Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of data-sharing between the Child Maintenance Service and HM Revenue and Customs in detecting income manipulation.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As a principal part of the service design, the department uses data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and its own benefits data to assess 91% of Paying Parents earned income and benefit status, which are key parts of the maintenance calculation. We also receive evidence of income directly from Universal Credit where a customer is in receipt of Universal Credit with earnings.

Primarily, calculations are based on historic income amounts from the latest available tax year, provided via interface by HMRC, where a complete tax year is available within the last 6 years. Where historic tax year information is unavailable, or a customer requests a supersession on the basis that PP income is 25% different from the historic amount, we have two routes based on the PP employment circumstances:

• Where a customer is employed, we directly interface with Real Time Information (RTI) to obtain real time evidence of a customer’s current income.

• Where a customer is self-employed, we require a fully complete and verified Self-Assessment Tax Return, of a more current tax year that that provided previously by HMRC. This negates mid-year changes for Self Employed customers as self-employed income can fluctuate from month to month.

Where a paying parent receives unearned income which can be legally considered in assessing child maintenance either parent can request a variation to the normal maintenance calculation. Cases involving suspected misrepresentation or fraudulent behaviour can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU). This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions to check the accuracy of information the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is given.

Where a change to current income is applied, CMS will further verify this against HMRC evidence at Annual Review, and again at a Periodic Current Income Check (+11 months from change to Current Income) to re-verify the income evidence with RTI. This provides comprehensive assurance as it is independent of the Paying Parent and directly interfaces with HMRC, reducing the opportunity for misrepresentation or inaccuracies. We have increased the proportion of changes where we automatically interface with RTI, including changes instigated by Receiving Parents.

In October 2023, the Government announced intentions to introduce legislation so that unearned income can be considered automatically when the maintenance calculation is made to ensure a paying parent’s maintenance calculation reflects their ability to pay. We are currently engaging with stakeholders on how best to implement this.

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 help improve timely diagnosis and access to treatment for heart valve disease in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The Department has made no specific assessment. The Frimley Health Foundation Trust (FHFT) has been developing a pathway for breathlessness to support diagnosis and will be providing access for Surrey residents, including through a community diagnostic centre (CDC).

The FHFT is also testing a new rapid access diagnostic pathway with a multi-disciplinary team for respiratory and cardiology, to agree a diagnosis and treatment plan for people with heart valve disease. The new pathway has been tested at Heatherwood Hospital and is shortly going live in the CDC. The FHFT will also roll this pathway out more widely across the trust shortly.

Nationally, the Government is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke across England. To accelerate progress and tackle variation across the country, a new CVD Modern Service Framework is currently in development.

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 (a) early detection and (b) diagnostic pathways for heart valve disease in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The Department has made no specific assessment. The Frimley Health Foundation Trust (FHFT) has been developing a pathway for breathlessness to support diagnosis and will be providing access for Surrey residents, including through a community diagnostic centre (CDC).

The FHFT is also testing a new rapid access diagnostic pathway with a multi-disciplinary team for respiratory and cardiology, to agree a diagnosis and treatment plan for people with heart valve disease. The new pathway has been tested at Heatherwood Hospital and is shortly going live in the CDC. The FHFT will also roll this pathway out more widely across the trust shortly.

Nationally, the Government is committed to achieving a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke across England. To accelerate progress and tackle variation across the country, a new CVD Modern Service Framework is currently in development.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to help ensure that people are adequately supported to maintain an active lifestyle at each stage of life in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring people of all ages should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities to maintain an active lifestyle.

The Government provides the majority of support for community sport through Sport England, our Arm’s Length Body for grassroots sport, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery Funding. Sport England’s work focuses on increasing participation in grassroots sport, including through campaigns and guidance, providing more opportunities for people of all ages to be active.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of improved early intervention and diagnostic methodologies for children with special educational needs on levels of SEND provision in local authorities.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Effective early identification and intervention is critical in improving the outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Access to support should not be dependent on a child or young person having a diagnosis, and a diagnosis alone does not help a teacher know what strategies to use to support that child in the classroom.

