Written questions by Wrigley.

What steps she is taking to support children's wellbeing in schools in Newton Abbot constituency.

The government has set a bold new ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history. On 19 June, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced a new approach to enrichment, PE and school sport.The government has committed to offer free breakfast clubs in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England. From the start of this term, free breakfast clubs are being funded in 750 early adopter schools across England, ahead of national roll out, including two in Newton Abbott.We are also providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). 31% of schools and colleges in Newton Abbot constituency were supported by an NHS-funded MHST in March 2025.This data has been available since 16 May 2025 at national, regional and local authority level, and since 10 July 2025 at constituency level. Around six in ten pupils nationally are expected to have access to an MHST by March 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to stop UK (a) owned and (b) insured LNG carriers from transporting Russian products.

The UK has taken extensive action to limit energy revenues that fund Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. This includes Russian revenues from Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Importing Russian LNG into the UK has been prohibited since January 2023. We continue to explore all options for constraining Russian revenue further and we do not comment on future potential actions as to do so could undermine their effectiveness.

With reference to her Statement on Strengthening border security and reforms to the asylum system of 1 September 2025, whether applicants to the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme who applied in Spring 2022 will have these finished in Autumn 2028.

On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under active review.

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot dated 24 July 2025.

The former minister responded to the hon. Member’s enquiry via correspondence on 29 August. I have sent a copy of the response to his office for reference.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot dated 24 July 2025.

I issued a response to the Hon. Member on 18 August.

When she plans to respond to the correspondence of 16 July 2025 from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot.

The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your correspondence to the Minister for Women & Equalities dated 16 July has been passed to me, as the new Minister responsible for LGBT+ policy. The response was issued on the 14th October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 February 2025 to Question 30304 on Gaza: Internally Displaced People, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people displaced from Gaza City since July 2025.

It has been estimated that at least 90 per cent of Gaza's population of 1.9 million has been displaced, many of whom have been displaced several times, that 92 per cent of housing units have been destroyed and 1.4 million people are currently in desperate need of emergency shelter. Following the ground incursion on 14 August on Gaza City and North Gaza, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report significant displacement observed from north to south with 33,153 movements recorded, further straining already overcrowded areas.As the UK said in our joint statement with overseas partners on 10 August, we condemn the Government of Israel's decision to further expand its military operations in Gaza, which risks violating international humanitarian law, endangering the lives of all civilians in Gaza, including the remaining hostages, and worsening the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, leading to further death and mass displacement of Palestinian civilians. We call on Israel to allow the UN and humanitarian partners to deliver unrestricted flows of humanitarian aid to alleviate this crisis, including shelter kits.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June to Question 59824 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, whether his Department has had discussions with the International Maritime Organisation on the reported drone attack on the vessel Conscience.

No.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June to Question 59825 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, what diplomatic steps his Department has taken to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 October to Question 77868.

What steps he is taking to ensure that local decision-making by ICBs is in line with national strategic priorities for primary care infrastructure growth.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Surgery expansion and new builds are considered by local integrated care boards (ICB’s) under the auspices of The National Health Service (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions 2024, with further information available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdfThis guidance sets out the clear and transparent criteria for the application process and provide the ability for ICBs to invest capital into new primary care premises, which was not supported under earlier versions.To further support general practice contractors and ICBs, NHS England has published two documents, the Guide to the changes to primary care premises policy document, to provide an overview of the changes to the directions, and the Primary care capital grants policy document, to provide guidance on the investment of capital. Both documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guide-to-the-changes-to-primary-care-premises-policy/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-capital-grants-policy/For this financial year, 2025/26, the Government is providing £102 million of capital investment into upgrading the general practice estate across England in the form of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund. Using targeted investment to create additional clinical capacity enabling practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. Most of the schemes will involve the repurposing of existing accommodation with a small number of modest surgery extensions.

