Written questions by Pinkerton.

What steps his Department is taking to improve patient safety in community pharmacy settings in Surrey.

The Department recognises the importance of ensuring community pharmacy services are safe and accessible to all patients, including those with disabilities and sensory impairments in Surrey and the Surrey Heath constituency.In addition to the legal requirements under the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998, pharmacy businesses have a duty to comply with the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) standards for registered pharmacy premises. This requires pharmacies to provide an environment that is safe and accessible for all, taking reasonable steps to remove barriers for patients with disabilities. These standards emphasise the need for pharmacies to make adjustments to facilities and services, such as providing accessible entrances, clear signage, and assistance for individuals with mobility or sensory challenges.To support community pharmacies, and meet their legal duties, the GPhC has issued equality guidance for pharmacies, which outlines best practice for supporting patients with a range of needs. NHS England is also rolling out a Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag which enables the recording of key information about a disabled patient and the reasonable adjustments to care and treatment that they need, to ensure support can be tailored appropriately and equitably. This is being rolled out nationally across all healthcare settings and will help general practitioners and community pharmacies spot when a patient may need extra support.Whilst no assessment has been made of the accessibility of community pharmacy services in the Surrey Heath constituency, the GPhC is responsible for holding pharmacy businesses to account and ensures compliance with regulatory standards and guidance as part of routine inspections and fitness to practice procedures.

What assessment her Department has made of the accuracy of the methodology used to estimate Vehicle Excise Duty evasion rates.

The Department for Transport has assessed the accuracy of the methodology used to estimate Vehicle Excise Duty evasion through the quality assurance, assumptions and limitations set out in the published Background Information and Notes and Definitions accompanying the statistics, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/vehicle-excise-duty-evasion-statistics-2023/vehicle-excise-duty-evasion-statistics-2023#background-information. Further detail and historical information regarding the methodology is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicles-statistics-guidance

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the methodology used to estimate Vehicle Excise Duty evasion rates.

The Department for Transport regularly keeps the methodology used in its official statistics under review, in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, and considers opportunities to improve methods where this is proportionate and supported by evidence. As part of ongoing analytical work to inform the development of Vehicle Excise Duty evasion estimates, the Department works closely with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which holds the relevant administrative data, to explore potential methodological developments and data improvements.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in the administration of child maintenance services.

The Department is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). The Child Maintenance Decision Makers’ Guide is published on GOV.UK and provides transparency around CMS policy and guidance for both caseworkers and customers. This guidance is used alongside the Child Support Act 1991 and associated regulations, ensuring that all decisions comply with DWP policy and statutory requirements. In addition, CMS issues operational instructions that support caseworkers in their day-to-day decision-making and promote the consistent and uniform application of rules. The Department also publishes quarterly CMS statistics, with the most recent release covering data up to December 2025. These are supported by detailed breakdowns on Stat‑Xplore and a suite of tables within the national statistics. Accountability is strengthened through independent external audits through National Audit Office and Government Internal Audit Agency. External Audit reports are prepared every year and are included in the annual accounts: CMS Client Funds Accounts, providing assurance over the management of funds and enabling parliamentary and public scrutiny. For the year 25/26, going forward, Client Funds Accounts will be removed, and reporting of CMS funds will be included in the DWP Annual Report and Accounts.

What steps she is taking to improve communication between the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and medical professionals in the processing of driving licence applications.

