Written questions by Pinkerton.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an autism employment strategy to help improve (a) recruitment, (b) retention and (c) career progression for autistic people.

In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. We have now received a final version of the Panel’s report. We will need to consider the findings alongside other key pieces of work, such as the Keep Britain Working Review.We also support employers to be more inclusive in their workplace practices, regardless of diagnosis. DWP's current offer to employers includes:A digital information service, www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/, this service guides employers through workplace scenarios, including on making reasonable adjustments.The Disability Confident scheme, which encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get into work. This includes resources around employing people with hidden disabilities, including autism and other neurodivergent conditions.Access to Work, which provides grant funding to support Workplace Adjustments that go beyond an employer's duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. This grant funding allows for personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.In addition, the DWP are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including autistic people, with their employment journey and there are currently a number of initiatives to support individuals, including autistic people, to return to work. This includes support through our local jobcentres. Pathways to Work Advisers are delivering support in Jobcentres for disabled people and people with health conditions to help them move towards and into work, building on and expanding existing evidenced measures like additional work coach support. Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offer advice and knowledge on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work. DWP’s voluntary, locally led Supported Employment Programme, Connect to Work, helps disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to find sustained work. For neurodivergent people, including autistic people, Connect to Work follows the Supported Employment Quality Framework, which is backed by an international evidence base and has been proven to support neurodivergent people into sustainable employment. For the Surrey Connect to Work delivery area, Surrey County Council are the lead authority. Their Connect to Work service is live and more information, including how to apply for support, can be found here: Connect to Work - Surrey County Council

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the unemployment rate among autistic adults in (a) the South East and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. We have now received a final version of the Panel’s report. We will need to consider the findings alongside other key pieces of work, such as the Keep Britain Working Review.We also support employers to be more inclusive in their workplace practices, regardless of diagnosis. DWP's current offer to employers includes:A digital information service, www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/, this service guides employers through workplace scenarios, including on making reasonable adjustments.The Disability Confident scheme, which encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get into work. This includes resources around employing people with hidden disabilities, including autism and other neurodivergent conditions.Access to Work, which provides grant funding to support Workplace Adjustments that go beyond an employer's duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010. This grant funding allows for personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.In addition, the DWP are committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including autistic people, with their employment journey and there are currently a number of initiatives to support individuals, including autistic people, to return to work. This includes support through our local jobcentres. Pathways to Work Advisers are delivering support in Jobcentres for disabled people and people with health conditions to help them move towards and into work, building on and expanding existing evidenced measures like additional work coach support. Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres offer advice and knowledge on how to help disabled people and people with health conditions into work. DWP’s voluntary, locally led Supported Employment Programme, Connect to Work, helps disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to find sustained work. For neurodivergent people, including autistic people, Connect to Work follows the Supported Employment Quality Framework, which is backed by an international evidence base and has been proven to support neurodivergent people into sustainable employment. For the Surrey Connect to Work delivery area, Surrey County Council are the lead authority. Their Connect to Work service is live and more information, including how to apply for support, can be found here: Connect to Work - Surrey County Council

What steps his Department is taking to support doctors who are unable to secure specialty training posts in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

National Health Service trusts manage their recruitment at a local level ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan published on 3 July, we will work across the Government to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period for specialty training. The plan also sets out that over the next three years we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is greatest need.We will set out next steps in due course.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the employment prospects for doctors completing foundation training in Surrey Heath constituency.

National Health Service trusts manage their recruitment at a local level ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan published on 3 July, we will work across the Government to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the NHS for a significant period for specialty training. The plan also sets out that over the next three years we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is greatest need.We will set out next steps in due course.

What recent assessment has been made of (a) waiting times for diagnostic tests and (b) their impact on patient outcomes in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government is committed to putting patients first and is aware of the impact that waiting for diagnostic tests and treatment has for patients. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. Earlier access to diagnostic tests is key to supporting earlier diagnosis and earlier treatment if needed.Acute diagnostic services across the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust serve patients in the Surrey Heath constituency. Patients can also access diagnostic tests, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, at the Milford Community Hospital Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) and at the Godalming and Woking Community Hospital CDC at Woking. Both of these CDCs are open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and offer a minimum of one diagnostic test in their extended hours.The Diagnostic Waiting Times and Activity monthly collection (DM01) measures the current waiting times of patients still waiting for 15 key diagnostic tests or procedures at the end of the month. The DM01 publication includes data on the median amount of time a patient is waiting for a diagnostic test at the end of the month. Details on this collection are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/monthly-diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/The following table sets out an estimate of the number and percentage of patients waiting for key diagnostic tests, as per DM01, and the median waiting time following initial consultation for an MRI test specifically as of September 2025, for the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, and for England as a whole:Name of NHS trustNumber waiting for key diagnostic tests as of September 2025Number and percentage waiting over six weeks for key diagnostic tests as of September 2025Median waiting time of those waiting for MRI as of September 2025Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust19,2141,493 (7.8%)1.3 weeksRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust7,9722,591 (32.5%)1.6 weeksEngland1,717,121386,849 (22.5%)2.7 weeksNote: DM01 median waiting times do not match waiting times for diagnostic tests 'following initial consultation at NHS hospitals' exactly. The full definition of what is included in DM01 can be found in DM01 guidance on NHS England website.

