Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure community pharmacy services are accessible to patients with disabilities in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the accessibility of community pharmacy services for people with sensory impairments in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve patient safety in community pharmacy settings in Surrey.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review accessibility provisions in community pharmacy services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on levels of youth unemployment in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve. Under the last government, between 2021 and 2024, the number of young people not in education, employment or training increased by 250,000.

Building on the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy announcement at Budget, the Government committed a further £1 billion for young people on 16^th March 2026, taking total additional investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5 billion over the next three years. This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

As part of this package, the Government is delivering eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expanding Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introducing a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres. The Gateway will provide 16-24-year-olds on Universal Credit a dedicated session and follow-up support to help them move into work, training or education.

This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training, including up to 150,000 work experience placements and up to 145,000 employer designed training opportunities, such as Sector based Work Academy Programmes, which offer participants a guaranteed job interview at the end.

In addition, the Government is taking action to support employers to recruit and train young people, helping to unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities. This includes a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-old, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.

The Government will also prioritise prevention, building on measures announced in the Skills White Paper. The Government will improve support in schools, monitor attendance, increase access to work experience and work with local authorities to pilot auto-enrolling young people in further education, if needed.

In Surrey Heath, young people are already supported through Camberley Youth Hub, which provides high-quality, holistic support, including mental health, housing, essential and vocational skills, and employer engagement. Ensuring support for every young person, including those not claiming benefits, aged 16–24 has access to training, apprenticeships, or employment support.

The information requested on trends in levels of youth unemployment and economic inactivity is published and available at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp(opens in a new tab) and the guidance for users can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp(opens in a new tab).

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support young people into (a) employment, (b) education and (c) training in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve. Under the last government, between 2021 and 2024, the number of young people not in education, employment or training increased by 250,000.

Building on the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy announcement at Budget, the Government committed a further £1 billion for young people on 16^th March 2026, taking total additional investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5 billion over the next three years. This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

As part of this package, the Government is delivering eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, expanding Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain and introducing a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres. The Gateway will provide 16-24-year-olds on Universal Credit a dedicated session and follow-up support to help them move into work, training or education.

This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training, including up to 150,000 work experience placements and up to 145,000 employer designed training opportunities, such as Sector based Work Academy Programmes, which offer participants a guaranteed job interview at the end.

In addition, the Government is taking action to support employers to recruit and train young people, helping to unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities. This includes a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-old, and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.

The Government will also prioritise prevention, building on measures announced in the Skills White Paper. The Government will improve support in schools, monitor attendance, increase access to work experience and work with local authorities to pilot auto-enrolling young people in further education, if needed.

In Surrey Heath, young people are already supported through Camberley Youth Hub, which provides high-quality, holistic support, including mental health, housing, essential and vocational skills, and employer engagement. Ensuring support for every young person, including those not claiming benefits, aged 16–24 has access to training, apprenticeships, or employment support.

The information requested on trends in levels of youth unemployment and economic inactivity is published and available at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp(opens in a new tab) and the guidance for users can be found at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp(opens in a new tab).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the number of driving licence applications delayed due to medical evidence requirements.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of recent trends in levels of business confidence in the hospitality sector in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

While the Department does not produce constituency-level assessments of business confidence, government closely monitors business confidence across the hospitality sector.

We have introduced targeted support measures to strengthen the sector’s resilience. These include permanently reduced business rates for eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties, a substantial enhancement of the Hospitality Support Fund, initiatives to streamline regulatory requirements, and progress on licensing reform toward a new National Licensing Policy Framework. This framework is designed to offer greater flexibility for pubs and hospitality venues, enabling them to prosper.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the accuracy of the methodology used to estimate Vehicle Excise Duty evasion rates.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in the administration of child maintenance services.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the methodology used to estimate Vehicle Excise Duty evasion rates.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the payment calculation approach used by the Child Maintenance Service.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) prevalence and (b) impact of respiratory conditions on health outcomes in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

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:

Source: 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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, 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.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, 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.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 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.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of financial hardship among people not eligible for support due to existing means-testing arrangements.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department's headline poverty statistics, Households Below Average Income (HBAI) statistics - GOV.UK show trends in income-based poverty back to 1994/95, including breakdowns regarding whether families are in receipt of means-tested benefits or not. The figures can be filtered to children, working age adults, and pensioners. The statistics also include measures of material deprivation which provide an indication of peoples’ ability to access or afford a range of everyday goods and services.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, 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.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

