Written questions by Pinkerton.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the two-child benefit cap for residents in Surrey Heath constituency.

This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in promoting community cohesion in Surrey Heath constituency.

MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit works to support and promote cohesion across England, through working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments. The Government's new £2.87m Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. As part of this, the Common Ground Award is investing capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with local government, communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support council-led initiatives aimed at reducing gambling-related harm in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises that harmful gambling can wreck the lives of individuals, families and communities. Working with the Gambling Commission, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk through a range of new safer gambling requirements. We will continue to consider the best available evidence and work with all stakeholders to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support available through the National Gambling Support Network.The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. The levy will raise around £100 million in funding every year to deliver priority projects and services across research, prevention and treatment, including local authority-led initiatives, which together aim to reduce gambling-related harms across Great Britain. The statutory gambling levy is now in force, and funding will start flowing later this year.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of SEND transport provision in Surrey Heath constituency.

The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities must arrange free home-to-school travel for children of compulsory school age, 5 to 16, who attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or because the nature of the route means it would be unsafe for them to do so. There are extended rights to free travel for children from low-income families.We have committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools so fewer children need to travel long distances to a school that can meet their needs and will bring forward a White Paper with plans to improve the special educational needs and disabilities system.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) suicide-related and (b) mental health-related emergency callouts on frontline emergency services in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) accuracy of Universal Credit assessments and (b) prevent overpayment errors for working single parents in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to ensuring the accuracy of Universal Credit (UC) assessments and minimising overpayment errors for all claimants. Improving Accuracy of AssessmentsWe have strengthened internal quality assurance processes and agent performance monitoring to ensure UC assessments are completed accurately, including: Targeted training Enhanced guidance Use of automated checks to reduce manual error. We also continue to refine our data-sharing arrangements with other government departments to ensure timely and accurate information is used in assessments. Preventing Overpayment ErrorsThe Department has introduced several measures to reduce overpayments, including: Enhanced Support Journey (ESJ) - Tailored support for claimants with complex needs, including working single parents, delivered through proactive outreach such as phone calls and home visits. Simplified Communications - Improvements to UC statements and letters to help claimants better understand their responsibilities and entitlements. Digital and Non-Digital Access Routes - Ensuring claimants can access support via telephone and face-to-face appointments where digital access is limited. Fraud and Error Reduction Initiatives - Focused interventions to reduce fraud-related overpayments, particularly in cases where claimants fail to engage with verification processes. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in the UC overpayment rate from 12.4% in 2023/24 to 9.7% 2024/25. The Department remains committed to further reducing error rates and improving outcomes for all UC claimants.

What steps her Department is taking to support shop owners subject to persistent theft in Surrey Heath constituency.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. Tackling it is a priority for this Government.We are providing £5 million over the next three years to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will repeal the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried a magistrate's court. This will send a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.We are also supporting a new Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that electric vehicles are manufactured (a) sustainably and (b) with appropriate environmental considerations.

The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan announced DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) which will support the latest research and development, accelerate commercial scale up, and unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains. This programme contributes to our net zero objectives by helping to cut millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions – both in the UK, and globally in our EV manufacturing supply chain.This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy and has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts from industry, academia, and civil society. They are developing a series of roadmaps, including one for transport, detailing the interventions that the Government will make on a sector-by-sector basis. The Strategy will support the Government’s Missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.

What steps her Department is taking to promote (a) climate literacy and (b) sustainable living in schools in Surrey Heath constituency.

Climate education can already be taught in geography, science and citizenship within the national curriculum. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is considering where evidence suggests content needs to be updated to reflect rapid social, environmental and technological change, including a greater focus on sustainability and climate science. The Sustainability Support for Education hub and Climate Ambassadors programme provide support to enable settings to establish their climate action plan and embed sustainability into their setting.The National Education Nature Park provides curriculum-linked resources and practical activities to engage children and young people in nature and the improvement of their local environment. There are currently six settings registered to the programme in the Surrey Heath constituency, and we encourage more settings to get involved.The department has also published statutory guidance on school uniforms which states that schools should ensure second-hand uniforms are available, which benefits all parents and is more sustainable. Additionally, we provide procurement support through the Get Help Buying for Schools service to encourage sustainable procurement decisions.

What steps his Department is taking to help (a) tackle unfair purchasing practices and (b) protect (i) suppliers and (ii) workers in fashion industry supply chains in Surrey Heath.

The Government expects all UK companies to respect human rights, workers’ rights and the environment throughout their operations and supply chains in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). If there are concerns related to a multinational enterprise contravening the OECD Guidelines, a case can be raised with the Office for Responsible Business Conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government also launched a review into the UK’s approach to RBC, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains. This includes the fashion industry.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of gambling-related harm on vulnerable people in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises that harmful gambling can wreck the lives of individuals, families and communities. Working with the Gambling Commission, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk through a range of new safer gambling requirements. We will continue to consider the best available evidence and work with all stakeholders to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support available through the National Gambling Support Network.The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. The levy will raise around £100 million in funding every year to deliver priority projects and services across research, prevention and treatment, including local authority-led initiatives, which together aim to reduce gambling-related harms across Great Britain. The statutory gambling levy is now in force, and funding will start flowing later this year.

What steps her Department is taking to improve (a) mental health support and (b) suicide prevention training for emergency service workers in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.

What recent discussions her Department has had with local councils to help ensure (a) transparency in and (b) the public accessibility of the environmental impact assessment consultation process on the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport’s proposed.

My Department has not had any discussions with local councils on the environmental impact assessment consultation regarding the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport. This matter is for the determination of Rushmoor Borough Council as the local planning authority.

What steps his Department is taking to support parents financially in order to improve birth rates in Surrey Heath constituency.

The government provides a range of state-funded support for new parents depending on individual circumstances. Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay is available to working parents through their employers, and pregnant working women who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay may be eligible for Maternity Allowance. Parents also have access to Child Benefit. Families who are not working or who are on low incomes can claim Universal Credit and may also be eligible for Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) and Healthy Start vouchers for food and milk. More information about benefits and financial support available to new parents can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) Surrey Heath Borough Council and (b) Surrey County Council on tackling organised shoplifting in Surrey Heath constituency.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. Tackling it is a priority for this Government.We are providing £5 million over the next three years to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will repeal the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried a magistrate's court. This will send a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.We are also supporting a new Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support community-led biodiversity initiatives in Surrey Heath constituency.

Surrey County Council is the responsible authority for preparing the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which will agree priorities for nature recovery in the area and identify and map the best locations for action to be taken to benefit nature and the wider environment. The Surrey LNRS has recently completed public consultation and is now preparing to be published. Defra is supporting community-led biodiversity initiatives in the Surrey Heath constituency primarily through the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), led by Surrey County Council. Backed by over £250,000 in Defra funding, the LNRS provides a locally tailored framework to identify and prioritise actions for nature recovery, habitat restoration, and species protection. The strategy is being co-developed with input from local communities, landowners, and stakeholders, ensuring that it reflects the unique environmental and social context of Surrey Heath. Defra's Arm's Length Bodies, including Natural England, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission, are actively involved in shaping the LNRS, contributing expertise and aligning national priorities with local delivery. This collaborative approach empowers local action and ensures that biodiversity initiatives are grounded in shared evidence and ambition.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the adequacy of statutory (a) maternity and (b) paternity pay.

The Government has committed to review the parental leave and pay system. All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements are in scope of the Parental Leave and Pay Review.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of uprating Local Housing Allowance for residents in Surrey Heath constituency.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates are reviewed annually in the Autumn and as part of that decision, the impact of local rental market is considered. In April 2024, LHA was increased to the 30th percentile of local market rents, including in the Surrey Heath constituency, costing an additional £1.2bn in 2024/25 and approximately £7bn over 5 years. For those who face shortfalls in meeting their housing costs, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of investing in early support services in Surrey Heath constituency.

The department will fund Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to ensure that children and families who need support the most can access it. Local authorities not currently funded through government Family Hubs programmes, which includes Surrey, will receive a development grant in 2025/26 to plan and begin setting up services to ensure national rollout from April 2026 when full funding is awarded. The role of local authorities will include identifying family hub sites. Services will vary depending on local needs. Surrey received £351,991 in October 2025.In addition, last year the national rollout of Family Help, multi-agency child protection and family group decision making reforms through the Families First Partnership programme was confirmed. In 2025/26 the reforms are backed nationally by £541 million. Surrey received around £2.5 million in additional funding. The programme team have received and reviewed Surrey’s draft delivery plan and will be discussing shortly.Surrey has already established a strong Early Help Partnership Board to analyse the needs of their communities and the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership executive has endorsed plans to form a partnership project team to lead community engagement, develop shared data insights, and coordinate reform implementation. This team will feed into the Board.

What discussions her Department has had with Surrey County Council on improving early intervention services for families in Surrey Heath constituency.

The department will fund Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to ensure that children and families who need support the most can access it. Local authorities not currently funded through government Family Hubs programmes, which includes Surrey, will receive a development grant in 2025/26 to plan and begin setting up services to ensure national rollout from April 2026 when full funding is awarded. The role of local authorities will include identifying family hub sites. Services will vary depending on local needs. Surrey received £351,991 in October 2025.In addition, last year the national rollout of Family Help, multi-agency child protection and family group decision making reforms through the Families First Partnership programme was confirmed. In 2025/26 the reforms are backed nationally by £541 million. Surrey received around £2.5 million in additional funding. The programme team have received and reviewed Surrey’s draft delivery plan and will be discussing shortly.Surrey has already established a strong Early Help Partnership Board to analyse the needs of their communities and the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership executive has endorsed plans to form a partnership project team to lead community engagement, develop shared data insights, and coordinate reform implementation. This team will feed into the Board.