Zöe Franklin MP: written questions 2026

Written questions

• Local Nature Recovery SchemeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105462More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with local authorities and regional stakeholders, including in Surrey, on the delivery of Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

  Answer: The Government’s intentions to enhance the roles and functions of Local Nature Recovery Strategy responsible authorities to take a leading role in environmental delivery are set out in English Devolution White Paper. Officials have been engaging with all ...

  Answered 16 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Electric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105454More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of (a) trends in the level of regional disparities in the location of electric vehicle charging points and (b) the potential impact of those trends on the Government’s environmental

  Answer: The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition is crucial to the UK meeting its climate change obligations, as well as improving air quality and supporting growth. The Government closely monitors regional deployment and the disparities in the location of elec...

  Answered 19 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Electric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105453More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to publish an assessment of the potential impact of electric vehicle charging infrastructure on the Government’s environmental improvement goals.

  Answer: The zero emission vehicle transition is crucial to the UK meeting its climate change obligations – and to delivering wider environmental benefits, including improvements to air quality. It will drive economic growth and help make Britain a clean energy su...

  Answered 21 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Flood Control and Water: SurreyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105441More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government will take to improve water quality and flood resilience in Surrey and Guildford, in the context of the latest environmental progress assessment.

  Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) works with the Surrey Local Resilience Forum to plan and prepare for incidents and mitigate impacts on local communities. In Guildford, the EA has temporary flood barriers ready for deployment, and is developing a scheme which ...

  Answered 21 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record
• 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 record
• Apprentices: 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 record
• Apprentices: 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 record
• Local 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 record