Written questions by Brown-Fuller.

Whether the Government has considered writing to every pension-age person to inform them they can phone or go in-person to book a GP appointment following the introduction of the online booking system on 1 October 2025.

The contractual change made on 1 October 2025 required general practices to keep their existing online systems open during core hours, allowing patients to contact the practice online between 8am and 6.30pm. Telephone and in-person routes continue to operate as before. As non-digital routes remain available, a separate assessment of the impact on digitally excluded patients was not required.It is not a standard practice to write to citizens where services remain unchanged.National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged not to discriminate. Although digital first services are encouraged for those who choose to use them, a non‑digital solution must be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally. The GP contract is clear that telephone and face to face access must remain in place, and online tools can only be provided in addition to not instead of other routes.These requirements apply across all NHS services. We recognise that not all patients can or want to use online services. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. We have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards (ICBs) and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive.Based on the data currently available, the time between booking and attending a GP appointment has remained stable following the introduction of the 1 October 2025 contractual requirement for online consultation systems to operate throughout core hours.Data for October to December 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025 show only marginal variation. 37.9% to 46% of appointments were booked on the same day in 2024 compared with 38.7% to 46% in 2025, and 74.9% to 82.7% were seen within two weeks in 2024 compared with 75% to 82.8% in 2025. This is consistent with the fact that many practices were already operating their systems in this way prior to the contractual change. Access to general practice has continued to improve. In December 2025, 88.8% of appointments not usually booked in advance were seen within 14 days, the highest proportion in 2025. Nationally, patient satisfaction with GP access has also improved, rising from 61% in July 2024 to 75.2% in December 2025.

Whether his Department has assessed the impact of the online GP booking system introduced on 1 October 2025 on (a) patient access to GPs and (b) appointment waiting times.

The contractual change made on 1 October 2025 required general practices to keep their existing online systems open during core hours, allowing patients to contact the practice online between 8am and 6.30pm. Telephone and in-person routes continue to operate as before. As non-digital routes remain available, a separate assessment of the impact on digitally excluded patients was not required.It is not a standard practice to write to citizens where services remain unchanged.National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged not to discriminate. Although digital first services are encouraged for those who choose to use them, a non‑digital solution must be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally. The GP contract is clear that telephone and face to face access must remain in place, and online tools can only be provided in addition to not instead of other routes.These requirements apply across all NHS services. We recognise that not all patients can or want to use online services. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. We have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards (ICBs) and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive.Based on the data currently available, the time between booking and attending a GP appointment has remained stable following the introduction of the 1 October 2025 contractual requirement for online consultation systems to operate throughout core hours.Data for October to December 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025 show only marginal variation. 37.9% to 46% of appointments were booked on the same day in 2024 compared with 38.7% to 46% in 2025, and 74.9% to 82.7% were seen within two weeks in 2024 compared with 75% to 82.8% in 2025. This is consistent with the fact that many practices were already operating their systems in this way prior to the contractual change. Access to general practice has continued to improve. In December 2025, 88.8% of appointments not usually booked in advance were seen within 14 days, the highest proportion in 2025. Nationally, patient satisfaction with GP access has also improved, rising from 61% in July 2024 to 75.2% in December 2025.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the online GP booking system introduced on 1 October 2025 on the digitally excluded.

The contractual change made on 1 October 2025 required general practices to keep their existing online systems open during core hours, allowing patients to contact the practice online between 8am and 6.30pm. Telephone and in-person routes continue to operate as before. As non-digital routes remain available, a separate assessment of the impact on digitally excluded patients was not required.It is not a standard practice to write to citizens where services remain unchanged.National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged not to discriminate. Although digital first services are encouraged for those who choose to use them, a non‑digital solution must be available for patients who cannot or do not wish to engage digitally. The GP contract is clear that telephone and face to face access must remain in place, and online tools can only be provided in addition to not instead of other routes.These requirements apply across all NHS services. We recognise that not all patients can or want to use online services. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. We have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards (ICBs) and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive.Based on the data currently available, the time between booking and attending a GP appointment has remained stable following the introduction of the 1 October 2025 contractual requirement for online consultation systems to operate throughout core hours.Data for October to December 2024 and the corresponding period in 2025 show only marginal variation. 37.9% to 46% of appointments were booked on the same day in 2024 compared with 38.7% to 46% in 2025, and 74.9% to 82.7% were seen within two weeks in 2024 compared with 75% to 82.8% in 2025. This is consistent with the fact that many practices were already operating their systems in this way prior to the contractual change. Access to general practice has continued to improve. In December 2025, 88.8% of appointments not usually booked in advance were seen within 14 days, the highest proportion in 2025. Nationally, patient satisfaction with GP access has also improved, rising from 61% in July 2024 to 75.2% in December 2025.

What steps his Department is taking to provide consistent funding for fertility treatment across all NHS Trusts.

