Zöe Franklin MP: written questions
195 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Biodiversity: Property DevelopmentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on biodiversity outcomes of substantially increasing the de minimis threshold for mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
Answer: The Government recently consulted on options to improve the way Biodiversity Net Gain works for small, medium and brownfield development. This included potential changes to the de minimis exemption threshold. Since then, Government has announced its inten...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: VisasDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104052More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what impact assessment his Department has made on the effect of current apprenticeship visa duration requirements on (a) young migrants educated in the UK, (b) individuals on private or family life rout
Answer: The apprenticeship funding rules are reviewed each year. They are applied to all apprentices and potential apprentices consistently. The Department does not hold the data requested.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: MigrantsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104051More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the apprenticeship funding rules have been reviewed to reflect the operation of section 3C leave under the Immigration Act 1971, which ensures lawful and uninterrupted permission to work for ind
Answer: The apprenticeship funding rules are reviewed each year. Currently providers are not permitted to start learners on apprenticeships if they are unable to complete the apprenticeship within the time available. For example, because their visa will expire, o...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether district elections in one area can go ahead if another district in the reorganisation area has requested postponement due to capacity issues in areas in which Mayoral ele
Answer: The Secretary of State will take his decision on whether or not to postpone a council’s elections having regard to any views provided by councils, together with any other representations received. The Secretary of State will consider the position of each...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Gender Based ViolenceDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101670More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions her Department has had with teaching unions on the role of schools and education settings in the development and implementation of the Government’s strategy on tackling violence against women a
Answer: The Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy recognises that we must take a whole system approach to tackle and halve VAWG in a decade. The government has undertaken stakeholder engagement to inform the development of the strategy, meeting with ke...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he briefed leaders of upper-tier local authorities on the Government’s decision to postpone mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent
Answer: I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent and Sussex and Brighton following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programm...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: Terminal IllnessesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people with a serious or terminal diagnosis are not required to repay benefit overpayments that arose due to official error, particularly in cases in w
Answer: All DWP colleagues are trained to support our most vulnerable customers and have access to a wide range of guidance to support them. DWP will always strive to set affordable and sustainable repayment plans and encourages customers to make contact if they ...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99647More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that proposals in the SEND White Paper do not reduce the rights of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities as set out in the Children and Fam
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Guildford to the answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 98569.
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99642More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her expected timeline is for publishing the Schools White Paper including the SEND reform package.
Answer: The department will publish the Schools White Paper early this year. It will set out our proposed reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, underpinned by our belief that high standards and inclusion are two sides of the sam...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 907002More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the effective use of Ofcom’s powers under the Online Safety Act 2023.
Answer: The Secretary of State has written to Melanie Dawes and made absolutely clear the Government's full backing for Ofcom using all its powers to enfore the Act. Ofcom has issued fines under the Act to three services, including fining a pornography company £1...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordOutdoor Education: Fees and ChargesDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99445More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the incidence of academy trusts undertaking new capital projects on school playing fields while requesting parental contributions for curriculum activities that schools
Answer: The Education Act 1996 prohibits schools from charging for education provided during school hours, subject to very limited exceptions. The department publishes guidance to assist schools to comply with the law on charging for school activities. Parents wh...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordOutdoor Education: Fees and ChargesDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the level of compliance of Multi Academy Trusts with statutory guidance on charging for school-time activities, including WOW days, curriculum-required trips and transport to com
Answer: The Education Act 1996 prohibits schools from charging for education provided during school hours, subject to very limited exceptions. The department publishes guidance to assist schools to comply with the law on charging for school activities. Parents wh...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMatrimonial Proceedings: Domestic AbuseMinistry of JusticeTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are not required to bear additional financial or procedural burdens in order to progress divorce proceedings when the other party fails
Answer: It is a matter of concern that perpetrators of domestic abuse may fail to engage with divorce proceedings. The courts have powers to deal with parties who fail to engage, including to make orders confirming a perpetrator has received a divorce application...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMatrimonial Proceedings: Domestic AbuseMinistry of JusticeTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made, as part of his Department’s responsibilities for access to justice and the protection of victims of domestic abuse, of the risk that delays caused by a non-engaging spouse in divorce
Answer: It is a top priority for this Government to tackle violence against women and girls, including economic abuse and coercive control. The Law Commission’s 2024 scoping report on financial remedies on divorce considered the issue of domestic abuse in financi...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Public ConsultationDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98571More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what factors determined the timing between the publication of the consultation on the SEND white paper on 2 December 2025 and the first engagement event on 3 December 2025; and whether that notice period aligns
Answer: The department has undertaken extensive engagement over the past year, holding more than 100 events with children, young people, parents and other stakeholders to inform our work on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).The SEND national conve...
