Written questions by Pinkerton.

If she will hold discussions with her EU counterpart on the compatibility of e-gate infrastructure with the EU Entry/Exit System.

EES and its implementation are a matter for the EU and participating member states. A number of EU member states already allow UK citizens to access their eGates.HMG continue to engage with the EU and its member states on eGate access where it is not already in place.There are currently no plans to publish the Government's assessment of the impact of the EU Entry/Exit System on UK travellers.

What metrics her Department used to evaluate public awareness of the EU Entry Exit System prior to its implementation.

Awaiting answer.

Whether her Department plan to publish an assessment of the potential impact of the EU Entry Exit System on UK travellers.

EES and its implementation are a matter for the EU and participating member states. A number of EU member states already allow UK citizens to access their eGates.HMG continue to engage with the EU and its member states on eGate access where it is not already in place.There are currently no plans to publish the Government's assessment of the impact of the EU Entry/Exit System on UK travellers.

What discussions her Department has had with EU member states on access to e-gates for UK nationals following the introduction of the EU Entry Exit System.

EES and its implementation are a matter for the EU and participating member states. A number of EU member states already allow UK citizens to access their eGates.HMG continue to engage with the EU and its member states on eGate access where it is not already in place.There are currently no plans to publish the Government's assessment of the impact of the EU Entry/Exit System on UK travellers.

If she will hold discussions with her EU counterpart on the average additional processing time per traveller arising from the EU Entry Exit System.

EES and its implementation are a matter for the EU and participating member states. A number of EU member states already allow UK citizens to access their eGates.HMG continue to engage with the EU and its member states on eGate access where it is not already in place.There are currently no plans to publish the Government's assessment of the impact of the EU Entry/Exit System on UK travellers.

What amount of funding was allocated to public awareness campaigns on the EU Entry Exit System prior to its implementation.

Awaiting answer.

How many British nationals have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in the Schengen travel area in each year since the UK left the EU.

The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) 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.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current enforcement powers available to police to respond to reports of unmanned drones operating near residential properties.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

What guidance her Department provides to police forces on responding to reports of unmanned drones posing a potential risk to residential security.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of police funding to respond to incidents involving the misuse of unmanned drones in residential areas in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the ability of police forces to (a) identify and (b) locate operators of unmanned drones suspected of misuse.

The Home Office coordinates the government’s counter-drone policy. We lead work to understand potential risks posed by the misuse of drones and emerging technologies to ensure we have the right capabilities, personnel, training and powers to address these risks.In 2019, the Home Office supported the creation of the National Police Chiefs' Council Counter-Drones Unit to provide strategic leadership to policing on counter-drones capabilities; how and when the police use their powers and capabilities is an operational matter. The Home Office maintains the importance of operational independence and does not routinely comment on operational decision making or individual force funding decisions. However, the Home Office does work closely with the police to ensure that they provide the appropriate information and training to local forces who may need to respond to reports of the possible misuse of drones.The Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act, National Security Act, and upcoming Armed Forces Bill provide police and others with powers to respond to drone misuse. We consistently look for opportunities to update legislation and ensure that police have the powers they need.

How many British nationals have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in each year since the United Kingdom left the European Union.

The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) 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.

How many British national professional drivers have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in each year since the United Kingdom left the European Union.

The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) 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.

What estimate her Department has made of the most frequently used European airports by UK travellers between January and April 2026.

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 AuthorityTable_10_1_EU_and_Other_Intl_Pax_TrafficPDF.rdl

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.

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.

What steps she is taking to help ensure fraud offences affecting small businesses are properly investigated in Surrey Heath constituency.

