Mims Davies
Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield
8,480 (16.8%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 7th May 2015
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
(since November 2024)Shadow Minister (Women)
(since November 2024)5 APPG Officer Positions (as of 18 May 2026)
Brain Tumours, Men and Boys' Issues, Southeast and Gatwick Diamond Growth Gateway, Women in Parliament, Youth Employment5 APPG Memberships
Beauty and Wellbeing, Media, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), South East, Youth Affairs13 Former APPG Officer Positions
Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees, Arrhythmias, Carers, Commercial Radio, Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion, Eye Health and Visual Impairment, Households in Temporary Accommodation, Infrastructure, Photonics, Phototonics, Running, Textile and Fashion, Youth AffairsDivision Voting information
Mims Davies voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Conservative Aye votes vs 35 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 47
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
(47 debate interactions)
(9 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(42 debate contributions)
(33 debate contributions)
(15 debate contributions)
(13 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(366 words contributed)
East Grinstead and Uckfield Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 11,020 signatures (1.00%)
of 28,901 signatures (0.37%)
of 75,651 signatures (0.27%)
of 146,130 signatures (0.27%)
of 114,614 signatures (0.24%)
of 203,532 signatures (0.20%)
of 230,473 signatures (0.17%)
of 146,130 signatures (0.27%)
of 155,084 signatures (0.24%)
of 202,092 signatures (0.18%)
Petition Closed
Allow transgender people to self-identify their legal gender.
Gov Responded - 19 Mar 2025 Debated on - 19 May 2025 View Mims Davies's petition debate contributionsclosed 1 year ago
We believe the government should change legislation to make it easier for trans people of all ages to change their legal gender without an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
Latest EDMs signed by Mims Davies
Energy Conservation
Tabled by: Kemi Badenoch (Conservative - North West Essex)That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Household Tumble Dryers) Regulations 2026 (SI, 2026, No. 318), dated 19 March 2026, a copy of which was laid before this House on 19 March, in the last Session of Parliament, …
(Most recent: 11 Jun 2026)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 37
Reform UK: 7
Democratic Unionist Party: 4
Independent: 2
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Labour: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Trafficking of the victims of grooming gangs overseas
Tabled by: Chris Philp (Conservative - Croydon South)That this House notes with grave concern reports into organised child sexual exploitation, which suggest that women and girls may have been trafficked to Pakistan by their abusers; further notes that those in positions of authority failed to stop the abuse and potentially failed to intervene to stop the trafficking …
(Most recent: 5 Mar 2026)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Traditional Unionist Voice: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Reform UK: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Mims Davies, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
2 Urgent Questions tabled by Mims Davies
1 Adjournment Debate led by Mims Davies
1 Bill introduced by Mims Davies
A Bill to make provision for the governance and operation of parish councils in England; and for connected purposes.
4 Bills co-sponsored by Mims Davies
Elections (Accessibility for Blind Voters) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Julie Minns (Lab)
Stalking Protection Act 2019
Sponsor - Sarah Wollaston (LD)
Burial Rights Reform Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - David Burrowes (Con)
Defibrillators (Availability) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Maria Caulfield (Con)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)6 Other Department Questions
Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010 permits the use of positive action measures to alleviate disadvantage experienced by people who share a protected characteristic, reduce their under-representation in relation to particular activities, and meet their particular needs. It allows measures to be targeted to particular groups, including internships and training, to enable them to gain employment.
Section 159 permits an employer to take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote, where people who hold the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are under-represented. This can only be done where the candidates are as qualified as each other. The question of whether one person is as qualified as another is not a matter only of academic qualification, but a judgement based on the criteria the employer uses to establish who is best for the job. This could include matters such as suitability, competence and professional performance. Section 159 does not allow employers to have a policy or practice of automatically treating people who share a protected characteristic more favourably than those who do not have it in these circumstances; each case must be considered on its merits.