Access to NHS-funded fertility services varies across England, which is unacceptable.Revised National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) fertility guidelines are due this Spring.Funding decisions for health services in England are made by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), based on their population’s clinical needs. We expect ICBs to commission fertility services consistent with these new guidelines, ensuring equal access to treatment across England.

Communities and Local Government, whether access to healthcare will be a consideration in the default yes position for housing developments around train stations when consulting on the national planning policy framework.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation sets out the details of the proposed approach to land around stations, including those that are defined as well-connected and those that are within and outside of settlements. It can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 80890 on Electric Vehicles, whether public EV charging infrastructure funded through the Local EV Infrastructure Fund will offer rates comparable to domestic overnight electricity tariffs available to residents with off-street parking.

The Government recognises that public charging is more expensive than charging at home. To keep charging costs down for users, the Local EV Infrastructure Fund primarily supports lower powered local charging infrastructure, which tends to be cheaper than rapid charging. The Government has also launched a review into the cost of public electric vehicle charging, looking at the impact of energy prices, wider cost contributors, and options for lowering these costs for consumers.

Communities and Local Government, what distance will be classified as near to a train station for the default yes position the department is currently consulting on as part of its review into the national planning policy framework.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation sets out the details of the proposed approach to land around stations, including those that are defined as well-connected and those that are within and outside of settlements. It can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether any other transport infrastructure will be considered in the government's consultation on a default yes position for development around train stations in the national planning policy framework.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation sets out the details of the proposed approach to land around stations, including those that are defined as well-connected and those that are within and outside of settlements. It can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

What steps he is taking to improve access to specialist care, treatment and medication for a) children and b) people with phenylketonuria.

The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as phenylketonuria, through the UK Rare Diseases Framework. A priority of the framework is improved access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs. In February last year the England 2025 Rare Diseases Action Plan was published, including progress made under this priority, namely:meeting to discuss the effectiveness of early access pathways for rare disease therapies;launching a review of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence highly specialised technology programme for evaluating rare disease treatments;introducing two new actions on reforming clinical trial regulations; anddeveloping an operational framework for individualised therapies in the National Health Service.Information about symptoms, medicines, tests and treatments, is provided on the NHS England webpage on phenylketonuria, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pku-suspected-description-in-brief/phenylketonuria-pku-detailed-informationThe treatment sapropterin is eligible for people with phenylketonuria. Clinical trials suggest that approximately four in 10 people may benefit from sapropterin, improving their quality of life significantly and reducing restrictions on the food they can eat.

Whether she has made an (a) assessment of the effectiveness of her policies to reduce waiting times for driving tests and (b) estimate of the costs to (i) people in Chichester constituency and (ii) the economy of those waiting times.

The average waiting time in weeks, in December 2025, for a car practical driving test at Chichester driving test centre was 24 weeks.The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) fully acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers across the country, particularly where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests that will break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change, supporting economic growth. On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times. In the coming months, DVSA will:Change the booking service to allow only learner car drivers to book and manage their testsIntroduce a limit on the number of times a learner car driver can move or swap a test to twice and also limit the area they can move a test to once booked.Make use of MOD driving examiners for up to 12 months to help tackle driving test waiting times.

What steps he is taking to increase the availability of medication options for bronchiectasis.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance in 2019 on antimicrobial prescribing for managing and preventing acute exacerbations of bronchiectasis, sometimes called non-cystic fibrosis. The guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng117NICE guidelines are based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and should be taken fully into account by healthcare professionals in the care and treatment of individual patients.NICE makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether all new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of the available evidence. NICE has selected brensocatib for treating non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in people 12 years old and over as a topic for guidance development, and currently expects final guidance to be published by July 2026, subject to it being granted a marketing authorisation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The progress of this appraisal can be followed on NICE’s website, at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta11564

Whether he plans to bring forward legislation to reverse the PACCAR judgement within the current Parliament.

We intend to introduce legislation to mitigate the effect of the PACCAR judgment as soon as parliamentary time allows. The new legislation will clarify that Litigation Funding Agreements are not Damages Based Agreements. The Government recognises the critical role third-party litigation funding plays in access to justice and is committed to ensuring it works fairly for all.We will outline next steps in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of development will be exempt from biodiversity net gain requirements.

The department will publish Government responses to the biodiversity net gain (BNG) consultations in the new year. They will be accompanied by evidence annexes which will include the proportion of developments expected to be exempt from BNG following the changes announced in December. In December the Government announced it is proposing to introduce an area-based exemption for small sites that are 0.2 hectares or less and will also consult on an additional targeted exemption for residential brownfield development. National Park Authorities will continue to be able to engage with BNG, including providing off-site BNG units for developers who cannot achieve all of their BNG onsite. The Government is also introducing BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects next year, which will support demand for units from the BNG off-site market.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to biodiversity net gain thresholds on the financial stability of National Parks.

