Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has received complaints on the use of automated GP booking systems leading to (a) administrative and (b) clinical errors in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
All digital tools used in primary care must meet minimum functionality standards set by NHS England, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience. NHS England provides commercial and procurement support to guarantee that all digital solutions comply with nationally specified clinical safety and technical standards
Online consultation tools offer patients an option to contact their general practice (GP) digitally, allowing them to manage appointments, view and request repeat prescriptions, and register electronically with GP surgeries. They are specifically designed to simplify administrative processes
Experience suggests that extending online access provides significant benefits to both patients and practices. With more patients using online options, phone lines are less busy, which increases availability for those who need additional help or more urgent care
It remains the responsibility of the practice and clinicians to ensure that all patient requests are dealt with appropriately, and that urgent cases are identified and managed safely.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
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 (a) efficiency and (b) clinical safety of automated online systems for managing GP appointment requests.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
All digital tools used in primary care must meet minimum functionality standards set by NHS England, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience. NHS England provides commercial and procurement support to guarantee that all digital solutions comply with nationally specified clinical safety and technical standards
Online consultation tools offer patients an option to contact their general practice (GP) digitally, allowing them to manage appointments, view and request repeat prescriptions, and register electronically with GP surgeries. They are specifically designed to simplify administrative processes
Experience suggests that extending online access provides significant benefits to both patients and practices. With more patients using online options, phone lines are less busy, which increases availability for those who need additional help or more urgent care
It remains the responsibility of the practice and clinicians to ensure that all patient requests are dealt with appropriately, and that urgent cases are identified and managed safely.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings his Department has had with the European Union on the proposed UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme since the announcement of the UK-EU Reset Deal.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU at the UK-EU Summit. The exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiations. Since the Summit we have held a number of rounds of negotiations with the European Commission regarding outcomes of the Common Understanding, including a youth experience scheme, as well as other areas including a food and drink deal (SPS) and linking our carbon markets (ETS) that started this week.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support nature restoration projects in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government provides a range of funding, incentives and advisory support to nature restoration and climate action across the country.
Surrey County Council is the responsible authority for preparing the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which will agree priorities for nature recovery in the area and identify and map the best locations for action to be taken to benefit nature and the wider environment. The Surrey LNRS has recently completed public consultation and is now preparing to be published.
On climate, we are also committed to working in partnership with local Government, recognising the essential role that local communities play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Our support includes the Local Authority Climate Service, a tool which provides Met Office climate data to local authorities based on their specific geographic areas, enabling them to take more effective decisions based on their local risk landscape.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of (a) emissions and (b) environmental impacts associated with supply chains in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
(a) Defra publishes statistics each year on the UK’s carbon footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chains of goods and services used by UK residents. These data are also available for England only. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint
(b) In June the government consulted on a framework of policies to build the market for low-carbon industrial products, alongside the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan. The policies aim to deliver the guidance, tools, and levers to enable buyers to make informed choices through better information on the carbon content of industrial goods, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete sectors.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that students with additional needs have access to mandatory online homework platforms in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
Schools determine homework volume and format in collaboration with staff, pupils, parents, and governors. Digital tools can support learning and enhance parental engagement by providing visibility into tasks and progress. However, access to devices remains uneven. In 2024, 34% of parents reported their child lacked continuous access to a device for online schoolwork. Schools should offer alternative homework options for pupils with limited device access.
The department is committed to ensuring all students, including those with additional needs, can safely and effectively use digital tools. While data for Surrey Heath isn’t available, the department has published digital accessibility standards to help schools implement inclusive technology strategies. The 'Plan Technology for Your School' service supports strategic digital planning. The department continues working with schools and providers to ensure no child is left behind.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is undertaking to support public engagement on (a) climate and (b) nature issues in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The UK Government provides a range of funding, incentives and advisory support to nature restoration and climate action across the country.
Surrey County Council is the responsible authority for preparing the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which will agree priorities for nature recovery in the area and identify and map the best locations for action to be taken to benefit nature and the wider environment. The Surrey LNRS has recently completed public consultation and is now preparing to be published.
On climate, we are also committed to working in partnership with local Government, recognising the essential role that local communities play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Our support includes the Local Authority Climate Service, a tool which provides Met Office climate data to local authorities based on their specific geographic areas, enabling them to take more effective decisions based on their local risk landscape.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of protections in place for homes situated next to Farnborough Airport in the context of expansion proposals.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Assessment of the adequacy of protections for homes situated next to Farnborough Airport is a matter for Rushmoor Borough Council as the local planning authority responsible for considering the airport’s planning application for expansion.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
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 negotiating regulatory alignment with the European Medicines Agency.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department continuously monitors the medicine regulations of our international partners, including the European Union, to determine whether to adopt similar regulations, whilst protecting the safety and competitive advantage of the United Kingdom.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency works closely with a range of international regulatory authorities, including the European Medicines Agency, through several international regulatory groups such as the International Council for Harmonisation, the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities, and the International Medical Device Regulators Forum.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many theory test certificates have expired before a learner was able to sit a practical driving test in the South East since 2020.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is not able estimate the number of theory test certificates that have expired due to learners being unable to sit a practical driving test in the Southeast. Some learners who pass their theory test might decide, due to various reasons, not to book or take their practical driving test.
DVSA is doing everything it can to ensure that learners can access practical tests within the theory test validity period, to prevent candidates from having to retake the theory test.
The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.
Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.