theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_211

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will launch an investigation into the Co-op’s lone working practices. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for regulation of workplace health and safety in Great Britain. The primary responsibility for managing risk to health and safety lies with employers. An employer is the person or organisation that is legally responsible, under health and safety law, for managing and controlling risks created by their work activities. It is for the employer to determine the best way to manage those risks taking account of the circumstances of their business and work activity.

There may be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or someone to help them if things go wrong, and an employer must identify the risks to lone workers and put control measures in place to protect them. HSE provides guidance on lone working: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE which includes advice on violence in the workplace.

HSE has not made an assessment of the Co-op’s Project Lunar.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_212

Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether Palestinian academics with offers of (a) positions and (b) study placements at universities in the UK can be issued with visas to allow them to travel to the UK. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer my Hon Friend to the statement to the House made by the Home Secretary on 1 September.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_213

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July to Question 63598 on Immigration: Hong Kong, what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) average waiting time is for a biometric enrolment appointment from the date of receipt of a Priority Visa Service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain application, in each month since 8 September 2023. \p Seema Malhotra: The requested data is not held in a reportable format and could only be identified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_214

Sonia Kumar:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department plans to provide for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages courses in the West Midlands Combined Authority area in 2025-2026. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office does not fund Mayoral Combined Authorities for provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Please refer to the response dated 4th July from my Ministerial colleague in the Department for Education, Janet Daby MP, the Minister for Children and Families, for more detail on how ESOL is funded [UIN 63247].
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_215

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is considering a bespoke visa route similar to those in other European countries that could lead to settlement for Ukrainians. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government have always been clear that the Ukraine Schemes are temporary and do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application.

We are fully committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Putin’s illegal war, while also providing a safe and secure haven for those fleeing the conflict. We have offered our extended sanctuary to over 300,000 Ukrainians and their families.

On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.

There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_216

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to extend the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme. \p Seema Malhotra: Individuals in the UK under one of the Ukraine Schemes can apply to extend their permission by up to an additional 18 months through the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025. The scheme provides the same rights and entitlements to access work, benefits, healthcare and education as the original Ukraine schemes.

On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_217

Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies on the rights of asylum seekers to work of the approach taken in Belgium. \p Seema Malhotra: Those who claim asylum in the UK can apply for permission to work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own.

Allowing asylum seekers the right to work sooner could enable migrants to bypass established work visa routes, and may act as an incentive for people to travel here illegally via dangerous routes.

Our policy responds to circumstances unique to the UK and must complement our wider asylum and immigration system.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_218

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the budget was for the seasonal workforce for Border Force in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: The budget for Border Force’s Seasonal Workforce was £9.424m for calendar year 2024.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_219

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on how many occasions waiting time targets were exceeded at major points of entry in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: The specific data requested is not available in an accessible format but below are the relevant statistics taken from Border Force’s transparency data.

Of the 832,739 queue samples measured across the UK in 2024, 97.55% of queues were within Border Force’s service standards above the 95% target. These service standards are 25 mins EU/EEA and 45 mins non-EU/EEA.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682b149302662c6f8ec24411/border-force-transparency-data-q1-2025.ods (tab BF01).
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_220

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) charged with and (b) prosecuted for making fake passports in each of the past three years. \p Seema Malhotra: The requested information is not centrally held by the Home Office, and could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_221

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) travel and (b) other costs were of back filling shortfalls in Border Force staff in 2024; and how many (i) posts and (ii) hours of time were backfilled. \p Seema Malhotra: There was no shortfall in Border Force staffing against its budgeted headcount in 2024; as such, there were no additional travel nor other costs incurred specifically for backfilling staff, and no posts nor hours required backfilling.

Border Force operates a flexible resourcing model, regularly assessing operational needs and deploying staff dynamically in response to passenger volumes and security requirements. Maintaining the security and efficiency of the UK border remains a top priority, and we continue to allocate resources accordingly to ensure the smooth flow of passengers and goods.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_222

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many officers were contracted in the seasonal workforce within Border Force in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 23 July to Question 68251.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_223
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_223

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) sickness and (b) staff retention rates were of the seasonal workforce in Border force in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: Data on (a) sickness rates for this cohort is not centrally held by the Home Office.

