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 61–80 of 1,413 · this parliament
How many companies classified as small and medium-sized enterprises were registered in each year between (a) 2008 and 2012 and (b) 2021 and 2025.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.
What steps her Department is taking to improve the ability of police forces to (a) identify and (b) locate operators of unmanned drones suspected of misuse.
The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.
What assessment her Department has made of the impact of Schengen travel restrictions on (a) international coach and (b) international haulage firms since the ending of freedom of movement.
The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90-in-180-day Schengen immigration limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.
How many companies classified as small and medium-sized enterprises dissolved in each year between 2008 and 2012.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.
What estimate his Department has made of the number of UK haulage firms operating internationally that have entered insolvency in each of the last ten years.
The Department does not hold information about whether UK haulage firms, or UK firms more generally, operated internationally prior to entering insolvency.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of police funding to respond to incidents involving the misuse of unmanned drones in residential areas in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.
How many British nationals have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in each year since the United Kingdom left the European Union.
The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.
What requirements are placed on drone operators to ensure (a) accountability and (b) traceability when operating unmanned aerial vehicles.
Awaiting answer.
What proportion of imports at British ports was carried by (a) UK and (b) non-UK registered HGVs in (i) 2016 and (ii) 2025.
In 2016, a total of 28.4 million tonnes of goods were imported into the UK through British ports carried by HGVs. Of the 28.4 million tonnes, (a) 4.0 million tonnes (14 percent) were carried by UK-registered HGVs and (b) 24.4 million tonnes (86 percent) by non-UK registered HGVs. In 2024, the latest year for which data is available, a total of 21.1 million tonnes of goods were imported into the UK through British ports carried by HGVs. Of the 21.1 million tonnes, (a) 3.2 million tonnes (15 percent) were carried by UK-registered HGVs and (b) 17.9 million tonnes (85 percent) by non-UK registered HGVs.
What estimate he has made of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that have dissolved citing the UK’s exit from the EU as a contributing factor since 2021.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK’s exit from the EU on the rate of small and medium-sized enterprise dissolution since 2021.
Awaiting answer.
Whether his Department plans to publish an assessment of the potential impact of a UK-EU mutual recognition agreement on manufacturers.
Awaiting answer.
What information his Department holds on the sectoral breakdown of small and medium-sized enterprises that dissolved in each year between 2021 and 2025.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.
How many companies classified as small and medium-sized enterprises dissolved in each year between 2021 and 2025.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to item 105 of the letter sent from Lord Strathclyde, Chair of the Constitution Committee to Stephen Doughty MP, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories regarding the UK-Overseas Joint Declaration, published 17 April 2026, which Ministers have (a) designated responsibility for Overseas Territories matters and (b) attend the cross-governmental Ministerial group on the Territories by Department.
Ministers who currently hold designated responsibility for Overseas Territories matters are: the Cabinet Office Minister of State; Economic Secretary to the Treasury; Ministry of Justice Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sentencing, Youth Justice and International; Home Office Minister of State (House of Lords); Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Climate); Ministry of Defence Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for the Armed Forces); Department of Business and Trade Minister of State (Minister for Trade); Department for Culture Media and Sport Minister of State (Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts); Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Minister of State (Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear); Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Nature); Department of Health and Social Care Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety; Department for Transport Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation); Solicitor General; Department for Education Minister of State (Minister for Skills); Secretary of State for Scotland and one of the Wales Office Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State.All these Ministers are invited to attend the cross-governmental Ministerial Group on the Overseas Territories.
Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the average administrative cost to local authorities of (a) processing and (b) cancelling incorrectly issued Penalty Charge Notices.
The Department does not hold data on the administrative costs to local authorities regarding the processing or cancellation of incorrectly issued Penalty Charge Notices. Individual local authorities are required to publish annual reports relating to civil parking enforcement.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of contested Penalty Charge Notices on small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in (a) delivery and (b) servicing activity.
The government has made no assessment of the potential impact of contested Penalty Charge Notices issued by local authorities on small and medium-sized businesses, including those engaged in delivery and servicing activities.
Food and Rural Affairs, what the average cost to businesses is for securing Export Health Certificates.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) does not charge a fee for issuing the Export Health Certificate in relation to the export of live animals and products of animal origin. Exporters are responsible for the costs associated with inspection and certification.
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of access to community spaces in Surrey Heath constituency.
As I emphasised during a recent Westminster Hall debate, the Government recognises and celebrates the contribution that community spaces make to local people and we have taken steps to support more communities to have access to shared environments. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in December 2024, sets out that planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments. Libraries form a key example of these community spaces, Surrey County Council has 52 static libraries. The library service previously received £75,000 from the Libraries Improvement Fund to introduce flexible shelving within eight of its libraries (Ashtead, Chertsey, Dittons, Farnham, Godalming, Haslemere, Oxted, and Reigate). This allows libraries to move furniture around to reconfigure spaces and accommodate more events, services, and visitors. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, includes proposals relating to community facilities. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many Export Health Certificates were granted to UK businesses for goods destined for the EU in 2025.
The number of Export Health Certificates issued for goods destined to the EU in 2025 is publicly available as open data and can be found at the following link Export Health Certificates. Defra is unable to confirm if the exporters are UK businesses.