Al Pinkerton MP: written questions
1577 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Local Government: SurreyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106268More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost-savings from creating unitary authorities in Surrey.
Answer: It was for local areas to submit proposals for government to consider on how local councils should be reorganised. Surrey’s proposals were considered according to the criteria set out in the government’s invitation letter, which includes evidence to suppo...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: SurreyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106262More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what comparative estimate his Department has made of (a) the proposed population size of the West Surrey Unitary Authority and (b) other unitary authorities in England.
Answer: The proposal from Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council set out that, based on the 2021 census population data, East Surrey Council would have a population of 545,798, and West Surrey Council 657,309. The Secret...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: SurreyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106261More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what comparative estimate his Department has made of the (a) proposed population size of the West Surrey Unitary Authority and (b) largest and (c) smallest unitary authorities in
Answer: The proposal from Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council set out that, based on the 2021 census population data, East Surrey Council would have a population of 545,798, and West Surrey Council 657,309. The Secret...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: SurreyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106259More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what comparative estimate his Department has made of the (a) proposed population size of the West Surrey Unitary Authority and (b) average population size of unitary authorities
Answer: The proposal from Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council set out that, based on the 2021 census population data, East Surrey Council would have a population of 545,798, and West Surrey Council 657,309. The Secret...
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFires: Lithium-ion BatteriesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106223More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of fire and rescue services to respond to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries on strategic road networks.
Answer: The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government is working closely with Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) and officials from other Government Departments to build an evidence base, share intelligence and develop mitigations to tackle the fire ri...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106222More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on national guidance for dealing with incidents involving lithium-ion batteries on the strategic road network.
Answer: The Department for Transport works closely with the Home Office and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government on lithium battery safety. The Government has published guidance for roadside recovery operators working with electric vehicles,...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: SurreyDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106221More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on preparedness for incidents involving new vehicle technologies on strategic road networks in (a) Surrey Heath constituency and (b) Surrey.
Answer: The Department actively engages with all Local Authorities, including Surrey County Council, when discussing preparedness and proposed measures to mitigate against incidents involving new vehicle technologies. National Highways regularly reviews and updat...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106220More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of national standards and guidance for managing incidents on strategic road networks.
Answer: National Highways works closely with emergency service partners and other specialist responders to ensure England’s motorways and larger A-roads are as safe and reliable as they can be.National Highways developed the Strategic Road Responders Agreement wh...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSecurity Action for EuropeMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106008More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what modelling his Department conducted on the potential economic benefits of accessing the European Union's SAFE programme.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence, working with officials across His Majesty's Government, thoroughly assessed the possible economic benefit from participation in the SAFE initiative across a range of market outcomes. This Government has been clear that we will onl...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRugby: Surrey HeathDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support grassroots rugby in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby.The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length B...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordYouth Services: Surrey HeathDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106003More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to youth activities for young people in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: This Government recently published ‘Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy’, a 10 year plan to ensure every young person across the country has somewhere to go, someone who cares for them and a community they feel part of. This is backed by over £500...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Society: Surrey HeathDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106002More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the (a) voluntary, (b) community and (c) social enterprise sector has access to adequate funding in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: This government recognises the vital role played by voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in supporting people right across the country. As captured in the Civil Society Covenant, these organisations are integral to our vision f...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEconomic Growth: EU CountriesCabinet OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105998More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of regulatory alignment measures with the European Union on economic growth.
Answer: We have made a choice to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so in our national interest. For example, to unlock the SPS and carbon pricing agreements, which will add up to £9 billion a year to the UK economy by 2040. Where we agree to dynamica...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordProfessions: QualificationsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105996More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the EU on employment levels in regulated professions.
Answer: We remain committed to improving the recognition of professional qualifications with the EU. Highly skilled professionals from the EU make a valuable contribution to the UK’s regulated sectors and vice versa. We continually assess the benefits that mutual...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordYouth Mobility Scheme: EU CountriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105994More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of a UK–EU youth mobility scheme on labour supply in sectors reliant on temporary or seasonal workers.
Answer: Under a Youth Experience Scheme, young Brits and EU citizens will be given the opportunity to travel and work abroad, providing a highly valuable form of cultural exchange. My Department is committed towards the inclusion of as many sectors as possible to...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordYouth Mobility Scheme: EU CountriesTreasuryTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105993More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling her Department has done on the potential impact of a UK–EU youth mobility scheme on (a) employment levels, (b) productivity, and (c) economic growth.
Answer: The Government has agreed that it will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU, which will be good for the economy, good for growth and good for business.The impact of a youth experience scheme will be appropriatel...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordYouth Mobility Scheme: EU CountriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the role a youth mobility scheme could play in supporting UK–EU trade in services.
Answer: We have not made such a precise assessment but since we are still working towards concluding negotiations on the Youth Experience Scheme by the next EU-UK summit, I cannot provide a running commentary on ongoing negotiations. We will update the House in t...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration Controls: EU CountriesHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to (a) businesses and (b) travellers arising from delays associated with the entry and exit system into the European Union.
Answer: The Entry / Exit System (EES) is an EU system; we are working with the French authorities and UK operators at St Pancras, Folkestone, and Port of Dover to minimise disruption.There has been no disruption at the UK border related to EES. The system is bein...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration ControlsHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the level of impact of disruption to entry and exit systems at UK borders during the Christmas period on the economy.
Answer: The Entry / Exit System (EES) is an EU system; we are working with the French authorities and UK operators at St Pancras, Folkestone, and Port of Dover to minimise disruption.There has been no disruption at the UK border related to EES. The system is bein...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordService Industries: UK Trade with EUTreasuryTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105984More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling her Department has done of the potential impact of deeper UK–EU regulatory cooperation on services trade and employment.
Answer: The Government is committed to providing appropriate analysis of any agreement made with the EU, but we will not be able to provide a full assessment of the impacts whilst detailed negotiations are ongoing. We have made a choice to align in some areas whe...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: EntertainersHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of streamlining visa arrangements for musicians, performers, and other cultural professionals working between the UK and the EU.
Answer: The UK immigration system is generous in its provisions for musicians, performers and other cultural professionals, with different pathways for non-visa nationals (such as EU/EEA nationals) in the creative sector to come to the UK without requiring a visa...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCulture and MusiciansDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the economic contribution of (a) touring musicians and (b) cultural professionals to the UK economy.
Answer: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recognises that touring musicians and cultural professionals are essential to the United Kingdom’s economic vitality. The Department assesses the economic contribution of these sectors through the DCMS Se...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordProfessions: QualificationsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic merits of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and the EU.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 93339 on 27 November 2025: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.
Answered 22 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Programme: Surrey HeathDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105574More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the waiting times for a decision on Access to Work claims in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: The Department is committed to reducing the Access to Work waiting times. We have increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practices. To protect employment opportunities, case managers prioriti...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment Schemes: Learning DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of the availability of employment support for people with learning disabilities in Surrey Heath constituency.
Answer: For people who need specialist intensive support, DWP have agreed to fund Surrey County Council up to £9.8m to deliver the national Connect to Work programme across Surrey to around 2500 people to March 2030. This voluntary Supported Employment programme ...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →