The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, including multiple system atrophy (MSA), under the UK Rare Diseases Framework. We published the fifth annual England action plan in February 2026, where we report on the steps we have taken to advance the priorities of the framework, including getting a diagnosis faster and improving awareness among health professionals.

Earlier diagnosis of MSA relies on clinical guidance, improving recognition in primary care, and ensuring timely access to specialist movement disorder expertise. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral, reference code NG127, provides primary care clinicians with clear criteria for identifying early features of progressive neurological disorders, including atypical parkinsonian syndromes such as MSA. The guideline sets out when urgent or routine referral to neurology is appropriate, supporting earlier recognition and reducing diagnostic delay in general practice.

To ensure patients with suspected complex movement disorders are assessed promptly, the revised NHS England Specialised Neurology Services (Adults) service specification, from August 2025, requires all tertiary centres to provide specialised movement disorder clinics and to operate within networked integrated neurology systems. These networks strengthen links between primary care, district general hospitals, and specialist centres, enabling clinicians to access specialist advice and refer patients earlier when MSA or other atypical parkinsonian syndromes are suspected.

NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme has also developed an Integrated Neurology Care Model and toolkit, which emphasise structured pathways, care coordination, and improved communication across the system. These measures support earlier diagnosis by ensuring patients with concerning movement disorder symptoms reach the appropriate specialist team without unnecessary delay.

Until such time as the Health Bill receives Royal Assent, the statutory requirements for councils of governors (CoGs) remain. All National Health Service foundation trusts (FTs) will be expected to have put in place effective arrangements for community engagement by the time the bill provisions to remove CoGs have commenced.

To ensure the effectiveness of these arrangements, they will be tested as part of ongoing assurance processes, including provider capability assessments, Care Quality Commission well-led assessments, and the assessment process for advanced foundation trust status.

If arrangements are found to be ineffective, there are a range of escalation approaches available. The appropriate intervention would depend on the circumstances and whether there were wider failures at the FT, but it could involve finding the trust in breach of the conditions of its provider licence and requiring the FT to develop and deliver a plan to address the issue.

The Department has published impact assessments for the Health Bill, which include an assessment of reform to the foundation trust model. This is available at the following link:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-02/0009/ia_Structural_measures_to_ICBs.pdf

Until such time as the Health Bill receives Royal Assent, the statutory requirements for councils of governors (CoGs) remain. All National Health Service foundation trusts (FTs) will be expected to have put in place effective arrangements for community engagement by the time the bill provisions to remove CoGs have commenced.

To ensure the effectiveness of these arrangements, they will be tested as part of ongoing assurance processes, including provider capability assessments, Care Quality Commission well-led assessments, and the assessment process for advanced foundation trust status.

If arrangements are found to be ineffective, there are a range of escalation approaches available. The appropriate intervention would depend on the circumstances and whether there were wider failures at the FT, but it could involve finding the trust in breach of the conditions of its provider licence and requiring the FT to develop and deliver a plan to address the issue.

The Department has published impact assessments for the Health Bill, which include an assessment of reform to the foundation trust model. This is available at the following link:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-02/0009/ia_Structural_measures_to_ICBs.pdf

Until such time as the Health Bill receives Royal Assent, the statutory requirements for councils of governors (CoGs) remain. All National Health Service foundation trusts (FTs) will be expected to have put in place effective arrangements for community engagement by the time the bill provisions to remove CoGs have commenced.

To ensure the effectiveness of these arrangements, they will be tested as part of ongoing assurance processes, including provider capability assessments, Care Quality Commission well-led assessments, and the assessment process for advanced foundation trust status.

If arrangements are found to be ineffective, there are a range of escalation approaches available. The appropriate intervention would depend on the circumstances and whether there were wider failures at the FT, but it could involve finding the trust in breach of the conditions of its provider licence and requiring the FT to develop and deliver a plan to address the issue.

The Department has published impact assessments for the Health Bill, which include an assessment of reform to the foundation trust model. This is available at the following link:

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/59-02/0009/ia_Structural_measures_to_ICBs.pdf

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and has funded a range of research through the NIHR infrastructure policy programmes, including research into multiple system atrophy (MSA). This research includes testing new treatments that could slow down or stop disease progression, developing better ways to diagnose the disease earlier and more accurately, and understanding how health and care services work so that people receive better support after diagnosis and improved end-of-life care.

