Written questions by Martin.

What information his Department holds on the amount of funding received by the most recently-established independent NHS GP surgery in Kent.

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.

What the name of the pharmacy most recently set up in the Tunbridge Wells constituency 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.

When the last time a GP surgery was set up from scratch in England was.

Information regarding the name and date of establishment for the latest GP surgery set up in England, Tunbridge Wells constituency, and Kent is as follows:The last GP surgery set up in England was Solent NHS Trust T/A Medina Healthcare, which was created on 4th September 2024.The last GP surgery set up in Tunbridge Wells constituency was Lonsdale Medical Centre, which was created on 1st May 1991.The last GP surgery set up in Kent was Bromleag Care Practice, which was created on 1st April 2019. To note:The data included has been taken from GP and GP practice related data - NHS England Digital (file epraccur.csv), and is labelled ‘GP Practices’, however this is not entirely accurate as it comes from NHS Prescribing Services and identifies cost centre codes for prescribing activity. This data wasn't created to list GP Practices; instead, it's meant to track prescribing activity and pay dispensing contractors. It has since been used as a reference for IT systems operations.

How many times she has met with representatives of Gatwick Airport to discuss the proposed expansion.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not met with representatives of Gatwick Airport to discuss the proposed expansion at the airport.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact on public safety of proposals to expand use of the emergency runway at Gatwick airport for commercial flights.

A proposal to expand use of the northern runway at Gatwick Airport is currently subject to a live application for a Development Consent Order, which will be determined by my Department. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment but all relevant matters, including safety and noise, will be thoroughly considered before a decision is issued, the statutory deadline for which is 27 February 2025.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of night-time flight noise on wildlife living in Gatwick Airport's flight path.

A proposal to expand use of the northern runway at Gatwick Airport is currently subject to a live application for a Development Consent Order, which will be determined by my Department. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment but all relevant matters, including safety and noise, will be thoroughly considered before a decision is issued, the statutory deadline for which is 27 February 2025.

If he will take steps to help negotiate an agreement between (a) AstraZeneca, (b) Daiichi Sankyo and (c) the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to ensure Enhertu can be prescribed on the NHS to women with breast cancer.

Decisions on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service in England are made on the basis of recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), following an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. These are very difficult decisions to make, and it is important that they are made independently and on the basis of the available evidence.The NICE published guidance in July 2024 on the use of Enhertu for the treatment of HER-2 low metastatic and unresectable breast cancer, and was unfortunately unable to recommend it for routine NHS funding. I understand that the NICE and NHS England have sought to apply as much flexibility as they can in their considerations of Enhertu for HER2-low breast cancer, and have made it clear to the companies that their pricing of the drug remains the only obstacle to access. Ministers recently met with the manufacturers of Enhertu, AstraZeneca, and Daiichi Sankyo, to encourage them to re-engage in commercial discussions with NHS England. Despite the NICE and NHS England offering unprecedented flexibilities, the companies were unable to offer Enhertu at a cost-effective price. The NICE’s guidance, published in July, will therefore remain unchanged. Although the deadline for a rapid review has now passed, the NICE has reassured me that the door remains open for the companies to enter into a new NICE appraisal, if they are willing to offer Enhertu at a cost-effective price.

What recent guidance her Department has issued on whether students who have extended their visas under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme are eligible for home fees status for university fees in England.

The department laid the Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 on 22 May which ensures that students who have been granted leave under the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will qualify for student support in England and home fee status from the 2024/25 academic year, without requiring them to meet the normal three year ordinary residence requirement. This is in line with those granted leave under the other Ukraine schemes.The Student Loans Company will make the necessary amendments to guidance in time for when the scheme opens.

When the last time a GP surgery was set up from scratch in Kent was.

Information regarding the name and date of establishment for the latest GP surgery set up in England, Tunbridge Wells constituency, and Kent is as follows:The last GP surgery set up in England was Solent NHS Trust T/A Medina Healthcare, which was created on 4th September 2024.The last GP surgery set up in Tunbridge Wells constituency was Lonsdale Medical Centre, which was created on 1st May 1991.The last GP surgery set up in Kent was Bromleag Care Practice, which was created on 1st April 2019. To note:The data included has been taken from GP and GP practice related data - NHS England Digital (file epraccur.csv), and is labelled ‘GP Practices’, however this is not entirely accurate as it comes from NHS Prescribing Services and identifies cost centre codes for prescribing activity. This data wasn't created to list GP Practices; instead, it's meant to track prescribing activity and pay dispensing contractors. It has since been used as a reference for IT systems operations.