As regards (b) retention, at the start of 2024, Home Office was authorised by the Civil Service Commission to recruit on an exceptional basis up to 1000 SWF staff to meet short term needs as required. This cohort was not under general employment by Home Office but could be offered short term employment contracts, which they were free to accept or reject. These contracts specified there was no expectation of extension or offer of a further contract, on expiry of the initial term. Following the Civil Service Commission confirming that authorisation for this form of recruitment would not be extended beyond early 2025, all SWF staff contracts were ended by 31 January 2025.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_224
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_224

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 63598 on Immigration: Hong Kong, how many and what proportion of applications to the priority visa service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain have been processed within five days of biometric enrolment in each month since 8 September 2023. \p Seema Malhotra: All figures relating to applications using the priority visa service for BNO (British National Overseas) Indefinite Leave to Remain are published in the relevant transparency data, which can be found here:

Migration transparency data - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_225

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many former seasonal workforce officers were offered permanent positions after their contacts ended prior to 2024; and how many vacancies there were for them in 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 23 July to PQ UIN 68079.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_226

Apsana Begum:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will ensure that UK Border Force eGates are configured to permit entry to holders of Irish passport cards travelling from outside the Common Travel Area. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer I gave her on 8 April to Question 42838.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_227

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will waive biometric visa requirements for students in Gaza who are due to commence university programmes in the UK. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas for all Chevening scholars from Gaza, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival in the UK.

We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students in Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025. The Government is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while noting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_228

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of (a) hybrid and (b) remote working in the Law Officers' Departments on costs to those Departments. \p Lucy Rigby: Confidentiality, secure communications and data protection

The Law Officers’ Departments (LODs) – the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), Government Legal Department (GLD), and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – approach their responsibilities for data, confidentiality and security with the utmost seriousness. This is reflected in their hybrid working policies, annual mandatory data protection and security training, as well as the employment of appropriate technology, equipment and organisational systems which support remote working.

Productivity and efficiency

The LODs are also committed to delivering the most productive and value for money services.

They all operate hybrid working policies which are in line with central guidance set by Cabinet Office.

Productivity is predominantly assessed through line management chains and the departmental performance management system to assess individual performance and ensure expectations are being met. In addition, GLD staff are required to record time they spend on activities, and GLD seeks direct feedback from the government departments to which they provide legal services.

Ultimately one of the most effective ways to drive continuous productivity across the LODs is to ensure they can recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver vital services required by the Government. A balanced approach to hybrid working is a key part of achieving this.

Costs

The LODs provide their employees with appropriate equipment to support effective, efficient and secure remote working.

As to specific costs for the CPS, GLD, and SFO, I refer the Hon Member to my responses to UINs 65703, 65704, and 65705 tabled on 8 July 2025.

HMCPSI’s spend to support remote working for the financial year 2024/25 was £370.43, equating to £18.52 per head.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_229
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_229

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the legal options available for (a) sanctioning and (b) prosecuting Russian officials involved in the forced (i) abduction and (ii) deportation of Ukrainian children. \p Stephen Doughty: We are playing our full part in international efforts to reunite these children with their families. On 3 September 2025, we announced a fourth round of sanctions targeting those attempting to forcibly deport and indoctrinate Ukrainian children. We do not comment on any potential future designations as to do so could lessen their impact. We welcome the progress the International Criminal Court is making in its active investigation, including the issuing of arrest warrants for individuals connected to the forced deportation of children. Legal action alone will not bring Ukrainian children home. We are also supporting efforts to return and rehabilitate forcibly deported children.

I have regularly discussed this issue with ministerial counterparts most recently with European counterparts at the Gymnich in Copenhagen on 29 and 30 August. We also welcome the strong emphasis the United States has placed on this issue including the efforts of the First Lady.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_230
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_230

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many potholes in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England have been repaired since July 2024. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government’s road condition statistics consider a broader definition of road condition than numbers of potholes, and so official data on this aspect of road condition is not available for the time periods requested. However, as announced in March, local highway authorities must publish transparency reports about their maintenance activities to unlock their full share of the Government’s £500m uplift for local highways maintenance this year. While data is not required to be provided at a constituency level, Staffordshire have estimated that they have filled 37,308 potholes during the financial year of 2024-25. Reports are available on local highway authorities’ websites and officials are in the process of reviewing these.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_231
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_231