The department will publish Government responses to the biodiversity net gain (BNG) consultations in the new year. They will be accompanied by evidence annexes which will include the proportion of developments expected to be exempt from BNG following the changes announced in December. In December the Government announced it is proposing to introduce an area-based exemption for small sites that are 0.2 hectares or less and will also consult on an additional targeted exemption for residential brownfield development. National Park Authorities will continue to be able to engage with BNG, including providing off-site BNG units for developers who cannot achieve all of their BNG onsite. The Government is also introducing BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects next year, which will support demand for units from the BNG off-site market.

Whether he plans to extend the Warm Homes Discount to people living on houseboats.

In February 2025, the Government consulted on expanding the existing Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme to households without a direct relationship with an energy supplier, which included houseboats. Despite support for the proposal, it was considered that any extension of support to people without a direct relationship with an energy supplier cannot be achieved within the existing Industry Initiatives budget.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the collection of data on triple-negative breast cancer.

Data on triple negative breast cancer for England is collected through the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS). An NDRS Quality Assurance Team is in place to identify, investigate, and monitor data quality issues, with over 130 Quality Assurance reports being run each month as well as quarterly reports to assess the completeness of key data.To drive up the completeness of the data, progesterone receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor in situ hybridization status, and oestrogen receptor status are assessed as part of the Cancer Outcomes and Services Data set, which supports national registration.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure vulnerable adults can access essential services when they cannot navigate processes independently and family members lack formal powers of attorney.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs, such as under the Care Act 2014. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides mechanisms by which others can support, and if appropriate make decisions for, a person who lacks mental capacity. A person who is aged 18 or over and who has capacity (a donor) can make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) appointing one or more trusted third parties (often family members or friends) to act as attorney. An attorney with powers under an LPA can act or make decisions for the donor, including accessing services on their behalf. If no LPA has been made and a person lacks capacity, the Court of Protection can appoint a deputy to manage the person’s affairs. Statutory guidance on social housing allocations sets out how local housing authorities should approach information sharing in relation to the management of their allocation scheme including how data should be processed in line with UK data protection laws. If a person is likely to have difficulty making an application for an allocation of social housing without assistance, local housing authorities must ensure that any necessary assistance is available free of charge. The cross-government Changing Futures programme is working with 15 local partnerships to test new approaches to improve access to support for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage – including combinations of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. A further £56m has been announced in the homelessness strategy to build on learning from Changing Futures through a new multiple disadvantage programme.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance exists on balancing data protection with safeguarding when families seek to support vulnerable adults in accessing local authority services including housing registers; and what discretion local authorities have to share information with family members in such circumstances.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs, such as under the Care Act 2014. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides mechanisms by which others can support, and if appropriate make decisions for, a person who lacks mental capacity. A person who is aged 18 or over and who has capacity (a donor) can make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) appointing one or more trusted third parties (often family members or friends) to act as attorney. An attorney with powers under an LPA can act or make decisions for the donor, including accessing services on their behalf. If no LPA has been made and a person lacks capacity, the Court of Protection can appoint a deputy to manage the person’s affairs. Statutory guidance on social housing allocations sets out how local housing authorities should approach information sharing in relation to the management of their allocation scheme including how data should be processed in line with UK data protection laws. If a person is likely to have difficulty making an application for an allocation of social housing without assistance, local housing authorities must ensure that any necessary assistance is available free of charge. The cross-government Changing Futures programme is working with 15 local partnerships to test new approaches to improve access to support for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage – including combinations of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill health, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. A further £56m has been announced in the homelessness strategy to build on learning from Changing Futures through a new multiple disadvantage programme.

Whether she has made a recent assessment of the requirements for EU nationals married to UK national to apply and pay for visas to live in the UK.

The deadline for EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens resident in the UK by the end of the transition period (11pm on 31 December 2020) to apply to the EUSS was 30 June 2021, but they can make a late application if there are reasonable grounds for the delay. That is the case regardless of whether or not they are a spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.Where an EU national is not within scope of the EUSS, EU nationals wishing to join a British or settled partner in the UK must apply for a family visa under the Immigration Rules. The family Immigration Rules ensure those who are seeking to establish or maintain their family life in the UK are in a genuine and subsisting relationship, financially independent and able to speak English. Those applying to join a British or settled partner in the UK must pay the application fee although fee waivers are available for certain specified human rights applications.

Whether she is considering additional fiscal support for (a) small business and (b) hospitality.

The hospitality sector and small businesses make significant contributions to the exchequer, the UK economy, and society. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties, including those in the hospitality sector as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. Furthermore, we have worked with the hospitality sector to announce the first National Licensing Policy Framework which sets a new strategic direction for licensing authorities and encourages them to have more regard to growth when reviewing licensing applications and decisions. Responding to sector asks, we will also explore further planning reforms to make it easier for hospitality and high-street businesses to expand and grow. To help drive these reforms, we will appoint a new Retail and Hospitality Envoy to champion these sectors across government. This is on top of measures we have already announced, such as:increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500 – protecting the smallest businesses from the increase to employer National Insurance;protection against upward only rent clauses, andthe introduction of strong new ‘Community Right to Buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets – such as pubs.