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 141–160 of 1,491 · this parliament
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of a UK-EU mutual recognition agreement on manufactured goods on the economy.
Ahead of the UK-EU Summit in May 2025 we explored several proposals with the EU on manufactured goods. To inform these discussions, the government assessed the potential economic benefits of a range of measures, including the potential impact of mutual re...
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.
Small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) have faced significant challenges trading with the EU since Brexit. This Government regularly engages with business representative organisations and industry stakeholders to understand the implications.The UK-EU Su...
Whether his Department plans to publish an assessment of the potential impact of a UK-EU mutual recognition agreement on manufacturers.
Ahead of the UK-EU Summit in May 2025 we explored several proposals with the EU on manufactured goods. To inform these discussions, the government assessed the potential economic benefits of a range of measures, including the potential impact of mutual re...
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.
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 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.
Whether his Department collects data on the reasons for dissolution among small and medium-sized enterprises.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
What is the average cost to businesses for securing Certificate of Origin documentation.
HMRC does not hold information about the average cost to businesses of securing origin documentation.
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.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the Mental Health Investment Standard on access to mental health services in Surrey Heath constituency.
There has been no specific assessment of the impact of the Mental Health Investment Standard for the Surrey Heath constituency. The Mental Health Investment Standard is a national initiative which requires integrated care boards (ICBs) to increase investment in mental health services each year. During 2024/25, the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB continued to meet its commitment in this area, spending over £180 million on mental health services for the local population. This represented an increased investment in this area, compared to spending of £169,092,000 in 2023/24, in line with the requirements. Performance against the standard during 2025/26 will be published in the ICB’s 2025/26 Annual Report.
What steps his Department is taking to help improve support for people with eating disorders in Surrey Heath constituency.
The Department is working closely with NHS England to strengthen community-based eating disorder services and to improve outcomes and recovery for patients, including in Surrey Heath.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning mental health services for local populations. In doing so, ICBs are expected to be evidence-based by assessing and responding to the needs of their local communities and to ensure services are provided equitably.More widely, through the 10-Year Health Plan, we are transforming mental health services. Since July 2024, over 8,000 additional mental health workers have been recruited towards our target of 8,500 by the end of this Parliament. We are also reaching nearly one million more children and young people by expanding Mental Health Support Teams in schools. In addition, we are investing £13 million to pilot enhanced training for Mental Health Support Team staff, enabling them to provide more tailored support to young people with complex needs, including trauma, neurodivergence, and disordered eating.NHS England has also published new guidance on children and young people’s eating disorders, which places greater emphasis on early identification and intervention across the care pathway, including in schools and primary care settings.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle damp and mould in social housing in Surrey Heath constituency.
The first phase of Awaab’s Law, which came into force on 27 October 2025, requires all social landlords to repair emergency hazards within 24 hours and fix dangerous damp and mould within fixed timescales.My Department published a response to our consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes on 28 January 2026. It can be found on gov.uk here. As part of the new Decent Homes Standard, landlords will need to ensure that their homes are free from damp and mould.
How many Certificates of Origin were granted to UK businesses for goods destined for the EU in 2025.
HMRC does not hold information on how many Certificates of Origin were granted to UK businesses for goods destined for the EU in 2025.