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.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons her Department applies different interest rates to different student loan repayment plans.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

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.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the role of UK support in strengthening the (a) resilience and (b) long-term sustainability of independent media organisations across Africa.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We remain steadfast in our commitment to media freedom in Africa and around the world, and recognise the vital role that journalists play in upholding human rights, supporting accountable governance, and protecting democracy. We have already taken significant steps to protect and promote media freedom globally, including increasing our funding for the BBC World Service by an additional £33 million over the next three years, taking our annual contribution to £148 million. We will continue to work with African partners to support and protect independent media and media freedom in their countries, with funding decisions kept under regular review.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of student loan interest rates on graduates’ financial outcomes.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This government recognises the concerns caused by high student loan account balances and interest rates, resulting from loan plans designed by previous governments. That is why we are capping the maximum interest rates on Plan 2 and Plan 3 student loans at 6% for the 2026/27 academic year, protecting students and graduates from the risk of short-term inflationary pressures.

Interest rates affect lifetime repayments for those who repay in full, which includes borrowers with small balances as well as higher earners. Monthly repayments depend solely on earnings above the repayment threshold, and those earning below this level are not required to make any repayments. Outstanding balances are cancelled at the end of the loan term.

The government publishes annual forecasts for student loans in England. These include statistics on borrower repayments. The latest publication can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/student-loan-forecasts-for-england/2024-25.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of occasions on which European airports have suspended the Entry/Exit System since its full introduction on 6 April.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully implemented across all Schengen countries on 10 April 2026.

EES is an EU system and its implementation is a matter for the EU and member states. The Home Office does not record suspension of border control processes in European airports.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the most frequently used European airports by UK travellers between January and April 2026.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has not made an estimate of the most frequently used European airports by UK travellers between January and April 2026. Border Force’s systems are designed to manage arrivals to the UK and do not routinely record or report the European airport used by UK travellers when departing for Europe. Official statistics on passenger movements are published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, an arm’s‑length body of the Department for Transport, including monthly UK airport statistics for 2026.

UK airport data January 2026 | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Table_10_1_EU_and_Other_Intl_Pax_TrafficPDF.rdl

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that jobseekers with professional experience are supported to secure employment reflecting their skills and experience.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

This Government is committed to delivering an employment support system that is personalised to individual needs. All jobseekers are entitled to tailored and flexible support through Jobcentre Plus. Work Coaches offer personalised advice to help individuals secure roles which reflect their skills, qualifications and prior experience, alongside targeted job‑search support. The Department for Work and Pensions provides job‑seeking support through a range of channels that can benefit those already with professional experience, including the Find a Job website and financial assistance, for interviews or starting work, through the Flexible Support Fund. Furthermore, the reformed Jobs and Careers Service will place greater focus on career advice and progression and better matching of people’s experience with employer’s needs.

Where appropriate, Work Coaches also identify any skills gaps and signpost jobseekers to relevant training and provision, including Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, sector‑based work academy programmes (SWAPs), and free courses for jobs, as well as essential English, maths and digital skills. This flexible offer allows experienced jobseekers to update, adapt or build on existing skills to meet current labour market demand. Programmes such as SWAPs can be set up for any sector, allowing them to be responsive to local labour market needs and tailored to priority and emerging sectors across Districts in England and Scotland.

The Restart Scheme provides 12 months of personalised and tailored support targeted at those who have been on Universal Credit for 6 months or more and in the Intensive Work Search regime. Providers support participants to break down their employment barriers by developing a bespoke action plan built on understanding their employment history, skills and needs.

Additionally, many providers offer a dedicated pathway, providing participants with professional or executive experience access to specialist advisors and tailored support.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of haulier firms which have reported receiving fines for exceeding the EU's 90/180 day rule since the start of the phased introduction of the Entry Exit Scheme.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of how many haulier firms have been barred from re-entry to the EU since the start of the phased introduction of the Entry Exit Scheme due to exceeding the EU's 90/180 day rule.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Entry Exit Scheme on UK travellers and transport flows.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully implemented across all Schengen countries on 10 April 2026, and the UK Government continues to engage the European Commission and member states to seek prioritisation of fluidity at the border.