Fraud is a serious and growing threat to businesses, including small businesses, and the Government is committed to ensuring that fraud offences are properly investigated and prevented.The Government has taken steps to ensure that Fraud is reflected in local policing priorities. This includes improving reporting through the new Report Fraud service and strengthening law enforcement capability through the National Fraud Squad.Police forces in England and Wales will now be assessed on an ongoing basis on their fraud response as part of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy Framework.The national Stop! Think Fraud campaign, provides practical advice to help people and businesses protect themselves. In addition, we have published a dedicated checklist for small businesses to help small firms reduce their exposure to fraud.Fraud often begins with a cyber-attack. The Government funds a network of regional Cyber Resilience Centres across England and Wales, which provide trusted, tailored advice and support to businesses.The Government will soon publish a new Fraud Strategy which will outline further measures to tackle fraud against business.

What assessment she has made of the extent to which local police forces engage directly with victims of fraud in cases involving physical premises and identifiable suspects.

Reports of fraud and cyber crime are made through Report Fraud, the new national fraud reporting service which became operational in December 2025. These reports are assessed centrally and disseminated to local police forces wherever there are viable lines of enquiry, including cases involving identifiable local suspects or physical premises. It is then for the relevant police force to engage directly with victims and implement appropriate safeguarding measures.Report Fraud is designed to improve the quality of information provided to policing and strengthen communication with victims. Alongside this, the National Fraud Squad is focused on the most serious and complex cases, enabling local forces to give greater attention to cases with a clear local footprint.Victims can access the Report Fraud Victim Services (formerly the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit), which delivers a care and support offer for victims of fraud and cyber crime where their cases have not been disseminated for investigation. Any victims assessed to be in the highest tier of vulnerability will be disseminated to local forces for safeguarding purposes, so they can receive the appropriate in-person support.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Report Fraud.

The Home Office regularly reviews the performance of Report Fraud to ensure the service is delivering improved outcomes for victims and strengthening the national response to fraud. The new service offers better management information to track and monitor service performance and a new performance dashboard to monitor outcomes and identify emerging fraud threats.Recent data from the service shows that in December 2025 alone, eleven thousand more calls were answered compared to December 2024.Furthermore, cases sent to police forces in January 2026 were at a higher level than January 2025. However, data is not yet available on the proportion of these cases sent to forces that are being taken forward by forces for investigation.Since Report Fraud has gone live in December 2025, the service has been able to assist victims in recovering £1.8 million. Data from Report Fraud in January 2026 alone shows victims had a call satisfaction of 92%, Webchat satisfaction of 100%, and chatbot satisfaction of 90%.

What steps her Department is taking to help increase levels of (a) recruitment and (b) retention of neighbourhood police officers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of the British policing model. Every community deserves visible, pro-active and accessible neighbourhood policing with officers tackling the issues that matter to them.We have made £200 million available in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps towards delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of this parliament, including up to 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by the end of March 2026.Based on their £2,588,427 allocation from the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, Surrey Police are projected to grow by 25 FTE neighbourhood police officers in FY 2025/26. As at 30 September 2025, Surrey Police have grown by 11 FTE neighbourhood policing officers.The Government continues to prioritise boosting visible policing and improving trust and confidence in the police. That is why, for Year 2 of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant in FY 2026/27, £363 million has been ringfenced to incentivise forces to grow their neighbourhood policing teams by a further 1,750 personnel by 31 March 2027. Surrey Police will be expected to deliver their share of that national target. Their target figure will be confirmed in due course.Retention of experienced officers is important to neighbourhood policing. This is why we are investing in dedicated learning and development standards, bolstering its recognition as a distinct specialism. We are funding the College of Policing to design and roll out the Neighbourhood Policing Programme – Career Pathway. Under the training, neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, line management and senior leaders will learn vital skills such as problem solving, community engagement and tackling anti-social behaviour.

What steps she is taking to help ensure in-person access to police services in Surrey Heath constituency.

Decisions regarding police resourcing and the police estate, including in-person access points such as front counters, are a matter for Chief Constables and elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to decide based on local need, experience, and budgets.‑elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to decide based on local need, experience, and budgets.As part of this Government’s Safer Streets Mission, we are restoring neighbourhood policing, with nearly 2,400 additional neighbourhood officers in post last September. We are also ensuring that every community has named, contactable, officers dedicated to tackling the issues facing their communities, strengthening the connections between the police and the local communities they serve.