Answered 24 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCompanies House: InternetDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97971More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will suspend financial penalties and other enforcement action for non-compliance with Companies House filing requirements while the online Director Identification Number service remains subject
Answer: Over two million individuals have successfully used the new systems. It is recognised that issues have arisen impacting some users. Companies House is working continuously to iterate services based on user feedback and experience. Any enforcement action w...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCompanies House: InternetDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97970More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of the reliability of the Companies House online service for issuing Director Identification Numbers; and what steps are being taken to address technical issues that preven
Answer: Companies House is committed to providing robust digital services to its customers. Since April 2025, over two million individuals have successfully proven their identity and successfully received personal codes (referred to as Director Identification Num...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAction Fraud and National Crime Agency: Information SharingHome OfficeTabled 5 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of information-sharing arrangements between the National Crime Agency, Action Fraud, the Police and relevant professional regulators; and what plans s
Answer: The Government has recognised the challenges facing the Action Fraud service, and, working with City of London Police, are pleased that the new Report Fraud service launched on 4 December.This new service replaces Action Fraud and includes the provision o...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTax AvoidanceTreasuryTabled 5 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97710More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Loan Charge review, what steps her Department are taking to ensure consistency and fairness for individuals who have already settled their cases, compared to the concessions and reliefs now ava
Answer: The purpose of the Independent Review of the Loan Charge was to bring the matter to a close for people who have not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities. The review identified affordability as a key barrier preventing those individuals from sett...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Programme: Mental IllnessDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support private-sector employers implement reasonable adjustments recommended through Access to Work for staff with mental health conditions.
Answer: Access to Work supports workplace adjustments that go beyond what would normally be expected from an employer through their duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010, including for mental health conditions. As set out in ...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Programme: Mental IllnessDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that reasonable adjustments for people with mental health conditions recommended through Access to Work are delivered in a timely manner; and what steps he is taking to
Answer: Access to Work supports workplace adjustments that go beyond what would normally be expected from an employer through their duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010, including for mental health conditions. As set out in ...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Programme: Mental IllnessDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with mental health conditions receive reasonable adjustments under Access to Work on an equal basis with those whose disabilities arise from phy
Answer: Access to Work supports workplace adjustments that go beyond what would normally be expected from an employer through their duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010, including for mental health conditions. As set out in ...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the cost to councils in the mayoral areas of Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent, and Sussex & Brighton for election preparati
Answer: We remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all Devolution Priority Programme areas announced on 4 December. We will provide £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas following the laying of the secondary legislation, and a minimum of £3...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: SurreyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he will commit to laying before the House of Commons the Structural Change Order for local government reorganisation in Surrey.
Answer: I am happy to repeat the commitment from the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 October (HCWS998) that we will bring to the House, for approval, a Structural Changes Order to implement the proposal for two new unitary councils – East Surrey Council ...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordProbation Service: SecurityMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97016More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using scanning machines in probation offices to detect weapons; and what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of probation officers in the workplace.
Answer: The safety of probation staff is our priority, and we are committed to taking action to protect them. Following a comprehensive review of health, safety, and security across all probation premises, we are urgently implementing measures to strengthen prote...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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