Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, If he can confirm the dates of the proposed technical consultation for Local Government Reorganisation in Sussex.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We anticipate that the consultation will take place shortly after the local elections and will run until around mid-June.
Once the consultation has closed, the Secretary of State will take a final decision on which, if any, proposal to take forward in these areas, having regard to all relevant information, including responses to the technical consultation.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the current average waiting time is for car driving tests in Wales; how many driving test centres in Wales have an average waiting time of (a) over 12 weeks, (b) over 18 weeks, and (c) over 24 weeks; and what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Wales on reducing driving test waiting times in Wales.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The average waiting time for a car practical driving test in Wales in February 2026 was 16.8 weeks. The table below shows the average waiting time in February 2026 for a car practical driving test at driving test centres in Wales:
Driving Test Centre | Average waiting time in February 2026 (in weeks) |
Abergavenny | 24 |
Aberystwyth (Park Avenue) | 15.75 |
Bala | 14 |
Bangor | 18.5 |
Barry | 6.5 |
Brecon | 10 |
Bridgend | 12.25 |
Cardiff (Llanishen) | 20.25 |
Cardigan | 8.25 |
Carmarthen | 15.25 |
Llanelli | 9.75 |
Llantrisant | 19.5 |
Merthyr Tydfil | 19.75 |
Monmouth | 5.75 |
Newport (Gwent) | 24 |
Newtown | 24 |
Pembroke Dock | 18.5 |
Pwllheli | 3.5 |
Rhyl | 21 |
Swansea | 17.25 |
Wrexham | 11 |
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made on making water companies statuary consultees when planning applications are submitted.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60676 on 23 June 2025.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the role of mobile digital infrastructure in supporting local economic growth, productivity and investment in planning policy in Sussex.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Digital infrastructure is a significant contributor to the UK economy, with the telecommunications services industry contributing around £37 billion in 2025 to the UK economy in “real” terms (1). It underpins growth across the wider economy, including by supporting the adoption of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in all parts of the country.
We regularly engage other government departments, including with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to underline the importance of digital infrastructure in unlocking economic growth and the role of the planning system in supporting network rollout. As part of this work, we launched a call for evidence, led jointly by DSIT and MHCLG, to assess whether existing permitted development rights should be expanded to better support digital infrastructure deployment. The call for evidence closed on Thursday, 26 February and subject to the evidence received, the Government will determine next steps, which may include consulting on proposed measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward legislation.
The ‘National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes’ consultation, led by MHCLG, closed on 10 March. MHCLG is responsible for planning regulations, including the National Planning Policy Framework, and we are continuing to engage with MHCLG to ensure that the importance of digital infrastructure is appropriately reflected in national and local planning policy.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the role of mobile digital infrastructure in supporting local economic growth, productivity and investment in planning policy in East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Digital infrastructure is a significant contributor to the UK economy, with the telecommunications services industry contributing around £37 billion in 2025 to the UK economy in “real” terms (1). It underpins growth across the wider economy, including by supporting the adoption of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in all parts of the country.
We regularly engage other government departments, including with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to underline the importance of digital infrastructure in unlocking economic growth and the role of the planning system in supporting network rollout. As part of this work, we launched a call for evidence, led jointly by DSIT and MHCLG, to assess whether existing permitted development rights should be expanded to better support digital infrastructure deployment. The call for evidence closed on Thursday, 26 February and subject to the evidence received, the Government will determine next steps, which may include consulting on proposed measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward legislation.
The ‘National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes’ consultation, led by MHCLG, closed on 10 March. MHCLG is responsible for planning regulations, including the National Planning Policy Framework, and we are continuing to engage with MHCLG to ensure that the importance of digital infrastructure is appropriately reflected in national and local planning policy.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the role of mobile digital infrastructure in supporting local economic growth, productivity and investment in planning policy.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Digital infrastructure is a significant contributor to the UK economy, with the telecommunications services industry contributing around £37 billion in 2025 to the UK economy in “real” terms (1). It underpins growth across the wider economy, including by supporting the adoption of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in all parts of the country.