What recent discussions NHS England has had with ICBs on the number of GP surgery expansion applications awaiting capital funding.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Surgery expansion and new builds are considered by local integrated care boards (ICB’s) under the auspices of The National Health Service (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions 2024, with further information available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdfThis guidance sets out the clear and transparent criteria for the application process and provide the ability for ICBs to invest capital into new primary care premises, which was not supported under earlier versions.To further support general practice contractors and ICBs, NHS England has published two documents, the Guide to the changes to primary care premises policy document, to provide an overview of the changes to the directions, and the Primary care capital grants policy document, to provide guidance on the investment of capital. Both documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guide-to-the-changes-to-primary-care-premises-policy/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-capital-grants-policy/For this financial year, 2025/26, the Government is providing £102 million of capital investment into upgrading the general practice estate across England in the form of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund. Using targeted investment to create additional clinical capacity enabling practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. Most of the schemes will involve the repurposing of existing accommodation with a small number of modest surgery extensions.

What discussions he has had with ICBs on providing GP practices with (a) clearer and (b) more transparent criteria on the approval process for (i) surgery expansion and (ii) new builds.

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Surgery expansion and new builds are considered by local integrated care boards (ICB’s) under the auspices of The National Health Service (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions 2024, with further information available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/663cd8d2bd01f5ed32793867/nhs_general-medical-services-premises-costs_directions-2024.pdfThis guidance sets out the clear and transparent criteria for the application process and provide the ability for ICBs to invest capital into new primary care premises, which was not supported under earlier versions.To further support general practice contractors and ICBs, NHS England has published two documents, the Guide to the changes to primary care premises policy document, to provide an overview of the changes to the directions, and the Primary care capital grants policy document, to provide guidance on the investment of capital. Both documents are available, respectively, at the following two links:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guide-to-the-changes-to-primary-care-premises-policy/https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-capital-grants-policy/For this financial year, 2025/26, the Government is providing £102 million of capital investment into upgrading the general practice estate across England in the form of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund. Using targeted investment to create additional clinical capacity enabling practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. Most of the schemes will involve the repurposing of existing accommodation with a small number of modest surgery extensions.

What the average time taken is for GP practices to secure funding for expansion through ICBs; and how his Department plans to reduce that time.

The Government recognises the importance of strategic, value for money investments in capital projects, such as new facilities, significant upgrades, or other targeted capital investments.There is no average time for securing funding for expansions as each application is treated individually and multiple factors such as planning permission, recurrent revenue funding associated with the reimbursable elements, and legal agreements to protect the investment must be considered for each application.The Department continues to actively seek ways to improve and streamline our processes and we have announced our aim to fundamentally reform the financial system in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan. In parallel, a standard, simplified Grant Agreement has been developed and is being tested for capital schemes under £144,000. This is supporting a fast-track process for securing grant agreements for relatively low value schemes. We will continue to review all elements of the premises development approvals process to help improve productivity and reduce the overall time to secure approval and deliver expansions of primary care premises.

Whether his Department plans to review capital funding allocation processes for new GP premises, in the context of the potential impact of the integrated care board framework on such expansions.

The Government recognises the importance of strategic, value for money investments in capital projects, such as new general practice (GP) facilities, significant upgrades or other targeted capital investments. The Department is currently reviewing capital requirements in line with the Government’s priorities and as part of our preparations for future budget allocations and guidance to the National Health Service on multi-year planning.In May, we announced schemes which will benefit from the £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund to deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care.Integrated care systems’ estates infrastructure strategies have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies help take the existing and future general practice and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services including the development of a Neighbourhood Service.