Any action taken in light of either Section 158 or 159 must be a proportionate means of addressing such disadvantage or under-representation. The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for people from discrimination in the workplace and in society which make it unlawful to treat someone unfairly or discriminate against anyone based on certain personal characteristics. This includes race and ethnicity. Guidance to help employers understand the difference between positive action and positive discrimination is available on gov.uk at www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-action-in-the-workplace-guidance-for-employers. There are currently no plans to issue further guidance on positive action.
The Department for Education is working on a number of initiatives and schemes to provide young people with a clear progression into further work-based training and employment.
Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010 permits the use of positive action measures to alleviate disadvantage experienced by people who share a protected characteristic, reduce their under-representation in relation to particular activities, and meet their particular needs. It allows measures to be targeted to particular groups, including internships and training, to enable them to gain employment.
Section 159 permits an employer to take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote, where people who hold the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are under-represented. This can only be done where the candidates are as qualified as each other. The question of whether one person is as qualified as another is not a matter only of academic qualification, but a judgement based on the criteria the employer uses to establish who is best for the job. This could include matters such as suitability, competence and professional performance. Section 159 does not allow employers to have a policy or practice of automatically treating people who share a protected characteristic more favourably than those who do not have it in these circumstances; each case must be considered on its merits.
Any action taken in light of either Section 158 or 159 must be a proportionate means of addressing such disadvantage or under-representation. The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for people from discrimination in the workplace and in society which make it unlawful to treat someone unfairly or discriminate against anyone based on certain personal characteristics. This includes race and ethnicity. Guidance to help employers understand the difference between positive action and positive discrimination is available on gov.uk at www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-action-in-the-workplace-guidance-for-employers. There are currently no plans to issue further guidance on positive action.
The Department for Education is working on a number of initiatives and schemes to provide young people with a clear progression into further work-based training and employment.
Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010 permits the use of positive action measures to alleviate disadvantage experienced by people who share a protected characteristic, reduce their under-representation in relation to particular activities, and meet their particular needs. It allows measures to be targeted to particular groups, including internships and training, to enable them to gain employment.
Section 159 permits an employer to take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote, where people who hold the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are under-represented. This can only be done where the candidates are as qualified as each other. The question of whether one person is as qualified as another is not a matter only of academic qualification, but a judgement based on the criteria the employer uses to establish who is best for the job. This could include matters such as suitability, competence and professional performance. Section 159 does not allow employers to have a policy or practice of automatically treating people who share a protected characteristic more favourably than those who do not have it in these circumstances; each case must be considered on its merits.
Any action taken in light of either Section 158 or 159 must be a proportionate means of addressing such disadvantage or under-representation. The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for people from discrimination in the workplace and in society which make it unlawful to treat someone unfairly or discriminate against anyone based on certain personal characteristics. This includes race and ethnicity. Guidance to help employers understand the difference between positive action and positive discrimination is available on gov.uk at www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-action-in-the-workplace-guidance-for-employers. There are currently no plans to issue further guidance on positive action.
The Department for Education is working on a number of initiatives and schemes to provide young people with a clear progression into further work-based training and employment.
Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010 permits the use of positive action measures to alleviate disadvantage experienced by people who share a protected characteristic, reduce their under-representation in relation to particular activities, and meet their particular needs. It allows measures to be targeted to particular groups, including internships and training, to enable them to gain employment.
Section 159 permits an employer to take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote, where people who hold the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are under-represented. This can only be done where the candidates are as qualified as each other. The question of whether one person is as qualified as another is not a matter only of academic qualification, but a judgement based on the criteria the employer uses to establish who is best for the job. This could include matters such as suitability, competence and professional performance. Section 159 does not allow employers to have a policy or practice of automatically treating people who share a protected characteristic more favourably than those who do not have it in these circumstances; each case must be considered on its merits.
Any action taken in light of either Section 158 or 159 must be a proportionate means of addressing such disadvantage or under-representation. The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for people from discrimination in the workplace and in society which make it unlawful to treat someone unfairly or discriminate against anyone based on certain personal characteristics. This includes race and ethnicity. Guidance to help employers understand the difference between positive action and positive discrimination is available on gov.uk at www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-action-in-the-workplace-guidance-for-employers. There are currently no plans to issue further guidance on positive action.
