Written questions by Pinkerton.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of maternity services in Surrey Heath constituency.

National Health Service Frimley Integrated Care Board confirmed that the Friends and Family Test is completed every month and includes all community midwifery services. There is also an annual survey conducted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and feedback from Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) who hold quarterly meetings with the trust. No concerns have been raised through these channels to the service, and nothing has been raised specifically about community maternity provision in Surrey Heath.There are 11 maternity hubs across Frimley Health and Care, including one at Frimley Park Hospital which serves Surrey Heath and sees approximately 700 to 750 women. The community matron visits all the hubs monthly. Both the Director and the Head of Midwifery also undertake regular ‘walkabouts’.The CQC last inspected in May 2023 and rated the maternity services at Frimley Park Hospital as Good overall. The MNVP did a ‘walkabout’ on both sites in July 2025. Their report is yet to be received.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to healthcare services for people with postural tachycardia syndrome in Surrey Heath constituency.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) and local authorities to meet the care and support needs of people diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Patients living in the Surrey Heath constituency would be covered by either the NHS Frimley ICB or the Surrey Heartlands ICB. ICBs are responsible for commissioning services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations and, in doing so, we expect them to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that meet their patients’ needs.We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and waiting times down, including in Surrey Heath. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, including in Surrey Heath, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for people with postural tachycardia syndrome in Surrey Heath constituency.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) and local authorities to meet the care and support needs of people diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Patients living in the Surrey Heath constituency would be covered by either the NHS Frimley ICB or the Surrey Heartlands ICB. ICBs are responsible for commissioning services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations and, in doing so, we expect them to work with clinicians, service users, and patient groups to develop services and care pathways that meet their patients’ needs.We are investing in additional capacity to deliver appointments to help bring waiting lists and waiting times down, including in Surrey Heath. The Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, sets out the specific productivity and reform efforts needed to return to the constitutional standard, that 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, by March 2029.Additionally, the shifts outlined in our 10-Year Health Plan will free up hospital-based consultants’ time by shifting care from hospitals to communities, utilising digital technology to reduce administrative burdens, and promoting prevention to reduce the onset and severity of conditions that lead to hospital admissions. This includes expanding community-based services, employing artificial intelligence for productivity, developing integrated neighbourhood health teams, and investing in digital tools and data. These shifts will allow specialists to focus on more complex cases of PoTS, including in Surrey Heath, enabling earlier identification and management, and improved patient outcomes.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing investment in research into postural tachycardia syndrome in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department funds health and care research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds clinical, public health, and social care research and works in partnership with the National Health Service, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR welcomes proposals for research into a range of conditions, including Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, and topics for new research can be proposed to the NIHR via the following link: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

What recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of increasing electric vehicle usage on (a) environmental and (b) local infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency.

As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles eliminate tailpipe emissions, improving air quality in local areas in comparison to petrol and diesel vehicles. In terms of infrastructure, Surrey County Council, which includes Surrey Heath constituency, was allocated over £3 million through the Government’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund to leverage additional private investment and expand the amount of EV charging infrastructure across the area. We also recently announced a £25 million Electric Vehicle Pavement Channel Grant which is intended to empower local authorities to adopt pavement channels as part of their local charging solutions. Surrey County Council were allocated £225,000 to support the installation of pavement channels.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the two-child benefit cap for residents in Surrey Heath constituency.

This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) accuracy of Universal Credit assessments and (b) prevent overpayment errors for working single parents in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to ensuring the accuracy of Universal Credit (UC) assessments and minimising overpayment errors for all claimants. Improving Accuracy of AssessmentsWe have strengthened internal quality assurance processes and agent performance monitoring to ensure UC assessments are completed accurately, including: Targeted training Enhanced guidance Use of automated checks to reduce manual error. We also continue to refine our data-sharing arrangements with other government departments to ensure timely and accurate information is used in assessments. Preventing Overpayment ErrorsThe Department has introduced several measures to reduce overpayments, including: Enhanced Support Journey (ESJ) - Tailored support for claimants with complex needs, including working single parents, delivered through proactive outreach such as phone calls and home visits. Simplified Communications - Improvements to UC statements and letters to help claimants better understand their responsibilities and entitlements. Digital and Non-Digital Access Routes - Ensuring claimants can access support via telephone and face-to-face appointments where digital access is limited. Fraud and Error Reduction Initiatives - Focused interventions to reduce fraud-related overpayments, particularly in cases where claimants fail to engage with verification processes. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in the UC overpayment rate from 12.4% in 2023/24 to 9.7% 2024/25. The Department remains committed to further reducing error rates and improving outcomes for all UC claimants.

What steps her Department is taking to support shop owners subject to persistent theft in Surrey Heath constituency.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. Tackling it is a priority for this Government.We are providing £5 million over the next three years to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will repeal the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried a magistrate's court. This will send a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.We are also supporting a new Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that electric vehicles are manufactured (a) sustainably and (b) with appropriate environmental considerations.

