Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to ensure that academic qualifications are an option for all pupils in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As part of schools’ duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, all pupils will continue to study core subjects such as English, mathematics and science, while allowing choices around these core subjects, so that young people can follow broader interests.

We want every young person to benefit from high-quality academic and technical routes that support progression into further study, training and skilled employment. Our reforms to the curriculum and to technical education will help young people develop the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in work, life and lifelong learning.

We are in the early stages of developing technical education routes from age 14, with rollout intended to begin in some areas from September 2028.

The new routes will include the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which will sit alongside existing GCSEs, combining academic excellence in the core subjects of English, maths, and science, with rigorous, vocationally focused qualifications of equal parity and esteem. The intention is to widen young people’s choices, supporting more coherent progression to a range of academic and technical post-16 options.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to ensure that academic qualifications are an option for all pupils in West Sussex.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As part of schools’ duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, all pupils will continue to study core subjects such as English, mathematics and science, while allowing choices around these core subjects, so that young people can follow broader interests.

We want every young person to benefit from high-quality academic and technical routes that support progression into further study, training and skilled employment. Our reforms to the curriculum and to technical education will help young people develop the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in work, life and lifelong learning.

We are in the early stages of developing technical education routes from age 14, with rollout intended to begin in some areas from September 2028.

The new routes will include the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which will sit alongside existing GCSEs, combining academic excellence in the core subjects of English, maths, and science, with rigorous, vocationally focused qualifications of equal parity and esteem. The intention is to widen young people’s choices, supporting more coherent progression to a range of academic and technical post-16 options.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to ensure that academic qualifications are an option for all pupils in East Sussex.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

As part of schools’ duty to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, all pupils will continue to study core subjects such as English, mathematics and science, while allowing choices around these core subjects, so that young people can follow broader interests.

We want every young person to benefit from high-quality academic and technical routes that support progression into further study, training and skilled employment. Our reforms to the curriculum and to technical education will help young people develop the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in work, life and lifelong learning.

We are in the early stages of developing technical education routes from age 14, with rollout intended to begin in some areas from September 2028.

The new routes will include the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which will sit alongside existing GCSEs, combining academic excellence in the core subjects of English, maths, and science, with rigorous, vocationally focused qualifications of equal parity and esteem. The intention is to widen young people’s choices, supporting more coherent progression to a range of academic and technical post-16 options.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of Statutory Guidelines On Disposable BBQ and on open flames restrictions, issued by the national alert on 14 August 2026, on (i) Sussex Bonfire and processions season (ii) and their charitable fundraising.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The decision to issue the Emergency Alert on Friday 14 August was taken following direct requests from front-line emergency responders because national capabilities were at risk of being overwhelmed. The Cabinet Office issued the alert following these requests. The Alert was advisory in response to adverse environmental conditions. Transmission of the emergency alert ended at 23:00 on Friday 14 August. Statutory restrictions apply specifically to the sale of disposable BBQs and do not apply to bonfires.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what communication methods her Department has in place to confirm the lifting the Statutory Guidelines On Disposable BBQ restrictions on open flames, issued by the national alert on 14 August 2026.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The decision to issue the Emergency Alert on Friday 14 August was taken following direct requests from front-line emergency responders because national capabilities were at risk of being overwhelmed. The Cabinet Office issued the alert following these requests. The Alert was advisory in response to adverse environmental conditions. Transmission of the emergency alert ended at 23:00 on Friday 14 August. Statutory restrictions apply specifically to the sale of disposable BBQs and do not apply to bonfires.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to promote whole school approaches to developmental language disorder support for children.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department is raising staff awareness of a variety of speech and language needs through the development of National Inclusion Standards and the delivery of a new £200 million special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) continual professional development (CPD) programme and Experts at Hand. We are ensuring all children with speech and language needs are supported, including those with developmental language disorder, by ensuring staff are equipped with the right knowledge and tools.

The National Inclusion Standards will include whole-school, universal approaches to support inclusion, as well as tools and approaches to identify and respond to needs through the targeted/targeted plus layers of support. ​The first tranche of our CPD offer, published on 25 September 2026, includes a focus on speech, language and communication development, and we are continuing to work with stakeholders to develop further materials.

