Zöe Franklin MP: written questions
322 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Access 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 recordSchools: UniformsDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of uniform changes proposed in the Children and Wellbeing Bill on parents who wish to buy branded uniform items for convenience.
Answer: Whilst uniforms play a valuable role in creating a sense of common identity among pupils and reducing visible inequalities, too many schools still require high numbers of branded items. This is why we have introduced legislation to limit the number of bra...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHistoric Buildings: Rural AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96999More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing the same protections to historic villages as is provided to historic towns in the National Planning Policy Fram
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 39868 on 26 March 2025.
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96063More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what measures are in place to prevent delays to child maintenance proceedings arising from the non-submission of required documents by a paying parent; and how the Department ensures that such delays do
Answer: Under the Child Support Information Regulations 2008, paying parents have a duty to provide the Department with any evidence or information needed for the i) determination of an application ; ii) making of a decision; or iii) collection and enforcement of...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Department is taking to ensure that the Child Maintenance Service has effective mechanisms to prevent high earners from reducing their maintenance liabilities through the diversion of inc
Answer: The paying parent's (PP) gross income, after occupational or personal pension scheme contributions are deducted, is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the latest tax year available. This is because either pension contributions themselve...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDriver 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 record
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