This month I was delighted to host my local event on smartphones in schools, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who came along — parents, teachers, and experts alike — to share their experiences and ideas.
We know the impact smartphones can have on children’s wellbeing, learning, and mental health. I’ve spoken to countless parents and teachers who are worried about screen addiction, anxiety, online bullying, and the erosion of social skills. And, my own local parent survey showed that 65% believe their children spend too much time on social media, with nearly three-quarters feeling that smartphones make bullying worse. These concerns are real — and increasingly urgent.
That’s why I’ve been campaigning nationally in Parliament for a ban on smartphones in schools for under-16s and working locally to support schools who are making positive changes.
I’m pleased to say that the event showed just how much appetite there is within our community to tackle this head on. The evening brought together a brilliant panel including Jesse Elzinga, Head of Sevenoaks School and Andrew Reid, Head of Amherst School who have both implemented highly successful smartphone-free approaches; Arabella Skinner from Health Professionals for Safer Screens who set out the evidence behind the health concerns; and Crispin Eccleston from the excellent campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood.
Each speaker brought valuable insights — from the positive change seen in schools who have removed phones, to the neurological and emotional impacts of excessive screen time, and the practicalities of how families can manage the transition at home.
But, perhaps what struck me most was the sense of unity in the room. Parents spoke openly and honestly about their struggles, and there was a real hunger for collective action. Many left the event feeling empowered to start those difficult conversations at home, or to work with their schools to implement change.
Thank you again to everyone who came. I will continue pushing this issue in Parliament, and locally, to ensure every child has the best possible environment to learn and grow.
Another issue I have been working on closely this month is addressing the charging errors for contactless from our local stations.
Contactless travel from six Sevenoaks area stations was introduced earlier this year, following our successful campaign, to make commuting easier. But, it’s incredibly frustrating — and totally unacceptable — that passengers have been overcharged when travelling into London between 4pm and 7pm.
When I first heard about these charging errors, I hoped they were just isolated glitches. But, as more constituents got in touch, it became clear something more serious was going on.
Despite Transport for London (TfL) being responsible for the contactless software, their customer service team repeatedly denied that any problem existed. I raised the issue with the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, in May — but received no reply, even after multiple follow-ups. The only subsequent clarity came from Southeastern, who confirmed that TfL’s system had been charging passengers incorrectly but that the problem had been fixed in early June.
It was only after I wrote to the Transport Minister and publicly raised the issue on Facebook that the Deputy Mayor for London finally responded. He admitted there had been a charging error and claimed TfL was working on a way to refund affected passengers automatically. He also said passengers could request refunds through TfL’s customer services. However, I tested this claim — and I’m afraid to say it was simply not true. As of last week, TfL was still insisting the higher fare was correct and refusing refunds. That’s just not good enough.
I now have written assurance from the Transport Minister that no one need apply for a refund – and that TfL will ensure automatic refunds within the next few weeks. However, there are serious questions about why it took pressure from me, for this problem to finally be acknowledged and why, when TfL along with Southeastern were aware of this issue for some months – they did not warn the public.
For now, my priority is making sure passengers get their money back. I strongly advise anyone using contactless to register their card with TfL here. It’s the easiest way to track your fares and get support if something goes wrong.
I’m angry on behalf of every passenger who trusted the system and was overcharged. TfL must now urgently issue the refunds and I will be monitoring the situation and keeping the pressure up until they do. However, on a more positive note, I have been assured absolutely that contactless is now charging correctly.
As ever, if you wish to discuss anything with me, please do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].
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Below is a snapshot of what I have been working on. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch.
Parents, along with local Conservative councillors Nigel Williams and Graham Clack, have rightly raised serious concerns about the decision by Kent County Council (KCC) highway officers to remove the safety barriers and the overhead Green Men at the pedestrian crossing between Riverhead Infants School and Amherst School on the A25. I fully support their ongoing campaign - alongside Cllr Kim Bayley and the Riverhead Parish Council - to have the safety barriers and overhead Green Men reinstated. This month I wrote to the KCC Cabinet Member for Transport Peter Osbourne and the KCC Leader, Linden Kemkaran, urging them to intervene and ensure these important safety features are restored. The safety of our children must always come first and no compromises should be made when it comes to their well-being.