Additionally, my department has taken on a central role in engagement and preparedness with the transport sector. This includes the juxtaposed portals (Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar) where EES checks will take place on UK soil, as well as the aviation industry, non-juxtaposed ferries, cruises and hauliers.

HMG has carried out modelling work to assess the possible impacts of EES implementation at the juxtaposed portals and consequential impacts upon the road network throughout Kent. This analysis has been used by the sector and local authorities to implement new processes and mitigations which has significantly reduced the risks of excess delays at the border and impacts to supply chains.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the EU’s 90/180 day rule on UK-based haulier operations since the introduction of the Entry Exit Scheme.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government continues to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by the 90/180 rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad. The UK Government is also making every effort to engage with the EU as it rolls out its implementation of Exit and Entry System (EES).

However, the 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for

short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy. Any amendments and exemptions to these rules are the responsibility of the EU and Member States.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.

Background Note – Further factual information (this may be put into the public domain)

Schengen immigration rules are the EU’s condition for entry. Amendments and exemptions to these rules are the responsibility of the EU and Member States.

We continue to encourage road haulage and coach operators to take the necessary steps to ensure their UK national drivers who work internationally remain within the limit.

When the EU began its phased implementation of EES from 12 October 2025, it introduced new digital checks which automatically calculate the number of days a non-EU national has spent within the Schengen area.

Since 10 April the EU’s EES should now be fully implemented across all member states, however there are flexibilities available that allow for the suspension of biometric checks.

DfT officials have raised the 90/180 limit as an issue at previous meetings of the UK-EU Specialised Committee for Road Transport, noting that it further restricts the market access arrangements we agreed with the EU in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement.

In its recent Visa Strategy the EU has acknowledged the difficulties the 90/180 limit poses for some third country professionals, including hauliers, and proposes to work with Member states to identify pragmatic solutions. The EU Visa Strategy can be found here: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/f873d151-f079-424b-9575-bece4113447c_en?filename=EU%20Visa%20Policy%20Strategy.pdf

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations she has made to EU counterparts on the application of mobility rules to UK haulage operators.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government continues to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by the 90/180 rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad. The UK Government is also making every effort to engage with the EU as it rolls out its implementation of Exit and Entry System (EES).

However, the 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for

short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy. Any amendments and exemptions to these rules are the responsibility of the EU and Member States.

The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.

Background Note – Further factual information (this may be put into the public domain)

Schengen immigration rules are the EU’s condition for entry. Amendments and exemptions to these rules are the responsibility of the EU and Member States.

We continue to encourage road haulage and coach operators to take the necessary steps to ensure their UK national drivers who work internationally remain within the limit.

When the EU began its phased implementation of EES from 12 October 2025, it introduced new digital checks which automatically calculate the number of days a non-EU national has spent within the Schengen area.

Since 10 April the EU’s EES should now be fully implemented across all member states, however there are flexibilities available that allow for the suspension of biometric checks.

DfT officials have raised the 90/180 limit as an issue at previous meetings of the UK-EU Specialised Committee for Road Transport, noting that it further restricts the market access arrangements we agreed with the EU in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement.

In its recent Visa Strategy the EU has acknowledged the difficulties the 90/180 limit poses for some third country professionals, including hauliers, and proposes to work with Member states to identify pragmatic solutions. The EU Visa Strategy can be found here: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/f873d151-f079-424b-9575-bece4113447c_en?filename=EU%20Visa%20Policy%20Strategy.pdf

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Export Health Certificates were granted to UK businesses for goods destined for the EU in 2025.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

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.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average cost to businesses is for securing Export Health Certificates.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

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.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle damp and mould in social housing in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

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.

Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday

Access to GP appointments

NHS funding for mental health services

Water sector reform

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

Impact of the Iran war on transport costs

Meta and YouTube and legal liability for addictive design and online harms

NHS maternity services

A&E corridor care

100th anniversary of the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Upland farmers and common land

Support for hospitality businesses

GP access

Social care

Peregrine falcons in Woking

Introduction of reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Food Bill