In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) needed to be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently reviewing the content of the medical questionnaires sent to doctors and healthcare professionals to streamline and simplify them where possible. The DVLA is also considering opportunities to streamline existing processes to reduce the need for GP involvement where appropriate and safe to do so. The DVLA offers a webform service for applicants seeking updates on their application and plans to enhance the online information available to customers, to provide customers with application progress updates via the DVLA’s driver and vehicle account. The online platform will also enable more customers to transact online and allow the DVLA to increase the use of secure emails, reducing the time to respond to customers and improving turnaround times. However, the DVLA recognises that not all customers can or want to access services online. Customers will be able to continue to contact the DVLA by telephone or in writing and paper application facilities remain available.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of funding available to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to process medical driving licence applications.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the DVLA is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals. In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. The DVLA regularly reviews its funding requirements to process medical licence applications as part of its wider forecasting and business planning activity. Any financial pressures and opportunities which may arise are reported promptly to the Department for Transport as part of routine oversight. The Department and the DVLA continue to monitor demand levels and performance closely and funding priorities are kept under review to ensure resources are deployed effectively. Where drivers indicate that their licence is required for employment and other urgent purposes, these applications are prioritised where possible. It is important to note that most drivers may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of delays in medical driving licence decisions by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on the ability of affected people to (a) access employment and (b) education and (c) training in (i) rural and (ii) semi-rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the DVLA is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals. In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. The DVLA regularly reviews its funding requirements to process medical licence applications as part of its wider forecasting and business planning activity. Any financial pressures and opportunities which may arise are reported promptly to the Department for Transport as part of routine oversight. The Department and the DVLA continue to monitor demand levels and performance closely and funding priorities are kept under review to ensure resources are deployed effectively. Where drivers indicate that their licence is required for employment and other urgent purposes, these applications are prioritised where possible. It is important to note that most drivers may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.

What recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the payment calculation approach used by the Child Maintenance Service.

The Department of Work and Pensions assures the accuracy of Child Maintenance payment calculations. As part of its Quality Framework, the measurement carried out by the Department is then independently assured by the National Audit Office. Information on calculation accuracy is published annually in the Child Maintenance Service Client Funds Accounts, which show that since 2020 the CMS has consistently achieved an assessment accuracy rate exceeding the benchmark of 99%. Around 90 per cent of Child Maintenance calculations are based on verified HMRC earnings data and DWP benefit records, reducing the risk of income mis‑declaration, supporting timely and reliable assessments. Calculations use the most recent HMRC tax year available, are automatically reviewed annually, and may be reassessed at any time where income changes by 25 per cent or more. Statutory rates reflect income, number of children and shared care arrangements, with a flat rate protecting those on the lowest incomes. The Department regularly review the calculation methodology to ensure it remains fair, accurate and supports compliance.

What recent estimate she has made of the number of driving licence applications delayed due to medical evidence requirements.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the DVLA is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals. In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. The DVLA regularly reviews its funding requirements to process medical licence applications as part of its wider forecasting and business planning activity. Any financial pressures and opportunities which may arise are reported promptly to the Department for Transport as part of routine oversight. The Department and the DVLA continue to monitor demand levels and performance closely and funding priorities are kept under review to ensure resources are deployed effectively. Where drivers indicate that their licence is required for employment and other urgent purposes, these applications are prioritised where possible. It is important to note that most drivers may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for applicants seeking updates on medical driving licence cases.

In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) needed to be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently reviewing the content of the medical questionnaires sent to doctors and healthcare professionals to streamline and simplify them where possible. The DVLA is also considering opportunities to streamline existing processes to reduce the need for GP involvement where appropriate and safe to do so. The DVLA offers a webform service for applicants seeking updates on their application and plans to enhance the online information available to customers, to provide customers with application progress updates via the DVLA’s driver and vehicle account. The online platform will also enable more customers to transact online and allow the DVLA to increase the use of secure emails, reducing the time to respond to customers and improving turnaround times. However, the DVLA recognises that not all customers can or want to access services online. Customers will be able to continue to contact the DVLA by telephone or in writing and paper application facilities remain available.

