Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her department has assessed how local authorities' interpretations of blue badge regulations differ.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department has not conducted an assessment of how local authorities' interpretations of Blue Badge regulations differ. The Department expects all local authorities to comply with the relevant Blue Badge legislation.
Within that framework, local authorities are responsible for determining and implementing the administrative, assessment, and enforcement procedures they consider to be in accordance with the governing legislation.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on the use of surveillance cameras manufactured by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People's Republic of China.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
In November 2022, the previous administration instructed all government departments to cease deployment of surveillance equipment on their sensitive sites where it is manufactured by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China. As I confirmed in my statement on Tuesday 18 November 2025, all sensitive sites originally identified with such equipment have now finished their replacement work.
The National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Agency provide extensive support to local authorities to mitigate threats to national security – including guidance on surveillance equipment. This guidance is available to all, including local authorities, on the NPSA Protected Procurement webpage.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the role of the new local assurance board in Surrey.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government is committed to working closely with councils to ensure the right support is available throughout local government reorganisation implementation to mitigate key risks and challenges. As part of this, we have established an Implementation Forum to provide assurance and support for Surrey. Its role is to identify and mitigate risks that could affect delivery, secure cross-government coordination, and identify any support required to enable successful implementation.
As such, the Surrey Implementation Forum will support the successful establishment of East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council by testing implementation plans and reviewing progress against a set of 22 delivery indicators. These indicators were described in the “Sector Support Note” that was shared with MPs on 16 July 2026 and published on gov.uk. They have been developed with local government colleagues and build on lessons learnt from previous reorganisations. The Forum will meet on a quarterly basis, bringing together representatives of Surrey’s Implementation Team with officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care and other Government departments as required.
Equivalent arrangements are being put in place across all areas undergoing local government reorganisation.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the surface access requirements in the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) will require the promoter to deliver or fund a direct rail route between Woking and Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of surface access to any future expansion of Heathrow Airport.
The draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement states that enhanced rail connectivity is necessary to support expansion and achieve public transport mode share targets. It requires any expansion promoter to set out in its surface access strategy, required as part of the development consent process, the rail enhancements it proposes to deliver, together with a credible delivery plan and how any necessary schemes will be financed, developed with Network Rail and other relevant stakeholders.
The Government has not identified a preferred rail scheme, giving promoters flexibility to develop proposals that support their wider surface access strategy.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her department has assessed the potential merits of increasing the service pupil premium.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
This government is committed to improving outcomes for all children, including those from service families. The department works closely with the Ministry of Defence to support service pupils and help schools address challenges associated with service life, including mobility and family separation.
Schools receive Service Pupil Premium funding to provide additional pastoral and educational support. Current evidence shows that service pupils generally achieve attainment and progression outcomes comparable to their non-service peers, suggesting that the support available, including the Service Pupil Premium, make a positive impact.
The department keeps all education funding arrangements under review as part of wider policy and spending considerations.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to continue the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK.
The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability. The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme has been extended, allowing Ukrainians who continue to require sanctuary in the UK to apply for a further 24 months' permission. Through UPE, eligible individuals can secure up to three and a half years' permission in total, in addition to any permission previously granted under the Ukraine Schemes.
This means the first grants made under the UPE extension will not begin to expire until August 2028. The Government recognises the importance of longer-term clarity and will ensure that a clear position is in place before those extensions begin to expire.
No decisions have yet been taken on whether the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme will continue beyond the current extension period. The Government is actively considering the future position, drawing on evidence from across government, academia, civil society and stakeholder engagement. It will respond in a responsible and considered manner and intends to make a further statement as soon as it is possible, to support Ukrainians in planning effectively for their futures.