Every parliamentary written question tabled by Al Pinkerton this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 521–540 of 1,416 · this parliament
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of negotiating a UK-EU Customs Union deal for improving trade between (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK’s customs territory and benefits from the UK’s Free Trade Agreements. The Government is not seeking to negotiate a UK-EU Customs Union.
Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to help improve the financial sustainability of football clubs in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government monitors the financial situation of football closely and is committed to working with the FA, leagues and clubs to support the ongoing economic sustainability of football at all levels of the pyramid.This year we have delivered the Football Governance Act and established the Independent Football Regulator, which will introduce new regulation to improve the financial resilience of clubs in the top five tiers, including Woking FC.The FA is independent of the Government and is responsible for protecting and promoting the financial sustainability of other football clubs.
Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to increase access to grassroots multi-sport facilities in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government is committed to increasing access to high-quality grassroots sports facilities across the UK, which is why we are investing £98 million in 2025/26 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. Projects funded through the programme include new and upgraded artificial grass pitches, changing pavilions and floodlights.The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding.The Government has announced that at least £400 million will be invested in grassroots sports facilities across the UK over the next four years, ensuring we can continue to deliver high-quality multi-sport facilities in areas that require them to increase participation and allow people to be active.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Environment Agency is held accountable for levels of water pollution in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Environment Agency (EA) is accountable to parliament via the Secretary of State. Defra constructively challenges and supports the EA to deliver for the public and the environment. Our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act empowers the EA with new powers to take tougher and faster action on water companies not delivering for customers and the environment.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the (a) film and (b) television industry in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.
The Government is committed to spreading the benefits of our world-leading film and TV sector right across the country. That includes existing production hubs like Surrey - home to world-class facilities such as Longcross and Shepperton.This is why we have maintained a 40% reduction on business rates for eligible film studios in England until 2034, directly supporting Surrey's studios and protecting local jobs and investment.Further to this, the Creative Industries is one of eight growth-driving sectors in our Industrial Strategy. In June, we published a ten-year Sector Plan setting out over sixty commitments, with film and TV prioritised as a 'frontier industry' due to its high growth potential and strong connections across the wider economy.To support this, we have announced a £75 million Screen Growth Package to bolster independent UK content, attract international investment, and showcase British cinema globally. This includes funding for the British Film Commission to drive inward investment into facilities like those in Surrey, stable and competitive tax reliefs such as the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit, and a scaled-up UK Global Screen Fund to support co-productions and international distribution.
What steps he is taking to improve support for female veterans in Surrey Heath constituency.
Engaging and supporting the women who have served in our Armed Forces is an important part of our new Veterans’ Strategy. As well as our commitments across the strategy, we will specifically be taking forward plans to establish a new women veterans’ forum, which will include women veterans from across the UK and an oral history project to improve public understanding and recognition of the experiences and contribution of women veterans in keeping the nation safe.
What steps he is taking to ensure that veterans receive adequate support after leaving the armed forces in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
This year we have launched a new Veterans Strategy which recognises veterans as a national asset, the £50-million VALOUR programme making it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve, and confirmed £12 million for the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme. In addition, dedicated supported is available to veterans through Ops FORTITUDE, COURAGE, RESTORE, ASCEND and NOVA and through programmes such as the Career Transition Partnership.
What steps he is taking to help increase innovation in the defence sector in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
The establishment of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) represents a fundamental shift in how the Ministry of Defence approaches innovation. The mission for UKDI is clear –to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities so that the UK is both secured at home and strong abroad. In September, UK Defence Innovation announced £1.5 million worth of funding over the next two years for Regional Defence and Security Clusters (RDSCs). The South-Central RDSC which covers Surrey, brings together industry, academia, and government to drive innovation and growth across the UK’s defence and security sectors. Supported by UKDI, RDSCs help bring world-leading primes together with innovative SMEs, start-ups, academia, and local and devolved government to solve military capability challenges.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the requirement for new safety documentation where existing reports are not accepted on leaseholders.
Under the Building Assessment Certificate (BACs) process, Accountable Persons (APs) for higher-risk buildings must provide information about their building that demonstrates how they are managing building safety risks related to the spread of fire and structural failure. This is to ensure that accountable persons hold the information and documentation they need in order to be able to manage a building safely. In many cases, APs will already hold and have access to documentation that shows how they are meeting these requirements. If existing reports demonstrate that the AP is managing safety risks effectively, they will be accepted as part of the BACs process. Only where necessary information is missing will APs have to take reasonable steps to collect it, which may include undertaking surveys and commissioning further reports. To assist APs in understanding the requirements of the BACs regime, the Building Safety Regulator has produced online resources covering the BAC application and assessment process here.
What steps she is taking to tackle phone theft in Surrey Heath constituency.
Mobile phone theft causes significant distress to victims and fuels wider criminality, and the Government is determined to reduce it.Our aim is to disrupt, design-out and disincentivise mobile phone theft. We are working closely with law enforcement partners, the tech companies and other industry representatives to make swift progress to deliver practical and effective measures to crack down on this criminality and break the business model of mobile phone thieves.This includes relevant partners playing their part to disrupt the resale of stolen phones, explore technological solutions to make devices harder to register or resell, and helping the public protect themselves and their devices. In addition, the Government is giving the police the power to enter premises to search for and seize stolen items which have been electronically tracked to the premises without requiring a warrant from a court, where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant without seriously prejudicing the entry and search purpose. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively.The Government will deliver real results on crime by reducing opportunities for theft and ensuring offenders are caught and that victims see swift and effective action.
What steps she is taking to help tackle drug dealing in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
To deliver on our pledge to halve knife crime in the next decade, it is crucial that we tackle the gangs that lure children and young people into crime and run county lines through violence and exploitation. County Lines is the most violent model of drug supply and a harmful form of child criminal exploitation. Through the County Lines Programme, we continue to target exploitative drug dealing gangs and break the organised crime groups behind the trade.Between July 2024 and June 2025, law enforcement activity through the County Lines Programme taskforces has resulted in more than 2,300 deal lines closed, 6,200 arrests (including the arrest and subsequent charge of over 1,100 deal line holders), 3,200 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people, and 600 knives seized.While the majority of county lines originate from the areas covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police and West Yorkshire Police, we recognise that this is a national issue which affects all forces. This is why we fund the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre (NCLCC) to monitor the intelligence picture and co-ordinate a national law enforcement response. We also have a dedicated fund to help local police forces, including Surrey Police, tackle county lines.As part of the Programme, the NCLCC regularly coordinates weeks of intensive action against county lines gangs, which all police forces take part in. The most recent of these took place 23-29 June 2025 and resulted in 241 lines closed, as well as 1,965 arrests, 1,179 individuals safeguarded, and 501 weapons seized. In Surrey, proactive activity during this period resulted in 7 deal lines seized, 16 arrests, and 4 weapons seized.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to clear waterways in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Environment Agency (EA) undertakes regular monitoring of the water quality in the River Thames catchment, including in Surrey Heath constituency. The assessment and proposed actions are set out in the Thames River Basin Management Plan. The EA continues to respond to and investigate any significant pollution incidents, prioritising those with the greatest environmental risk. It has invested in a larger specialised workforce to improve regulation of Thames Water including increased inspections of their permitted sites. The EA is also strengthening regulation of the farming sector to address agricultural impacts on water quality. The Water Industry National Environment Programme is part of the five-yearly water company Price Review process where water companies fund actions to improve the water environment by reducing pollution and boosting resilience. The current planning cycle (2025-2030) includes significant improvements that Thames Water must implement, including a reduction in storm overflows and of phosphorus levels in treated sewage effluent.
How many meetings her Department has held with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to discuss (a) number plate cloning and (b) the use of ghost plates.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) co-chairs the Number Plate and ANPR Working Group with the National Police Chiefs Council. Members of the group include various police forces, the Department for Transport, the Home Office and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The group meets bi-monthly to discuss number plate related matters, including cloned and ghost plates.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that women with acute mental health needs are held in appropriate settings in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
To ensure people with severe mental health needs access the right treatment in the right setting, the landmark Mental Health Bill, which is due to receive Royal Assent imminently, will introduce a new statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers from prison and other places of detention to hospital.This time limit, together with operational improvements, aims to reduce unnecessary delays and deliver swifter access to treatment. The Bill will also stop courts temporarily detaining people with severe mental illness in prison as a ‘place of safety’ whilst awaiting a hospital bed for treatment or assessment under the Mental Health Act and will end the use of remand for own protection under the Bail Act where the court’s sole concern is the defendant’s mental health. We recognise that delays in accessing hospital treatment can affect mental health stability and increase distress for individuals requiring acute care. Regional oversight arrangements and escalation processes are designed to minimise such delays and protect the safety and wellbeing of affected individuals. During any period of delay, prison mental health teams provide enhanced monitoring, therapeutic interventions and regular reassessment.For individuals who do not meet the threshold for detention under the Mental Health Act, mental health care continues to be delivered within the prison environment in line with national clinical standards. This includes psychological therapies, medication management, risk assessment, crisis planning and ongoing reviews to ensure needs are met and that escalation is reconsidered where clinically indicated.In addition to this, HMP Bronzefield, Downview and Send (in Surrey) have Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway services and Send has a Democratic Therapeutic Community. Women from across the estate can access these services if they meet the criteria for the pathway and offender managers can also refer women in.The delivery of healthcare in prison is the responsibility of the NHS in England and Wales. Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System and Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have delegated responsibility for the commissioning and management of pathways.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in securing appropriate placements for women in custody in Surrey.
