Zöe Franklin MP: written questions 2025
155 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: PaymentsDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94855More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce alternative payment methods for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency trade plate applications.
Answer: There are no Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) services for which only a postal order is accepted as payment. Trade licensing applications can also be paid for by cheque. The DVLA is currently developing improvements to its trade licensing servic...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: PaymentsDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94854More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential environmental and administrative implications of relying on paper-based postal order payments for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency services.
Answer: There are no Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) services for which only a postal order is accepted as payment. Trade licensing applications can also be paid for by cheque. The DVLA is currently developing improvements to its trade licensing servic...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: PaymentsDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94853More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency requires postal orders as the sole means of payment for trade plate applications.
Answer: There are no Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) services for which only a postal order is accepted as payment. Trade licensing applications can also be paid for by cheque. The DVLA is currently developing improvements to its trade licensing servic...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: BricksMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce requirements for the installation of swift bricks in new housing developments.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 62367 on 2 July 2025.
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLegal Profession: JudgementsMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the judgment in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341 on Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice recognises that the judgment and its potential implications have created concern and uncertainty within parts of the legal profession, particularly among Chartered Institute of Legal Executive (CILEX) professionals.Whilst the legal...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrimodosMinistry of JusticeTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92376More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that families affected by Primodos are not prevented from pursuing legal redress due to the potential risk of high legal costs.
Answer: The Government cannot comment on individual legal cases, but we are committed to access to justice at proportionate cost. There are several mechanisms that can reduce the legal costs involved in pursuing a civil claim. Whether any are available to a claim...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration Controls: ContractsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 90026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that companies receiving contracts for border activity are not contributing to foreign conflicts that cause displacement.
Answer: The UK promotes high standards for private security companies through voluntary international regulation. We supported the drafting of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (2010) and the creation of the International Co...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89344More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to introduce legislative proposals to require on-device safety technology capable of detecting and preventing livestreamed child sexual abuse on devices sold in the UK
Answer: We are committed to preventing the livestreaming of child sexual abuse, including through strengthening our online safety regime if appropriate. There is currently limited evidence about the application and effectiveness of on-device controls. However, Of...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEmpty Property: Council TaxMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89261More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the application of the long-term empty homes council tax premium in cases where (a) properties are awaiting sale, (b) the owner is serving in the armed
Answer: It is for councils to decide whether to charge the premium in their area, taking account of local circumstances. The Department has introduced a number of exceptions to the empty homes premium which came into effect from April 2025. These include exceptio...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89238More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local authorities comply with section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Answer: The department and NHS England work together to support and challenge local areas to improve their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) service delivery where required. This includes carrying out monitoring, support and challenge on any areas...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRecyclingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish an updated timeline for the implementation of the (a) deposit return scheme and (b) extended producer responsibility schemes.
Answer: Our Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging came into force in January, and notices of liabilities have recently been issued. From 2026 fee modulation will be introduced to encourage producers to use more recyclable and sustainable packaging...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVocational EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the affordability of employability courses for students; and whether she plans to increase funding to help improve access to such courses.
Answer: Approximately £8.6 billion 16 to 19 programme funding has been allocated during the 2025/26 academic year to colleges, schools and other providers of education and training. This funding enables young people to take part in study programmes or T levels. T...
Answered 19 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: FraudDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce measures to (a) restrict practical driving test bookings to a candidate’s local area and (b) prevent fraudulent activity on third-party platforms offering driving test
Answer: To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. DVSA is working hard to reduce the a...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPowers of Attorney and ProbateMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89220More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to improve oversight mechanisms for (a) executors and (b) attorneys under Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Answer: A wide range of safeguards are available in legislation to hold executors accountable for the performance of their duties in administering the estate of a deceased person. Protections for beneficiaries if executors are incapable of fulfilling their duties...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordProbateMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89218More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what safeguards exist for beneficiaries when executors are (a) incapable of fulfilling their duties and (b) abusing their position.
Answer: A wide range of safeguards are available in legislation to hold executors accountable for the performance of their duties in administering the estate of a deceased person. Protections for beneficiaries if executors are incapable of fulfilling their duties...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906326More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to regulate artificial intelligence.
Answer: AI is already regulated in the UK, including by competition, data, online safety and sectoral rules. Most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use by our existing regulators.The government’s approach is also supported by the work of the AI Secur...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88527More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce a minimum 4 per cent annual uplift in core spending power for local authorities with Adults and Children’s Services responsibilities.
Answer: As set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, this Government will use the first multi-year Settlement in a decade to redirect around £2 billion of existing funding to the places and communities that need it most. We expect the vast majority of ...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is available to children in voluntary foster care who have (a) drug dependency and (b) mental health needs; and whether he has made an assessment of access to (i) therapy and (ii) trea
Answer: The Department for Education’s National Minimum Standards for fostering makes it clear that local authorities should ensure that children in their care should have prompt access to doctors and other health professionals, including specialist services such...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFoster Care: EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87171More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to local authorities of keeping children in voluntary foster care due to inadequate local education provision.
Answer: Where a child is accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, our care planning regulations and statutory guidance are clear that there should be a robust care planning and decision-making process to meet the day-to-day needs of the child. Wher...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFoster Care: EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87170More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on supporting children in voluntary foster care to return home in cases where a lack of suitable full-time education provision is a barrier to family r
Answer: Where a child is accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, our care planning regulations and statutory guidance are clear that there should be a robust care planning and decision-making process to meet the day-to-day needs of the child. Wher...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRoyal Mail: StandardsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Royal Mail on the timeliness of their deliveries of (a) penalty charge notices, (b) NHS appointment letters, (c) other time-sensitive and (d) othe
Answer: Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide h...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordIntegrated Care BoardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the extent of regional variations in access to (a) shared care agreements and (b) prescribed treatments; and what steps he is taking to help ensure consistency
Answer: Shared care arrangements between a general practitioner (GP) and a specialist are voluntary and are not part of the GP Contract. GPs do not receive additional funding for participating in shared care arrangements and may decline on clinical or capacity gr...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordIntegrated Care BoardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87167More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board and (b) other integrated care boards provide (i) adequate funding and (ii) clear guidance to gener
Answer: Shared care arrangements between a general practitioner (GP) and a specialist are voluntary and are not part of the GP Contract. GPs do not receive additional funding for participating in shared care arrangements and may decline on clinical or capacity gr...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: Terminal IllnessesMinistry of JusticeTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85617More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Personal Independence Payment appeals for claimants awarded under the Special Rules for terminal illness are prioritised (a) when a PIP award has been removed de
Answer: The listing of appeals is a matter for the Tribunal’s independent judiciary. Appeals are usually listed in chronological order based on the date of receipt.If an expedited hearing is sought, or where the Tribunal identifies a case which might benefit from...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness RatesTreasuryTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82183More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of business rates on the level of investment by companies in (a) energy-efficient buildings and (b) renewable technologies.
Answer: The Government is determined to remove barriers to investment to support our businesses to succeed, our high streets to thrive, and our economy to grow. Business rates support is available for green technology to facilitate the decarbonisation of building...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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