Written questions by Osborne.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of bottom trawling within protected areas for harbour porpoises and seabirds on the Government's ecosystem-based approach to marine management.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the more than 30,000 hours of apparent bottom trawling activity recorded in 2025 within a Marine Protected Area designated for the conservation of harbour porpoises in the North Sea on the conservation objectives of that site.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the time taken to introduce bottom-trawling restrictions in Marine Protected Areas on the UK's reputation for international ocean leadership.

Awaiting answer.

What government financial support is being provided for the Medway Tunnel.

Awaiting answer.

What progress has been made on the A229 Blue Bell Hill Improvement Scheme.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact on anti-social behaviour of expanding the use of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to allow non-registered social housin

Awaiting answer.

What the funding settlement and timetable for spending will be for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for the new Youth Hub provision announced as Tranche 3 of new Youth Hubs.

Awaiting answer.

What the status is of RAAC roof repairs for Holcolmbe Grammar School, formerly Chatham Grammar School for Boys, in Chatham and Aylesford constituency.

The department is working closely with the Thinking Schools Academy Trust to remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete at Holcombe Grammar School, formerly Chatham Grammar School for Boys.The Trust confirmed in May that the first phase of works has be...

Whether she is taking steps to help ensure that Memoranda of Understanding between train operators in Europe support UK operators to benefit from cross-border collaboration, network interoperability, and route

We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Germany and with Switzerland to pave the way for further direct rail connections to mainland Europe As part of these agreements, we have established formal working groups with both countries, involving rel...

What steps she is taking to establish PE and School Sport Partnerships Networks in Medway following the abolition of the Sports Premium.

On 21 May 2026, the government announced that it is investing over £1 billion in school sports over the next three years, including funding for the new Partnerships Network, improvements to school sports facilities and transitional support for primary sch...

What data his Department holds on the number of patients waiting to start treatment with Medway NHS Foundation Trust in (a) July 2024 and (b) May 2026.

Provider level consultant-led referral to treatment waiting times data is published on the NHS England website at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/Data is published approximately six weeks a...

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support grassroots football clubs in Chatham and Aylesford constituency.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That’s why the Government is investing £85 million throughout 2026/27 through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme to build an...

What data his Department holds on the number of patients waiting to start treatment with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust in (a) July 2024 and (b) May 2026.

Provider level consultant-led referral to treatment waiting times data is published on the NHS England website at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/Data is published approximately six weeks a...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the change to police pension commutation rates on officers (a) at and (b) near retirement; and what (i) notice and (ii) consultation was provide

There have been no changes to the rules which govern pension commutation in the 1987 police pension scheme. That scheme provides for actuarially neutral commutation, which is achieved using factors provided by the scheme actuary.Public service pension sch...

What assessment his Department has made of the distribution of medicines margin across the community pharmacy sector; and when the outcomes of that assessment will be published.

The Department does not assess the distribution of medicine margin across the community pharmacy sector. However, as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework funding settlement 2025/26, the Department committed to a range actions to try to del...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of applying the new Nutrient Profiling Model to advertising and promotions restrictions on food inflation.

We recognise the concerns about rising costs associated with the conflict in the Middle East. On 21 April, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out the Government's approach to support for businesses and families with the impacts of the...

Whether her Department has made a recent comparative assessment of the adequacy of Vehicle Excise Duty treatment for (a) motorcycles and (b) cars; and if she will review the basis on which motorcycles are taxed.

VED, sometimes known as 'road tax' or 'car tax', is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different VED rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, weight, or CO2 emissions. Revenue from motoring taxes helps to fund vital public services and infrastructure, including investment in roads and transport. VED for motorcycles is currently based on engine size. There are four engine size ranges, with the lowest rate applying to zero emission motorcycles and the smallest engines sized 150cc or less (currently £27). The highest rate applies to engines sized 600cc and above (currently £125). This compares with the standard rate for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017 which is currently £200. Motorcycles also do not pay different rates in the first year of purchase, unlike cars where first year rates vary from £10 to £5,690 for the most polluting vehicles. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to support farmers with the increasing rising cost of fertiliser as a result of the conflict in Iran.

Defra has asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to increase the frequency of its fertiliser price reporting. AHDB now publishes data on their Fertiliser Price page weekly, giving farmers more up‑to‑date information to help with decision‑making. This will give farmers more timely and transparent information to support their decision-making. Defra wants to support farmers to increase their resilience to future fertiliser price volatility by maximising the use of nutrients from both mineral fertilisers and organic materials such as slurry. Defra’s Nutrient Management Planning Tool is a free resource to help farmers plan and manage nutrient use and reduce costs by matching inputs to crop and soil needs. Defra has committed £120 million in funding starting in 2026 to improve productivity, trial new technologies and drive innovation in the agricultural sector. This includes up to £50 million for Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) grants (for the 2026 scheme covering productivity, slurry and animal health and welfare) and up to £70 million available for Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) innovation grants. This funding can help farmers use nutrients from fertilisers and their own organic materials most effectively to increase resilience.

What steps he is taking to increase the production of domestic clean power in supporting energy security.

We are accelerating investment in homegrown clean power to boost energy security and cut exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. In response to this crisis, we’re bringing forward the next renewables auction to July, introducing low‑cost “plug‑in solar” for households, and we will implement the Fingleton Review to speed up delivery of critical zero carbon infrastructure.

Whether he has had discussions with EU counterparts on establishing reciprocal arrangements for the duration of visa-free tourist stays between the UK and countries in the Schengen Area.

HMG officials and Ministers, including myself, regularly engage the EU and EU Member State counterparts on a range of issues affecting UK nationals. The UK and the EU allow for visa-free, short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens visa-free travel for up to six months; the EU allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period which is standard for third nationals travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.