theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled More than £1.1 billion investment to boost growth, jobs and skills in UK’s coastal towns and cities, published on 15 September 2025, how much and what proportion of £448 million will be spent on (a) research and development, (b) demonstration projects, (c) infrastructure deployment and (d) other areas. \p Keir Mather: On 15 September 2025, we announced £448m for the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme in the Department for Transport. All the funding is to support clean maritime research and development from 2026 to 2030.

Allocation of funds is subject to competition, with competition scopes, assessment criteria, and budgets to be published alongside competition announcements. The Government laid a Written Ministerial Statement in Parliament alongside the announcement providing an outline of the future UK SHORE programme. This includes a second round of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI2) competition aimed at the building of clean vessels and port infrastructure followed by commercial trials, and three further rounds of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) aimed at demonstrations, pre-deployment trials and feasibility studies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if stations on East West Rail will have step-free access. \p Simon Lightwood: All new and refurbished stations as part of the East-West Rail (EWR) project will have step-free access for users once the full route between Oxford and Cambridge opens in the mid-2030s and will meet robust accessibility requirements set out by EWR Co’s inclusive design team. EWR Co also has an accessibility advisory panel, which is made up of people with a range of disabilities, who are consulted on EWR Co’s designs to ensure these promote accessible travel for all.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Tactile Installation Programme on rail accessibility for people with sight loss. \p Simon Lightwood: The development of the business and safety cases for the installation of platform edge tactiles showed there should be a significant reduction in the risk of accidents and injuries to visually impaired passengers, particularly at low footfall and unstaffed stations. The programme completed earlier this year and the rail industry will continue to monitor its impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled £120 million to roll-out more electric vans, taxis and motorbikes, published on 25 February 2025, what estimate she has made of the annual number of motorbikes manufactured in the UK; and what estimate she has made of the proportion of the £120 million that will support (a) UK-manufactured motorbikes and (b) motorbikes manufactured overseas. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport does not collect data on the number of motorbikes manufactured in the UK. The £120 million of funding announced at the Autumn Budget 2023 enabled the continuation of the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant, offering grants of £500 for qualifying zero emission motorcycles, with British brands such as Maeving continuing to be a popular choice under the scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential barriers to delivery of (a) the Wotton, Charfield and Kingswood Greenway and (b) other paths on disused railways. \p Simon Lightwood: It is part of National Highway's role to maintain safety on the Historical Railway Estate whilst seeking to transfer assets to other third parties if appropriate. It is for those third parties to assess the viability of potential greenways routes and National Highways will work with those organisations to support those ambitions where possible.

No assessment of the Wotton, Charfield and Kingswood Greenway has been made by the Department. It would be for the local authorities and other local stakeholders involved to continue to develop proposals and assess the viability of the greenway. Active Travel England is developing Rural Design Guidance which will include guidance on greenway delivery and the conversion of old railway paths.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many railway stations will receive additional funding to improve CCTV in Fylde constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport recently announced just under £17 million investment to better connect CCTV at train stations, enabling greater real-time access for police to accelerate investigations and help passengers feel safer. We are in the planning phase of the project, with funding not due to be allocated until 2026/27. The project will initially connect the cameras at the stations with the highest footfall, before being expanded to other stations so that 98 per cent of passenger footfall is captured.

Northern Trains Limited, who operate trains in Fylde, have also recently updated their CCTV strategy as part of their broader plans to improve accessibility across its network. This strategy covers CCTV maintenance, renewals and enhancements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with local councils to help ensure (a) transparency in and (b) the public accessibility of the environmental impact assessment consultation process on the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport’s proposed. \p Keir Mather: My Department has not had any discussions with local councils on the environmental impact assessment consultation regarding the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport. This matter is for the determination of Rushmoor Borough Council as the local planning authority.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding her Department has allocated to (a) road maintenance and (b) pothole repairs in each year since 2022; and what the total amount is allocated over that period. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has allocated a total of approximately £6.5 billion capital funding for highway maintenance to local highway authorities in England over the period of April 2022 – March 2025. This includes baseline and additional funding allocations paid to authorities over the selected years, however, for eligible authorities receiving City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements, baseline highways maintenance funding has been consolidated within their wider devolved £5.7 billion local transport capital settlements over 2022-23 to 2026-27.