The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan announced DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification) which will support the latest research and development, accelerate commercial scale up, and unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains. This programme contributes to our net zero objectives by helping to cut millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions – both in the UK, and globally in our EV manufacturing supply chain.This Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy and has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts from industry, academia, and civil society. They are developing a series of roadmaps, including one for transport, detailing the interventions that the Government will make on a sector-by-sector basis. The Strategy will support the Government’s Missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.

What steps his Department is taking to support parents financially in order to improve birth rates in Surrey Heath constituency.

The government provides a range of state-funded support for new parents depending on individual circumstances. Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave and pay is available to working parents through their employers, and pregnant working women who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay may be eligible for Maternity Allowance. Parents also have access to Child Benefit. Families who are not working or who are on low incomes can claim Universal Credit and may also be eligible for Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) and Healthy Start vouchers for food and milk. More information about benefits and financial support available to new parents can be found on www.gov.uk via the Childcare and Parenting link on the home page.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) Surrey Heath Borough Council and (b) Surrey County Council on tackling organised shoplifting in Surrey Heath constituency.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. Tackling it is a priority for this Government.We are providing £5 million over the next three years to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will repeal the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried a magistrate's court. This will send a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.We are also supporting a new Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in promoting community cohesion in Surrey Heath constituency.

MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit works to support and promote cohesion across England, through working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments. The Government's new £2.87m Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. As part of this, the Common Ground Award is investing capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with local government, communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of SEND transport provision in Surrey Heath constituency.

The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities must arrange free home-to-school travel for children of compulsory school age, 5 to 16, who attend their nearest school and would not be able to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or because the nature of the route means it would be unsafe for them to do so. There are extended rights to free travel for children from low-income families.We have committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools so fewer children need to travel long distances to a school that can meet their needs and will bring forward a White Paper with plans to improve the special educational needs and disabilities system.

What steps his Department is taking to help (a) tackle unfair purchasing practices and (b) protect (i) suppliers and (ii) workers in fashion industry supply chains in Surrey Heath.

The Government expects all UK companies to respect human rights, workers’ rights and the environment throughout their operations and supply chains in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). If there are concerns related to a multinational enterprise contravening the OECD Guidelines, a case can be raised with the Office for Responsible Business Conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government also launched a review into the UK’s approach to RBC, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains. This includes the fashion industry.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support council-led initiatives aimed at reducing gambling-related harm in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises that harmful gambling can wreck the lives of individuals, families and communities. Working with the Gambling Commission, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk through a range of new safer gambling requirements. We will continue to consider the best available evidence and work with all stakeholders to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support available through the National Gambling Support Network.The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. The levy will raise around £100 million in funding every year to deliver priority projects and services across research, prevention and treatment, including local authority-led initiatives, which together aim to reduce gambling-related harms across Great Britain. The statutory gambling levy is now in force, and funding will start flowing later this year.

What recent discussions her Department has had with local councils to help ensure (a) transparency in and (b) the public accessibility of the environmental impact assessment consultation process on the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport’s proposed.

My Department has not had any discussions with local councils on the environmental impact assessment consultation regarding the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport. This matter is for the determination of Rushmoor Borough Council as the local planning authority.

What steps her Department is taking to promote (a) climate literacy and (b) sustainable living in schools in Surrey Heath constituency.

Climate education can already be taught in geography, science and citizenship within the national curriculum. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is considering where evidence suggests content needs to be updated to reflect rapid social, environmental and technological change, including a greater focus on sustainability and climate science. The Sustainability Support for Education hub and Climate Ambassadors programme provide support to enable settings to establish their climate action plan and embed sustainability into their setting.The National Education Nature Park provides curriculum-linked resources and practical activities to engage children and young people in nature and the improvement of their local environment. There are currently six settings registered to the programme in the Surrey Heath constituency, and we encourage more settings to get involved.The department has also published statutory guidance on school uniforms which states that schools should ensure second-hand uniforms are available, which benefits all parents and is more sustainable. Additionally, we provide procurement support through the Get Help Buying for Schools service to encourage sustainable procurement decisions.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) suicide-related and (b) mental health-related emergency callouts on frontline emergency services in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of gambling-related harm on vulnerable people in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises that harmful gambling can wreck the lives of individuals, families and communities. Working with the Gambling Commission, we are committed to strengthening protections for those at risk through a range of new safer gambling requirements. We will continue to consider the best available evidence and work with all stakeholders to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.Those experiencing gambling-related harm in England can access specialist treatment through NHS Gambling Clinics available in every region of the country, including the Southern Gambling Service. There is also a range of support available through the National Gambling Support Network.The Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to improve and expand the research, prevention and treatment of gambling harms. The levy will raise around £100 million in funding every year to deliver priority projects and services across research, prevention and treatment, including local authority-led initiatives, which together aim to reduce gambling-related harms across Great Britain. The statutory gambling levy is now in force, and funding will start flowing later this year.

What steps her Department is taking to improve (a) mental health support and (b) suicide prevention training for emergency service workers in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.