The Department for Education is working on a number of initiatives and schemes to provide young people with a clear progression into further work-based training and employment.
Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010 permits the use of positive action measures to alleviate disadvantage experienced by people who share a protected characteristic, reduce their under-representation in relation to particular activities, and meet their particular needs. It allows measures to be targeted to particular groups, including internships and training, to enable them to gain employment.
Section 159 permits an employer to take a protected characteristic into consideration when deciding whom to recruit or promote, where people who hold the protected characteristic are at a disadvantage or are under-represented. This can only be done where the candidates are as qualified as each other. The question of whether one person is as qualified as another is not a matter only of academic qualification, but a judgement based on the criteria the employer uses to establish who is best for the job. This could include matters such as suitability, competence and professional performance. Section 159 does not allow employers to have a policy or practice of automatically treating people who share a protected characteristic more favourably than those who do not have it in these circumstances; each case must be considered on its merits.
Any action taken in light of either Section 158 or 159 must be a proportionate means of addressing such disadvantage or under-representation. The Equality Act 2010 provides protections for people from discrimination in the workplace and in society which make it unlawful to treat someone unfairly or discriminate against anyone based on certain personal characteristics. This includes race and ethnicity. Guidance to help employers understand the difference between positive action and positive discrimination is available on gov.uk at www.gov.uk/government/publications/positive-action-in-the-workplace-guidance-for-employers. There are currently no plans to issue further guidance on positive action.
The Department for Education is working on a number of initiatives and schemes to provide young people with a clear progression into further work-based training and employment.
The Government Car Service (GCS) provides Departmental Pool Cars (DPC) to the following Government departments:
Attorney General’s Office
Cabinet Office
Department for Business and Trade
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Department for Education
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for Health and Social Care
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Department for Transport
Department for Work and Pensions
HM Treasury
Home Office
Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Ministry of Justice
Scotland Office
Secretary of State for Defence
The National Crime Agency estimates that at least £1 billion is being laundered through rogue shops operating on UK high streets. Addressing this threat is a priority for the Government, and on 19 May, the government announced a £30 million crackdown targeting cash intensive business such as barber shops, vape stores, mini-marts and sweet shops operating on our high streets, over three years.
Consumers who have concerns about the conduct or legitimacy of a business can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service. The helpline can refer issues to local trading standards officers for them to act upon. The information shared is also used by enforcement teams and regulators nationwide to identify wider market issues and allow for more serious action to be taken against the most egregious breaches of consumer law.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government, so local authorities make decisions according to their individual needs.
The final 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement makes available £78 billion in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England in 2026-27, a 6.1% increase on 2025-26. Much of this funding is not ringfenced, recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.
My officials are undertaking a review of Trading Standards duties, to ensure that consumers remain protected from harm and that local enforcement teams are able to focus on the issues that have the most impact on citizens and communities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Details of the meetings held by Ministers of the Department for Business and Trade are available on transparency pages of gov.uk and are released as part of the Government's transparency agenda.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is committed to ensuring that every adult worker benefits from a genuine living wage, and we will remove the discriminatory age bands for adults.
From April 2025, we are boosting the National Minimum Wage for 18–20-year-olds by 16.3% or £1.40 to £10.00 per hour, a record increase and a significant step towards our commitment.
Creating the Fair Work Agency (FWA) is a complex process that requires primary legislation. The Employment Rights Bill is the first phase of delivering the FWA and implementation will occur in phases following Royal Assent. We will set out more detail on this in due course.
With respect to the Employment Rights Bill, the Department has been supported by legal advice from the Government Legal Department and, where appropriate, external legal advice. Legal advice provided to the Government is privileged.
We are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights.
The Fair Work Agency will work closely with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), which already provides guidance for both employers and workers in these specific areas, to deliver appropriate support to the majority of businesses who want to comply with the law.