To provide further support, this development offer will come together with an investment in better access to speech and language therapists (SaLTs). As part of our £1.8 billion investment over three years, schools will be able to access support from professionals, including SaLTs through the Experts at Hand offer. We are also investing £15 million to establish new SaLT advanced practitioners in every integrated care board area to support more SaLTs to work with educational settings to help break down communication barriers and deliver more speech and language support for children and young people.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support children with developmental language disorder, including through the SEND policy.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department is raising staff awareness of a variety of speech and language needs through the development of National Inclusion Standards and the delivery of a new £200 million special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) continual professional development (CPD) programme and Experts at Hand. We are ensuring all children with speech and language needs are supported, including those with developmental language disorder, by ensuring staff are equipped with the right knowledge and tools.

The National Inclusion Standards will include whole-school, universal approaches to support inclusion, as well as tools and approaches to identify and respond to needs through the targeted/targeted plus layers of support. ​The first tranche of our CPD offer, published on 25 September 2026, includes a focus on speech, language and communication development, and we are continuing to work with stakeholders to develop further materials.

To provide further support, this development offer will come together with an investment in better access to speech and language therapists (SaLTs). As part of our £1.8 billion investment over three years, schools will be able to access support from professionals, including SaLTs through the Experts at Hand offer. We are also investing £15 million to establish new SaLT advanced practitioners in every integrated care board area to support more SaLTs to work with educational settings to help break down communication barriers and deliver more speech and language support for children and young people.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions her Department has had with schools on ensuring that third-party teaching materials are politically impartial in West Sussex.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department has not held recent discussions specifically with schools in East Sussex, West Sussex or East Grinstead and Uckfield on this matter. Schools are responsible for selecting teaching resources and are expected to assess carefully whether any materials supplied by third parties are suitable and age-appropriate before they are used.

All schools are subject to longstanding statutory duties on political impartiality. They must prohibit the promotion of partisan political views and, where political issues are brought to pupils’ attention, take reasonably practicable steps to secure a balanced presentation of opposing views.

The department’s guidance on political impartiality helps schools meet these duties when choosing resources and working with external agencies. Schools should review third-party materials in advance and consider whether further material is required to ensure balance. The guidance applies to all schools in England and is accessible at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department is taking to increase the level of awareness of developmental language disorder with schools, teachers and other education professionals.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department is raising staff awareness of a variety of speech and language needs through the development of National Inclusion Standards and the delivery of a new £200 million special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) continual professional development (CPD) programme and Experts at Hand. We are ensuring all children with speech and language needs are supported, including those with developmental language disorder, by ensuring staff are equipped with the right knowledge and tools.

The National Inclusion Standards will include whole-school, universal approaches to support inclusion, as well as tools and approaches to identify and respond to needs through the targeted/targeted plus layers of support. ​The first tranche of our CPD offer, published on 25 September 2026, includes a focus on speech, language and communication development, and we are continuing to work with stakeholders to develop further materials.

To provide further support, this development offer will come together with an investment in better access to speech and language therapists (SaLTs). As part of our £1.8 billion investment over three years, schools will be able to access support from professionals, including SaLTs through the Experts at Hand offer. We are also investing £15 million to establish new SaLT advanced practitioners in every integrated care board area to support more SaLTs to work with educational settings to help break down communication barriers and deliver more speech and language support for children and young people.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions her Department has had with schools on ensuring that third-party teaching materials are politically impartial in East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department has not held recent discussions specifically with schools in East Sussex, West Sussex or East Grinstead and Uckfield on this matter. Schools are responsible for selecting teaching resources and are expected to assess carefully whether any materials supplied by third parties are suitable and age-appropriate before they are used.

All schools are subject to longstanding statutory duties on political impartiality. They must prohibit the promotion of partisan political views and, where political issues are brought to pupils’ attention, take reasonably practicable steps to secure a balanced presentation of opposing views.

The department’s guidance on political impartiality helps schools meet these duties when choosing resources and working with external agencies. Schools should review third-party materials in advance and consider whether further material is required to ensure balance. The guidance applies to all schools in England and is accessible at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions her Department has had with schools on ensuring that third-party teaching materials are politically impartial in East Sussex.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department has not held recent discussions specifically with schools in East Sussex, West Sussex or East Grinstead and Uckfield on this matter. Schools are responsible for selecting teaching resources and are expected to assess carefully whether any materials supplied by third parties are suitable and age-appropriate before they are used.

All schools are subject to longstanding statutory duties on political impartiality. They must prohibit the promotion of partisan political views and, where political issues are brought to pupils’ attention, take reasonably practicable steps to secure a balanced presentation of opposing views.

The department’s guidance on political impartiality helps schools meet these duties when choosing resources and working with external agencies. Schools should review third-party materials in advance and consider whether further material is required to ensure balance. The guidance applies to all schools in England and is accessible at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the participation of women and girls in sport in East Sussex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that as many women and girls as possible have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s -length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year to help people get active, including women and girls.

Sport England supports the work of the local Active Partnership which covers East Grinstead and Uckfield, Active ​Sussex, who champion physical activity with local leaders to develop interventions tailored to communities. Alongside this, Sport England invested £57,019 into sports-related projects in the constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield in 2025/26.

In addition, Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign has also inspired millions of women and girls across the country to get active. 1.6 million more women are expected to be active as a result of the campaign by 2028.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the participation of women and girls in sport in East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that as many women and girls as possible have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s -length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year to help people get active, including women and girls.

Sport England supports the work of the local Active Partnership which covers East Grinstead and Uckfield, Active ​Sussex, who champion physical activity with local leaders to develop interventions tailored to communities. Alongside this, Sport England invested £57,019 into sports-related projects in the constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield in 2025/26.

In addition, Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign has also inspired millions of women and girls across the country to get active. 1.6 million more women are expected to be active as a result of the campaign by 2028.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the participation of women and girls in sport in West Sussex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that as many women and girls as possible have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our arm’s -length body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year to help people get active, including women and girls.

Sport England supports the work of the local Active Partnership which covers East Grinstead and Uckfield, Active ​Sussex, who champion physical activity with local leaders to develop interventions tailored to communities. Alongside this, Sport England invested £57,019 into sports-related projects in the constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield in 2025/26.

In addition, Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign has also inspired millions of women and girls across the country to get active. 1.6 million more women are expected to be active as a result of the campaign by 2028.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken to support the tourism industry in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is committed to ensuring tourism drives growth and jobs across the country, including the constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield alongside both East and West Sussex. DCMS works closely with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) and the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) network, including the Sussex and Brighton LVEP, to drive investment and promote the region as a premier destination to visit, live, work, and invest.

Sussex’s coastal destinations were recently spotlighted as part of VisitEngland’s nationwide coastal marketing campaign which rallied local tourism voices to share short videos highlighting their coastlines. Content on VisitEngland’s domestic channels included local food-focused content featuring Worthing and a South East beaches reel highlighting Eastbourne, Cuckmere Haven, and Camber Sands.

Building on this momentum, VisitEngland launched its £2 million "All on England’s Coast" campaign in September. Running through early 2027, the initiative aims to boost coastal tourism during the shoulder season. Beyond coastal activity, Sussex destinations have also featured across wider domestic social activity, including through recent Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired woodland walks content featuring Ashdown Forest.

To drive international tourism, VisitBritain promotes the Bluebell Railway as part of its Kent and Sussex film and TV itinerary, linking the region to its Starring GREAT Britain campaign. This campaign uses the hook of Britain’s rich film and television history to encourage more international visitors to explore across Britain, including many rural and coastal destinations.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken to support the tourism industry in West Sussex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is committed to ensuring tourism drives growth and jobs across the country, including the constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield alongside both East and West Sussex. DCMS works closely with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) and the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) network, including the Sussex and Brighton LVEP, to drive investment and promote the region as a premier destination to visit, live, work, and invest.

Sussex’s coastal destinations were recently spotlighted as part of VisitEngland’s nationwide coastal marketing campaign which rallied local tourism voices to share short videos highlighting their coastlines. Content on VisitEngland’s domestic channels included local food-focused content featuring Worthing and a South East beaches reel highlighting Eastbourne, Cuckmere Haven, and Camber Sands.