What steps he is taking to improve access to coordinated care for patients living with multiple long-term conditions with overlapping symptomatology in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department recognises that people living with multiple long‑term conditions with overlapping symptoms can face challenges in navigating health services, including in Surrey Heath, and that coordinated, person‑centred care is essential to improving outcomes.Responsibility for planning and delivering coordinated care for people with multiple long‑term conditions sits with local National Health Service integrated care boards, working with primary, community, mental health, and secondary care services to meet the needs of their local populations.Nationally, the NHS is taking a number of steps to improve coordination of care for people with complex and multiple long‑term conditions. These include the development of integrated neighbourhood teams, expanded multidisciplinary working, personalised care and support planning, and greater use of primary care networks to coordinate care across services. These approaches are intended to reduce fragmentation and improve continuity for patients with overlapping symptomatology.NHS England continues to support integrated care systems to design services that better join up care for people with long‑term and complex conditions, and the Department will continue to work with the NHS to improve access to coordinated, high‑quality care across England, including in Surrey Heath.

Whether his Department plans to review the available (a) clinical and (b) cost-effectiveness evidence on including spinal muscular atrophy in the newborn screening programme.

The Government recognises the challenges faced by those living with rare diseases and their families and is committed to improving outcomes. This is why the National Health Service is planning a large-scale in-service evaluation (ISE) of screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in newborn screening services.Following a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee to gather further evidence in live NHS settings, an ISE of newborn screening for SMA is being planned. The research component of the ISE is being commissioned through the National Institute for Health and Care Research Health Technology Assessment Programme and will assess the clinical benefits and potential harms of screening for SMA, as well as its cost-effectiveness for the NHS, to inform future decision-making.The ISE, which was due to start in January 2027, will now start three months earlier, in October 2026. The evidence from this ISE will inform a decision on whether to extend the NHS newborn blood spot screening programme and include screening for SMA.We are aware that families are concerned that the evaluation will only cover part of the country and as such some babies may be diagnosed too late for effective treatment. We have asked our officials to work at pace to determine if the ISE can be expanded to cover all of England.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of average processing times for medical driving licence applications by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Applications where a medical condition must be assessed before a licence can be issued can take longer to process as the DVLA is often dependent on information from third parties, including medical professionals. In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. The DVLA regularly reviews its funding requirements to process medical licence applications as part of its wider forecasting and business planning activity. Any financial pressures and opportunities which may arise are reported promptly to the Department for Transport as part of routine oversight. The Department and the DVLA continue to monitor demand levels and performance closely and funding priorities are kept under review to ensure resources are deployed effectively. Where drivers indicate that their licence is required for employment and other urgent purposes, these applications are prioritised where possible. It is important to note that most drivers may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they can meet specific criteria. More information can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of rail reform on the availability of discounted rail travel schemes for (a) members of the armed forces and (b) veterans.

There are no plans to change or remove availability of discounted rail travel for members of the armed forces or veterans. The Railways Bill gives Great British Railways the flexibility to update and expand the concessionary offers in line with passenger needs.

What steps his Department is taking to support the adoption of new (a) treatments and (b) innovations for respiratory conditions across NHS services in Surrey.

Improving respiratory care for both adults and children remains a priority, and this forms part of the Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Boards’s CORE20Plus5 ambitions for both adults, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and children and young people, for asthma. Recent areas of focus have included implementing new asthma prescribing guidelines and providing resources to primary care colleagues to support regular reviews in relation to prescribing, which supports reducing admissions and the delivery of respiratory care. Work is also underway, as part of developing the Surrey Joint Strategic Needs Analysis, in relation to priority populations and key neighbourhoods, including people living in close proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick airports, as well as the M25, where there tends to be higher levels of respiratory illness. In addition, considering wider risk factors, the integrated care board is working closely with public health to ensure smoking cessation support is available to everyone in Surrey, including those with respiratory conditions. Other related initiatives include joint work with partners to improve aspects of asthma care and recently launching the lung cancer screening programme in Surrey to support earlier detection.

What assessment his Department has made of the (a) prevalence and (b) impact of respiratory conditions on health outcomes in Surrey Heath constituency.