As set out in the SEND reform consultation document “Putting Children and Young People First”, the department will develop National Inclusion Standards. These will set out evidence-informed tools, strategies and approaches for educators to draw on to identify and support children and young people with additional needs, before those needs escalate. By 2028, we will have invested up to £15 million to build the evidence base for, and then provide, National Inclusion Standards.

In addition, government-backed research delivered by UK Research Innovation in partnership with the department will aim to develop and roll out approaches for the early identification, strengths and needs assessment, and support of children and young people with special educational needs.

The department and NHS England continue to track the progress that the Surrey Local Area Partnership is making following its Ofsted/CQC SEND inspection in September 2023, which found inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, alongside providing on-going advice, support and challenge.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of improving methodologies for (a) early intervention and (b) diagnosis of children with special educational needs in (i) Surrey and (ii) Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Effective early identification and intervention is critical in improving the outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Access to support should not be dependent on a child or young person having a diagnosis, and a diagnosis alone does not help a teacher know what strategies to use to support that child in the classroom.

As set out in the SEND reform consultation document “Putting Children and Young People First”, the department will develop National Inclusion Standards. These will set out evidence-informed tools, strategies and approaches for educators to draw on to identify and support children and young people with additional needs, before those needs escalate. By 2028, we will have invested up to £15 million to build the evidence base for, and then provide, National Inclusion Standards.

In addition, government-backed research delivered by UK Research Innovation in partnership with the department will aim to develop and roll out approaches for the early identification, strengths and needs assessment, and support of children and young people with special educational needs.

The department and NHS England continue to track the progress that the Surrey Local Area Partnership is making following its Ofsted/CQC SEND inspection in September 2023, which found inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, alongside providing on-going advice, support and challenge.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent trends in levels of antisemitism in Surrey.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why we’re taking a strong lead in tackling it in all its forms, wherever it manifests.

We work closely with partners to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities throughout the UK.

This includes working together with the Jewish community to monitor levels of religiously motivated hatred.

On 17 December 2026, the government published a paper setting out recent actions to combat antisemitism. Further information is available here. This is just the start. We are continuing to work, at pace, across government to combat antisemitism in all corners of our society.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanisms are available to review child maintenance assessments where a paying parent is suspected of diverting income through (a) cash-based and (b) self-employed business activity.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) focuses on maximising compliance and identifying hidden earnings through measures such as data sharing with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HMRC for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Use of historic income ensures a stable calculation, which we know from customer feedback is valued as it enables parents to rely on maintenance for financial planning purposes.

In the event a receiving parent believes a paying parent’s earnings are not captured in the standard calculation using HMRC gross income data, they can apply for a variation, under which certain other categories of income can be considered.

Cases where the CMS has reason to believe Paying Parents may be hiding their income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information that the CMS is given. If any discrepancies are found, they can implement a correct maintenance liability that is supported by CMS legislation.

The department is currently reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) investigate suspected under-declaration of income within the Child Maintenance Service.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) focuses on maximising compliance and identifying hidden earnings through measures such as data sharing with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HMRC for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Use of historic income ensures a stable calculation, which we know from customer feedback is valued as it enables parents to rely on maintenance for financial planning purposes.

In the event a receiving parent believes a paying parent’s earnings are not captured in the standard calculation using HMRC gross income data, they can apply for a variation, under which certain other categories of income can be considered.

Cases where the CMS has reason to believe Paying Parents may be hiding their income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information that the CMS is given. If any discrepancies are found, they can implement a correct maintenance liability that is supported by CMS legislation.

The department is currently reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the role of sport in health outcomes for young people with Down's syndrome in Surrey.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No discussions have taken place between the Department of Health and Social Care and Department for Culture, Media and Sport about young people with Down syndrome in Surrey and the role of sport in health outcomes.

The UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines for disabled young people sets out the benefits of movement and strength activities, which includes helping to support disabled young people’s well-being, mood, development of healthy muscles, balance, and motor skills.