Building on this momentum, VisitEngland launched its £2 million "All on England’s Coast" campaign in September. Running through early 2027, the initiative aims to boost coastal tourism during the shoulder season. Beyond coastal activity, Sussex destinations have also featured across wider domestic social activity, including through recent Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired woodland walks content featuring Ashdown Forest.

To drive international tourism, VisitBritain promotes the Bluebell Railway as part of its Kent and Sussex film and TV itinerary, linking the region to its Starring GREAT Britain campaign. This campaign uses the hook of Britain’s rich film and television history to encourage more international visitors to explore across Britain, including many rural and coastal destinations.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken to support the tourism industry in East Sussex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is committed to ensuring tourism drives growth and jobs across the country, including the constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield alongside both East and West Sussex. DCMS works closely with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) and the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) network, including the Sussex and Brighton LVEP, to drive investment and promote the region as a premier destination to visit, live, work, and invest.

Sussex’s coastal destinations were recently spotlighted as part of VisitEngland’s nationwide coastal marketing campaign which rallied local tourism voices to share short videos highlighting their coastlines. Content on VisitEngland’s domestic channels included local food-focused content featuring Worthing and a South East beaches reel highlighting Eastbourne, Cuckmere Haven, and Camber Sands.

Building on this momentum, VisitEngland launched its £2 million "All on England’s Coast" campaign in September. Running through early 2027, the initiative aims to boost coastal tourism during the shoulder season. Beyond coastal activity, Sussex destinations have also featured across wider domestic social activity, including through recent Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired woodland walks content featuring Ashdown Forest.

To drive international tourism, VisitBritain promotes the Bluebell Railway as part of its Kent and Sussex film and TV itinerary, linking the region to its Starring GREAT Britain campaign. This campaign uses the hook of Britain’s rich film and television history to encourage more international visitors to explore across Britain, including many rural and coastal destinations.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure safeguards surrounding the transfer of registered intellectual property are enforced in a digital setting.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) follows robust, proportionate processes to securely process 20K annual requests to record the transfer of ownership of IP rights in the register. These processes are reviewed regularly to reflect changing risk threats. The IPO is mid-way through a major transformation programme which will further improve validation processes by introducing an authenticated user account for all transactions. The recent consultation on the UK Designs system included proposals to extend the IPO’s power to resolve disputes over ownership of patents and trade marks to registered designs where that power is currently reserved for the courts.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department are taking to support the Intellectual Property Office to improve safeguarding regarding the transfer of registered intellectual property via authenticators.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) follows robust, proportionate processes to securely process 20K annual requests to record the transfer of ownership of IP rights in the register. These processes are reviewed regularly to reflect changing risk threats. The IPO is mid-way through a major transformation programme which will further improve validation processes by introducing an authenticated user account for all transactions. The recent consultation on the UK Designs system included proposals to extend the IPO’s power to resolve disputes over ownership of patents and trade marks to registered designs where that power is currently reserved for the courts.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many meetings he has held with the Welsh Government since his appointment on 26 July 2026 to discuss its proposal to close junctions on the M4, on what dates those meetings took place, and what the outcomes of those meetings were.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

I have held discussions with Welsh Government counterparts on a range of issues since my appointment in July 2026.

On 6 October 2026, the Welsh Government announced an 18-month programme of work to develop road-based and engineering solutions for the M4, including consideration of the potential closure of junctions in the Newport area. Decisions relating to the M4 are devolved and are therefore a matter for the Welsh Government, but I am deeply concerned by these proposals and their impacts.

The UK Government recognises the need to address congestion on the M4. The Burns Commission recommended five new stations in South East Wales as part of a wider network of transport alternatives intended to ease congestion, improve journey time reliability and deliver economic benefits across South Wales.

At Spending Review 2025, £95 million was allocated to the Burns Stations, with an ambition to bring two stations into construction by 2029. This investment forms part of the UK Government's wider commitment of £445 million for rail enhancements in Wales.