What recent discussions she has had with campaign groups opposing the expansion of Gatwick airport.

The Secretary of State for Transport has had no discussions with campaign groups opposing the expansion of Gatwick Airport.

What was the name of the last GP surgery set up in Tunbridge Wells constituency; and when that surgery was set up.

Information regarding the name and date of establishment for the latest GP surgery set up in England, Tunbridge Wells constituency, and Kent is as follows:The last GP surgery set up in England was Solent NHS Trust T/A Medina Healthcare, which was created on 4th September 2024.The last GP surgery set up in Tunbridge Wells constituency was Lonsdale Medical Centre, which was created on 1st May 1991.The last GP surgery set up in Kent was Bromleag Care Practice, which was created on 1st April 2019. To note:The data included has been taken from GP and GP practice related data - NHS England Digital (file epraccur.csv), and is labelled ‘GP Practices’, however this is not entirely accurate as it comes from NHS Prescribing Services and identifies cost centre codes for prescribing activity. This data wasn't created to list GP Practices; instead, it's meant to track prescribing activity and pay dispensing contractors. It has since been used as a reference for IT systems operations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2024 to Question 4498 on Unitary Councils: Kent, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of splitting Kent County Council into a number of smaller unitary authorities.

The upcoming English Devolution White Paper will set out more detail on the government’s reorganisation plans, including on working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas, with efficiency savings from council reorganisation helping to meet the needs of local people.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Haller index threshold for pectus excavatum surgery provided on the NHS.

In April 2023, NHS England published an interim clinical commissioning urgent policy statement on pectus excavatum surgery. The statement concluded that the Haller Index, a mathematical calculation used to measure the severity of the deformity, is adequate and serves as a key component of the eligibility criteria for surgery, alongside measures of severe physiological impact.The policy statement is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/interim-clinical-commissioning-urgent-policy-statement-pectus-surgery/

What discussions she has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on steps to ensure that airspace modernisation around Gatwick airport leads to a reduction in noise levels for residents.

The department has regular engagement with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to monitor the effective delivery of airspace modernisation and drive forward the environmental benefits of the programme.In its role as independent regulator, the CAA ensures that all airspace change proposals (ACPs) adhere to the CAP1616 process. CAP1616 sets out how sponsors of airspace change, such as Gatwick Airport, must consider the impacts of noise on the local communities, ensuring sufficient consultation takes place with those potentially affected.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of night-time flight noise on the health of residents living in Gatwick airport's flight path.

The Government sets noise-related restrictions at Gatwick, including a limit on the number of night flights. The noise impacts of the airport are assessed annually. The Department for Transport has commissioned the Aviation Night Noise Effects study to explore how annoyance and sleep disturbance impacts vary at different times of the night. The final results are expected to be published in Autumn 2026.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to publish the findings of the Shawcross report on compensation for victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

The UK Government has profound sympathy for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism and indeed for all victims of the Troubles. The Shawcross Report was commissioned by the previous government as an internal report drawing on a series of private and confidential conversations. We will keep decisions on publication regarding the Shawcross Report under review.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of disguised employment practices in the hair and beauty sector on (a) VAT and (b) National Insurance revenue.

HMRC has not estimated the size of the disguised employment risk in this sector.The Government is aware of concerns over the rent-a-chair model in the hair and beauty sector. When this model is operated properly, the Government considers it a legitimate working practice.

If it is government policy to cover overspends from the Defence Nuclear Enterprise budget from the wider Defence budget or from the Treasury reserve.

If an overspend within the Defence Nuclear Enterprise could not be managed within the ringfenced budget, then options to manage this within the wider Defence budget would be considered. This is distinct from the Dreadnought programme for which HM Treasury hold a separate £10 billion contingency.

What steps her Department is taking to bring forward the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.

To provide future certainty, Ukrainians who have been provided with sanctuary in the UK under the Ukraine schemes will be able to apply for further permission to remain in the UK through a bespoke Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme due to open in early 2025. The new route will provide an additional 18 months’ permission.The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements as the existing Ukraine Schemes, to access work, benefits, healthcare and education.Further details on eligibility and application processes will be available before the scheme opens, ensuring that Ukrainians have sufficient time to apply to the scheme.

What steps her Department is taking with police forces to tackle violence against women and girls.

This Government is determined to treat violence against women and girls as the national emergency it is and we have already taken significant steps to strengthen the police response to these devastating crimes. As part of Raneem’s Law we will put domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms and finally pilot new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to keep victims safe and ensure perpetrators are properly pursued.