What steps her Department is taking to support pensioners who reach the end of their mortgage term and face difficulties in refinancing in Surrey Heath constituency.

The pricing and availability of mortgages, including the extension of additional facilities post maturity or eligibility for suitable later life lending products, are commercial decisions for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene. However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers. The UK benefits from a competitive later life lending market and there are various options available to later life borrowers, depending on their circumstances. Prospective borrowers should speak to a later life lending mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in identifying any products for their circumstances. Where individuals are concerned about their ability to make their mortgage repayments, they should contact their lender to understand what options are available to them. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers, the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support.

What steps his Department is taking to protect vulnerable residents from flu during winter months in Surrey Heath constituency.

Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses. The aim of the vaccination programme is to provide direct protection to those at higher risk of flu associated morbidity and mortality, including older people, pregnant women, and those in clinical risk groups, and is based on the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Flu vaccines are free to those at greatest risk, with vaccination available via general practices, community pharmacies, maternity services, and in schools and other community clinics, including in the Surrey Health constituency. The NHS National Booking System is open for eligible individuals to book their winter flu vaccine. The Department is working with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to encourage flu vaccine uptake via the national Stay Winter Strong campaign. This uses both mainstream and specialist, highly targeted media and stakeholder channels to engage priority cohorts. Campaign messaging is supported by comprehensive information materials and guidance, ensuring healthcare professions and the public are empowered to guide patients, or make an informed choice.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to (a) safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and (b) uphold democratic accountability during the transition to unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisation in Surrey.

We will bring to the House, for approval, a Structural Changes Order, which will provide for the establishment of the two new councils, abolish the existing councils, and make the necessary electoral arrangements, including replacing the scheduled County and District elections in May 2026 with elections to the new councils. The legislation will also extend the terms of office for current councillors by 11 months, covering the interim period. This is standard practice and avoids the cost and disruption of holding elections for short-term posts in councils which are to be abolished. The existing rules in place for the conduct of local council elections will apply to the elections for the new councils, and these will include provisions designed to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, for example, the requirement for voters in polling stations to show approved ID. The simpler structures delivered through reorganisation will improve democratic accountability as residents know who to look to and it is clearer who is responsible for what.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of procedures for notifying people of County Court proceedings.

The Government has announced plans to implement a reform to allow claimant names to be published on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. This reform will help people who have county court judgments made against them to identify who to contact about the claim. The Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) is responsible for the rules that govern the procedure for notifying people of court proceedings, known as the rules of service. It has recently consulted on changes to the service rules including to permit electronic service on parties with whom there has already been electronic communication pre-action. The CPRC is currently reviewing responses and will make decisions on procedural rule changes in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department will consider the potential merits of providing funding to borough councils in Surrey to meet the costs of operating as shadow authorities during local government reorganisation.

Earlier this year, the government provided funding to support councils preparing proposals, the first time that such funding was made available in partnership with the sector, we continue to provide practical support advice on preparing for reorganisation. We expect councils to be able to meet transition costs from existing budgets, including from the flexible use of capital receipts. However, we are open to discussions with any council that may have concerns about its financial position.

Communities and Local Government, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) total and (b) stranded debt levels across the local authorities proposed for inclusion in the West Surrey Unitary Authority.

Local authorities are responsible for their own borrowing and investment decisions and managing their assets. They must comply with statutory duties and guidance to ensure that their capital strategies are prudent, affordable and sustainable. In general, as with previous rounds of local government reorganisation, there is no proposal for council debt to be addressed centrally or written off as part of reorganisation. The Department does not routinely collect data on the position of authorities’ assets and liabilities, Authorities are required, however, to report their financial position in their Annual Statement of Accounts. Authorities are also required to provide financial returns to Government on a quarterly and annual basis, including information on borrowing and capital financing requirements, and these are published on gov.uk here. I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 October (HCWS998) where we announced our commitment to repay in-principle £500 million of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27. This is a significant and unprecedented commitment given historic capital practices at the Council. It reflects our acknowledgement that, even after the rationalisation of Woking’s historic assets, there is significant unsupported debt held by the Council that cannot be managed locally. Any support must take into account value for money for the local and national taxpayer and the Council’s continued commitment to reduce debt as far as possible within their local capacity.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the barriers to employment faced by autistic people with (a) higher education qualifications and (b) professional experience in Surrey Heath constituency.

