Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available for families of individuals with substance misuse and addiction.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
From this year, all drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding will be channelled through the Public Health Grant, with over £13.45 billion allocated across three years, including £3.4 billion ringfenced for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services according to local need and can use this funding to support the families of individuals with a drug and/or alcohol treatment need.
The Department has published guidance specifically for adult treatment, and children and family services on how to effectively work together to support families affected by addiction. This is available at the following link:
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
What role the UK is playing in NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic programme.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The UK plays a leading role in NATO DIANA, hosting DIANA’s European Regional Office in London, where NATO staff develop defence innovation challenge programmes.
The UK also provides an accelerator and five Test Centres to DIANA’s network.
27 UK start-ups are participating in DIANA’s 2026 Challenge programmes, the highest number of any nation in the Alliance.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
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 Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on meeting national targets on Autism and ADHD assessments in children.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions on a wide range of matters, including with trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs).
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future and recognises the need for early intervention and support.
It is the responsibility of ICBs to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to neurodevelopmental assessments.
Through the Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for autism and ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to increase the level of funding and resources for local authorities for the purpose of regulating and approving Sustainable Drainage Systems.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to improving the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). As part of this commitment, we will consider local authority funding for regulating and approving SuDS.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to issue national guidance on the application of sustainable drainage systems.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). In December 2024, we made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to support increased delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems.
The department is now consulting on a revised National Planning Policy Framework – including for flood risk and Sustainable Drainage Systems – and, separately, on proposals to increase adoption of shared amenities, with planned guidance to ensure lifetime maintenance.
In June 2025, the Government introduced new national standards. (opens in a new tab)Better delivery of SuDS may be achieved by continuing to improve the current planning policy-based approach and looking at ways of improving the approach to adoption and maintenance, rather than commencing Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on this matter will be made in due course.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to be brought into force in England.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). In December 2024, we made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to support increased delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems.
The department is now consulting on a revised National Planning Policy Framework – including for flood risk and Sustainable Drainage Systems – and, separately, on proposals to increase adoption of shared amenities, with planned guidance to ensure lifetime maintenance.
In June 2025, the Government introduced new national standards. (opens in a new tab)Better delivery of SuDS may be achieved by continuing to improve the current planning policy-based approach and looking at ways of improving the approach to adoption and maintenance, rather than commencing Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on this matter will be made in due course.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any further action or information is needed to determine whether final approval for the rebuild of the Weybridge Health Centre will be granted.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Final approval for the business case for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre was granted by NHS England on 4 November 2025. Planning approvals have been secured, and pre-construction demolition began on 10 November 2025. Full construction is scheduled to start in late January 2026.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions and correspondence he and his officials have had on the decision for final approval of the rebuild of the Weybridge Health Centre; and what timescale has been established for a final decision to be made.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Final approval for the business case for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre was granted by NHS England on 4 November 2025. Planning approvals have been secured, and pre-construction demolition began on 10 November 2025. Full construction is scheduled to start in late January 2026.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 29 September 2025, (b) 28 October 2025 and (c) 2 December 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35015 and MC2025/93558.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department has responded to the correspondence in question on Tuesday 13th January 2026.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with AI companies on the potential risks of the provision of advice by AI programmes that would otherwise be provided by a regulated individual or entity.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We regularly meet with industry stakeholders, including AI firms, on potential risks that AI poses to businesses and the public.
There are a range of existing rules that already apply to AI systems to address risks, with the UK’s expert regulators empowered to apply rules in their own areas of competence. The government will act where these laws are not enough to ensure safe use.