All allocations for funding to eligible local highway authorities between April 2022 – March 2025 can be found on gov.uk.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Greener flights ahead for UK aviation, published on 1 January 2025, what estimate her Department has made of the additional cost per passenger flight of the requirement for airlines to use 10% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. \p Keir Mather: The press release relates to the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate which came into force on 1 January. The Department published a Cost Benefit Analysis for the SAF Mandate, alongside the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) Order 2024 SI No.1187 which introduced the mandate. That Cost Benefit Analysis sets out our analysis of the potential costs and benefits of the policy. Any impact on ticket prices is expected to be within the range of normal year to year changes in air fares.

We continually monitor the market to update our assumptions where necessary. The Mandate has been designed to protect against excessive costs with a built-in review process so the Government can take action if necessary.
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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people were penalised for driving a vehicle with no registered keeper in the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) maintains a register of vehicles and their keepers, on road enforcement of the law rests primarily with the police.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of new housing developments had a Section 38 agreement in place at the start of construction in each of the last five years; and what enforcement measures are in place for developers who do not fulfil the terms of such agreements. \p Simon Lightwood: Under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980, developers may enter into agreements with local highway authorities to enable the adoption of new roads. Each authority applies its own procedures and fees, and there is currently no national system to track these agreements or link them to housing developments. Authorities may refuse adoption if roads are not built to the required standard, ensuring that the cost of remedial work does not fall on the public purse. Many authorities also require financial bonds to safeguard completion if a developer defaults. The Department is aware of a decline in road adoption rates across England and is actively investigating the issue to identify potential improvements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will work with (a) local authorities and (b) bus network operators to ensure new bus stop installations minimise weather exposure on bus users. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government recognises the value that high-quality public transport infrastructure provides to passengers, including bus stops. Local authorities are responsible for the bus stops in their area, however the Department has published Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/24 Bus User Priority which provides guidance on good practice in the design of bus stops, including providing weatherproof shelters in passenger waiting areas. The Government’s Bus Services (No.2) Bill also provides powers for the Secretary of State to produce statutory guidance on the inclusivity of the design of bus and coach stations and stops, and to require authorities commissioning work to provide new or upgrade existing facilities to pay due regard to this guidance.

At the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government confirmed over £1 billion to support and improve bus services, including £712 million allocated to local authorities in England outside London in 2025/26 to support and improve bus services. This includes capital funding which can be used to improve infrastructure such as bus stations and stops. Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council have been allocated £4.5 million and £3.5 million of this funding respectively.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding she plans to allocate to direct rail links between the UK and Germany; and what proportion of that will be allocated in the UK. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government fully supports the growth of international rail passenger services, including potential new direct connections, and recognises the socio-economic benefits that these provide for UK citizens and businesses.

The Government signed a joint declaration with Germany in August which formalises our joint commitment to exploring the potential for direct rail services in future and establishes a Taskforce to take this forward. This work is in the very early stages, and any services established will be operated on a commercial basis without Government funding, as is the case for all international rail passenger services from the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making the use of headphones whilst (a) cycling and (b) driving a strict liability offence. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport has not carried out an assessment of the potential merits of making the use of headphones whilst cycling and driving a strict liability offence.

Any incident found to be caused by the use of headphones whilst riding a cycle on the road is covered by Rule 66 of The Highway Code that says people should “avoid any actions that could reduce your control of your cycle”, and this could include being distracted due to the use of headphones.

Correspondingly, any incident found to be caused by the use of headphones while driving a vehicle on the road is covered by Rule 148 of the Highway Code that says ‘Safe driving and riding needs concentration. Avoid distractions when driving or riding such as loud music (this may mask other sounds) and starting or adjusting any music or radio’

Breaches of rules 66 and 148 of the Highway Code are not offences in themselves but may be taken into consideration when determining whether a person is guilty of an offence under the Road Traffic Acts, such as those offences relating to dangerous or careless riding or driving.

The Road Traffic Acts provide for a range of sanctions where an offence is committed including fixed penalty notices, criminal prosecution, points on their driving licence (or future driving licence if they do not hold one at the time), and having their vehicle seized.

