Written questions by Martin.

Whether the A21 Safety Package will address visibility issues.

National Highways’ South Central Route Strategy recognises the current pressures and future needs of the A21 in Kent particularly around journey time reliability and safety. National Highways will consider the case and priority for further improvements to the route as part of its future investment planning. Regarding hedgerow maintenance, National Highways regularly inspects the A21 to ensure safety and maintain vegetation. Hedge maintenance and clearance are carried out on a schedule to balance safety and environmental needs. For hedgerows, work is typically done outside the bird nesting season, from October to February. Shrubs are maintained every three years, and woodland is managed every seven years. Where responsibilities for maintenance falls to landowners, National Highways intends to raise awareness about vegetation clearance with residents living along the A21. The A21 Safety Package is a series of schemes to improve safety along the route which includes among others junction improvements, changes to speed limits, improved signage and road markings, and improvements to road visibility. On the issue of visibility, where this was identified as a risk during the design stage, the interventions being delivered will address that. For example, work has been undertaken to improve visibility at Vinehall School, where visibility was identified as a factor to the conflicting movement at the exit/entrance of the school. National Highways undertook clearance works to improve the visibility splay, which was completed in the last financial year. In November 2024 National Highways undertook vegetation clearance at Riverhill lay-bay to help make the lay-bay more visible to the users. Finally, as with all the safety measures, National Highways will carry out a post implementation analysis to evaluate the safety interventions undertaken on the A21. Post analysis normally includes a road safety audit which provides an effective, independent review of the road safety implications of the interventions for all road users. Evaluation usually happens 12-18 months after the intervention and the metrics measured will vary depending on the type of intervention.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed sale of Royal Mail on its ability to fulfil its obligations as a universal service provider.

A reliable and affordable universal postal service that works for customers, workers and communities is crucial to the UK businesses that help drive growth across the country. The universal service obligation is a legally binding commitment on the designated universal service provider and its ongoing provision is required irrespective of the ownership of the business.

What steps her Department plans to take to monitor the effectiveness of the A21 Safety Package; and what metrics will be used to measure safety improvements.

National Highways’ South Central Route Strategy recognises the current pressures and future needs of the A21 in Kent particularly around journey time reliability and safety. National Highways will consider the case and priority for further improvements to the route as part of its future investment planning. Regarding hedgerow maintenance, National Highways regularly inspects the A21 to ensure safety and maintain vegetation. Hedge maintenance and clearance are carried out on a schedule to balance safety and environmental needs. For hedgerows, work is typically done outside the bird nesting season, from October to February. Shrubs are maintained every three years, and woodland is managed every seven years. Where responsibilities for maintenance falls to landowners, National Highways intends to raise awareness about vegetation clearance with residents living along the A21. The A21 Safety Package is a series of schemes to improve safety along the route which includes among others junction improvements, changes to speed limits, improved signage and road markings, and improvements to road visibility. On the issue of visibility, where this was identified as a risk during the design stage, the interventions being delivered will address that. For example, work has been undertaken to improve visibility at Vinehall School, where visibility was identified as a factor to the conflicting movement at the exit/entrance of the school. National Highways undertook clearance works to improve the visibility splay, which was completed in the last financial year. In November 2024 National Highways undertook vegetation clearance at Riverhill lay-bay to help make the lay-bay more visible to the users. Finally, as with all the safety measures, National Highways will carry out a post implementation analysis to evaluate the safety interventions undertaken on the A21. Post analysis normally includes a road safety audit which provides an effective, independent review of the road safety implications of the interventions for all road users. Evaluation usually happens 12-18 months after the intervention and the metrics measured will vary depending on the type of intervention.

What her expected timeline is for (a) hedgegrow maintenance and (b) vegetation clearance along the A21 in the Lamberhurst area.

National Highways’ South Central Route Strategy recognises the current pressures and future needs of the A21 in Kent particularly around journey time reliability and safety. National Highways will consider the case and priority for further improvements to the route as part of its future investment planning. Regarding hedgerow maintenance, National Highways regularly inspects the A21 to ensure safety and maintain vegetation. Hedge maintenance and clearance are carried out on a schedule to balance safety and environmental needs. For hedgerows, work is typically done outside the bird nesting season, from October to February. Shrubs are maintained every three years, and woodland is managed every seven years. Where responsibilities for maintenance falls to landowners, National Highways intends to raise awareness about vegetation clearance with residents living along the A21. The A21 Safety Package is a series of schemes to improve safety along the route which includes among others junction improvements, changes to speed limits, improved signage and road markings, and improvements to road visibility. On the issue of visibility, where this was identified as a risk during the design stage, the interventions being delivered will address that. For example, work has been undertaken to improve visibility at Vinehall School, where visibility was identified as a factor to the conflicting movement at the exit/entrance of the school. National Highways undertook clearance works to improve the visibility splay, which was completed in the last financial year. In November 2024 National Highways undertook vegetation clearance at Riverhill lay-bay to help make the lay-bay more visible to the users. Finally, as with all the safety measures, National Highways will carry out a post implementation analysis to evaluate the safety interventions undertaken on the A21. Post analysis normally includes a road safety audit which provides an effective, independent review of the road safety implications of the interventions for all road users. Evaluation usually happens 12-18 months after the intervention and the metrics measured will vary depending on the type of intervention.