In addition, the Prime Minister has committed to delivering Transport for Wales's vision document, which includes projects with an estimated value of up to £14 billion. These proposals would strengthen connectivity between communities and key employment centres, support new jobs and housing, and drive economic growth across Wales. By enabling more frequent, reliable and integrated public transport services, they would also provide people with a genuine alternative to the car and encourage modal shift from road to rail.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen protections available to registered owners, in regards to registered intellectual property, who say that a transfer was made without their authority.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) follows robust, proportionate processes to securely process 20K annual requests to record the transfer of ownership of IP rights in the register. These processes are reviewed regularly to reflect changing risk threats. The IPO is mid-way through a major transformation programme which will further improve validation processes by introducing an authenticated user account for all transactions. The recent consultation on the UK Designs system included proposals to extend the IPO’s power to resolve disputes over ownership of patents and trade marks to registered designs where that power is currently reserved for the courts.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of protections and safeguards for the transfer of intellectual property rights in a digital setting.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) follows robust, proportionate processes to securely process 20K annual requests to record the transfer of ownership of IP rights in the register. These processes are reviewed regularly to reflect changing risk threats. The IPO is mid-way through a major transformation programme which will further improve validation processes by introducing an authenticated user account for all transactions. The recent consultation on the UK Designs system included proposals to extend the IPO’s power to resolve disputes over ownership of patents and trade marks to registered designs where that power is currently reserved for the courts.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department plans to review the powers and statutory obligations of the Intellectual Property Office.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) follows robust, proportionate processes to securely process 20K annual requests to record the transfer of ownership of IP rights in the register. These processes are reviewed regularly to reflect changing risk threats. The IPO is mid-way through a major transformation programme which will further improve validation processes by introducing an authenticated user account for all transactions. The recent consultation on the UK Designs system included proposals to extend the IPO’s power to resolve disputes over ownership of patents and trade marks to registered designs where that power is currently reserved for the courts.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy on communities in West Sussex.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local leaders will decide whether a levy is the right choice for their area and, if so, how revenue should be invested to make their regions better for people to visit and enjoy. This will inform their decisions and help them to find an appropriate balance between supporting local economic priorities, ensuring a levy is affordable, including for families, and providing stability and certainty for businesses. The impact of any local levy will depend on local circumstances and decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy on communities in the East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local leaders will decide whether a levy is the right choice for their area and, if so, how revenue should be invested to make their regions better for people to visit and enjoy. This will inform their decisions and help them to find an appropriate balance between supporting local economic priorities, ensuring a levy is affordable, including for families, and providing stability and certainty for businesses. The impact of any local levy will depend on local circumstances and decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy on communities in East Sussex.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local leaders will decide whether a levy is the right choice for their area and, if so, how revenue should be invested to make their regions better for people to visit and enjoy. This will inform their decisions and help them to find an appropriate balance between supporting local economic priorities, ensuring a levy is affordable, including for families, and providing stability and certainty for businesses. The impact of any local levy will depend on local circumstances and decisions.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the regulated gambling sector in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department believes a well-regulated gambling sector is essential if customers are going to gamble with licensed operators and not unregulated ones, where appropriate protections are not present.

Sussex is home to a range of retail gambling operators, as well as online operators, and horse and greyhound racing venues. These provide many specialised jobs and play an important role in local communities. While most gambling policies are not place-specific, the Department recognises that there are regional differences across the gambling landscape and we believe that the people closest to where impacts are experienced can be best-placed to make decisions. In the summer the Prime Minister announced plans to give local authorities more powers over individual licensing decisions by revoking the ‘aim to permit’ principle, and DCMS will publish a consultation in this area in due course. We also recognise the importance of amusement piers and arcades in providing low-risk leisure venues for families, and in supporting the local economies of seaside towns such as those found in Sussex. To support the Family Entertainment sector, DCMS has consulted on the stakes and prizes for the Category D gaming machines found in these venues. A response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the regulated gambling sector in East Sussex.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department believes a well-regulated gambling sector is essential if customers are going to gamble with licensed operators and not unregulated ones, where appropriate protections are not present.

