Tom Tugendhat MP: written questions
73 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Telecommunications: PlanningMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15383More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in what way he plans to ensure that planning guidance considers visual amenity and the expansion of mobile network capacity.
Answer: Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a new section intended to replace Chapter 10 of current Framework on ...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTelecommunications: Local PlansMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15382More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that local plans give appropriate weight to the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
Answer: Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a new section intended to replace Chapter 10 of current Framework on ...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Mobile BroadbandDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15381More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a route-by-route timetable for eliminating mobile connectivity blackspots on the rail network.
Answer: The Government does not currently intend to publish a route-by-route timetable for eliminating mobile connectivity blackspots on the rail network. Improvements to passenger connectivity are being delivered through a range of programmes across the rail net...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSouth Eastern Main Line: Mobile BroadbandDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15380More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the South Eastern Main Line through Tonbridge will be included in the next phase of Project Reach; and when that phase will begin.
Answer: The South Eastern Main Line through Tonbridge is not included in the current phase of Project Reach. No decision has yet been taken on its inclusion in any future phase and, consequently, no start date has been set. The current phase of Project Reach will...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Mobile BroadbandDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the reason was for the time taken between the submission of the Project Reach outline business case and final government approval.
Answer: The period between submission of the Outline Business Case and final Government approval reflected the need to complete the detailed commercial, legal, and financial arrangements for a complex long-term partnership. Additional time was also required follo...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: InfrastructureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Government will publish and implement its proposed reforms to planning rules for digital infrastructure.
Answer: Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included a new section intended to replace Chapter 10 of current Framework on ...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordM25: KentDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13854More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department is making on building missing slip roads at Junction 5 of the M25.
Answer: There are currently no plans to build additional slip roads at Junction 5 of the M25. National Highways will soon be refreshing its Route Strategies, which are the key evidence base that informs the development of future investment plans for the Strategic...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Plans: Tonbridge and Malling Borough CouncilMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13853More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, 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
Answer: National planning policy makes clear that local plans should be positively prepared and, as a minimum, seek to meet identified development needs. Local planning authorities are expected to do all they reasonably can to meet need, including working proacti...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBanks: RussiaTreasuryTabled 12 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9382More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, 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.
Answer: 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...
Answered 18 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSouth East Water: StandardsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5355More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, 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.
Answer: 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...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWater SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5354More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, 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.
Answer: 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...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Gatwick AirportDepartment for TransportTabled 20 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3269More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will provide an update on reintroducing a direct train service between Kent and Gatwick Airport.
Answer: 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...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNational LandscapesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to set out a timetable and a strategy for expanding the number of National Landscapes.
Answer: 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...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what target figure for asylum dispersal has been given for a) Tonbridge and Malling borough, and b) Sevenoaks district.
Answer: 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...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Delivery Taskforce: South East WaterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128078More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, 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.
Answer: 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.
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 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.
Answer: 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...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many properties are being used for asylum dispersal in a) Tonbridge and Malling borough and b) Sevenoaks district.
Answer: 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...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning: RailwaysMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120395More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the impact of the draft National Planning Policy Framework for rail capacity on a) the Southeastern mainline, b) the Maidstone East line, c) the Uc
Answer: Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, set out a number of proposals to support development in sus...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMaidstone Line: TrainsDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120394More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what investment her Department has planned to enable 12 carriage trains on the Maidstone East line.
Answer: 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 servic...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMaidstone Line: OvercrowdingDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120389More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to help reduce overcrowding on peak time services on the Maidstone East line.
Answer: 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 servic...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMaidstone East Line: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120388More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to increase capacity on the Maidstone East line.
Answer: 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 servic...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFuels: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104200More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when the Government will launch the Fuel Finder scheme.
Answer: The Government’s Fuel Finder scheme is now live, with registration open to motor fuel traders. From 2 February, all UK petrol filling stations will be required to report fuel prices, encouraging competitive pricing among retailers. Fuel Finder data will b...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103807More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of Child Maintenance Service cases have been transferred from direct pay to collect and pay due to non-compliance in each of the last three years.
Answer: The Department publishes quarterly Child Maintenance Service official statistics. In the latest National tables, Table 3 provides data on the number of arrangements moving from one service type to another within the Child Maintenance Service from October ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103806More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of parents on default rate calculations in each of the last three years.
Answer: The Department estimates that there were approximately 2,900 paying parents with a Default Maintenance Decision (DMD) as of June 2025. These were identified by searching for cases that had liability amounts and numbers of children corresponding to the cur...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChild Maintenance Service: ICTDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times the Child Maintenance Service IT system has experienced a (a) full outage and (b) partial service disruption in the last 12 months.
Answer: The Child Maintenance Service IT system has had no full outages in the past 12 months. The service is supported by multiple digital products rather than a single system, so the data for part (b) is not held centrally and retrieving it would be disproporti...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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