As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work. Our new service will move away from the current one size fits all approach, recognising people are individuals with different support needs and will provide better tailored support. The new service will be universal and must work for everyone, including autistic individuals with higher education qualifications and professional experience. In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on why neurodivergent people have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. The panel has reviewed the formal evidence base in relation to workplace barriers neurodivergent people in getting into or remaining in employment, or in developing their careers. The panel has built on the work of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, which reported to the previous government, and which provided useful insights on the employment barriers faced by autistic people. We have now received a final version of the Panel’s report, which we will consider alongside the work of the major independent review on healthy and inclusive workplaces, Keep Britain Working. Furthermore, we know that whilst there are common and consistent barriers faced by disabled people and people with health conditions, including neurodivergent people, we also know that each individual will face a unique combination of these barriers that go beyond the barriers typically associated with their condition. DWP research asked disabled people and people with health conditions who were not currently in work the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a series of eighteen statements about the barriers to finding work. Barriers were grouped as health, confidence and skills, employer/workplace, and DWP/benefit related barriers. Overall, 87% of customers agreed with one or more of the statements, and on average customers agreed with six of the eighteen. The research found those cognitive/neurodevelopmental conditions saw interviews as a significant barrier, along with distance and travel barriers leading to disorientation when in new or unfamiliar places.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the number of doctors seeking work in (a) non-training and (b) locum posts in Surrey Heath constituency.

No specific assessment has been made.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, over the next three years we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need. We will set out next steps in due course.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the long-term workforce planning implications of medical graduates seeking employment overseas due to lack of NHS opportunities.

Data from the General Medical Council shows that approximately 7% of doctors in England do not hold a licence to practice five years after they have completed the foundation programme (the work-based training programme that bridges the gap between medical school and specialty or general practice training). This is equivalent to around 520 doctors – a relatively small number. Although some doctors do work overseas, most moves are temporary, and the overall loss is small.We will publish a new 10-Year Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

Communities and Local Government, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) total and (b) stranded debt levels across the local authorities proposed for inclusion in the East Surrey Unitary Authority.

Local authorities are responsible for their own borrowing and investment decisions and managing their assets. They must comply with statutory duties and guidance to ensure that their capital strategies are prudent, affordable and sustainable. In general, as with previous rounds of local government reorganisation, there is no proposal for council debt to be addressed centrally or written off as part of reorganisation. The Department does not routinely collect data on the position of authorities’ assets and liabilities, Authorities are required, however, to report their financial position in their Annual Statement of Accounts. Authorities are also required to provide financial returns to Government on a quarterly and annual basis, including information on borrowing and capital financing requirements, and these are published on gov.uk here. I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 October (HCWS998) where we announced our commitment to repay in-principle £500 million of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27. This is a significant and unprecedented commitment given historic capital practices at the Council. It reflects our acknowledgement that, even after the rationalisation of Woking’s historic assets, there is significant unsupported debt held by the Council that cannot be managed locally. Any support must take into account value for money for the local and national taxpayer and the Council’s continued commitment to reduce debt as far as possible within their local capacity.

Whether his Department is taking steps to help support people to challenge County Court Judgments issued without their knowledge in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government has announced plans to implement a reform to allow claimant names to be published on the Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines. This reform will help people who have county court judgments made against them to identify who to contact about the claim. The Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) is responsible for the rules that govern the procedure for notifying people of court proceedings, known as the rules of service. It has recently consulted on changes to the service rules including to permit electronic service on parties with whom there has already been electronic communication pre-action. The CPRC is currently reviewing responses and will make decisions on procedural rule changes in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce court delays for victims of sexual violence in Surrey Heath constituency.

This Government inherited a record and rising courts backlog. It is unacceptable that victims and witnesses are waiting years for justice. This has left tens of thousands of victims facing devastating delays for justice, disrupting their ability to function, work, or maintain relationships.It is not possible to supply data for Surrey Heath constituency. However, data for the Surrey Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) is published routinely as part of Criminal Court Statistics Quarterly. The latest published data shows that, in Q2 2025, sexual offence cases in the Surrey Crown Court spent an average of 350 days in the court – an improvement down from 468 days in 2024, and 384 in 2023. At the end of June 2025, the open caseload at Crown Court for sexual offences in Surrey stood at 181, an increase from 136 in 2024 and 113 in 2023.We are committed to creating a more sustainable justice system, in which victims and the public can have confidence. Upon taking office, the Deputy Prime Minister took immediate action to allocate additional Crown Court sitting days this financial year, taking the total to 111,250 sitting days.However, demand is currently so high, it is indisputable that fundamental reform is needed. That is why this Government commissioned the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts, led by Sir Brian Leveson, to propose once-in-a-generation reform to improve timeliness in the courts and deliver swift justice for victims. Part one of his report has now been published. We are carefully considering Sir Brian’s proposals and will respond in due course.To support all victims of sexual violence, including those impacted by court delays, I have protected dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) victims spending in the Department this year to ensure help is available to survivors of these awful crimes.

Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to review the adequacy of legislation governing the provision of service charge accounts to leaseholders.

On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). The consultation closed on 26 September, and we are analysing responses.

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner on the (a) consistency, (b) efficiency and (c) adequacy of the resourcing of firearms licensing.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure consistency in the medical checks required for firearms licensing applications in the South East.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.