MSA is a rare neurodegenerative condition and is therefore frequently studied alongside related atypical Parkinsonian syndromes and broader neurodegenerative disorders. In the last five financial years, from 2020/21 to 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department committed £1.96 million for new research projects into MSA. This is alongside wider support to NIHR research infrastructure.

Achieving value for money is primarily the responsibility of integrated care boards, who decide how best to spend fixed budgets to achieve outcomes for their local populations.

In most cases, contracts between integrated care boards and local providers will have to comply with the NHS Payment Scheme, a set of prices and rules used by providers of National Health Service care and commissioners to deliver the most efficient, cost-effective care to patients. These unit prices apply to both independent sector and NHS providers.

The latest data available from 2025/2026 shows that the average wait time from the point of requesting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to receipt of a scan is 41.5 days for all MRI scans, and 36.1 days for musculoskeletal (MSK) related issues for Luton residents. The average wait time is not collected from the point of general practice (GP) referral as referrals would not normally be directed from GPs.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance recommends that patients with MSK conditions do not have imaging requested by a non-specialist service unless serious underlying pathology is suspected. This means that MRI scans or other imaging should be requested by an MSK service, or other specialist service, and not by a GP unless there is significant, life-threatening, or urgent medical disease or condition, for instance cancer, spinal infection, organ failure, or a fracture.

NHS England publishes data on diagnostic waiting times, including the proportion of patients waiting six weeks or more for diagnostic tests such as MRI scans.

We are committed to improving access to diagnostics and have expanded capacity through community diagnostic centres, which are delivering additional MRI and other tests closer to patients’ homes and helping to reduce waiting times.

Bereavement Support Payment aims to provide support during the acute period following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments with a higher amount paid for those with children.

Longer-term financial support is delivered through the wider welfare system, including through Universal Credit, Child Benefit and other forms of local support where appropriate. The Government keeps the adequacy of all benefits under review.

The Government recognises the impact that delays in diagnostic imaging can have on patients, particularly those in severe pain or unable to work.

We are taking a range of steps to improve access to imaging, including expanding capacity through community diagnostic centres (CDCs). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a core test within CDCs and at present we have 143 MRIs in 125 sites that provide it, having delivered nearly 2.9 million MRI tests since 2021. We have also funded new MRI scanners to increase access and availability to MRI scanning.

We are also supporting the National Health Service to increase workforce capacity, make better use of existing diagnostic equipment, and prioritise patients based on clinical need. These measures are helping to reduce waiting times and ensure patients with the most urgent needs are seen as quickly as possible.

To support people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions more broadly, we are working to deliver the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. GIRFT teams are working with health system leaders to reduce community MSK waiting lists. Patients with MSK conditions will also soon be able to directly access community services, including physiotherapy, pain management, and orthopaedics, in the NHS App. The landmark change will deliver faster treatment for the flare up of existing conditions, including arthritis, backpain, and joint pain.

In 2023, the Home Office commissioned the University of Birmingham to conduct a study on the feasibility of producing a prevalence estimate of forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

Building on this, “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published in December 2025, committed to conducting an additional study to explore the viability of the University’s recommended approach to producing a national prevalence estimate. The additional study concluded in March 2026

The Government is currently reviewing the findings of both studies and considering next steps.

The UK is concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life of both security personnel and civilians. We recognise that restricted internet and mobile data services in the region will be causing concern for diaspora communities in the UK, particularly those with family members in the area. The safety of British nationals is our top priority. On 6 June 2026, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to the region. Our consular staff stand ready to provide assistance to any British nationals who require it. We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with local authorities. I discussed the situation with Pakistani counterparts during my visit to Islamabad in June 2026.

The UK is concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life of both security personnel and civilians. We recognise that restricted internet and mobile data services in the region will be causing concern for diaspora communities in the UK, particularly those with family members in the area. The safety of British nationals is our top priority. On 6 June 2026, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office updated its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to the region. Our consular staff stand ready to provide assistance to any British nationals who require it. We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with local authorities. I discussed the situation with Pakistani counterparts during my visit to Islamabad in June 2026.

Before I respond to the question, I want to recognise my hon. Friend’s incredible work on widening access to bereavement leave for new parents. Having spoken to a constituent of mine, I know how much of a godsend that leave is for those parents who very tragically find themselves in that position.

