Al Pinkerton Portrait

Al Pinkerton

Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath

5,640 (11.8%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Europe)

(since October 2025)

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
28th Oct 2024 - 13th Nov 2025
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland)
18th Sep 2024 - 1st Oct 2025


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Al Pinkerton has voted in 441 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

2 Jul 2025 - Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism - View Vote Context
Al Pinkerton voted No - against a party majority - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 6 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 26
View All Al Pinkerton Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(19 debate interactions)
Stephen Doughty (Labour (Co-op))
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(15 debate interactions)
Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op))
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
(14 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Ministry of Defence
(47 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(26 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Al Pinkerton's debates

Surrey Heath Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

We are calling on the Government to reassess the UK National Screening Committee’s (UK NSC) draft recommendation not to offer prostate cancer screening to anyone except men with BRCA1/2 genetic variants, and to introduce screening for all high-risk men.

We believe Brexit's not working. The OBR judges that the UK economy is smaller and trade is weaker because of Brexit, and it will just get worse. 10 years after the Brexit vote, let's apply to rejoin the EU, reverse the damage, boost growth, increase tax revenues and restore opportunities in the UK

Place a statutory requirement on councils, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and all other related institutions to collect, record and publish the nationality, ethnicity, immigration status and religion of child sexual offenders, including gang based crime.

Keep section 1 firearm & section 2 shotgun licensing separate. I think this would help to protect law-abiding owners, the shooting industry, & rural communities. Policies should focus on real public safety issues without burdening responsible citizens or damaging heritage & livelihoods.

Support in education is a vital legal right of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We ask the government to commit to maintaining the existing law, so that vulnerable children with SEND can access education and achieve their potential.

We think that the Government should not make any changes to legislation that would allow Northern Ireland Veterans to be prosecuted for doing their duty in combating terrorism as part of 'Operation Banner'. (1969-2007)

Prevent independent schools from having to pay VAT on fees and incurring business rates as a result of new legislation.


Latest EDMs signed by Al Pinkerton

3rd November 2026
Al Pinkerton signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 4th November 2026

Remembrance Day 2026

Tabled by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
That this House recognises the enormous debt owed to those who serve, or have served, in the British Armed Forces, and the sacrifices they have made to keep the country safe; notes that the transition from military to civilian life remains inadequately supported; is concerned that both the previous Government …
13 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Nov 2026)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 11
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
3rd November 2026
Al Pinkerton signed this EDM as a sponsor on Wednesday 4th November 2026

Military Homes Standard for Single Living Accommodation

Tabled by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
That this House welcomes the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Armed Forces Bill which would establish a legally binding Military Homes Standard for Single Living Accommodation (SLA); recognises that this amendment would require the Secretary of State for Defence to ensure that military SLA does not fall below the Decent …
11 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Nov 2026)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 10
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
View All Al Pinkerton's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Al Pinkerton, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Al Pinkerton has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Al Pinkerton

2 Bills introduced by Al Pinkerton


A Bill to make provision about offences relating to the misuse and illegal copying of vehicle registration marks; to require the Secretary of State to introduce measures to reduce incidences of such misuse and illegal copying; to make provision about support for victims of any such offences; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 2nd September 2025

A Bill to place a duty on the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with the European Union to agree a customs union between the United Kingdom and the European Union; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 10th December 2025
(Read Debate)

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
5 Other Department Questions
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she will publish updated modelling of the potential economic benefits of reducing barriers to UK touring in the EU.

On 27 August 2026, the Government published “The economic benefits of touring and impact of EU exit”. This independent research by Ipsos and Nordicity assessed the impacts of post-EU exit requirements – including visa and work permit rules, transport restrictions, and customs procedures – on UK touring artists and crews.

The published report includes economic modelling on the impact of current barriers, including visas and work permit requirements, and the potential benefits of mitigating them, providing a robust evidence base to inform the Government's manifesto commitment to support touring artists and guide ongoing engagement with EU partners.

Ian Murray
Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of EU visa and work permit requirements on UK touring artists and crews.

On 27 August 2026, the Government published “The economic benefits of touring and impact of EU exit”. This independent research by Ipsos and Nordicity assessed the impacts of post-EU exit requirements – including visa and work permit rules, transport restrictions, and customs procedures – on UK touring artists and crews.