Sussex is home to a range of retail gambling operators, as well as online operators, and horse and greyhound racing venues. These provide many specialised jobs and play an important role in local communities. While most gambling policies are not place-specific, the Department recognises that there are regional differences across the gambling landscape and we believe that the people closest to where impacts are experienced can be best-placed to make decisions. In the summer the Prime Minister announced plans to give local authorities more powers over individual licensing decisions by revoking the ‘aim to permit’ principle, and DCMS will publish a consultation in this area in due course. We also recognise the importance of amusement piers and arcades in providing low-risk leisure venues for families, and in supporting the local economies of seaside towns such as those found in Sussex. To support the Family Entertainment sector, DCMS has consulted on the stakes and prizes for the Category D gaming machines found in these venues. A response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the regulated gambling sector in West Sussex.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department believes a well-regulated gambling sector is essential if customers are going to gamble with licensed operators and not unregulated ones, where appropriate protections are not present.

Sussex is home to a range of retail gambling operators, as well as online operators, and horse and greyhound racing venues. These provide many specialised jobs and play an important role in local communities. While most gambling policies are not place-specific, the Department recognises that there are regional differences across the gambling landscape and we believe that the people closest to where impacts are experienced can be best-placed to make decisions. In the summer the Prime Minister announced plans to give local authorities more powers over individual licensing decisions by revoking the ‘aim to permit’ principle, and DCMS will publish a consultation in this area in due course. We also recognise the importance of amusement piers and arcades in providing low-risk leisure venues for families, and in supporting the local economies of seaside towns such as those found in Sussex. To support the Family Entertainment sector, DCMS has consulted on the stakes and prizes for the Category D gaming machines found in these venues. A response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of protections and safeguards for the transfer of intellectual property rights in a digital setting.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) follows robust, proportionate processes to securely process 20K annual requests to record the transfer of ownership of IP rights in the register. These processes are reviewed regularly to reflect changing risk threats. The IPO is mid-way through a major transformation programme which will further improve validation processes by introducing an authenticated user account for all transactions. The recent consultation on the UK Designs system included proposals to extend the IPO’s power to resolve disputes over ownership of patents and trade marks to registered designs where that power is currently reserved for the courts.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Statutory Guidelines On Disposable BBQ and on open flames restrictions, issued by the national alert on 14 August 2026, is still in affect.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The decision to issue the Emergency Alert on Friday 14 August was taken following direct requests from front-line emergency responders because national capabilities were at risk of being overwhelmed. The Cabinet Office issued the alert following these requests. The Alert was advisory in response to adverse environmental conditions. Transmission of the emergency alert ended at 23:00 on Friday 14 August. There is no formal decision point to 'end' the advice, instead, we refer to ongoing guidance from the emergency services and government's statutory guidelines on the ban for disposable BBQs available on www.GOV.UK. Please note that statutory restrictions apply specifically to the sale of disposable BBQs and do not apply to bonfires.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help preserve historic buildings in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Support for historic preservation across England is primarily delivered through Historic England, funded by DCMS, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In East Grinstead and Uckfield, Historic England has focused preservation efforts on advisory casework, local listing recommendations, and monitoring five sites currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded over £8 million to 45 projects in the constituency since 1994, including more than £5.6 million across eight awards for the Bluebell Railway.

East Sussex has received direct investment through the High Street Heritage Action Zone in Hastings (now completed), supported by £1,625,000 from Historic England alongside £7,514,000 in match funding to facilitate projects like the repair and reuse of the Observer Building. Furthermore, grant funding has recently been awarded to support major conservation and regeneration efforts at Brighton Pavilion Gardens and Madeira Terrace in Brighton and Hove, as well as repair work at the Grade II* listed Mint House in Pevensey. Since 1994, the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £138 million to 749 projects in East Sussex, including a 2023 grant of over £5.3 million supporting the restoration of the gardens of Brighton's Royal Pavilion.

Support in West Sussex from Historic England is primarily delivered through targeted specialist advice, council partnerships, and risk monitoring. Historic England tracks 43 heritage assets currently listed on the region's Heritage at Risk Register, while dedicating strategic support to key preservation initiatives, such as advising the Blake Cottage Trust on thatch conservation and partnering with local authorities on heritage-led regeneration in Worthing. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded over £76 million to 524 projects across West Sussex since 1994, including a 2022 grant of more than £2 million supporting the Woodland Trust's Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs project.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help preserve historic buildings in East Sussex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Support for historic preservation across England is primarily delivered through Historic England, funded by DCMS, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In East Grinstead and Uckfield, Historic England has focused preservation efforts on advisory casework, local listing recommendations, and monitoring five sites currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded over £8 million to 45 projects in the constituency since 1994, including more than £5.6 million across eight awards for the Bluebell Railway.