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 56675 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Roads, what discussions she has had with National Highways on returning land adjacent to Views Common to Cambridgeshire Constabulary. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department is not directly involved in negotiations concerning land acquired for the A14 scheme near Views Common. National Highways has been in discussions with Cambridgeshire Constabulary regarding surplus land in that area. A final compensation proposal has been accepted, and documentation is being progressed to enable payment and the return of land.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_232
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_232

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the transition of motorcyclists from petrol and diesel vehicles to zero-emission alternative. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government supports the transition of L-category vehicles to zero emission and has been helping people transition to zero emission motorcycles. The Plug-in Motorcycle Grant helps bridge the price gap between zero emission and petrol motorcycles and will continue until at least April 2026 for L3-category motorcycles.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_233
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_233

Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help tackle the variation between national and local standards for (a) preventing and (b) repairing potholes. \p Lilian Greenwood: Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area.

National Highways are responsible for the maintenance of Strategic Road Network in England.

The Government will provide £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve both motorways and local roads across the country. This funding increase will allow National Highways and local authorities to invest in significantly improving the long-term condition of England’s road network, delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys.

That is on top of the record investment of almost £1.6 billion for local road maintenance that we have made this year, a £500m increase compared to 2024-25. 25% of this funding uplift will be held back until local authorities can prove that they are meeting certain criteria to ensure that best practice in sustainable highways asset management is followed.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_234
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_234

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on reducing driving test wait times for test centres in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

There are two driving test centres (DTCs) in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency, which are Elgin, and Grantown on Spey.

As of August 2025, the average waiting time in weeks for Elgin was 19.5 weeks, and for Grantown on Spey 21.8 weeks.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.

Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners (DE).

From recent recruitment in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, DVSA has had one new DE begin in Elgin. From the most recent campaign, two potential new DEs are at the employment offer stage of the process.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_235
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_235

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits of (a) increasing the number of driving test examiners and (b) introducing a greater number of out-of-hours tests. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 18 December last year, DVSA published measures to bring down car practical driving test waiting times across the country. This included the recruitment of driving examiners (DEs), and DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns as part of this.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions including the reintroduction of overtime pay incentives, and a call for volunteers from those currently in other roles (but qualified to examine) to carry out practical driving tests.

Further information on these actions and progress on the plan can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-acts-to-make-thousands-of-extra-driving-tests-available-each-month.

DVSA is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_236
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_236

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what service standards the DVLA is working to; and what steps her Department is taking to hold them accountable for meeting them. \p Lilian Greenwood: My department keeps governance and assurance procedures under review.

The department measures the performance of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency against their Key Performance Indicators as set out in their Business Plan, together with regular meetings at Ministerial and official level.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_237
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_237

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that drivers on UK roads meet (a) adequate and (b) consistent standards of road safety training. \p Lilian Greenwood: Drivers are encouraged to familiarise themselves regularly with the Highway Code and to refer to it periodically to refresh their road safety knowledge.

For those drivers who have been driving for a number of years, they might wish to consider an experienced driver assessment. An experienced driver assessment is not intended to encourage a driver to stop driving but is designed to enable them to continue driving, whilst keeping themselves and other road users safe. These are sometimes available with local authorities or from charities, such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_238
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_238

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to adopt working parking taxes. \p Lilian Greenwood: The power to introduce a workplace parking levy sits with the local traffic authority.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_239
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_239

Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review the Compulsory Basic Training framework. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is considering plans to review existing requirements for motorcycle training, testing, and licensing, including Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). This will take in to account long-standing DfT and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) plans, and the recent proposals suggested by the motorcycle industry.

DVSA does not hold precise data on the proportion of riders who complete CBT and subsequently progress to a full motorcycle licence within the two-year validity period of their CBT certificate. In the financial year 2023/24 180,425 certificates were sold to the motorcycle training industry, in the same period 39,935 riders passed their on road motorcycle test.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_240
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_240

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the 12-month period during which holders of non-EEA driving licences may drive on UK roads without undergoing UK testing. \p Lilian Greenwood: At present, there are no plans to change the rules around how long foreign drivers can drive in Great Britain without exchanging their licence.

Safety is always our top priority, and we are proud that our roads are among the safest in the world.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_241
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_241

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce sight tests for drivers every two years. \p Lilian Greenwood: All drivers, regardless of age, have a legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive.

The Government is considering the current process of self-declaration and the challenges posed by an ageing population where certain conditions, including vision conditions, may become more prevalent. In the meantime, the current renewal at age 70 process remains as is, and drivers must legally declare any vision or medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive.