We regularly engage other government departments, including with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to underline the importance of digital infrastructure in unlocking economic growth and the role of the planning system in supporting network rollout. As part of this work, we launched a call for evidence, led jointly by DSIT and MHCLG, to assess whether existing permitted development rights should be expanded to better support digital infrastructure deployment. The call for evidence closed on Thursday, 26 February and subject to the evidence received, the Government will determine next steps, which may include consulting on proposed measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward legislation.
The ‘National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes’ consultation, led by MHCLG, closed on 10 March. MHCLG is responsible for planning regulations, including the National Planning Policy Framework, and we are continuing to engage with MHCLG to ensure that the importance of digital infrastructure is appropriately reflected in national and local planning policy.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with regard to her Department's consultation entitled National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system, what steps she is taking to ensure that the importance of digital infrastructure is recognised.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Digital infrastructure is a significant contributor to the UK economy, with the telecommunications services industry contributing around £37 billion in 2025 to the UK economy in “real” terms (1). It underpins growth across the wider economy, including by supporting the adoption of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in all parts of the country.
We regularly engage other government departments, including with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to underline the importance of digital infrastructure in unlocking economic growth and the role of the planning system in supporting network rollout. As part of this work, we launched a call for evidence, led jointly by DSIT and MHCLG, to assess whether existing permitted development rights should be expanded to better support digital infrastructure deployment. The call for evidence closed on Thursday, 26 February and subject to the evidence received, the Government will determine next steps, which may include consulting on proposed measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward legislation.
The ‘National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes’ consultation, led by MHCLG, closed on 10 March. MHCLG is responsible for planning regulations, including the National Planning Policy Framework, and we are continuing to engage with MHCLG to ensure that the importance of digital infrastructure is appropriately reflected in national and local planning policy.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department has taken to support access to men's mental health services in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency and (b) Sussex.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We recognise that some men may find it difficult to seek help for their mental health, and Sussex has made this a priority within its suicide prevention and mental health strategies. This includes targeted work to improve early identification, reduce stigma, and increase engagement among men and boys. Access routes have been strengthened through:
- primary care and community-based entry points, where men are more likely to present;
- NHS Talking Therapies, offering timely access to evidence-based support;
- crisis alternatives to hospital admission, including urgent mental health helplines and safe havens; and
- workplace and community outreach approaches, designed to engage men who may not access traditional services.
In addition to National Health Service provision, Sussex works closely with voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, which play a key role in engaging men through peer support, wellbeing services, and targeted community-based interventions.
While data is not routinely reported by gender at a constituency level, system partners use available data and local insight to identify inequalities in access and outcomes, including for men, and to inform ongoing service improvement.
We are partnering with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative, to help tackle male suicide, as part of England's first Men's Health Strategy. This work, carried out with Samaritans, provides matchday support for fans in stadiums, as well as an online hub with information and referral details for fans and followers watching from home. The partnership will see football clubs actively promoting existing mental health and suicide prevention support, such as NHS Talking Therapies and Every Mind Matters, and where appropriate, making onward referrals to appropriate organisations like the NHS.
Overall, Sussex continues to develop a whole-system approach to mental health support, ensuring that services are accessible, responsive, and effective for all populations, including men.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children are estimated to be living with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in (a) East Grinstead and Uckfield Constituency and (b) Sussex.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The data requested is not held centrally. Children with developmental coordination disorder, commonly known as dyspraxia, access support through local National Health Service occupational therapy, paediatrics, physiotherapy, and educational services.
NHS guidance sets out a referral process which typically begins with a general practice, health visitor, or a special educational needs coordinator, who may refer the child to paediatric occupational therapy and physiotherapist for assessment and support. The guidance is available at the following link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder-dyspraxia/
For the first time, we have set a target for systems to work to in order to reduce long waits for community health services. By 2028/29 at least 80% of community health services activity should take place within 18 weeks, bringing community health services in line with targets for elective care.