East Sussex has received direct investment through the High Street Heritage Action Zone in Hastings (now completed), supported by £1,625,000 from Historic England alongside £7,514,000 in match funding to facilitate projects like the repair and reuse of the Observer Building. Furthermore, grant funding has recently been awarded to support major conservation and regeneration efforts at Brighton Pavilion Gardens and Madeira Terrace in Brighton and Hove, as well as repair work at the Grade II* listed Mint House in Pevensey. Since 1994, the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £138 million to 749 projects in East Sussex, including a 2023 grant of over £5.3 million supporting the restoration of the gardens of Brighton's Royal Pavilion.

Support in West Sussex from Historic England is primarily delivered through targeted specialist advice, council partnerships, and risk monitoring. Historic England tracks 43 heritage assets currently listed on the region's Heritage at Risk Register, while dedicating strategic support to key preservation initiatives, such as advising the Blake Cottage Trust on thatch conservation and partnering with local authorities on heritage-led regeneration in Worthing. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded over £76 million to 524 projects across West Sussex since 1994, including a 2022 grant of more than £2 million supporting the Woodland Trust's Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs project.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help preserve historic buildings in West Sussex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Support for historic preservation across England is primarily delivered through Historic England, funded by DCMS, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In East Grinstead and Uckfield, Historic England has focused preservation efforts on advisory casework, local listing recommendations, and monitoring five sites currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded over £8 million to 45 projects in the constituency since 1994, including more than £5.6 million across eight awards for the Bluebell Railway.

East Sussex has received direct investment through the High Street Heritage Action Zone in Hastings (now completed), supported by £1,625,000 from Historic England alongside £7,514,000 in match funding to facilitate projects like the repair and reuse of the Observer Building. Furthermore, grant funding has recently been awarded to support major conservation and regeneration efforts at Brighton Pavilion Gardens and Madeira Terrace in Brighton and Hove, as well as repair work at the Grade II* listed Mint House in Pevensey. Since 1994, the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £138 million to 749 projects in East Sussex, including a 2023 grant of over £5.3 million supporting the restoration of the gardens of Brighton's Royal Pavilion.

Support in West Sussex from Historic England is primarily delivered through targeted specialist advice, council partnerships, and risk monitoring. Historic England tracks 43 heritage assets currently listed on the region's Heritage at Risk Register, while dedicating strategic support to key preservation initiatives, such as advising the Blake Cottage Trust on thatch conservation and partnering with local authorities on heritage-led regeneration in Worthing. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded over £76 million to 524 projects across West Sussex since 1994, including a 2022 grant of more than £2 million supporting the Woodland Trust's Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs project.

Thames link corridor on the Brighton Mainline

Found: Salford [FPW0003] Big Brother Watch [FPW0004] Police and Crime Commissioners (Wales) [FPW0005] Mims Davies

Found: HollinrakeHelen Whately John Lamont Rebecca SmithAlicia Kearns Alan Mak Gregory StaffordJack Rankin Mims Davies

Found: HollinrakeHelen Whately John Lamont Rebecca SmithAlicia Kearns Alan Mak Gregory StaffordJack Rankin Mims Davies

Found: HollinrakeHelen Whately John Lamont Rebecca SmithAlicia Kearns Alan Mak Gregory StaffordJack Rankin Mims Davies

Found: HollinrakeHelen Whately John Lamont Rebecca SmithAlicia Kearns Alan Mak Gregory StaffordJack Rankin Mims Davies

Found: HollinrakeHelen Whately John Lamont Rebecca SmithAlicia Kearns Alan Mak Gregory StaffordJack Rankin Mims Davies

Found: HollinrakeHelen Whately John Lamont Rebecca SmithAlicia Kearns Alan Mak Gregory StaffordJack Rankin Mims Davies

Found: Two of the meetings with Nusrat Ghani MP also involved other stakeholders, including Mims Davies MP

Found: England Tewkesbury Borough Council Tewkesbury GL20 5TT Public sector Committed South West England Mims Davies