The armed forces occupational paternity leave scheme provides equivalent arrangements to statutory provision, including full pay, and 1,684 service personnel took paternity leave in 2025. The Ministry of Defence also makes provision for shared parental leave, to ensure that parents have greater flexibility to share responsibility for the care of their child.

Where people report incidents of sexual harassment and assault to the police, under the Home Office Crime Recording Rules, all reports of incidents will, unless immediately recorded as a crime, result in the registration of an auditable incident report by the police.

The Department is taking action to address such incidents through its work across government and with partners in industry and Local Transport Authorities, to ensure that everyone using bus services feels and is safe. That is why there are nine Departmental commitments within the cross-government ‘Freedom From Violence and Abuse Action Plan’, published 18th December 2025.

This includes mandating training for staff working in the bus industry, including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public, on how to recognise and respond to incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) on public transport, in the Bus Services Act 2025. The Department will publish statutory guidance to outline that the training should cover how to identify, respond appropriately to and, where possible, prevent ASB and Violence Against Women and Girls.

The Act also gives local transport authorities the power to create byelaws and deploy officers who can deal with anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on the bus network. Byelaws enable authorised officers to take enforcement action, including requiring individuals to leave vehicles or facilities and issuing penalties where appropriate, thereby protecting drivers.

The Department is working across government and with partners in industry and Local Transport Authorities, to ensure that everyone, including staff in bus companies such as engineers, feel and are safe.

The Department works closely with industry, trade unions and local transport authorities to support the safety of all staff across the bus sector, including engineers and depot‑based workers. Employers are responsible for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of their employees, and must comply with relevant health and safety legislation.

The Bus Services Act 2025 gives local transport authorities the power to create byelaws and deploy officers who can deal with antisocial behaviour and fare evasion on the bus network. It is the responsibility of everyone involved in the transport network to make sure it is a safe place for users and staff.

The Government has introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme which charges fees to businesses that produce and/or supply household packaging. This incentivises packaging producers to reduce their material footprint and use easier to recycle packaging.

From 2026 onwards, pEPR fees will be higher for packaging that is not recyclable or is hard to recycle, including multi-material, non-recyclable flexible packaging and plastic sachets. Fees will be lower for packaging that can be easily recycled. Illustrative fees for 2026/27, published in December 2025, estimate that 45% of plastic packaging eligible for pEPR disposal fees will attract a ‘red’ rating and will therefore incur higher fees.

The Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving, and the consultation on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms have now been published, as of 23 February. The White Paper and the consultation are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first-html-version

These documents set out our ambitions to transform outcomes for children, young people, and their families who have been let down for far too long. The Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England have worked closely with the Department for Education on the reforms, and continued close partnership between health, social care, and education will be needed to realise the opportunity created by these crucial reforms.

The Government is currently consulting on proposed updates to the statutory guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions at school, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposal-on-support-for-pupils-with-medical-conditions-at-school

The Government will publish non-statutory guidance to clarify the roles and responsibilities of health and education in supporting pupils with medical conditions in education settings. Schools are responsible for managing their resources and budgets. They must comply with their statutory duties, including those under the Equality Act and the duty under section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) have various statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 to work with local authorities, including on: identifying and notifying where a child or young person has potential SEND; joint commissioning; participating in education, health and care assessments and plans; and securing health provision. Reform proposals include the creation of New Specialist Provision Packages for children and young people with complex needs, which set out exactly what support and resources are required for specific needs. These will be developed and reviewed by an Independent Expert Panel with education and health co-chairs, and shaped through testing with parents. For children under five years old with complex needs, we will introduce a fast track for a Specialist Provision Package and Education, Health and Care Plan.

The NHS Medium Term Planning Framework for 2026/27 to 2028/29, published October 2025, included, for the first time, a clear requirement for ICBs and providers to meet their statutory SEND duties and support the Government’s SEND reform plans. The framework is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/medium-term-planning-framework-delivering-change-together-2026-27-to-2028-29.pdf

Each ICB is also required to have an executive lead for children and young people with SEND. ICBs will need to work alongside local authorities to develop Local SEND Reform Plans, which will set out each local area’s approach to implementing SEND reforms, tailored to local context and need. These plans will lay the foundation for long-term reform, set how partners will work together, and enable ongoing monitoring of progress, including introduction of the new Experts at Hand service.