Whether her Department has had discussions with National Highways on the long-term plans for upgrading the A21.

National Highways’ South Central Route Strategy recognises the current pressures and future needs of the A21 in Kent particularly around journey time reliability and safety. National Highways will consider the case and priority for further improvements to the route as part of its future investment planning. Regarding hedgerow maintenance, National Highways regularly inspects the A21 to ensure safety and maintain vegetation. Hedge maintenance and clearance are carried out on a schedule to balance safety and environmental needs. For hedgerows, work is typically done outside the bird nesting season, from October to February. Shrubs are maintained every three years, and woodland is managed every seven years. Where responsibilities for maintenance falls to landowners, National Highways intends to raise awareness about vegetation clearance with residents living along the A21. The A21 Safety Package is a series of schemes to improve safety along the route which includes among others junction improvements, changes to speed limits, improved signage and road markings, and improvements to road visibility. On the issue of visibility, where this was identified as a risk during the design stage, the interventions being delivered will address that. For example, work has been undertaken to improve visibility at Vinehall School, where visibility was identified as a factor to the conflicting movement at the exit/entrance of the school. National Highways undertook clearance works to improve the visibility splay, which was completed in the last financial year. In November 2024 National Highways undertook vegetation clearance at Riverhill lay-bay to help make the lay-bay more visible to the users. Finally, as with all the safety measures, National Highways will carry out a post implementation analysis to evaluate the safety interventions undertaken on the A21. Post analysis normally includes a road safety audit which provides an effective, independent review of the road safety implications of the interventions for all road users. Evaluation usually happens 12-18 months after the intervention and the metrics measured will vary depending on the type of intervention.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to agricultural property relief on farmers whose (a) spouse and (b) civil partner has died.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that involve AIM shares. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected by these reforms. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a water meadow on the flow from South Tunbridge Wells Waste Treatment Works into the River Grom.

The Environment Agency (EA) continues to regulate Southern Water (SW) in the Tunbridge Wells area, including through the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). The EA also monitor SW’s permit compliance to drive required improvements. More widely, The Environment Agency are working with the wider community through the Medway Catchment Partnership to improve the quality of waterways in Kent. As Southern Water’s proposals for the next five-year Asset Management Period (AMP8) have not yet been agreed with Ofwat, the Environment Agency are unable to comment on future plans in the area. The Environment Agency will however make assessments of future schemes as appropriate.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Independent Water Commission will have powers to approve natural water management approaches.

On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. The scope of the commission is detailed in its terms of reference, available on GOV.UK. It includes specific mention of enabling the greater use of nature-based solutions where these represent good value for money. The commission will provide a report to the Government by Q2 2025 with recommendations to the Secretary of State and Welsh ministers. Once the commission has made recommendations, both Governments will respond and consult on proposals, including potential legislation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of funding (a) water meadows and (b) other natural water management strategies.

Nature and catchment-based solutions in the water sector have an important role to play. Natural flood management (NFM) is a key part of our approach to mitigating flood risk, and can involve floodplain meadows when designed and located appropriately Natural England support the role of nature-based solutions (NBS), like water meadows in resolving multiple pressures on the water environment. NBS are a core pillar of Natural England’s five-year aims. The Environment Agency is increasingly looking to nature to enhance ecosystem services, reduce risks, and build resilience in rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters. Using NBS involves protecting existing natural functions, restoring ecosystems, and recreating landscapes. NBS benefit wildlife, food security, and resilience to floods and droughts. Restoring floodplains and water meadows reduces pollution from intensive agriculture while improving aquifer recharge, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity (CIEEM, 2022). Projects like Mires for Moors show how peatland restoration and upland reforestation reduce runoff, prevent sewer overflows, and mitigate flooding, as seen in the Ullswater Catchment.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 15980 on Gatwick Airport, whether the previous Secretary of State for Transport met with groups opposing Gatwick Airport expansion.

The previous Secretary of State for Transport did not meet with groups opposing Gatwick Airport expansion.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 15983 on General Practitioners: Kent, how much it cost to set up Bromleag Care Practice in 2019.

The Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) commenced the procurement process for an Enhanced Medical Support in Care Homes provider in May 2018.Following the completion of that process, on 10 January 2019, the Bromley CCG primary care committee gave approval for the Alternative Provider Medical Services contract to be awarded to the Bromley GP Alliance, who run Bromleag Care Practice, for a term of five years, with an option to extend for a further five years.The indicative financial envelope approved for the contract was £1.26 million. The costs of setting up the practice were included as part of that contract. The Bromleag Care practice was set up specifically to provide enhanced care for residents of nursing homes, residential homes, and those in extra care housing in Bromley.To note, the total National Health Service payments paid to the Bromleag Care Practice in 2022/23 were reported as £5,317,351, which included payments received by the practice on behalf of the local Primary Care Network. The total NHS payments to general practice minus deductions was £1,434,316.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 15981 on Gatwick Airport, whether the previous Secretary of State for Transport met with representatives of Gatwick Airport to discuss the proposed expansion.

