
Answer: NHS England has been working with the regional providers of Op COURAGE to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. This includes reviewing the time that veterans wait for assessment and treatment. Any required changes identified through this in...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: VeteransDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92876More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for veterans accessing Op COURAGE services, including for those in rural counties such as Wiltshire.
Answer: NHS England has been working with the regional providers of Op COURAGE to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. This includes reviewing the time that veterans wait for assessment and treatment. Any required changes identified through this in...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Support CentresMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92874More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Government plans to publish the first tranche of data gathered through VALOUR support centres, and whether that data will be disaggregated by region.
Answer: The VALOUR programme is being developed and funding for VALOUR Recognised Centres opened on 10 November and closes on 14 January 2026. There will be an expectation on centres to share data with VALOUR HQ, where it will then be reviewed and analysed, to be...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Support Centres: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that VALOUR field officers are trained to understand the needs of veterans from underrepresented groups including LGBT+ and non-UK veterans.
Answer: Across the UK, new dedicated and regionally based VALOUR field officers will oversee the establishment and support the running of a network of place-based partnerships. These partnerships will bring together partners from across local government, public s...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans Support Centres: Rural AreasMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92843More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that VALOUR-recognised support centres will be evenly distributed across rural areas.
Answer: Applications are currently open for organisations to bid to become VALOUR recognised centres. The locations of centres will be dependent on which organisations apply and are awarded funding; however, consideration will be given to the geographic spread of...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: DisabilityDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the timeline is for making the NHS Accessible Information Standard mandatory for health and social care providers, following commencement of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022
Answer: Mandatory information standards will be introduced in a staged process. There is no timeline yet for issuing a mandatory NHS Accessible Information Standard.
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether training on the NHS Accessible Information Standard will be included in the competency framework setting out all nationally mandated training subjects, in the context of NHS’s England’s ong
Answer: NHS England is currently considering the inclusion of the Accessible Information Standard in the Competency Framework as part of their review of mandatory and statutory training for National Health Service staff.In the meantime, NHS England is working to ...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPlastic Packaging TaxTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88087More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the (a) Plastic Packaging Tax rate and (b) recycled content requirement to promote domestic recycling.
Answer: The Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced in April 2022 under the previous government and provides a price incentive for businesses to use recycled plastic in the manufacture of plastic packaging – thereby stimulating the collection and recycling of plasti...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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