Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce the (a) number of potholes in Eastbourne and (b) potential impact of those potholes on road users.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to supporting local highway authorities in maintaining and renewing the local highway network.

As announced at the Autumn Budget, the Government will commit over £2 billion annually by 2029/30 for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes. For the first time, we have confirmed local authorities’ funding allocations for four years, enabling local authorities to plan ahead and move away from expensive, short-term repairs and instead invest in proactive and preventative maintenance.

This is in addition to the Government’s investment of £1.6 billion this year, a £500 million increase compared to last year.

The local highway authority for the Eastbourne constituency is East Sussex County Council. The table below sets out the total highways maintenance funding that East Sussex is eligible to receive from 2025/26 to 2029/30.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help prevent bicycle theft in Eastbourne constituency.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Bike theft has a significant impact on individuals and for too long, many victims have felt not enough was being done to prevent their bikes being stolen or track down the thieves responsible.

The Crime and Policing Bill, now at Committee Stage in the House of Lords, will amend the Theft Act 1968 to give police new powers. Officers will be able to enter and search premises where stolen items – such as GPS-tracked bicycles – are reasonably believed to have been stolen and located, and where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain a court warrant. This will significantly enhance the ability of the police to act swiftly and effectively in recovering stolen property.

Additionally, the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will ensure that every community in England and Wales will have named and contactable officers dealing with local issues, and that neighbourhood teams spend the majority of their time in their communities providing visible patrols and engaging with local communities and businesses.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support investment in water infrastructure to improve water resilience in Eastbourne constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government takes resilient water infrastructure seriously. Eastbourne, supplied by South East Water, is in a ‘Water Stressed’ area. To ensure future resilience, water companies must invest in new water supply infrastructure as set out in their Water Resources Management Plans, while reducing outages and leakage, and helping people use water more efficiently. These plans consider housing growth and drought risk. We will hold water companies accountable to ensure sufficient water for people, the economy, and the environment – now and for future generations.

Blue Badge wait times

Homelessness support in Eastbourne

Thanking postal workers

Nettlebed Community School

Tenth anniversary of Storm Desmond

Neurodivergent service personnel in the armed forces

Gambling executives' profits

Local Housing Allowance

Plastic in chewing gum