The published report includes economic modelling on the impact of current barriers, including visas and work permit requirements, and the potential benefits of mitigating them, providing a robust evidence base to inform the Government's manifesto commitment to support touring artists and guide ongoing engagement with EU partners.

Ian Murray
Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jun 2026
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of ensuring that period products are accessible in public spaces across Surrey Heath constituency.

This Government is committed to addressing the underlying causes that can make period products inaccessible for women and girls in the first place. We are protecting women’s living standards, alongside the public services they rely on, so that no one has to go without life's essentials.

We are also continuing to make free period products available through several different avenues, including in schools and hospitals, to ensure that they are accessible to those most in need.

14th May 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking to protect people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis from discrimination by employers in Surrey.

The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. The Act defines ‘long-term’ as having lasted, or likely to last for at least 12 months, or likely to last for the rest of the life of the person. ‘Substantial’ is defined as more than minor or trivial.

Where an employee has an impairment, which falls within the definition outlined above, the Act makes it unlawful for their employer or someone they are seeking work from, to discriminate against them because of their disability. This would include the failure to make a reasonable adjustment as well as less favourable treatment.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission and Acas have published comprehensive guidance for employers on their obligations to disabled employees and job applicants under the 2010 Act and Acas provides a helpline for people who think they have experienced discrimination at work.

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) provides authoritative and impartial advice free to employees or employers in relation to employment discrimination issues via their website. and telephone helpline 0300 123 1100 or text relay service 18001 0300 123 1100. You can access the website here: http://www.acas.org.uk. Acas also provides employees and employers with Early Conciliation to help them resolve/settle their workplace dispute without going to court.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of enabling opposite-sex couples to convert a civil partnership to marriage.

In 2019, when civil partnerships were made available for opposite-sex couples in England and Wales, the Government ran a public consultation on the future of conversion rights between marriage and civil partnerships for both opposite and same-sex couples in England and Wales.

This Government is considering all options, and we will update the House in due course.

28th Oct 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment her Department has made of the economic impact of remaining outside the European Union's Single Market on the United Kingdom.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is the government’s official forecaster. The OBR has included assessments of the economic impacts of leaving the EU in its forecasts since 2016. In March 2020 the OBR estimated that, as a result of the deal negotiated by the then government, GDP will be 4% lower in the long run than it would have been had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. As of the Spring Forecast 2026, these assumptions remain unchanged.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Oct 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department is conducting an assessment of the potential economic impact on the United Kingdom of joining the European Union's Single Market.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is the government’s official forecaster. The OBR has included assessments of the economic impacts of leaving the EU in its forecasts since 2016. In March 2020 the OBR estimated that, as a result of the deal negotiated by the then government, GDP will be 4% lower in the long run than it would have been had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. As of the Spring Forecast 2026, these assumptions remain unchanged.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
9th Oct 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many UK citizens are estimated to have travelled to EU countries in (a) 2023, (b) 2024, and (c) 2025.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 9 October is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the UK fishing and seafood processing sectors in each year since 2015.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th September is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
10th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of employment in coastal fishing communities since 2020.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th September is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many late applications by UK nationals for residence status under the Withdrawal Agreement have been made in EU member states since 2021.

The UK Government remains committed to working with the European Commission and EU Member States to help Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries access their rights.

The European Commission is responsible for monitoring implementation of Part Two (Citizens’ Rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement across the EU. While the UK does not hold data on deportation orders or appeals following rejected residence applications, the European Commission’s annual reports to the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights cover UK application numbers and complaints.

Additionally, the UK Government, Embassies, and High Commissions regularly engage civil society groups to keep UK nationals in the EU informed. In partnership with these groups, British Embassies and High Commissions run targeted campaigns across EU Member States to advise UK residents of their rights and encourage them to apply for residence documentation.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many complaints her Department has received on EU member states’ implementation of the citizens’ rights provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement since 2021.

The UK Government remains committed to working with the European Commission and EU Member States to help Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries access their rights.

The European Commission is responsible for monitoring implementation of Part Two (Citizens’ Rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement across the EU. While the UK does not hold data on deportation orders or appeals following rejected residence applications, the European Commission’s annual reports to the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights cover UK application numbers and complaints.

Additionally, the UK Government, Embassies, and High Commissions regularly engage civil society groups to keep UK nationals in the EU informed. In partnership with these groups, British Embassies and High Commissions run targeted campaigns across EU Member States to advise UK residents of their rights and encourage them to apply for residence documentation.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many appeals by UK nationals against decisions to reject applications for residence status under the Withdrawal Agreement have been successful since 2021.

The UK Government remains committed to working with the European Commission and EU Member States to help Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries access their rights.

The European Commission is responsible for monitoring implementation of Part Two (Citizens’ Rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement across the EU. While the UK does not hold data on deportation orders or appeals following rejected residence applications, the European Commission’s annual reports to the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights cover UK application numbers and complaints.

Additionally, the UK Government, Embassies, and High Commissions regularly engage civil society groups to keep UK nationals in the EU informed. In partnership with these groups, British Embassies and High Commissions run targeted campaigns across EU Member States to advise UK residents of their rights and encourage them to apply for residence documentation.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness among UK nationals living in the EU of their residence rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

The UK Government remains committed to working with the European Commission and EU Member States to help Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries access their rights.

The European Commission is responsible for monitoring implementation of Part Two (Citizens’ Rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement across the EU. While the UK does not hold data on deportation orders or appeals following rejected residence applications, the European Commission’s annual reports to the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights cover UK application numbers and complaints.

Additionally, the UK Government, Embassies, and High Commissions regularly engage civil society groups to keep UK nationals in the EU informed. In partnership with these groups, British Embassies and High Commissions run targeted campaigns across EU Member States to advise UK residents of their rights and encourage them to apply for residence documentation.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
8th Sep 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many UK nationals have been issued with deportation or removal decisions from EU member states following rejected residency applications under the Withdrawal Agreement.

The UK Government remains committed to working with the European Commission and EU Member States to help Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries access their rights.

The European Commission is responsible for monitoring implementation of Part Two (Citizens’ Rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement across the EU. While the UK does not hold data on deportation orders or appeals following rejected residence applications, the European Commission’s annual reports to the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights cover UK application numbers and complaints.

Additionally, the UK Government, Embassies, and High Commissions regularly engage civil society groups to keep UK nationals in the EU informed. In partnership with these groups, British Embassies and High Commissions run targeted campaigns across EU Member States to advise UK residents of their rights and encourage them to apply for residence documentation.

Hamish Falconer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
28th Aug 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has considered the potential merits of extending the age range used in NEET statistics to include people aged 25 to 30 who are not in education, employment or training.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Parliamentary Question of 28th August is attached.

Dan Tomlinson
Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
1st Jul 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will use forthcoming UK-EU discussions to seek a temporary solution for UK (a) professional HGV and (b) coach drivers affected by (i) incomplete or (ii) disputed EU Entry/Exit System records.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an EU scheme, and its implementation, including the use of flexibilities permitted by the relevant legislation on biometric collection, is a matter for the European Commission and participating EU member states.

This Government remains committed to seeing EES implemented in a way that protects border fluidity and minimises disruption for travellers, hauliers and businesses. I have regularly engaged with counterparts in the EU to encourage the pragmatic approach to implementation and maximum use of available flexibilities.

Where a traveller believes their EES record may not have been recorded correctly, the official EES website provides contact details for data protection authorities in participating countries. Official EES guidance also states that travellers have the right to request access to their personal data held within EES and, where appropriate, to request that inaccurate data is corrected or deleted.

16th Jun 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department will publish the provisional agenda for the UK-EU Summit scheduled for 22 July 2026.

The next UK-EU Summit will provide an opportunity to build on our Strategic Partnership, including implementing joint commitments and further strengthening our relationship with the EU. Further details around the Summit and its outcomes will be shared in due course.

2nd Jun 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what timeline has been set for the 2026 UK–EU Summit.

The UK and the EU have committed to holding annual summits to oversee the strategic partnership, drive progress on implementing joint commitments made under the Common Understanding and to further strengthen our relationship over time. We will confirm a date for the next Summit in due course.