To ensure people with severe mental health needs access the right treatment in the right setting, the landmark Mental Health Bill, which is due to receive Royal Assent imminently, will introduce a new statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers from prison and other places of detention to hospital.This time limit, together with operational improvements, aims to reduce unnecessary delays and deliver swifter access to treatment. The Bill will also stop courts temporarily detaining people with severe mental illness in prison as a ‘place of safety’ whilst awaiting a hospital bed for treatment or assessment under the Mental Health Act and will end the use of remand for own protection under the Bail Act where the court’s sole concern is the defendant’s mental health. We recognise that delays in accessing hospital treatment can affect mental health stability and increase distress for individuals requiring acute care. Regional oversight arrangements and escalation processes are designed to minimise such delays and protect the safety and wellbeing of affected individuals. During any period of delay, prison mental health teams provide enhanced monitoring, therapeutic interventions and regular reassessment.For individuals who do not meet the threshold for detention under the Mental Health Act, mental health care continues to be delivered within the prison environment in line with national clinical standards. This includes psychological therapies, medication management, risk assessment, crisis planning and ongoing reviews to ensure needs are met and that escalation is reconsidered where clinically indicated.In addition to this, HMP Bronzefield, Downview and Send (in Surrey) have Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway services and Send has a Democratic Therapeutic Community. Women from across the estate can access these services if they meet the criteria for the pathway and offender managers can also refer women in.The delivery of healthcare in prison is the responsibility of the NHS in England and Wales. Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System and Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have delegated responsibility for the commissioning and management of pathways.
What estimate his Department has made of suicide rates among men in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency over the last five years.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th of December is attached.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department will assess the potential impact of local government reorganisation in Surrey on the economy of (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
As set out to the House on 28 October, we considered the two proposals for unitary local government received from Surrey councils on 9 May together with the responses to the consultation, representations and all other relevant information. In our judgement the proposal for East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council better meets the criteria set out in the invitation of 5 February 2025. In accordance with the guidance provided to two-tier areas, it is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. Councils are responsible for working through the implications relating to local government reorganisation, including costs and merits. The Government will continue to work in partnership with the sector as we work together to deliver this ambitious agenda and has put in place measures to support and advise areas. The Department will continue to meet with councils in Surrey regularly on a range of policy matters.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with local authorities in Surrey that are due to form the west unitary authority under local government reorganisation.
As set out to the House on 28 October, we considered the two proposals for unitary local government received from Surrey councils on 9 May together with the responses to the consultation, representations and all other relevant information. In our judgement the proposal for East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council better meets the criteria set out in the invitation of 5 February 2025. In accordance with the guidance provided to two-tier areas, it is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. Councils are responsible for working through the implications relating to local government reorganisation, including costs and merits. The Government will continue to work in partnership with the sector as we work together to deliver this ambitious agenda and has put in place measures to support and advise areas. The Department will continue to meet with councils in Surrey regularly on a range of policy matters.
Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of local government reorganisation in Surrey on savings to local authorities.
As set out to the House on 28 October, we considered the two proposals for unitary local government received from Surrey councils on 9 May together with the responses to the consultation, representations and all other relevant information. In our judgement the proposal for East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council better meets the criteria set out in the invitation of 5 February 2025. In accordance with the guidance provided to two-tier areas, it is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. Councils are responsible for working through the implications relating to local government reorganisation, including costs and merits. The Government will continue to work in partnership with the sector as we work together to deliver this ambitious agenda and has put in place measures to support and advise areas. The Department will continue to meet with councils in Surrey regularly on a range of policy matters.
What recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail on improving service levels in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.
I have discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the chief executive of Royal Mail and its parent company, and they recognise the need to do more to meet service delivery targets.In October, Ofcom, the independent regulator of postal services, fined Royal Mail £21 million for failing to meet its quality of service targets and has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and deliver a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.