I continue to be delighted at the popularity of fast train line between Charing Cross and Swanley and Otford. However, I know the services in rush hour can be overcrowded as a result. Ahead of the timetable change in December, I have raised again with Southeastern the need for additional trains for both the morning and evening rush hours – although my ultimate aim is a half-hourly service throughout the day. I have also asked for more carriages to be added to the current services. I will keep you updated.
I am often told by local motorist of their major frustrations regarding diversion signs that either provide too little information or are left in place long after they are needed, and last month I wrote to Kent County Council (KCC) asking whether penalties were in place to tackle this. KCC have now responded and indicated they have powers to make daily charges for signage incorrectly left in place. However, often they need the public to report this to them, in order to be aware, and take action. Therefore, if you see any signage left in place after works have been completed, please do report it here. Sadly, KCC do not currently have powers to require diversion signs to provide better information. However, I am exploring what legislative or regulatory changes they will need to obtain this, and will then write to the Government accordingly.
Access to high-quality healthcare locally is something I have always campaign for, and with Sevenoaks set to grow by around 20% over the next 10 years, it’s clear that local medical facilities must also expand with the population. This month I have written to the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (KMICB), showing my support for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (KCHFT) plans for a brand new health hub in Sevenoaks. This is a real opportunity to bring vital services — including MRI and CT scans — closer to home, as well as improving GP provision at the Urgent Treatment Centre. They already have a near £500,000 commitment from Sevenoaks District Council – but they need £6m more to make the plan a reality. Such facilities are also required in Swanley, parts of which sadly has some of the worst health care outcomes in Kent, and that is why in my letter I have also asked the ICB to with work with Swanley Town Council and Sevenoaks District Council to explore how to make this a reality. I will keep you updated with developments.
Early years childcare is vital in supporting parents who decide to go back to work, and it was a delight to visit Busy Bees Childcare in Riverhead where I met the local Centre Director Bryony Mealin-Holmes, her wonderful team of dedicated staff, and of course the children. It is an excellent nursery, providing superb childcare – and it was clear to see how happy the children were. It was also great to hear that from September they will be implementing the 30 hours of free childcare for the term after children reach 9 months old – a policy introduced by the last Government. The sector is facing many challenges, that I am working hard to fix at a national level, but it was great to see a local provider delivering for local parents.
- I’ve received an increasing number of complaints about anti-social behaviour in Eynsford, and in particular on the Riverside. I have raised my serious concerns with Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council and Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, requesting a Public Space Protection Order is implemented - this would give the police and council extra powers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. Should you witness any anti-social behaviour please do report it directly to Kent Police. Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community. Antisocial behaviour is not a ‘low-level’ crime and that’s why I am determined to bring it to a stop.
Despite my campaign to extend the trial, the #477 sadly no longer runs to Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater. HOWEVER, I am determined not to give up. I have already raised the issue with the new Reform County Councillors Marc Logen and Dean Truder, and asked for their support to seek funding from Kent County Council. I have also approached Arriva in order to understand what it would take for the service to be reinstated. I also believe more frequent and reliable service between Dartford and Swanley would lead to more people using it, and following discussions with Go Coach, I am pleased to say that from September a twice hourly service will commence between Swanley and Dartford. This will not replace the current 477 service – but is in addition. I know there are many other routes across our community (such as the 414) which need an improved bus service, so the campaign continues, but I am pleased to see progress is being made.
Many local residents — particularly those commuting back late from London — rely on the cash machines at Sevenoaks Station. I am therefore very concerned to hear that both machines may be removed, with the only other nearby ATM closed overnight. This would leave no convenient access to cash in the area during key hours. I have written to NoteMachine and LINK to raise my concerns and to ask that, as a minimum, one machine is retained. Access to cash remains essential for many, and I will continue to press for a sensible outcome.
- This month I visited Park Farm in Brasted, where I met farmer James Edgar. As the third generation of his family to work the land, James has worked hard to diversify and farm sustainably. Sadly, the Government withdrew the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), leaving farmers like James facing serious financial uncertainty. This sudden decision is having a devastating impact across the sector. It is vital that a replacement scheme is brought forward urgently—without it, many farms across the country risk becoming unsustainable.