How his Department is working with integrated care boards to help tackle potential barriers for GP partnerships when seeking funding for (a) new premises and (b) expansion under the capital funding structure.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the National Health Service estate is fit for purpose, in order to meet the needs of the local population.General practices (GPs) are independent contractors, which, alongside ICBs, are responsible for ensuring their premises are up to standard. Most practice premises are privately owned or leased.The Department and NHS England requested that ICBs develop estates infrastructure strategies. These have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies must take existing and future GP and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services. To support them in doing this, we provide an annual capital allocation, operational capital, which ICBs are free to use as they see fit, working with healthcare providers in their area including GPs, to deliver their estates and infrastructure priorities.At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.In Autumn 2024, the Government announced the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, a nationally controlled fund which will deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. ICBs were invited to submit funding proposals that align with local integrated care system infrastructure strategies and the Primary Care Network Estates Toolkit, prioritising high-quality, fit-for-purpose estates over poorly maintained assets.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the funding model administered by integrated care boards supports (a) long-term infrastructure planning for primary care and (b) the timely development of new GP practices.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the National Health Service estate is fit for purpose, in order to meet the needs of the local population.General practices (GPs) are independent contractors, which, alongside ICBs, are responsible for ensuring their premises are up to standard. Most practice premises are privately owned or leased.The Department and NHS England requested that ICBs develop estates infrastructure strategies. These have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies must take existing and future GP and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services. To support them in doing this, we provide an annual capital allocation, operational capital, which ICBs are free to use as they see fit, working with healthcare providers in their area including GPs, to deliver their estates and infrastructure priorities.At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.In Autumn 2024, the Government announced the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, a nationally controlled fund which will deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. ICBs were invited to submit funding proposals that align with local integrated care system infrastructure strategies and the Primary Care Network Estates Toolkit, prioritising high-quality, fit-for-purpose estates over poorly maintained assets.

Whether his Department has considered introducing a ring-fenced national funding stream to support the expansion of GP surgeries in (a) high-growth and (b) underserved areas.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the National Health Service estate is fit for purpose, in order to meet the needs of the local population.General practices (GPs) are independent contractors, which, alongside ICBs, are responsible for ensuring their premises are up to standard. Most practice premises are privately owned or leased.The Department and NHS England requested that ICBs develop estates infrastructure strategies. These have been developed to create a long-term plan for future estate requirements and investment for each local area and its needs. These strategies must take existing and future GP and primary care estate into account when considering how best to deliver local services. To support them in doing this, we provide an annual capital allocation, operational capital, which ICBs are free to use as they see fit, working with healthcare providers in their area including GPs, to deliver their estates and infrastructure priorities.At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.In Autumn 2024, the Government announced the Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, a nationally controlled fund which will deliver upgrades this financial year to GP surgeries across England. These schemes will create additional clinical space within existing building footprints to enable practices to see more patients, boost productivity, and improve patient care. ICBs were invited to submit funding proposals that align with local integrated care system infrastructure strategies and the Primary Care Network Estates Toolkit, prioritising high-quality, fit-for-purpose estates over poorly maintained assets.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of regional variances in GP surgery expansion approvals under the integrated care board-led funding mechanism.

Primary care funding is formulated within NHS England allocations, which account for elements of population growth and other factors such as weighted need. The allocations process uses a statistical formula to make geographic distribution fair and objective, so that it more clearly reflects local healthcare need and helps to reduce health inequalities. Integrated care boards prioritise how the funding is used, based on local factors and determinants.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current Integrated Care Board (ICB)-led funding model in supporting the expansion of GP surgeries in areas with rapidly growing populations.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for assessing the requirement for the physical expansion of general practice premises to manage additional patient registrations. ICBs will also undertake assessments of housing plans and develop strategic plans to manage new populations and registered patients. Under this assessment, applications may be made via the planning authority to secure capital funding to mitigate the impact of new residents and patient registrations.Discussions about developer contributions should take place as early as possible in the planning process. Developer contributions are negotiated and agreed between planning authorities and developers on a case-by-case basis, prior to planning permission being granted. Further detail is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/planning-obligationsThe Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are continuing to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess and improve the developer contribution process, to ensure health is appropriately considered and supported.

When he plans to reply to correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 8 July 2025.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member’s correspondence about solar farms on green spaces, reference MW09123. I issued a response to the hon. Member on 2 September.