We are creating the Fair Work Agency to deliver a much-needed upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights.
The Fair Work Agency will work closely with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), which already provides guidance for both employers and workers in these specific areas, to deliver appropriate support to the majority of businesses who want to comply with the law.
Local planning authorities and the Environment Agency are responsible for assessing the impact of onshore oil and gas developments on housing and drinking water respectively.
The North Sea Transition Authority regulates exploration and development licensing for England’s onshore oil and gas resources on behalf of the Secretary of State. Licence holders require further consents and permits before any operations take place.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is taking action to continue to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage for UK industry, including working with our international partners to develop a coordinated approach to carbon leakage. The Government also continues to provide protection against carbon leakage through domestic measures, currently reviewing with the UK ETS Authority the approach to the provision of UK ETS free allocation to industrial sectors to ensure it remains fit for purpose, and introducing a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in 2027. The Government is committed to ensuring that industry can invest in decarbonisation with confidence that this will not be undermined by the risk of carbon leakage throughout the decarbonisation process.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The UK ETS Authority is currently conducting a review into free allocations, the UK’s primary carbon leakage mitigation method. As part of this review, in December 2024 the UK ETS Authority consulted on two approaches for assessing carbon leakage risk. The UK ETS Authority invited feedback and engaged with industry representatives, including those in the ceramics sector, on the robustness of the data and methodology used. An Impact Assessment will be conducted and published alongside final decisions by the end of 2025.
The UK Government and the ceramics sector have also recently inaugurated a working group, enabling direct dialogue with ceramics manufacturers.
Minister of State (Home Office)
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is our flagship programme for deploying renewables. We have introduced a suite of reforms to the scheme, which are vital to our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower. The reforms are intended to balance the need for significant renewables deployment to deliver an independent and clean power system, whilst minimising costs to consumers.
Minister of State (Home Office)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Minister of State (Home Office)
19 Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Questions
(View all Mims Davies's DSIT questions)Ministers at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology regularly attend and speak at conferences, trade shows and exhibitions across the UK. These events provide valuable opportunities to engage with stakeholders and the public. The requested information is not centrally held and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
Minister 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.
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.
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.
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.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Through the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and the GDS Roadmap for a Modern Digital Government, we are taking a whole‑of‑government approach to expanding access to digital skills and embedding the responsible use of AI across public services.
Together they include the significant £7.5 million upskilling initiative designed to expand access to AI skills for everyone across the economy, including those in the public sector, and the plan for government to lead by example and ensure public sector staff are equipped to use and embed digital and AI‑enabled tools.
Technology should be open to all. That is why DSIT Secretary of State set up a Women in Tech Taskforce. The first meeting was held on Monday 15th December 2025. The Taskforce will examine the systemic barriers that prevent women and other underrepresented groups from entering, progressing, and leading in the tech sector.
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
There is no centralised equality impact assessment on the rollout of AI tools in government as a whole. AI tools can be deployed for a wide-ranging set of purposes and it is down to individual departments to conduct EIAs where appropriate, irrespective of whether an AI tool is involved in the planning or execution of their policy ambitions.
The DSIT owned Data and AI Ethics Framework (DAIEF) provides a set of principles and activities to guide the responsible development, procurement and use of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the public sector. It helps public servants understand ethical considerations and how to address these in their work. The DAIEF explains the need to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty and Equality Act 2010 and signposts the EHRC guidance on the Public Sector Equality Duty to provide further information.
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This is a UK wide ambition, coverage improvements in the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency will therefore contribute to the achievement of this ambition.
Government wants to see high quality digital infrastructure available right across the UK, whether this is fixed or mobile, allowing people to participate in the modern digital economy.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This is a UK wide ambition, coverage improvements in the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency will therefore contribute to the achievement of this ambition.
Government wants to see high quality digital infrastructure available right across the UK, whether this is fixed or mobile, allowing people to participate in the modern digital economy.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This is a UK wide ambition, coverage improvements in the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency will therefore contribute to the achievement of this ambition.
