Written questions by Pinkerton.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to (a) safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and (b) uphold democratic accountability during the transition to unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisation in Surrey.

We will bring to the House, for approval, a Structural Changes Order, which will provide for the establishment of the two new councils, abolish the existing councils, and make the necessary electoral arrangements, including replacing the scheduled County and District elections in May 2026 with elections to the new councils. The legislation will also extend the terms of office for current councillors by 11 months, covering the interim period. This is standard practice and avoids the cost and disruption of holding elections for short-term posts in councils which are to be abolished. The existing rules in place for the conduct of local council elections will apply to the elections for the new councils, and these will include provisions designed to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, for example, the requirement for voters in polling stations to show approved ID. The simpler structures delivered through reorganisation will improve democratic accountability as residents know who to look to and it is clearer who is responsible for what.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the long-term workforce planning implications of medical graduates seeking employment overseas due to lack of NHS opportunities.

Data from the General Medical Council shows that approximately 7% of doctors in England do not hold a licence to practice five years after they have completed the foundation programme (the work-based training programme that bridges the gap between medical school and specialty or general practice training). This is equivalent to around 520 doctors – a relatively small number. Although some doctors do work overseas, most moves are temporary, and the overall loss is small.We will publish a new 10-Year Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

What steps her Department is taking to improve consistency in firearms licensing decisions across police authorities.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What recent discussions she has had with police authorities in the South East on (a) delays and (b) variations in the processing of firearms licence (i) applications and (ii) renewals.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure residents receive (a) clear and (b) accessible information about how their service charge payments are spent in Surrey Heath constituency.

On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). The consultation closed on 26 September, and we are analysing responses.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of guidance provided to police forces on firearms (a) licensing and (b) variation procedures in the South East.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national firearms licensing system.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure consistency in the medical checks required for firearms licensing applications in the South East.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner on the (a) consistency, (b) efficiency and (c) adequacy of the resourcing of firearms licensing.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to review the adequacy of legislation governing the provision of service charge accounts to leaseholders.

On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). The consultation closed on 26 September, and we are analysing responses.

What assessment his Department has made of the (a) efficiency and (b) clinical safety of automated online systems for managing GP appointment requests.

All digital tools used in primary care must meet minimum functionality standards set by NHS England, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience. NHS England provides commercial and procurement support to guarantee that all digital solutions comply with nationally specified clinical safety and technical standards Online consultation tools offer patients an option to contact their general practice (GP) digitally, allowing them to manage appointments, view and request repeat prescriptions, and register electronically with GP surgeries. They are specifically designed to simplify administrative processes Experience suggests that extending online access provides significant benefits to both patients and practices. With more patients using online options, phone lines are less busy, which increases availability for those who need additional help or more urgent care It remains the responsibility of the practice and clinicians to ensure that all patient requests are dealt with appropriately, and that urgent cases are identified and managed safely.

Whether his Department has received complaints on the use of automated GP booking systems leading to (a) administrative and (b) clinical errors in Surrey Heath constituency.

All digital tools used in primary care must meet minimum functionality standards set by NHS England, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience. NHS England provides commercial and procurement support to guarantee that all digital solutions comply with nationally specified clinical safety and technical standards Online consultation tools offer patients an option to contact their general practice (GP) digitally, allowing them to manage appointments, view and request repeat prescriptions, and register electronically with GP surgeries. They are specifically designed to simplify administrative processes Experience suggests that extending online access provides significant benefits to both patients and practices. With more patients using online options, phone lines are less busy, which increases availability for those who need additional help or more urgent care It remains the responsibility of the practice and clinicians to ensure that all patient requests are dealt with appropriately, and that urgent cases are identified and managed safely.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of safeguards for preventing harm to children during court-ordered contact arrangements.

This Government has been clear – child safety during court-ordered contact is vital.The recently published review of court’s application of the presumption of parental involvement found a high incidence of ordered contact. In some instances, this could have negative implications for children.That is why this Government plans to repeal the presumption from the Children Act 1989. This will be part of a package of reforms to the family courts – including the further expansion of the Pathfinder model.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will publish a breakdown of how business rates tax collected by Surrey Heath Borough Council is (a) allocated and (b) used by the Treasury.