The previous Secretary of State did not meet with representatives of Gatwick Airport to discuss the proposed expansion.

If her Department will take steps to help local authorities speed-up the processing of blue badges.

The Department for Transport sets the legislation that governs the Blue Badge scheme and provides guidance for local authorities who are solely responsible for administering the scheme, including issuing the badges. There are no timescales set for administering applications other than a suggested guideline that issuing authorities should aim to complete end to end applications within 12 weeks. 80% of citizens apply for a badge from their local authority using the Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS) operated by the Department for Transport. The Department has a programme of continuous improvement of the digital service with the aim of making online badge applications quicker and easier for applicants and local authorities.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 15348 on Gatwick Airport: Noise, what measures the Aviation Night Noise Effects study will use to investigate the potential impact of flight noise on children's (a) sleep quality and (b) health and development.

The Aviation Night Noise Effects study has been developed to examine the relationship between exposure to night-time aviation noise and sleep disturbance and annoyance in adults and has not been designed to investigate effects on children.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help protect human rights in the Balochistan region of Pakistan.

The UK is deeply concerned about reports of human rights abuses and violations in Pakistan, including in Balochistan province. The British High Commission regularly raises these issues with the Government of Pakistan at a senior level, including the need to address allegations of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings. I discussed our human rights concerns with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Azam Tarar, on 4 September and 19 November. The UK will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee individuals' rights as laid down in Pakistan's Constitution and in accordance with international standards.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 15347 on Pectus Excavatum: Surgery, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact on the (a) mental and (b) physical health of children who fall below the Haller index threshold of not receiving that surgery.

In April 2023, the National Health Service published an urgent policy statement for the clinical treatment of pectus excavatum and the eligibility criteria for surgical intervention.Any physical or psychological assessment of children who fall below the eligibility threshold for surgery to treat pectus excavatum is the responsibility of their clinician. Pectus excavatum may also be treated by non-surgical interventions.As part of its five long-term missions, the Government has begun work on a 10-year plan for change and modernisation, to make the NHS fit for the future, ensuring a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area.

How many private GP surgeries there are in (a) England, (b) Kent and (c) Tunbridge Wells constituency.

Data on the number of private general practice (GP) surgeries is not held centrally. The majority of GPs operate under the GP Contract, to provide National Health Service GP services. Private GP surgeries must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, and doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council.

How many private GP surgeries were set up in (a) England, (b) Kent and (c) Tunbridge Wells constituency in the last 12 months.

Data on the number of private general practice (GP) surgeries is not held centrally. The majority of GPs operate under the GP Contract, to provide National Health Service GP services. Private GP surgeries must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, and doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council.

What the name of the pharmacy most recently set up in Kent is; and when it was set up.

The most recent pharmacy set up in Kent is Delmergate Ltd, located at Unit 4, Castle Hill Local Centre, 69 Cherry Orchard, Ebbsfleet, Kent, DA10 1AD. It’s opening date was 19 July 2021.The most recent pharmacy set up in the Tunbridge Wells constituency is Carrs Pharmacy, located on 94 Caverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN21 2UN. It’s opening date was 1 February 2011.

How much funding his Department allocated to the most recently established independent NHS GP surgery in (a) Tunbridge Wells constituency and (b) England.

Data regarding the amount of funding received by the most recently established independent National Health Service general practice (GP) surgery in Kent, the Tunbridge Wells constituency, and England, is as follows:the last GP surgery set up in Kent was the Bromleag Care Practice, which was created on 1 April 2019, and the total NHS payments to this practice, minus deductions, in 2022/23 was £5,317,351;the last GP surgery set up in the Tunbridge Wells constituency was the Lonsdale Medical Centre, which was created on 1 May 1991, and the total NHS payments to this practice, minus deductions, in 2022/23 was £898,629; andthe last GP surgery set up in England was the Solent NHS Trust T/A Medina Healthcare, which was created on 4 September 2024, and we have no data for this practice, as the 2022/23 data only covers practices up to 31 March 2023.It should be noted that the latest data we have available relating to these requests is published data for NHS Payment to GP Practices for 2022/23, which is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-payments-to-general-practice/england-2022-23The data can be found in Table 2 of Annex 1 Tables and Charts on this page. The totals columns are available on the far right of Table 2.NHS Payments to General Practice, England 2022/23 provides information on NHS payments to individual providers of GP services in England. Figures are given for the main payment categories, which include Global Sum, the Balance of Primary Medical Services expenditure, the Quality Outcomes Framework, and Local Incentive Schemes.It is not a record of the amount of money available for direct patient care, nor the total invested in patient care through GPs. Instead, it constitutes the majority of actual monies paid to practices for all activities and costs during the 2022/23 financial year.