Government wants to see high quality digital infrastructure available right across the UK, whether this is fixed or mobile, allowing people to participate in the modern digital economy.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030 and we have a target to deliver nationwide (99%) gigabit broadband coverage by 2032.
The Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators to ensure their continued investment into the expansion and improvement of mobile networks and that investment translates into benefits for communities right across the UK.
To improve broadband coverage in the area CityFibre is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across East and West Sussex, which includes premises in the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.
We are also working to identify and address barriers to deployment of both mobile and broadband infrastructure. This includes recently launching a call for evidence to help determine where planning rules could be relaxed to support the deployment of digital infrastructure.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This ambition includes villages and rural communities as well as towns and cities.
Standalone 5G is a more reliable, secure, generation of technology which has the potential to deliver significant benefits to communities across the UK.
Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators to ensure that continued investment into the expansion and improvement of mobile networks translates into benefits for communities right across the UK. We are also addressing barriers to deployment where they exist and recently launched a call for evidence to help determine where planning rules could be relaxed to support the deployment of digital infrastructure.
There are statutory obligations on communications providers to take appropriate and proportionate steps to ensure their networks and services remain available, and Ofcom has powers to investigate, rectify and penalise communications providers for any infringement of their duties. Ofcom is undertaking a review of the resilience of mobile services to power cuts and considering whether to update the expectations on mobile operators on the level of power back up required.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This ambition includes villages and rural communities as well as towns and cities.
Standalone 5G is a more reliable, secure, generation of technology which has the potential to deliver significant benefits to communities across the UK.
Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators to ensure that continued investment into the expansion and improvement of mobile networks translates into benefits for communities right across the UK. We are also addressing barriers to deployment where they exist and recently launched a call for evidence to help determine where planning rules could be relaxed to support the deployment of digital infrastructure.
There are statutory obligations on communications providers to take appropriate and proportionate steps to ensure their networks and services remain available, and Ofcom has powers to investigate, rectify and penalise communications providers for any infringement of their duties. Ofcom is undertaking a review of the resilience of mobile services to power cuts and considering whether to update the expectations on mobile operators on the level of power back up required.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This ambition includes villages and rural communities as well as towns and cities.
Standalone 5G is a more reliable, secure, generation of technology which has the potential to deliver significant benefits to communities across the UK.
Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators to ensure that continued investment into the expansion and improvement of mobile networks translates into benefits for communities right across the UK. We are also addressing barriers to deployment where they exist and recently launched a call for evidence to help determine where planning rules could be relaxed to support the deployment of digital infrastructure.
There are statutory obligations on communications providers to take appropriate and proportionate steps to ensure their networks and services remain available, and Ofcom has powers to investigate, rectify and penalise communications providers for any infringement of their duties. Ofcom is undertaking a review of the resilience of mobile services to power cuts and considering whether to update the expectations on mobile operators on the level of power back up required.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ofcom is responsible for reporting on mobile network coverage across the UK and their data provides Government with information on mobile coverage gaps.
Ofcom do not publish mobile coverage data on a regional basis such as for East Sussex and West Sussex. However, in their Connected Nations Annual Report 2025, published on 19 November 2025, it is reported that 1% of the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency has no 4G geographic coverage from any operator.
10% of premises in this constituency have no 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone) outside from any mobile operator, 68% of premises in the constituency do not have standalone 5G outside from any mobile operator.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ofcom is responsible for reporting on mobile network coverage across the UK and their data provides Government with information on mobile coverage gaps.
Ofcom do not publish mobile coverage data on a regional basis such as for East Sussex and West Sussex. However, in their Connected Nations Annual Report 2025, published on 19 November 2025, it is reported that 1% of the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency has no 4G geographic coverage from any operator.
10% of premises in this constituency have no 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone) outside from any mobile operator, 68% of premises in the constituency do not have standalone 5G outside from any mobile operator.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ofcom is responsible for reporting on mobile network coverage across the UK and their data provides Government with information on mobile coverage gaps.