The business rates retention system (BRRS) was introduced in April 2013 to give authorities a direct financial interest in business rates, recognising their role in the collection of the tax. Percentage shares of business rates income collected are allocated to the central share (to be paid to central government) and the local share (retained locally by local authorities, including Surrey Heath) in the annual Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS). The most recent version of the LGFS, for 2025-26, is published on gov.uk here. We will set out the breakdown over the 3 years of the multi-year settlement at the provisional LGFS later this year. Details of the business rates collected annually by local authorities are available on gov.uk here. This sets out the amounts retained locally and paid over to central government. Receipts collected by central government are paid into the consolidated fund and used for the purpose of funding expenditure on local government.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that Civil Service (a) internships and (b) graduate recruitment programmes are (i) inclusive and (ii) accessible to candidates from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Government is committed to building a Civil Service that is representative of all communities across the UK and several graduate and internship programmes exist across the Civil Service. The Civil Service Fast Stream is open to graduates from any background and we consistently monitor recruitment data to ensure we remain an inclusive and accessible employer. For this reason, in August we announced our Summer Internship Programme will open exclusively to undergraduates from lower-socioeconomic backgrounds. The aim of this change is to increase representation in the Fast Stream.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to safeguard the welfare of (a) pigs and (b) piglets on farms in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.

All pigs are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation, and potential breaches of the law are taken very seriously. Any allegations of poor animal welfare are investigated by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and where there are non-compliances with the regulations, appropriate action is taken. The local authority, as an appropriate enforcement agency, may initiate prosecution action for animal welfare offences where there is sufficient evidence.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the treatment of electric vehicles under the benefit-in-kind system.

HMRC publishes annual statistics which provide information about the company cars provided as benefits in kind to employees by employers, including the proportion of the company car stock which is electric. The most recent statistics were published in June 2024 for the tax year 2022-23, which showed that 220,000 company cars were fully electric, or 29% of the total company car stock, an increase from 50,000 in 2020-21. The Government recognises that Company Car Tax Regime and salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government is committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles, and generous company car tax rates for electric cars have been a key incentive for increasing their number on the road. Electric company cars also play a significant role in supporting the used EV markets. At the end of their lease company cars are sold into the used markets, which is where the majority of car sales take place in the UK. More widely, the UK has a range of measures to support people to transition to zero emission vehicles, including the plug-in grant for vans and support for charging infrastructure across all of England.The Government has more recently announced the new Electric Car Grant, which supports drivers to purchase ZEVs with grants of up to £3,750. The grant will help save drivers money and get more of them buying EVs, whilst helping the Government to deliver its environmental commitments. The Government keeps all taxes including benefit in kind taxation of electric vehicles under review.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of salary sacrifice schemes on the (a) affordability and (b) uptake of electric vehicles among (i) lower and (ii) middle-income drivers.

HMRC publishes annual statistics which provide information about the company cars provided as benefits in kind to employees by employers, including the proportion of the company car stock which is electric. The most recent statistics were published in June 2024 for the tax year 2022-23, which showed that 220,000 company cars were fully electric, or 29% of the total company car stock, an increase from 50,000 in 2020-21. The Government recognises that Company Car Tax Regime and salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government is committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles, and generous company car tax rates for electric cars have been a key incentive for increasing their number on the road. Electric company cars also play a significant role in supporting the used EV markets. At the end of their lease company cars are sold into the used markets, which is where the majority of car sales take place in the UK. More widely, the UK has a range of measures to support people to transition to zero emission vehicles, including the plug-in grant for vans and support for charging infrastructure across all of England.The Government has more recently announced the new Electric Car Grant, which supports drivers to purchase ZEVs with grants of up to £3,750. The grant will help save drivers money and get more of them buying EVs, whilst helping the Government to deliver its environmental commitments. The Government keeps all taxes including benefit in kind taxation of electric vehicles under review.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to improve fire service workforce resilience in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government acknowledges the vital contributions made by fire and rescue services. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed are a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) as the employer, based on its analysis of risk and local circumstances. Fire and rescue reform priorities continue to be shaped through regular engagement with sector leaders via the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform (MAGFRR) and other key forums. Established by the Government, MAGFRR provides a strategic platform for addressing policy challenges and supporting the modernisation of fire and rescue services. The Government remains committed to working collaboratively with all sector partners to deliver meaningful change and ensure services are equipped to keep the public safe.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) local authorities and (b) schools on promoting careers in the fire and rescue service in Surrey Heath constituency.

Fire and rescue recruitment in England is managed by individual Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs). Each local service is responsible for its own recruitment processes, policies, and workforce planning, which are typically overseen by their HR or People Services teams. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service run engagement events across the county, not just in schools but for school-age groups and the wider community. These events combine fire prevention advice with information on careers in the Fire Service, ensuring a joined-up approach.