Any options for change will be subject to public consultation.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_242
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_242

Catherine Fookes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the availability of practical car driving tests in Monmouthshire. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.

Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners (DE) and is in the final processes of the most recent campaign.

From recent recruitment in Monmouthshire, DVSA has two new DEs starting in Llantrisant, who will start testing this week, and has another awaiting an upcoming training course. There are also two potential new DEs currently in training for Newport and Cardiff driving test centres.

DVSA’s next campaign, which will include driving test centres in the area, is due to launch shortly.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_243
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_243

Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to allow people with epilepsy who have been seizure-free for more than ten years while taking medication to apply for a driver's licence. \p Lilian Greenwood: People with epilepsy can be issued with a licence to drive Group 1 vehicles (cars and motorcycles) after being seizure free for 12 months (whether or not they are taking medication to treat epilepsy) and as long as they are following their medical professional’s advice on treatment.

The law currently requires a driving licence applicant to have been free from seizures for 10 years, without medication, before the issue of a Group 2 (lorries and buses) licence can be considered.

The Secretary of State for Transport’s Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on driving and disorders of the nervous system, provides advice on the medical standards for driving with epilepsy. In October 2023, the panel confirmed that it was satisfied with the existing requirements but would consider any future research or evidence in this area.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_244
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_244

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to integrate the Royal Air Force’s Protector MQ-9B’s automatic (a) take-off and (b) landing capability with civilian (i) air traffic and (ii) air traffic control. \p Mike Kane: The aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and NATS continue to work collaboratively towards integrating the RAF Protector (MQ-9B) technology so that it can be safely used within the UK’s controlled airspace.

The CAA and the MoD will only give the necessary approvals for Protector to be fully integrated into controlled airspace when it is safe to do so.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_245
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_245

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will consider the potential merits of extending the validity period for driving theory tests to three years. \p Lilian Greenwood: The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it. It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.

Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_246
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_246

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61693 on Driving Licences: Health, what the DVLA’s planned timeframe is for the introduction of the new strategic system to process medical cases. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s new system to process medical cases is being delivered in three phases and is scheduled to be fully operational by March 2026.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_247
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_247

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what substantive proposals her Department received relating to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, other than from (a) Heathrow Airport Limited and (b) the Arora Group; and from which organisations. \p Mike Kane: The Department received seven proposals for consideration through a structured internal assessment process.

The assessment process is designed to ensure that each proposal is examined carefully and consistently against the criteria set out in the Secretary of State’s 30 June letter. This includes a review of the proposals’ overall feasibility, their timelines, the costs and revenues associated with the scheme, details of the scheme’s financing and funding, the environmental impacts and mitigations, and deliverability of the scheme.

While we are not disclosing the names of promoters or details of their proposals at this stage, a further update will be provided in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_248

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will (a) limit and (b) regulate the (i) number and (I) frequency of (A) pleasure and (B) display flights by small aircraft above residential areas. \p Mike Kane: Currently there are no plans to formally limit the number of small aircraft over residential areas. However, all airspace users must follow The Rules of the Air Regulations 2007 which set out minimum heights for flight above built-up areas.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_249

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will estimate the number of potholes repaired in the North East since 2020. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government’s road condition statistics consider a broader definition of road condition than numbers of potholes, and so official data on this aspect of road condition is not available for the years requested. However, as announced in March, local highway authorities must publish transparency reports about their maintenance activities to unlock their full share of the Government’s £500m uplift for local highways maintenance this year. This includes publishing an estimate of the number of potholes they have filled in each of the last five years. Reports are available on local highway authorities’ websites and officials are in the process of reviewing these.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_250

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce the backlog for medical driving licence assessments. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.

The DVLA continues to make improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions and is currently rolling out a new casework system. This is expected to deliver significant improvements which will enhance the handling of medical cases, support growing customer demand and help to reduce processing times.

It is important to note that most applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_251

Sarah Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of excluding used battery electric vehicles from eligibility for the new Electric Car Grant on (a) market uptake, (b) affordability and (c) value for money. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Electric Car Grant (ECG) is designed to cut costs for drivers who want to switch to a new electric car, as well as supporting environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes. The Government expects that the ECG will have some benefit in the used market due to a higher supply of affordable vehicles in future years, and the grant’s requirement for an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty for the vehicle’s battery. We continue to work with industry to support a sustainable second-hand zero emission vehicle market.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_252

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people will be required to move home in order to facilitate the third runway at Heathrow. \p Mike Kane: The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_253

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of clean air zone enforcement policies. \p Lilian Greenwood: Clean Air Zones work. Between 2019-2023, in the areas of cities that have a CAZ, NO2 concentrations have reduced by between 15% and 42%.