Through our 10-Year Health Plan, Government departments are working together to break down the barriers people face and help get more people moving. This includes development of a national plan for physical activity and a new way to deliver physical education, sport, and physical activity in schools. This work provides us with opportunities to improve ways for disabled young people to enjoy and benefit from sport, play and physical activity, whether in school, through local sports clubs, or in leisure centres and play spaces, making use of parks and nature.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support people with musculoskeletal conditions into work in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Just under 18 million people in England were estimated to be affected by musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in 2023 and improving their health and work outcomes will help deliver this government's mission to kickstart economic growth.

MSK problems were one of the leading causes of sickness absence in the UK in 2024. Early detection and prevention, including increasing access to employment advice, can support people with MSK conditions getting into and remaining in work.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including MSK conditions, with their employment journey. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including in Surrey and Surrey Heath, such as support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well Connect to Work and WorkWell.

We are also working to deliver the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. GIRFT teams are working with health system leaders, including in Surrey Heartlands ICB, to further reduce MSK community wait lists, which are the highest of all community waiting lists in England, and improve data and metrics and referral pathways to wider support services.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Report Fraud.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The Home Office regularly reviews the performance of Report Fraud to ensure the service is delivering improved outcomes for victims and strengthening the national response to fraud. The new service offers better management information to track and monitor service performance and a new performance dashboard to monitor outcomes and identify emerging fraud threats.

Recent data from the service shows that in December 2025 alone, eleven thousand more calls were answered compared to December 2024.

Furthermore, cases sent to police forces in January 2026 were at a higher level than January 2025. However, data is not yet available on the proportion of these cases sent to forces that are being taken forward by forces for investigation.

Since Report Fraud has gone live in December 2025, the service has been able to assist victims in recovering £1.8 million. Data from Report Fraud in January 2026 alone shows victims had a call satisfaction of 92%, Webchat satisfaction of 100%, and chatbot satisfaction of 90%.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure fraud offences affecting small businesses are properly investigated in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

Fraud is a serious and growing threat to businesses, including small businesses, and the Government is committed to ensuring that fraud offences are properly investigated and prevented.

The Government has taken steps to ensure that Fraud is reflected in local policing priorities. This includes improving reporting through the new Report Fraud service and strengthening law enforcement capability through the National Fraud Squad.

Police forces in England and Wales will now be assessed on an ongoing basis on their fraud response as part of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy Framework.

The national Stop! Think Fraud campaign, provides practical advice to help people and businesses protect themselves. In addition, we have published a dedicated checklist for small businesses to help small firms reduce their exposure to fraud.

Fraud often begins with a cyber-attack. The Government funds a network of regional Cyber Resilience Centres across England and Wales, which provide trusted, tailored advice and support to businesses.

The Government will soon publish a new Fraud Strategy which will outline further measures to tackle fraud against business.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help improve the private rented sector for tenants in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

A summary of the measures in the Renters’ Rights Act can be found on gov.uk here and a roadmap for implementation can be found on gov.uk here.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) already apply in the private rented sector, requiring landlords to ensure their properties meet at least an EPC rating of E. Local authorities have powers to enforce these standards. Under the updated PRS MEES framework, this minimum standard will rise to EPC C by 2030. This change will help tenants benefit from lower energy bills and warmer, healthier homes that are less prone to damp and mould, contributing to reduced fuel poverty.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the extent to which local police forces engage directly with victims of fraud in cases involving physical premises and identifiable suspects.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Reports of fraud and cyber crime are made through Report Fraud, the new national fraud reporting service which became operational in December 2025. These reports are assessed centrally and disseminated to local police forces wherever there are viable lines of enquiry, including cases involving identifiable local suspects or physical premises. It is then for the relevant police force to engage directly with victims and implement appropriate safeguarding measures.

Report Fraud is designed to improve the quality of information provided to policing and strengthen communication with victims. Alongside this, the National Fraud Squad is focused on the most serious and complex cases, enabling local forces to give greater attention to cases with a clear local footprint.

Victims can access the Report Fraud Victim Services (formerly the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit), which delivers a care and support offer for victims of fraud and cyber crime where their cases have not been disseminated for investigation. Any victims assessed to be in the highest tier of vulnerability will be disseminated to local forces for safeguarding purposes, so they can receive the appropriate in-person support.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen the regulatory powers of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to tackle (a) number plate cloning and (b) the use of ghost plates.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the decentralised number plate supplier registration model on the effective operation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has held with the Home Office on a whole-system review of vehicle registration mark security to address organised crime.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has assessed the potential merits of updating legislation to help ensure the vehicle registration system remains adequate and compatible with contemporary digital technology.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential for a self-funding regulatory model for number plate suppliers to increase the frequency of enforcement audits.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the current number plate supplier registration framework in providing sufficient audit capability to prevent misuse.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current fee structure for number plate supplier registration in providing resources for enforcement activity.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are considering options to ensure a more robust and auditable Register of Number Plate Supplier (RNPS) process which would enable more stringent checks on suppliers. This includes consideration of the relevant legislation, fees, structure, resources and funding to help ensure sufficient auditing capability.

The DVLA is also working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other government departments to improve the identification and enforcement of number plate crime. This includes options for making number plates more secure. The Department and the DVLA acknowledge the impact illegal number plates have on law enforcement and the effectiveness of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems.

The Home Office is responsible for the national ANPR service and issues guidance on its use as part of the national ANPR standards for policing and law enforcement. Therefore, the Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the impacts on ANPR operations.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy on 7 January, setting out its vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of this, the Department has published a consultation which seeks views on the introduction of penalty points and vehicle seizure for the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle with an incorrect/altered/false number plate. Further consideration to potential changes will be given following the consultation.

The DVLA continually seeks opportunities to improve the accuracy of the vehicle register and to innovate and enhance its digital services. The DVLA is currently consider the requirement for legislative amendments which may be needed to facilitate updates and improvements to vehicle services.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Building Safety Regulator in Surrey.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is actively involved in ensuring the safety of several Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs) in Surrey. The BSR’s data for Surrey shows that:

There are 71 Registered HRBs with 86 structures.

• 12 have been directed for Building Assessment Certificate
• 1 has been Approved and 2 Refused, the remainder remain under assessment
• 6 HRBs in the Surrey region have had Investigations. Four investigations have been closed and 2 remain ongoing.
• One investigation resulted in Enforcement action being taken in the form of a contravention letter.

In terms of Building Control, the BSR’s data shows that:

• 4 Building Control applications have been received

• 1 has been rejected with the remaining 3 awaiting a decision.

The BSR continues to work with stakeholders and industry to improve the quality of applications and to drive up approval rates.

Wilf Peddle’s 1964 Morris Minor Van at The Somerset Rural Life Museum

Leasehold reform (No. 3)

Royal Surrey County Hospital research funding

Heating oil prices

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

Scotland’s curlers

Free school meal holiday voucher scheme in Surrey

Energy prices for households and businesses

Understanding of Tourette Syndrome

Airport drop-off charges

UNESCO World Heritage status for chalk streams in England

Outdoor learning

Centenary of Babbacombe Cliff Railway in Torquay

125th anniversary of The Forest Club, Starbeck

Ambulance handover times

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust

Recognition of armed forces personnel wounded in terrorist attacks outside of operational deployment

30th anniversary of the Dunblane Primary School tragedy

Congratulations to Hollie Davidson

Bishop Andrew Watson

Eating disorder services

Temporary accommodation and its impact on neurodivergent children

Fundraising for brain tumour research

NHS dentistry

International Women's Day 2026 and women’s inclusion in placemaking

Cardiac risk in the young

Covid Day of Reflection 2026

National Keep Britain Tidy Campaign

Funding for rural fire and rescue services

Conduct of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

Dame Anne Pringle elected Chancellor at University of St Andrews

Palantir and the NHS

Refugee homelessness and the asylum move-on period

Removal of statutory consultee status from Sport England

Community sport spaces and Sport England

Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

Review of the student loan system

Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund 2026-27

Securing the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

Recognition of Ukrainian driving licences

Dual nationals without British passports

Found: Conservative, Broadland and Fakenham) (added 21 Oct 2024; removed 16 Dec 2024) 2 of 5 (40.0%) Dr Al Pinkerton

Found: Questions 1-2 Representations made [I]: Dr Al Pinkerton Written evidence from witnesses: – [Add names