Written questions by Fortune.

Whether she plans to provide step-free access at Bickley rail station.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since 2006, the Access for All (AfA) programme has delivered step free access at more than 260 stations across Britain. In 2022, the previous government sought nominations from train operators and transport authorities for potential upgrades through the AfA programme. Bickley was not nominated. The hon member may wish to engage with Transport for London and Southeastern to make that case that Bickley station is a priority in any future rounds of funding.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, when the working group jointly sponsored by his Department and the Greater London Authority will publish its conclusions.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

What plans his Department has to procure drones for the British Army.

The British Army has been actively procuring and developing drone (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) capabilities to enhance situational awareness, reconnaissance, and combat effectiveness. These efforts align with the broader modernisation goals outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Current examples include Project CORVUS and Project TIQUILA.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, which global city authorities his Department plans to consider.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

What plans his Department has to procure drones for the Royal Navy.

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that an immediate priority should be a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the UK's conventional forces. As we increase lethality of our forces and prepare for warfighting readiness uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Navy's surface, air and undersea capabilities over the next five years, with the exact numbers and levels of investment apportioned to these systems to be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan, to be published later this year.

What plans his Department has to procure drones for the Royal Air Force.

The Strategic Defence Review recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an immediate priority. As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. The exact numbers of drones to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

Whether she plans to provide step-free access at Shortlands rail station.

Shortlands rail station already has step free access into the station and to and between each platform via lifts.

Whether he has had discussions with Elbit Systems UK on the potential impact of protests on its sites.

The Ministry of Defence tracks risks to the defence sector as part of its routine monitoring of supply chain resilience, this includes engagement with suppliers. Some UK defence companies, including Elbit Systems UK, have faced costs and disruption due to criminal damage and staff intimidation by groups such as Palestine Action. We are working with the Police to address these offences and mitigate future risks. While individual businesses have been affected, the overall impact on Defence has been limited, with no significant effects reported on the defence supply chain or the reputation of our world leading defence industry.

Whether his Department has had recent discussions with defence companies on the potential impact of protests on those businesses.

The Ministry of Defence tracks risks to the defence sector as part of its routine monitoring of supply chain resilience, this includes engagement with suppliers. Some UK defence companies, including Elbit Systems UK, have faced costs and disruption due to criminal damage and staff intimidation by groups such as Palestine Action. We are working with the Police to address these offences and mitigate future risks. While individual businesses have been affected, the overall impact on Defence has been limited, with no significant effects reported on the defence supply chain or the reputation of our world leading defence industry.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prevent protests from disrupting the activities of defence firms.

The management of protest activity is an operational matter for the police, who are independent of government.While the Government is committed to protecting the public and businesses from serious disruption, ministers cannot intervene in individual cases or direct police decisions, including those relating to protests near defence firms. This operational independence is a fundamental principle of policing in the UK.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, how many times the new working group sponsored jointly by her Department and the Greater London Authority has met.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 2.2.5 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether he plans to amend the Greater London Authority's powers.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) and will be formally made as such via the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (‘the Bill’). As with other EMSAs, the Bill will grant the GLA the ‘right to request’, allowing them to request additions to the devolution framework to help deliver their areas of competence. Requests could be for further powers, funding or place-based pilots. Requests will be considered by Government and responded to within 6 months. This will be the primary way the powers of all Strategic Authorities will be amended going forward; however the Bill delivers on our commitment to devolve responsibility for the disposal of TfL operational land to the Mayor of London. It is my Department’s expectation that some of the GLA’s requests for future devolved functions will be informed by an analysis of the powers and policy approaches of any global cities which can provide valuable lessons for London. As such, there is no defined list of global city authorities with which the Department plans to compare to London. The working group jointly sponsored by my Department and the GLA has met a total of three times since November 2024. It has provided a forum to discuss potential priorities for the GLA’s ‘right to request’ informed by global city comparisons. The group has also worked to ensure the Bill's provisions align with the GLA's unique devolution settlement. Work has also been ongoing to agree an Integrated Settlement for London, as was announced at the Spending Review in June 2025. The working group is intended to provide a forum for engagement with the GLA on an ongoing basis, as such the Department does not plan to publish final conclusions.

What assessment she has made of potential impact of increasing the Dart Charge on the number of daily crossings.

Initial assessments suggest fewer car journeys and more goods vehicle journeys will be made than would have been the case if charges had been left unchanged. Revenue from the charging scheme, net of costs, must be spent on transport projects.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Metropolitan Police's decision to withdraw police liaison officers from magistrates' courts in London.

Police Liaison Officers have for many years played an important role in the daily operations of our London courts. Conversations are ongoing between HMCTS and the Police to understand the implications of the decision to withdraw them.

What her policy is on investment in the Dartford Crossing.

The Dartford Crossing is one of the most important roads in the UK, used by an average of 150,000 vehicles daily, of which almost 40% are freight vehicles: a much higher proportion than for other major roads. Consequently, significant annual expenditure (£42.2million in 2023/24) goes on operating, maintaining and improving the Crossing, particularly in relation to the older tunnels, which require increasingly intensive maintenance to, for example, the ventilation, electrical and drainage systems.Additional capacity across the River Thames east of London will be provided by the Lower Thames Crossing, complementing the Dartford Crossing which will remain an essential part of the London Orbital road.

What steps he is taking to help ensure areas with high levels of housebuilding have adequate GP capacity.

The National Health Service has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient medical services, including general practice (GP), in each local area. It should take account of population growth and demographic changes. Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning, namely planning, securing, and monitoring, GP services within their health systems through delegated responsibility from NHS England. Local planning authorities are responsible for negotiating and agreeing developer contributions to support necessary associated infrastructure when new housing developments are built, including GP practices. At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to build more family homes in London and the South East.

The government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. Through bold reform of the planning system; significant investment in land, infrastructure, and social and affordable housing; and a range of other measures, we will deliver the homes working families need across the country, including in London and the South-East.

Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to protect family homes from being converted into houses in multiple occupation.

National permitted development rights allow a C3 dwellinghouse to change use to a C4 House in Multiple Occupation for up to six people sharing facilities without the need for a planning application. Larger Houses in Multiple Occupation require a planning application which the local authority will determine in-line with the local plan and in consultation with neighbours. Local authorities can remove the permitted development right for HMOs of up to 6 people to protect local amenity or wellbeing of the area by introducing an ‘Article 4’ direction.

Communities and Local Government, what his plans are for the future of Business Improvement Districts.

The Government recognises the important role Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) can play in regeneration and place making. We encourage BIDs to work in partnership with their local authority to deliver growth in their local area. We made a commitment to strengthen BIDs and raise standards in the English Devolution White Paper in December 2024 and we are considering options for reform.

What steps she is taking to reduce public spending on Southeastern Railway.

The Government is busy delivering on its plan to overhaul the railways through the creation of Great British Railways, uniting train and track with the focus of delivering for passengers and freight. In June this year, Southeastern and Network Rail Kent route united under a single leadership team known as South Eastern Railway – a significant step towards the creation of Great British Railways. This more collaborative approach is resulting in greater efficiency with better, faster decisions for customers and taxpayers, and reducing the subsidy required to operate Southeastern.