Safety Pledges Across Services, ADHD Debate Left Unresolved

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall held five debates spanning health, housing, water regulation, culture and neurodiversity. Members examined how the NHS should prevent domestic abuse‑related deaths, with the Minister confirming Steps to Safety GP referral rollout from April 2026 and strengthened safeguarding training due in late 2026. Concerns over out‑of‑area temporary accommodation were tied to the Government’s national plan to end homelessness, including better notification and collaboration duties. Enforcement of the Water (Special Measures) Act was discussed alongside the Government’s new water White Paper, while cultural funding and opportunities in County Durham were outlined. MPs pressed for faster ADHD diagnosis and consistent post‑diagnosis support; Ministers cited updated NHS guidance and an independent review into ADHD and autism prevalence. All motions in the first four debates were agreed; the ADHD debate adjourned without a decision.

Detailed Summary

Domestic Abuse-related Deaths: NHS Prevention

Opening the debate, Simon Opher (a GP) argued the NHS must identify and respond to domestic abuse across services, citing missed opportunities, the need for simple referral routes, team‑wide training, data sharing and a whole‑system plan. He stressed, “The NHS is the most consistent point of contact for people living with abuse”, and backed the planned Steps to Safety referral model: “The Department of Health and Social Care will roll out a domestic abuse and sexual violence referral service across integrated care boards”.

Speakers highlighted gaps in training and the case for co‑locating specialist advocates in hospitals and primary care. Jessica Asato relayed a survivor’s experience: “we only do bones here, not that ‘relationship mental health stuff’”, and cited evidence that hospital‑based independent domestic violence advisers improve safety and reduce abuse duration. Cat Eccles noted that 89% of domestic abuse‑related death reviews included NHS recommendations and urged standardised training, estimating an annual cost of £2.6 million. The Minister, Karin Smyth, confirmed funding and rollout, saying “we are committing up to £50 million over the next three years to the roll‑out of the child house model” and that “the Department will provide dedicated funding for the Steps to Safety referral service”. Steps to Safety will begin in April with 10 integrated care boards and is planned to reach all areas by 2029. She added, “National mandatory safeguarding training is being strengthened for launch in late 2026”. The motion was agreed to: “Resolved, That this House has considered the role of the NHS in preventing domestic homicides and domestic abuse-related deaths.”.

Temporary Accommodation: Out of Area Placements

Josh Babarinde raised safeguarding risks, poor notification and support gaps when households are placed out of area, citing a sharp rise in placements into Eastbourne and tragedies, including: “a 25-year-old man placed in Eastbourne… was found dead… In the month before his death, no welfare checks had been carried out”. He asked for a timetable to tighten guidance, consultation with receiving authorities, and clarity on sanctions.

Responding, Minister Alison McGovern linked immediate actions to the wider national homelessness strategy, noting that at the end of June 2025 “42,080 households were living in temporary accommodation outside their home local authority” and that London accounted for a large share of outward placements. She said the code requires suitability and minimising disruption to schooling, healthcare and support networks, and that strengthened guidance will be folded into the strategy’s action plan. She emphasised the statutory duty on placing councils to notify receiving authorities and said current compliance is “not good enough”. She also highlighted a recent amendment requiring local housing authorities to “notify… educational institutions, GP practices and health visiting services” “when a child is placed in temporary accommodation”, emergency accommodation reduction pilots, and a £30 million funding increase for that programme. The motion was agreed to.

Water (Special Measures) Act 2025: Enforcement

Tom Gordon questioned whether enforcement matches the Act’s intent, highlighting pollution, customer service failures and remuneration workarounds—arguing some companies are rebranding executive payments despite the bonus ban. He pressed for closing pay loopholes, pursuing criminal liability for serious environmental harm, and targeting decision‑makers rather than customers. Members cited problems with several companies and urged preserving the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s strengths.

Minister Emma Hardy outlined the Government’s water White Paper as “once-in-a-generation reforms to our water system, delivering tough oversight and real accountability, and putting an end to water company excuses”. Measures include “an MOT-style approach for water companies’ pipes and pumps [and] no-notice inspection powers”, appointing “a new chief engineer” and introducing “new performance improvement regimes” with “dedicated supervisory teams”. She cited “powerful new customer panels”, consultation on bringing sewage sludge use in agriculture within environmental permitting, doubling compensation for supply interruptions, and the Environment Agency moving to 10,000 inspections in 2025‑26. The motion was agreed to: “Resolved, That this House has considered the enforcement of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025.”.

County Durham: Cultural Opportunities

Mary Foy argued culture is integral to County Durham’s identity and future, citing the miners’ self‑funded institutions and today’s festivals, while warning about lost or politicised events such as Lumiere ending and reduced support for Durham Pride—described as “political street theatre” by the council, she said. She called for grassroots support, inclusive participation, and ministerial engagement with local needs.

Replying for Ministers, Nicholas Dakin set out funding and programmes: the “£270 million Arts Everywhere fund” and an increase to Arts Council England’s core budget by “over £7.6 million” for 2025‑26. He said that ACE has invested “almost £2.5 million since 2023” in County Durham, supporting organisations including TIN Arts and Beamish Museum, while Sport England provided “£2.79 million” in 2024‑25. He noted Durham’s City of Culture runner‑up award—“£125,000 to sustain that momentum”—and a new Town of Culture competition with expressions of interest due “by 31 March 2026”. He said Durham County Council would seek a “fresh approach” following Lumiere’s final edition. The motion was agreed to.

ADHD Diagnosis

Bill Esterson centred the debate on delays to diagnosis and support, highlighting the case of 19‑year‑old Matty Lock and the link between ADHD and suicide: “The prevalence of ADHD is 10 times higher among men attempting to take their own lives”. He cited backlogs—“about 700,000 people are waiting for a diagnosis”—and urged clearer pathways, potential school screening, expanded GP roles in assessment, and consistent post‑diagnosis care and prescribing.

Minister Zubir Ahmed expressed condolences, confirmed updated NHS web guidance that flags “increased risks of suicide and addiction in those with ADHD” and invited the family to meet Ministers. He acknowledged long waits and variable practice, referred to the NHS ADHD taskforce’s findings on assessment quality and rapid growth in remote and independent sector provision, and pointed to an independent review into the prevalence of and support for ADHD and autism announced on “4 December 2025”. He said NHS planning expects systems to “improve access, experience and outcomes for ADHD services over the next three years”, and suggested moving “to a more generalist service model” as recommended by the taskforce. The debate adjourned without a decision: “Motion lapsed, and sitting adjourned without Question put”.