18th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department holds information on the number of UK based chemical companies which dissolved between 2021 and 2025 and cited the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union as a contributing factor in their dissolution.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
15th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many UK-based chemical companies were dissolved in each year between 2021 and 2025.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 15th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
15th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many UK-based chemical companies were dissolved in each year between 2008 and 2012.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 15th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises that have dissolved citing the UK’s exit from the EU as a contributing factor since 2021.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department collects data on the reasons for dissolution among small and medium-sized enterprises.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the sectoral breakdown of small and medium-sized enterprises that dissolved in each year between 2021 and 2025.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many companies classified as small and medium-sized enterprises were registered in each year between (a) 2008 and 2012 and (b) 2021 and 2025.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many companies classified as small and medium-sized enterprises dissolved in each year between 2021 and 2025.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
13th May 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many companies classified as small and medium-sized enterprises dissolved in each year between 2008 and 2012.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question’s of 13th May is attached.

Satvir Kaur
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
10th Mar 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings he has had with his EU counterparts to discuss UK-EU relations following the UK-EU Summit 2025 - Joint Statement of 19 May 2025.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office regularly speaks to his EU counterparts to discuss UK-EU relations on both a formal and informal basis.

27th Jan 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department will publish updated data on the number of cars per household by UK parliamentary constituency.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 27th January is attached.

23rd Jan 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to provide households with information on emergency preparedness in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

Advice for the general public on how to prepare for emergencies is published at GOV.UK/Prepare. The website provides simple and effective steps that individuals, households and communities can take to be more prepared for a range of emergencies.

Specific risk and preparedness advice aimed at Surrey residents can be found on the ‘Surrey Prepared’ pages of Surrey County Council’s website.

The government continues to work with our local and national partners, including organisations from the voluntary, community and faith sectors, to highlight the importance of preparing for emergencies.

Dan Jarvis
Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
14th Jan 2026
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of regulatory alignment measures with the European Union on economic growth.

We have made a choice to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so in our national interest. For example, to unlock the SPS and carbon pricing agreements, which will add up to £9 billion a year to the UK economy by 2040. Where we agree to dynamically align, we will have decision-shaping rights, as well technical adaptations and phasing in to make this deal work for the UK. The details of these are subject to negotiation.

10th Dec 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of suicide rates among men in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency over the last five years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th of December is attached.

9th Dec 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a UK-EU Customs Union Deal for economic growth.

We have not made an assessment as we have been clear there will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. We are focused on strengthening our relationship with the EU to make trade easier, help British businesses and support economic growth. At the first UK-EU Summit, the Prime Minister announced a deal with the EU which will deliver on what the British public voted for and which was welcomed by businesses.

5th Dec 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of fertility trends in Surrey Heath constituency.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 5th of December is attached.

13th Nov 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings his Department has had with European Union counterparts on the proposed emissions trade system agreement since the announcement of the UK-EU Reset Deal.

I and my department speak to EU counterparts on a regular basis, including on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Emissions Trading Systems linking agreements. I will not be providing a running commentary on negotiations.

13th Nov 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings his Department has had with European Union counterparts on the proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement since the announcement of the UK-EU Reset Deal.

I and my department speak to EU counterparts on a regular basis, including on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Emissions Trading Systems linking agreements. I will not be providing a running commentary on negotiations.

13th Nov 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of negotiating reciprocal exemptions from new electronic travel authorisation schemes with the European Union.

HMG officials and Ministers regularly engage EU counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The EU is developing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), their pre-travel authorisation system for third-country nationals. This will apply to those who do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area. The European Commission has confirmed that ETIAS will apply to British citizens, when it is introduced. The UKs electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme is fully implemented for non-visa national visitors to the UK, this includes EU nationals.

12th Nov 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings his Department has had with the European Union on the proposed UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme since the announcement of the UK-EU Reset Deal.

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU at the UK-EU Summit. The exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiations. Since the Summit we have held a number of rounds of negotiations with the European Commission regarding outcomes of the Common Understanding, including a youth experience scheme, as well as other areas including a food and drink deal (SPS) and linking our carbon markets (ETS) that started this week.

4th Nov 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, 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.

Anna Turley
Minister of State (Home Office)
22nd Oct 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has an assessment of the potential impact proposed EU Mobility Scheme on (a) economic growth and (b) attracting talent to the UK workforce.

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped as well as time-limited. We have also been clear that it should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters are subject to discussion. We cannot give a running commentary of ongoing negotiations.

22nd Oct 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of the European Union on the proposed EU Mobility Scheme outlined in the UK-EU Reset Deal.

We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We have agreed that any scheme will be capped as well as time-limited. We have also been clear that it should be in line with the UK’s existing schemes with countries like Australia and New Zealand. The exact parameters are subject to discussion. We cannot give a running commentary of ongoing negotiations.

28th Mar 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a UK-wide Future Generations Commissioner to promote (a) long-term policy planning and (b) intergenerational fairness across Government departments.

All children should have every opportunity to succeed, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or how much their parents earn. The Opportunity Mission will give the next generation the best start in life, help them achieve and thrive in excellent schools, and build skills for opportunity and growth. The mission has taken a number of steps to help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. These include expanding government-funded childcare, allocating £1.4bn to rebuild our schools, launching the curriculum review, announcing the creation of Foundation Apprenticeships and launching the first round of funding for 300 school-based nurseries. The government has also set-up a Ministerial Taskforce on Child Poverty, bringing in academia, local government and other sectors to develop a joint strategy on child poverty. There has been no specific assessment by the Cabinet Office of establishing a UK-wide Future Generations Commissioner.

Ellie Reeves
Attorney General
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what impact assessment she has made of EU CBAM charges on UK exports in 2026 and 2027, by sector.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on UK exporters. EU CBAM charges have applied since January 2026, although the obligation to purchase certificates rests with EU importers. Certificates relating to 2026 imports are not due until September 2027. Costs to UK exporters will depend on commercial factors and the operation of the regime, which continues to evolve. It is therefore too early to reliably assess impacts by sector. The Government is negotiating with the EU on linking our Emissions Trading Systems, which would facilitate mutual CBAM exemptions.

Blair McDougall
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent estimate he has made of the annual value of UK electric vehicle exports to the EU that would not meet the rules of origin due from 1 January 2027.

Stricter rules of origin for electric vehicles and their batteries are due to come into force under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement on 1 January 2027. We continue to engage closely with automotive manufacturers and the wider supply chain to assess readiness for these changes and the potential impacts on UK-EU trade. We understand there are challenges for exporters in meeting these new rules, given constraints on the availability of key battery materials and components. We share industry concerns and are working with the European Commission to address this issue and to find a solution which maintains tariff-free trade.

Blair McDougall
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of the proposed EU Industrial Accelerator Act on UK automotive and chemicals exports.

My department is looking closely at the proposed measures in the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act and is engaging with industry leaders and the EU institutions. The UK and EU have highly integrated industrial ecosystems, particularly in the automotive and chemicals sectors, with supply chains that support manufacturing, investment and growth across both markets. We will continue to assess the potential economic impacts for the UK chemical and automotive sectors while the proposal progresses through the EU’s legislative system.

Blair McDougall
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what impact assessment he has made of the rules of origin due from 1 January 2027 on UK electric vehicle exports to the EU.

Stricter rules of origin for electric vehicles and their batteries are due to come into force in 2027, where UK-EU trade risks facing 10% tariffs if rules are not met. We continue to assess the potential impact of these changes through ongoing engagement with automotive manufacturers, battery producers and the wider supply chain. Industry has highlighted challenges related to sourcing compliant batteries and key battery materials, reflecting the continued development of the European supply chain. We understand and share industry’s concerns and will continue to engage with the European Commission to find a solution that maintains tariff-free trade.

Blair McDougall
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Oct 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he will publish updated modelling of the potential economic benefits to the UK pharmaceutical sector of mutual recognition of GMP inspections and batch testing with the EU.

The Government recognises the potential benefits of reducing unnecessary duplication in the regulation of medicines traded between the UK and the European Union. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement already provides for mutual recognition of inspections of manufacturing facilities for good manufacturing practice. The Government has no current plans to publish updated modelling of the potential economic benefits of extending mutual recognition to pharmaceutical batch testing. We continue to consider available evidence and engage with industry and European partners on reducing barriers to trade while maintaining patient safety.

Blair McDougall
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)