Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of multiple sclerosis care in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are initiatives to support better care for patients with neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, across England, including in the Surrey Heath constituency. These include the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, and the Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP). NHS England’s NTP is a multi-year programme to develop a new model of integrated care for neurology services.

NHS England is also updating its Specialised Neurology service specification, which includes multiple sclerosis. Service specifications define the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England to provide specialised care.

Our 10-Year Health Plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from the hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention. We also plan to publish our refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver a transformed health service over the next decade and treat patients wherever they live in England, including those with multiple sclerosis, on time again.

The Department has also convened a new United Kingdom-wide neuro forum, which brings together the administrations, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services for their local population, including for multiple sclerosis. The Government expects ICBs, including the Surrey Heartlands ICB, which covers the Surrey Heath constituency, to assess the demand for service provision in designing their local services.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support people with multiple sclerosis in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are initiatives to support better care for patients with neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, across England, including in the Surrey Heath constituency. These include the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, and the Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP). NHS England’s NTP is a multi-year programme to develop a new model of integrated care for neurology services.

NHS England is also updating its Specialised Neurology service specification, which includes multiple sclerosis. Service specifications define the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England to provide specialised care.

Our 10-Year Health Plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move healthcare from the hospital to the community, from analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention. We also plan to publish our refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver a transformed health service over the next decade and treat patients wherever they live in England, including those with multiple sclerosis, on time again.

The Department has also convened a new United Kingdom-wide neuro forum, which brings together the administrations, health services, and Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The forum will share learnings across the UK, and discuss important neurology services transformation and workforce challenges, as well as best practice examples and potential solutions.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services for their local population, including for multiple sclerosis. The Government expects ICBs, including the Surrey Heartlands ICB, which covers the Surrey Heath constituency, to assess the demand for service provision in designing their local services.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of adopting aspects of the investigative model used by Operation Kenova to reform the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government is committed to repealing and replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. As part of that process, we are considering a range of options for ensuring the ICRIR is both fully ECHR compliant and capable of commanding public confidence across all communities in Northern Ireland.

During ongoing policy development, the Government is examining a number of operational models, including the one used by Operation Kenova, which has rightly been praised for its independence, and victim-centred approach.

The Government’s objective in this area is to ensure a reformed Commission is able to win the trust of families, and is underpinned by transparency, rigour and accountability at every level.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the number of specialty training places for doctors in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it, across all of the country.

To reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions. Ensuring we have the right people, in the right places, with the right skills will be central to this vision. We will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the NHS in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent progress his Department has made on repealing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has already begun the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government's Legacy Act. On 4 December 2024, I laid a proposed draft remedial order before Parliament that, if adopted, will remove from the Act a number of provisions that have been found by the NI courts to be incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations. These include all those relating to the immunity scheme, and the bar on new civil cases.

While we want to make progress as swiftly as possible, we remain committed to engaging widely with all interested parties to help determine what provisions should be included in new primary legislation. At the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) on 24 April, the Governments discussed Legacy issues, including proposals for legislative reform. As noted at BIIGC, the Government remains committed to introducing primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support ADHD awareness initiatives in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The Government is committed to creating a more inclusive society where neurodiverse people, including those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are supported to thrive.

NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is working to bring together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, with the report expected in the summer. Some of the key priorities that the taskforce is considering as part of its work include: tackling stigma; ensuring people with ADHD are treated with empathy, respect and understanding across society; and increasing awareness of the different ways that ADHD can present.

As part of their local Neurodiversity Transformation Plan, the NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB) is introducing neurodiversity advisors in schools to help provide support and to develop appropriate reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of neurodivergent children. The ICB is also continuing delivery of the Partnerships for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme, which brings together ICBs, local authorities, and schools, working in partnership with parents and carers to support schools to better meet the needs of neurodivergent children and their families.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding her Department provides for transport projects in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Since the beginning of this parliament, the Department has provided the following transport funding to Surrey County Council:

• Over £32 million of highways maintenance funding, an increase of 36% increase compared to what they received in 2024/25.

• £12 million of bus funding for financial year 2025/26, an increase of £8.1 million compared to what they received in 2024/25.

• £1.7 million to deliver an additional 12 Zero Emission Buses.

• Almost £2.8m capital and resource funding as part of the £381m Local EV Infrastructure Fund, to transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking in the area.

• Over £4.8 million in Integrated Transport Block funding to support local transport maintenance and enhancements.

How these funds are allocated within Surrey is a matter for Surrey County Council.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage people to transition to greener forms of transport in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Since the beginning of this parliament, the Department has provided the following transport funding to Surrey County Council:

• Over £32 million of highways maintenance funding, an increase of 36% increase compared to what they received in 2024/25.

• £12 million of bus funding for financial year 2025/26, an increase of £8.1 million compared to what they received in 2024/25.

• £1.7 million to deliver an additional 12 Zero Emission Buses.

• Almost £2.8m capital and resource funding as part of the £381m Local EV Infrastructure Fund, to transform the availability of EV charging for drivers without off-street parking in the area.

• Over £4.8 million in Integrated Transport Block funding to support local transport maintenance and enhancements.

How these funds are allocated within Surrey is a matter for Surrey County Council.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress he has made on the implementation of City and Growth Deals in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The UK Government is investing £617m through the four City and Growth Deals which cover the whole of Northern Ireland.

My officials meet regularly with their counterparts from the Northern Ireland Department of Finance to discuss delivery of each of the four Northern Ireland growth deals and ensure that each is progressing.

As part of the Government’s efforts to help drive forward implementation of the deals I have met with a range of stakeholders and delivery partners, including the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Minister of Finance to discuss the City and Growth Deals. Last year, I was delighted to sign the Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Full Deal at the Guildhall and the Mid South West Growth Deal’s Heads of Terms Document in Cookstown.

Both signings highlighted the collective efforts of the local councils involved and a demonstration of what can be achieved when we work together.

In Belfast, delivery is progressing. This year we will have the opening of Studio Ulster, and in 2026 we will see the opening of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in Newtonabbey which will support innovation excellence in Northern Ireland and provide over 1,500 permanent jobs, supporting this Government's Economic Growth Mission.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help protect children from criminal exploitation in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Tackling the criminal exploitation of children is an important strand of our work to halve knife crime under the Safer Streets Mission. Prevention and early intervention to stop young people being drawn into crime is an integral part of that mission including those being exploited by county lines gangs and those involved in violent crime.

We are introducing a new offence of child criminal exploitation in the Crime and Policing Bill to increase convictions against exploiters, deter gangs from enlisting children, and improve identification of victims. Alongside the offence, we are creating a new regime for CCE prevention orders to prevent exploitative conduct committed by adults against children from occurring or re-occurring

Through the County Lines Programme, we will continue to target exploitative drug dealing gangs and disrupt the organised crime groups behind this trade. Between July and September 2024, policing activity delivered through the County Lines Programme resulted in over 400 deal lines being closed, the arrest and charge of over 200 deal line holders, 500 arrests and 800 safeguarding referrals of children and vulnerable people. Through the Programme, we also fund specialist support for children and young people caught up in county lines and child criminal exploitation. More than 280 children and young people have received dedicated specialist support through our county lines support service since July 2024

While the majority of lines originate from the areas covered by the Metropolitan Police Service, West Midlands Police, Merseyside Police, and Greater Manchester Police, the county lines trade is a national issue. This is why, through the Home Office-funded County Lines Programme, we fund the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre to monitor the intelligence picture, identify and share effective practice, and co-ordinate the national law enforcement response. In addition, we have a dedicated surge fund which provides local forces with additional funding to tackle county lines, including Surrey Police.

As part of the Programme, the National County Lines Coordination Centre regularly coordinates weeks of intensive action against county lines gangs, which all police forces take part in. The most recent of these took place between 25 November to 1 December 2024, during which Surrey Police made 18 arrests and seized 2 drug lines, 55 bladed articles and 4 firearms.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the US-UK trade deal on Northern Ireland businesses.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK-US economic deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that directly employ over 320,000 people across the UK including Northern Ireland. What we have agreed will provide the foundation for a new reciprocal trading partnership between the US and the UK, as well as secure actions that will protect jobs and businesses across the country.

All along, we have continued to act in the best interests of all UK businesses which of course includes those in Northern Ireland, and we continue to engage with Northern Ireland counterparts to ensure the deal delivers for Northern Ireland business.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve bus connectivity in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The government is committed to seeing better, more reliable bus services delivered right across England. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce improvements to services and infrastructure to help improve connectivity. Surrey County Council has been allocated £12 million of this funding for this financial year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of bus service provision in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The government is committed to seeing better, more reliable bus services delivered right across England. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce improvements to services and infrastructure to help improve connectivity. Surrey County Council has been allocated £12 million of this funding for this financial year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data her Department holds on modes of transport used by commuters in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The Department holds information on the usual method of travel to work from the Travel to work, England and Wales: Census 2021 publication by the Office for National Statistics. According to this data, 46% of people in employment in the Surrey Heath constituency in 2021 usually travelled to work by driving a car or van. This was followed by 40% working mainly at or from home, and 5% on foot.

Census 2021 took place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a period of unparalleled and rapid change; the national lockdown, associated guidance and furlough measures will have affected the travel to work topic.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce assaults on (a) doctors and (b) nurses in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

Everyone working in the National Health Service has a fundamental right to be safe at work. There is a zero-tolerance approach to any incidents of violence against NHS staff.

Individual employers are responsible for the health and safety of their staff, and they put in place measures, including security, training, and emotional support for staff affected by violence. To support them, NHS England is working on initiatives to prevent and reduce violence and aggression from patients, their families, and the public.

On 9 April 2025, the Government announced that the Social Partnership Forum’s recommendations on tackling and reducing violence, part of the 2023 Agenda for Change pay deal, have been accepted. These include significant commitments to tackle violence and aggression against NHS staff, including improving data and the reporting of incidences, and ensuring strengthened risk assessments, training, and support for victims.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce car-related crimes in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government is determined to drive down vehicle crime and are working with the automotive industry and the police to ensure the strongest response possible to this damaging crime.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced measures to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing and supplying them. We have also introduced a provision in the Bill which allows the police to enter and search premises for specific stolen property which has been electronically geolocation tracked to a particular premises, without the need for a warrant. This includes vehicles.

In addition, the recently established National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group is focusing on steps to prevent and deter theft of and from vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce car theft in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government is determined to drive down vehicle crime and are working with the automotive industry and the police to ensure the strongest response possible to this damaging crime.

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced measures to ban electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing and supplying them. We have also introduced a provision in the Bill which allows the police to enter and search premises for specific stolen property which has been electronically geolocation tracked to a particular premises, without the need for a warrant. This includes vehicles.

In addition, the recently established National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group is focusing on steps to prevent and deter theft of and from vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle violence against police officers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Our police officers and staff perform vital roles every day in serving and protecting the public, often in challenging and dangerous circumstances, we will not tolerate them facing violence and abuse.

The Government is committed to supporting Chief Constables in meeting their responsibilities to protect their officers and staff. We are determined that the Police Covenant makes a tangible difference and have provided ongoing funding for the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS). The NPWS ensures police officers and staff have access to the health and wellbeing support they need, including providing personal and familial support for those who have been victims of assault.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of promoting transparency from the Building Safety Regulator through the regular publication of performance data on application processing times.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department and the Building Safety Regulator recognise the value to the sector in providing performance data. From this quarter, BSR will be publishing quarterly data demonstrating the volumes of applications received, recorded outcomes and decision times for determination.

MHCLG and BSR jointly keep BSR’s operational set up under review as a departmental priority. We are working with the BSR to undertake a further programme of enhancements to improve application processing times which we recognise are too long. Enhancements to the service will continue to scale up in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve literacy education in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure. Surrey Heath’s nearest English Hub is Whiteknights English Hub.

In the 2025/26 financial year, the government has committed £27.7 million to support and drive high and rising standards in reading and writing.

In the 2025/26 academic year, this funding will deliver a range of support for schools, including new training for primary schools which will be delivered through the English Hubs programme. This will help children progress from the early stages of phonics through to reading fluently by the time they leave primary school. There will also be new support and training for secondary schools to support reading at key stage 3.

The department will also publish a writing framework this summer, which will support schools in delivering high quality writing provision across England.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of literacy education in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

High and rising school standards, with excellent foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.

The English Hubs programme supports the teaching of phonics, early language development and reading for pleasure. Surrey Heath’s nearest English Hub is Whiteknights English Hub.

In the 2025/26 financial year, the government has committed £27.7 million to support and drive high and rising standards in reading and writing.

In the 2025/26 academic year, this funding will deliver a range of support for schools, including new training for primary schools which will be delivered through the English Hubs programme. This will help children progress from the early stages of phonics through to reading fluently by the time they leave primary school. There will also be new support and training for secondary schools to support reading at key stage 3.

The department will also publish a writing framework this summer, which will support schools in delivering high quality writing provision across England.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of discriminatory language in schools in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department is clear that any incident of discrimination and derogatory language is unacceptable and should be dealt with quickly and effectively by schools. All members of the school community are responsible for creating a positive, safe environment in which threats or abuse are not tolerated and everyone is treated respectfully.

The ‘Behaviour in schools’ guidance outlines that school staff should challenge all inappropriate language and behaviour between pupils, never normalising abusive language or behaviour by disregarding it or treating it as ‘banter’.

The relationships, sex and health education curriculum has a strong focus on equality, respect, the harmful impact of stereotyping, and the importance of valuing difference.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with Surrey County Council on providing clear guidance for feeder school arrangements for secondary schools in the Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Admission arrangements are set and applied locally. Provided they are lawful and comply with the school admissions code, it is for the school’s admission authority to decide what admissions criteria to set, and how they are applied. The admission authority for a community or voluntary controlled school is the local authority. For a foundation or voluntary aided school, it is the governing body, and for academy schools including free schools, it is the academy trust.

The code enables admission authorities to give priority to children attending named feeder schools, but are prohibited from naming fee-paying independent schools as feeder schools. The selection of a feeder school or schools as an oversubscription criterion must be transparent and made on reasonable grounds.

Once a school’s admission arrangements have been determined, anyone who believes they are unfair or unlawful may submit an objection to the Schools Adjudicator. Where the Adjudicator finds that a school’s admission arrangements are unlawful, they must revise their admission arrangements to give effect to the Adjudicator’s decision, which is binding and enforceable by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of establishing mechanisms to evaluate whether codes of practice issued by sector bodies are being effectively implemented in the management of retirement housing.

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

My Department has not assessed the effectiveness of trade associations in the retirement housing sector or the merits of evaluating codes of practices in the management of retirement housing.

There are two government approved codes of practice which outline best practice for managing agents, landlords or other relevant parties for the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing.

Where residents in leasehold properties, including retirement housing, are concerned about the management of their homes they may make a complaint against their landlord or managing agent, or seek a determination at the relevant court or tribunal. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings. We continue to work with industry on improving best practice including on any new codes proposed by the sector.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including developing an overarching regulatory approach to the sector to safeguard consumers and give certainty to investors: reviewing and assessing existing codes, their applicability to different sub-sectors and how large-scale monitoring programmes could be delivered to increase compliance with these codes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of trade associations in the retirement housing sector in (a) setting and (b) monitoring standards for leasehold property management.

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

My Department has not assessed the effectiveness of trade associations in the retirement housing sector or the merits of evaluating codes of practices in the management of retirement housing.

There are two government approved codes of practice which outline best practice for managing agents, landlords or other relevant parties for the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing.

Where residents in leasehold properties, including retirement housing, are concerned about the management of their homes they may make a complaint against their landlord or managing agent, or seek a determination at the relevant court or tribunal. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings. We continue to work with industry on improving best practice including on any new codes proposed by the sector.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including developing an overarching regulatory approach to the sector to safeguard consumers and give certainty to investors: reviewing and assessing existing codes, their applicability to different sub-sectors and how large-scale monitoring programmes could be delivered to increase compliance with these codes.

Question

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.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

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.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing greater oversight in the Single Justice Procedure for (a) elderly and (b) vulnerable defendants.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government keeps the operation of the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) under regular review. The SJP continues to be an important route for dealing with minor, non-imprisonable offences, such as certain vehicle-related offences, where the defendant has either pleaded guilty or not responded to an SJP Notice.

However, the Government is concerned about the consistency in standards of private prosecutors, including those who use the Single Justice Procedure. We know the importance of ensuring that the SJP is accessible and fair to all defendants, including those who are elderly or vulnerable.

That is why we launched a consultation on the Oversight and Regulation of Private Prosecutors which included a chapter on the SJP. This looks at the operation of the SJP generally, encompassing minor vehicle related offences. The consultation closed on 8 May and work is ongoing to analyse the responses received. These findings will inform future work in this area, including considerations for additional safeguards and support where appropriate, and we will legislate if necessary.

The Government response to the consultation is expected to be published later this year.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Single Justice Procedure in handling minor vehicle-related offences.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government keeps the operation of the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) under regular review. The SJP continues to be an important route for dealing with minor, non-imprisonable offences, such as certain vehicle-related offences, where the defendant has either pleaded guilty or not responded to an SJP Notice.

However, the Government is concerned about the consistency in standards of private prosecutors, including those who use the Single Justice Procedure. We know the importance of ensuring that the SJP is accessible and fair to all defendants, including those who are elderly or vulnerable.

That is why we launched a consultation on the Oversight and Regulation of Private Prosecutors which included a chapter on the SJP. This looks at the operation of the SJP generally, encompassing minor vehicle related offences. The consultation closed on 8 May and work is ongoing to analyse the responses received. These findings will inform future work in this area, including considerations for additional safeguards and support where appropriate, and we will legislate if necessary.

The Government response to the consultation is expected to be published later this year.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when her Department plans to publish a report on the findings of the consultation on the Single Justice Procedure.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government keeps the operation of the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) under regular review. The SJP continues to be an important route for dealing with minor, non-imprisonable offences, such as certain vehicle-related offences, where the defendant has either pleaded guilty or not responded to an SJP Notice.

However, the Government is concerned about the consistency in standards of private prosecutors, including those who use the Single Justice Procedure. We know the importance of ensuring that the SJP is accessible and fair to all defendants, including those who are elderly or vulnerable.

That is why we launched a consultation on the Oversight and Regulation of Private Prosecutors which included a chapter on the SJP. This looks at the operation of the SJP generally, encompassing minor vehicle related offences. The consultation closed on 8 May and work is ongoing to analyse the responses received. These findings will inform future work in this area, including considerations for additional safeguards and support where appropriate, and we will legislate if necessary.

The Government response to the consultation is expected to be published later this year.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure that disabled court users have equal access to (a) legal representation and (b) appropriate support in court jurisdictions.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Legally-aided advice and representation is available to disabled people on the same basis as it is to the wider population. The issue must usually be in-scope of legal aid, and applicants are subject to means and merits tests, if applicable.

Duty solicitors may be available in some proceedings to help ensure individuals, regardless of disability, are able to access representation.

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service offers on the day in-court emergency representation to anyone at risk of losing their home.

At the magistrates’ court, a disabled person who has been charged with a criminal offence is entitled to the same legal protections and support as any other defendant. This includes access to the Court Duty Solicitor Scheme, which provides free legal advice and assistance to unrepresented individuals on their first appearance.

With regards to financial eligibility for legal aid, there are several disability-related payments that are disregarded from the income assessment for criminal and civil legal aid. These include Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, direct payments and Attendance Allowance.

Our current grant programmes are providing over £6 million of grant funding up to March 2026 to over 60 organisations across the advice sector. This funding will help organisations to sustain and improve their legal support provision, including support at court where necessary.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) provides reasonable adjustments for disabled court and tribunal users in accordance with its legal duty under the Equality Act 2010. To meet its wider Public Sector Equality Duty and the commitments in its vulnerability action plan, HMCTS also has a wider duty to take steps to avoid treating people less favourably because of their disability. Court and tribunal users are encouraged to get in touch with HMCTS to discuss any particular adjustments or support they require, to enable their individual needs to be met when they attend court.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support Designated Safeguarding Leads in schools in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department recognises the incredibly important role designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) play in keeping children and young people safe in schools. We support them to do this through our robust safeguarding framework, ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (KCSIE), the statutory guidance that all schools and colleges, including schools in Surrey Heath constituency, must have regard to when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

KCSIE is clear that every school must have a DSL who should take lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection. Annex C of the guidance supports DSLs to understand the role and expectations placed on them.

The department regularly reviews KCSIE to see where it needs to be strengthened to ensure it continues to provide the support that DSLs need.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support pastoral teams in schools in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Schools have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of their pupils and are best placed to decide what pastoral support to provide based on the needs of their pupils, making the best use of their funding and taking the best available evidence-based advice. The Autumn Budget 2024 confirmed an additional £2.3 billion for the core schools budget for 2025/26 compared to 2024/25. This means that overall core schools funding will reach over £63.9 billion in 2025/26.

Good pastoral support is important to achieving high and rising standards in schools and breaking down barriers to opportunity, helping pupils to achieve and thrive in education.

Specifically in relation to pupil’s mental health and wellbeing, the government will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by 2029/30 by expanding NHS-funded Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). Expansion will be overseen by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and these teams currently cover 26% of pupils and learners in schools and colleges in Surrey Heartlands ICB, compared to 52% coverage nationally. ​

The government will also recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults, and open new Young Futures hubs with access to mental health support workers.

To support education staff, the department provides guidance and practical resources on promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing in schools. For example, a resources hub and a toolkit to help choose evidence-based early support for pupils. These can be found here: https://mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/whole-school-or-college-resources/.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing redress to people impacted by forced adoptions between 1945 and 1976.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

This abhorrent practice should never have taken place, and our deepest sympathies are with all those affected.

We take this issue extremely seriously and are considering what more can be done for those who were impacted by historical forced adoption.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of levels of access to hyperbaric treatment for people in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The Department has not undertaken an assessment for the Surrey Health constituency specifically.

A revised service specification for hyperbaric oxygen services in England was subjected to stakeholder testing in July 2024, and public consultation took place during September 2024.

NHS England published the feedback received in November 2024, which is available at the following link:

Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-engagement-report-November-2024.pdf

The updated service specification was published in January 2025, and is available at the following link:

Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdf

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the use of food banks in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. To inform this work, DWP officials have engaged with a range of organisations to better understand the complex food support landscape. We also continue to provide substantial funding to Local Authorities to support those most in need and extended the Household Support Fund by a further year until March 2026, providing funding of £742 million in England. This will ensure low-income households can continue to access support towards the cost of essentials, such as food.

Alongside this, the Child Poverty Taskforce is exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. The Strategy will look at four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. Our plan to Make Work Pay, will help more people to stay in work, improve job security and boost living standards, including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour to boost the pay of three million workers. It is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.

Surrey Search and Rescue

Gaza (No. 2)

40th anniversary of Surrey Research Park

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Progress in UK-EU relations

Political parties at Pride

Universities and international students

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chris Bloore; Claire Hanna; Leigh Ingham; Katrina Murray; Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Sarah Dyke Ian Sollom Richard Foord Daisy Cooper Freddie van Mierlo Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Dr Allison Gardner Dave Robertson Jacob Collier Josh Newbury Mike Martin Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Dr Allison Gardner Dave Robertson Jacob Collier Josh Newbury Mike Martin Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: David Baines Dr Allison Gardner Dave Robertson Jacob Collier Josh Newbury Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: required “(zg) Not called_NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: required “(zg) Not called_NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Perteghella Adam Jogee Kim Leadbeater Chris Bloore Jess Brown-Fuller Yasmin Qureshi Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: will be required “(zg) _NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Adam Jogee Kim Leadbeater Chris Bloore Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: will be required “(zg) _NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Vaz Zöe Franklin Liam Conlon Mary Glindon Sarah Smith Andrew Rosindell Leigh Ingham Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Adam Jogee Kim Leadbeater Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: will be required “(zg) _NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Jodie Gosling Kate Osamor Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: will be required “(zg) _NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: McDonald Rebecca Smith Dan Aldridge Naz Shah Florence Eshalomi David Mundell Daniel Francis Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Adrian Ramsay Jodie Gosling Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Manuela Perteghella Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: will be required “(zg) _NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: McDonald Rebecca Smith Dan Aldridge Naz Shah Florence Eshalomi David Mundell Daniel Francis Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Rebecca Smith Dan Aldridge Naz Shah Florence Eshalomi David Mundell Daniel Francis Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Cooper Ruth Cadbury Adrian Ramsay Jodie Gosling Graeme Downie Andy Slaughter Tom Gordon Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Thursday 15 May 2025 62 _NC64 Jess Brown-Fuller Gideon Amos Olly Glover Edward Morello Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: McDonald Rebecca Smith Dan Aldridge Naz Shah Florence Eshalomi David Mundell Daniel Francis Dr Al Pinkerton