Ofcom do not publish mobile coverage data on a regional basis such as for East Sussex and West Sussex. However, in their Connected Nations Annual Report 2025, published on 19 November 2025, it is reported that 1% of the East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency has no 4G geographic coverage from any operator.
10% of premises in this constituency have no 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone) outside from any mobile operator, 68% of premises in the constituency do not have standalone 5G outside from any mobile operator.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Online Safety Act puts new duties on social media companies and search services, making them responsible for their users’ safety. These include new duties tackling illegal content and activity which affects women and girls, including intimate image abuse, exploitation and other forms of abuse.
Ofcom will publish draft guidance in February, detailing measures services can take to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) online.
The government has set an unprecedented mission to halve VAWG in a decade by improving the police and criminal justice system response, relentlessly pursuing perpetrators, and providing victim support. The steps Ofcom is taking helps supports this mission by tackling harmful content online.
I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 2 March 2026 (UIN 114556).
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ministers regularly meet with external stakeholders and attend external events to discuss a variety of issues, and these are recorded on GOV.UK on a quarterly basis in arrears.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform proposes a duty on schools and colleges to produce an Individual Support Plan (ISP) for every child or young person who receives targeted or specialist support, ensuring help keeps pace with their development, prevents challenges from escalating, and reduces the risk of them disengaging from learning.
The ISP will be tailored in line with the layers of support, with guidance to support settings in creating high quality plans. We are consulting widely on proposals to reform the SEND system, including with the education sector, children, young people and families, teachers and leaders and schools and trusts. The consultation, which includes specific questions on ISPs, is available at: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/.
It is also essential to update the 0-25 SEND Code of Practice (the Code) to ensure it reflects the changes we are proposing across the SEND system. We will undertake a separate, full public consultation on proposed changes to the Code, in line with statutory requirements. We will share further details on this following the government’s response to the SEND Consultation.
Minister of State (Education)
The government is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year. This brings total high needs funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to over £12 billion. Of this, West Sussex Council is being allocated over £140 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of over £11 million on their 2024/25 DSG high needs block.
The operation of the high needs funding system is currently under review. The department's aim is to establish a fair education funding system that directs funding to where it is needed, taking account of the different levels of need in different parts of the country, and to enable improved support for children and young people with SEND in line with the reforms that we intend to set out in a White Paper in the autumn.
The government is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year. This brings total high needs funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to over £12 billion. Of this, West Sussex Council is being allocated over £140 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of over £11 million on their 2024/25 DSG high needs block.
The operation of the high needs funding system is currently under review. The department's aim is to establish a fair education funding system that directs funding to where it is needed, taking account of the different levels of need in different parts of the country, and to enable improved support for children and young people with SEND in line with the reforms that we intend to set out in a White Paper in the autumn.
The government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university.
The student finance system removes upfront financial barriers so that everyone with the ability and desire to enter higher education (HE) can do so. Student loan debt is not like other debt, as monthly repayments depend on earnings, not on interest rates or the amount borrowed. No-one who earns under the student loan repayment threshold is required to make any repayments at all. At the end of the loan term, any outstanding loan balance, including interest built up, is be written off. This write-off is a deliberate investment in our people and the economy. No commercial loan offers this level of protection.
The department aims to publish our plans for HE reform soon as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy White paper.
Student loans are subject to interest so that those who can afford to do so contribute to the full cost of their degree. To consider both students and taxpayers and ensure the real value of the loans over the repayment term, interest rates are linked to inflation.
Interest rates on student loans do not affect monthly repayments made by borrowers. Regular repayments are based on a fixed percentage of earnings above the applicable student loan repayment threshold. Any outstanding debt, including interest built up, is written off after the loan term ends (or in case of death or disability) at no detriment to the borrower.
A full equality impact assessment of how the student loan reforms may affect graduates, including detail on changes to average lifetime repayments under Plan 5, was produced and published under the previous government in February 2022 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reform-equality-impact-assessment.
I refer the hon. Member for East Grinstead and Uckfield to the answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 62198.