Written questions by Tugendhat.

Communities and Local Government, in what way he plans to ensure that planning guidance considers visual amenity and the expansion of mobile network capacity.

Awaiting answer.

Whether the South Eastern Main Line through Tonbridge will be included in the next phase of Project Reach; and when that phase will begin.

Awaiting answer.

What the reason was for the time taken between the submission of the Project Reach outline business case and final government approval.

Awaiting answer.

If she will publish a route-by-route timetable for eliminating mobile connectivity blackspots on the rail network.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, when the Government will publish and implement its proposed reforms to planning rules for digital infrastructure.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local plans give appropriate weight to the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

Awaiting answer.

What progress her Department is making on building missing slip roads at Junction 5 of the M25.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make a statement on how Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council can produce a Local Plan which meets the Government housing targets, in the context of the objection from

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of strengthening the sanctions regime so that investment into indebted companies cannot ultimately improve the position of sanctioned Russian banks.

Together with our international partners the UK has applied the most comprehensive sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. Nevertheless, we continue to keep our sanctions regimes, measures and effectiveness under constant review and adapt them to respo...

Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department scrutinises South East Water’s performance in providing alternative water to vulnerable customers following the loss of water supply.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulate water company performance against the Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD), including its requirement for companies to identify and prioritise vulnerable customers. The DWI’s assessment into the s...

Food and Rural Affairs, what targets the Department gives water suppliers for the delivery of alternative water to vulnerable residents following the loss of water supply.

The Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD 2022) requires water companies to make, keep under review, test and revise plans to ensure the continuation of their water supply functions, and ensure they have the necessary capability, capacity and fa...

If she will provide an update on reintroducing a direct train service between Kent and Gatwick Airport.

Train operators and Network Rail are required to work together to plan services that meet current and future demand while delivering value for money. While we recognise the benefits of a direct service, there are significant financial and operational chal...

Food and Rural Affairs, to set out a timetable and a strategy for expanding the number of National Landscapes.

Natural England (NE) is the organisation which has powers to designate National Landscapes (formerly Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, AONBs). NE is working on proposals to extend the boundary of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, and to create a new...

What target figure for asylum dispersal has been given for a) Tonbridge and Malling borough, and b) Sevenoaks district.

The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanism via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus, a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including – availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of broader local authority feedback.For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area, including those in dispersal properties. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

How many properties a) her department, and b) Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd have acquired in i) Tonbridge and Malling borough, and ii) Sevenoaks district, since the 2024 General Election.

The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanism via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus, a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including – availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of broader local authority feedback.For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area, including those in dispersal properties. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings of the Water Delivery Taskforce have been held to discuss South East Water's performance since 13 November 2025.

Defra and the regulators have met regularly with South East Water since 13 November 2025 to discuss company performance. The Water Delivery Taskforce met with South East Water on 21 April 2026.

How many properties are being used for asylum dispersal in a) Tonbridge and Malling borough and b) Sevenoaks district.

The Asylum Accommodation Plans are the mechanism via which the Home Office works towards achieving Full Dispersal and thus, a fair and balanced distribution of asylum accommodation across all local authorities nationally.The Asylum Accommodation Plans are underpinned by an indexing model which accounts for a multitude of pressures within local authorities, including – availability of housing, levels of homelessness, availability of GP and dentists as well as levels of community cohesion. Development of the plans was informed by engagement with a range of national, regional and local stakeholders, to ensure that the evidence base was reflective of broader local authority feedback.For the safety and security of those we accommodate and staff, it is our longstanding policy not to disclose information about sites which may or may not be utilised by the Home Office.The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated in each local authority area, including those in dispersal properties. These statistics can be found at Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

What investment her Department has planned to enable 12 carriage trains on the Maidstone East line.

Southeastern (SET) have plans to improve services, increase capacity and reduce crowding to/from Maidstone East from May 2026. These include the reintroduction of Mainline services to London Blackfriars at peak times from Maidstone East; additional services between Charing Cross and Maidstone East on weekdays; and more off-peak services between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East. SET are also exploring further options for the December 2026 timetable. SET are always exploring the possibility of providing extra capacity where needed. This is not always feasible due to a variety of reasons, including platform lengths, rolling stock availability and funding considerations.

What plans she has to increase capacity on the Maidstone East line.

Southeastern (SET) have plans to improve services, increase capacity and reduce crowding to/from Maidstone East from May 2026. These include the reintroduction of Mainline services to London Blackfriars at peak times from Maidstone East; additional services between Charing Cross and Maidstone East on weekdays; and more off-peak services between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East. SET are also exploring further options for the December 2026 timetable. SET are always exploring the possibility of providing extra capacity where needed. This is not always feasible due to a variety of reasons, including platform lengths, rolling stock availability and funding considerations.

What plans she has to help reduce overcrowding on peak time services on the Maidstone East line.

Southeastern (SET) have plans to improve services, increase capacity and reduce crowding to/from Maidstone East from May 2026. These include the reintroduction of Mainline services to London Blackfriars at peak times from Maidstone East; additional services between Charing Cross and Maidstone East on weekdays; and more off-peak services between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East. SET are also exploring further options for the December 2026 timetable. SET are always exploring the possibility of providing extra capacity where needed. This is not always feasible due to a variety of reasons, including platform lengths, rolling stock availability and funding considerations.