Local authorities are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of Clean Air Zones, for example issuing Penalty Charge Notices. Therefore, any assessment of the effectiveness of enforcement policy is a matter for them.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_254

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with UK aviation authorities on the certification of the Royal Air Force’s Protector MQ-9B. \p Mike Kane: The UK’s independent aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is leading work with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and NATS towards developing the necessary approvals to integrate the RAF’s Protector MQ-9B.

The aim of this collaborative approach is to ensure that this technology can operate safely within the UK’s controlled airspace alongside other users.

I receive regular updates from the CAA on all aviation matters.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_255
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_255

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of increased coordination with the European Union on the mutual recognition of the Blue badge parking scheme for UK citizens travelling in EU member states. \p Lilian Greenwood: This Government is committed to championing greater accessibility for disabled people and has informal reciprocal agreements in place with many other European countries so that Blue Badges can be used there; information and guidance on this can be found on GOV.UK. Those travelling overseas should check local rules before using their Blue Badge abroad.

Through close working and partnership with our French and Spanish friends and allies, this Government has now secured the mutual recognition of each other’s disabled parking permits. This means that UK Blue Badge holders can now travel with confidence when heading to France or Spain for their holidays or travel.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_256
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_256

Adam Thompson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the maximum value of fixed penalty notices for breach of permit conditions, relating to offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act to provide a stronger deterrent to utilities companies against breach of those conditions. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is taking decisive action to reduce unnecessary disruption caused by street works by increasing the value of Fixed Penalty Notices. For certain offences, such as undertaking works without a permit, breaching permit conditions, or failing to provide timely notifications of reinstatements or start/stop notices, the penalties will be doubled. This measure is intended to strengthen compliance and ensure that street works are carried out responsibly and with minimal impact to road users and the public.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_257
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_257

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to publish a list of community-owned helipads currently closed to Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters due to CAP1264 Version 3 compliance requirements. \p Mike Kane: HMCG SAR helicopter provider, Bristow Helicopters Limited (BHL) conducted a review of all Hospital Helicopter Landing Sites (HHLS) against the revised safety guidance in CAP1264. BHL wrote to all impacted hospitals advising them that SAR helicopters will be unable to land on their HHLS until further safety assessments and assurances have been made. Bristows and HMCG have continued to work with the NHS and other stakeholders to reopen sites where there is an operational need.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_258
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_258

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with airlines operating from Manchester Airport on (a) the potential impact of European air traffic control delays on UK passengers and (b) steps to help mitigate these delays. \p Mike Kane: The UK is a member of EUROCONTROL, a Pan-European inter-governmental body, which is responsible for working with Member States and their Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP’s) to ensure that the airspace across Europe is used efficiently. My department has and continues to engage with European states and industry to discuss air traffic control capacity and mitigations to delays which impact UK airspace users and passengers.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_259
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_259

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of driving tests in Hazel Grove constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.

Further information on these actions and progress on the plan can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-acts-to-make-thousands-of-extra-driving-tests-available-each-month.

Hazel Grove is served by Bredbury, West Didsbury and Sale cluster of driving test centres. At Bredbury DTC one driving examiner (DE) has now returned from a long absence, this will help to increase the number of tests available at this centre.

From a recent recruitment campaign, one new DE has joined West Didsbury DTC. A further two new entrant DEs will be starting training this month, following successful completion, they will join Sale DTC.

Some customers from this area choose to travel to Macclesfield and Buxton DTCs, where since July, three new entrant DEs have started testing at these centres, with a further two due to start in October.
wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_260
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-05 conversation_260

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the DVLA is taking steps to reduce the time taken for medical driver's license applications to be processed. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can take longer. This is because the DVLA is often reliant on receiving information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.

The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. This will enhance the handling of medical cases, support growing customer demand and help to reduce processing times. As part of this work, the DVLA has improved the quality of the correspondence provided to applicants and reviewed the questions asked of applicants and healthcare professionals when assessing medical fitness to drive with a view to simplify the process wherever possible.

It is important to note that most applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf.