• Debate Pack

    Debate pack: Childhood obesity strategy

    This debate pack is prepared for the Backbench Business debate on 21 January 2015 on the motion “That this House calls on the Government to bring forward a bold and effective strategy to tackle childhood obesity.” The motion has been tabled by Dr Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Commons Health Select Committee. The Health Select Committee has held a recent Inquiry into childhood obesity and published its report, Childhood obesity- brave and bold action in November 2015. The Government have said that they will be publishing a new childhood obesity strategy in 2016. This debate pack includes recent press articles, Parliamentary material and links to further reading on childhood obesity.

  • Research Briefing

    NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc.) Bill

    This House of Commons Library briefing paper provides information on the NHS (Charitable Trusts Etc.) Bill (Bill 11 2015-16).The Bill aims to reduce the Department of Health’s involvement in NHS charities (charities linked to NHS bodies). Specifically it makes provision for the removal of the Secretary of State’s long-standing powers to appoint trustees. The Bill also contains provisions to ensure that a new independent Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity can receive royalties in relation to performances or publications of the play Peter Pan (JM Barrie gave the hospital rights to the royalties in 1929).

  • Debate Pack

    Hand hygiene in the NHS

    On Wednesday 13 January there will be a debate in Westminster Hall on the motion, That this House has considered hand hygiene in the NHS. Nigel Mills will open the debate. This page provides relevant background material including statistics, press articles and releases and parliamentary questions.

  • Debate Pack

    Mental health

    There is an Opposition Day Debate on Mental Health on Wednesday 9 December 2015. This Library page provides an overview of funding for mental health and further reading.

  • Debate Pack

    Debate on an e-petition on a tax on sugary drinks

    This pack has been compiled ahead of the debate on A tax on sugary drinks in Westminster Hall on Monday 30 November 2015 at 4.30pm. The subject of this debate has been chosen by the Petitions Committee and will consider ePetition 106651: Introduce a tax on sugary drinks in the UK to improve our children's health. Experts believe a tax of just 7p per regular-sized can of soft drink with added sugar could generate £1 billion per year. We believe this crucial revenue should be ring-fenced to support much needed preventative strategies in the NHS and schools around childhood obesity and diet-related disease. The Government responded: The Government has no plans to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. The Government will announce its plans for tackling childhood obesity by the end of the year.