Respiratory conditions are a leading cause of hospital admissions and the third biggest cause of death in England. Data is available for emergency Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs) where there was a primary diagnosis of 'respiratory conditions’. The following table shows the number of FAEs where there was a primary diagnosis of 'respiratory conditions’ for Surrey Heath and England, for activity in English National Health Service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector, for 2024/25 and provisionally for 2025/26:Westminster Parliamentary Constituency of Residence2024/25 (August 2024 to March 2025)2025/26 (April 2025 to December 2025)Surrey Heath720540England612,855511,558Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England. Available data on trends in respiratory conditions can be found on the Department’s Fingertips dataset. Data is not available by parliamentary constituency. Data is available at regional, county, unitary authority, and integrated care board level. Information for the Surrey Heath unitary authority can be found at the following link: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/search/Respiratory#page/1/gid/1/ati/501/iid/90933/age/314/sex/4/cat/-1/ctp/-1/yrr/1/cid/4/tbm/1 The Fingertips data shows that on most respiratory indicators Surrey Heath is better than the England average.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of diagnostic pathways for patients presenting with suspected (a) hypermobility spectrum disorders and (b) hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndromes in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department recognises that timely and accurate diagnosis of hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is important in supporting people to access appropriate care and management, including people in Surrey Heath.Responsibility for the planning and delivery of diagnostic pathways sits with local National Health Service integrated care boards, working with primary, community, and secondary care services to meet the needs of their populations.The EDS GP Toolkit, which was developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners in collaboration with Ehlers-Danlos Support UK, supports the diagnosis of HSD and hEDS by providing primary care clinicians with practical, evidence‑based guidance on recognising hypermobility‑related conditions, applying established clinical diagnostic criteria, and distinguishing between HSD, hEDS, and other causes of joint hypermobility.

What data her Department holds on the time taken to (a) renew and (b) reinstate driving licences involving medical conditions in the last 12 months.

In 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) needed to be investigated before a licence could be issued was 56.66 days. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is currently reviewing the content of the medical questionnaires sent to doctors and healthcare professionals to streamline and simplify them where possible. The DVLA is also considering opportunities to streamline existing processes to reduce the need for GP involvement where appropriate and safe to do so. The DVLA offers a webform service for applicants seeking updates on their application and plans to enhance the online information available to customers, to provide customers with application progress updates via the DVLA’s driver and vehicle account. The online platform will also enable more customers to transact online and allow the DVLA to increase the use of secure emails, reducing the time to respond to customers and improving turnaround times. However, the DVLA recognises that not all customers can or want to access services online. Customers will be able to continue to contact the DVLA by telephone or in writing and paper application facilities remain available.

Whether he will review the adequacy of safeguards to ensure the accuracy of arrears and appropriate court oversight in the enforcement of child maintenance liabilities.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring that parents meet their financial responsibilities in full and on time with payments calculated so they are reasonable and affordable for the paying parent. When arrears are identified, parents are given a clear explanation of how the amount has been calculated. Where a parent believes the arrears to be incorrect, they have opportunity to dispute the decision and provide evidence within set timescales. The CMS has a structured dispute resolution process, including Mandatory Reconsideration and the right of appeal to an independent tribunal, His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service. Where a dispute is raised, the case is reviewed before court‑based enforcement proceeds, as a Liability Order may only be granted where a magistrate is satisfied the debt is legally due and unpaid. This safeguards both parents and ensures enforcement is taken only on resolved debt. The Department keeps these safeguards under regular review to ensure the accuracy of arrears and that enforcement action continues to be subject to appropriate judicial oversight.

What assessment her Department has made of the equity of the different student loan interest rate structures in (a) Plan 2 and (b) Plan 5.

Decisions on Plan 2 and Plan 5 conditions were made by the previous government. This government keeps the student finance system under continuous review to ensure that it delivers good value for both students and taxpayers. Over time, this has led to reforms being made to student loan terms. Such reforms consider factors such as macroeconomic conditions, demographic trends and the participation rate in higher education at the time. Therefore, this leads to different plans having different terms and conditions.When comparing Plan 2 and Plan 5 loans it is important to compare the terms in the round. Whilst Plan 5 will ask graduates to repay for longer, and from a lower annual income threshold of £25,000, it also increases certainty for borrowers by reducing their interest rate to match inflation only.