The safety of all road users is a top priority for the Government. As part of the development of our Road Safety Strategy, the Government is considering a range of policies relating to motoring offences, and we’ll set out next steps for the strategy in due course.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of upgrading transport infrastructure upgrades on economic growth. \p Lilian Greenwood: Growth is this government’s top priority and formed a fundamental part of the analysis informing the Spending Review. Our significant investment in transport infrastructure will deliver a step-change in transport connectivity across the country, which is vital for economic growth. It boosts productivity by reducing travel time for businesses; widening access to markets and supporting trade; better matching workers’ skills to high quality jobs; and increasing the economic density of the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to work with transport operators to mitigate the risks posed by cyber attacks. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport (DfT) works across Government to introduce relevant standards, guidance, and policy to ensure the cyber security and resilience of our essential services.

DfT uses both policy and regulatory levers to support the transport sector to effectively manage cyber risk and assist the sector to secure its networks and systems. We work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), operators across all four modes of transport, and others to continuously assess and mitigate emerging cyber threats to the sector.

As Competent Authority under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018 for road, rail and maritime and joint Competent Authority for aviation with the Civil Aviation Authority, DfT regulates transport Operators of Essential Services (OES) to ensure that services which are most critical to the British public are compliant with relevant cyber standards. We will use the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) to strengthen our regulatory powers, improve incident reporting, and expand the type of entities in scope.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to implement the planned doubling of fines available to local councils for utility companies that breach permit conditions or carry out unauthorised roadworks. \p Simon Lightwood: Following a public consultation in 2024, the Government confirmed its intention to double the level of fixed penalty notices for certain street works offences including breaching permit conditions.

The necessary secondary legislation to enact these changes has been laid in Parliament and the new penalty levels will come into force on 05 January 2026 to provide the industry and local highway authorities with the necessary time to ensure they are adequately prepared and equipped to comply with the new measures.

We do know that some problems with the highway surface have been caused by utility reinstatements so to drive up the quality and durability of reinstatements following works the Department for Transport introduced a new performance-based inspections regime in April 2023 to ensure utility companies were incentivised to produce reinstatements that are fit for purpose. Each inspection carried out by an authority is paid for by the utility company and inspections are based on performance, with those that have a high rate of defects inspected more.

Highway authorities also have the power to direct utility companies to carry out remedial works at the utility company’s expense if they identify reinstatements that do not meet the required standards. If the utility company still fails to put things right, the authority can carry out the works and charge the utility company the costs for doing so. Reinstatements must also be guaranteed for two years for most works, and three for deeper excavations.

A period of implementation is necessary to assess the impact of the revised penalty regime and determine whether it achieves the intended improvements in compliance. The department will also evaluate the effectiveness of the updated inspection framework in delivering higher-quality reinstatements before considering any further changes to the level of fines or enforcement measures.
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Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of booked practical driving tests were attended by learner drivers in each month in the last ten years. \p Simon Lightwood: The attached Excel document shows the percentage of car practical driving tests attended for the last ten full financial years.

Driving Tests attended (xlsx, 19.9KB)
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to issue guidance to local transport authorities on the minimum standards for (a) format, (b) legibility and (c) frequency of updates for printed passenger information at bus stops. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important it is that passengers have access to high quality and reliable information about their local bus services, including at bus stops. Local authorities are responsible for the bus stops in their area. The Department for Transport’s guidance to local transport authorities and bus operators on developing Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) makes clear that bus stops should show up-to-date and accurate information about the services stopping there, and that BSIPs should set out the action that will be taken to provide good quality bus information to passengers.

At the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government confirmed over £1 billion to support and improve bus services, including £712 million allocated to local authorities in England outside London in 2025/26. Central Bedfordshire Council have been allocated £3 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including improving the information available to passengers about local bus services.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will consider making amendments to section 81 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to enable local authorities to levy fines on utility companies that fail to maintain street apparatus or to rectify reported defects. \p Simon Lightwood: Utility companies already have a duty to maintain their apparatus in the street to the reasonable satisfaction of the highway authority. Where an authority becomes aware of defective apparatus they should notify the owner of the apparatus requiring the utility company to carry out remedial works. If the undertaker fails to act, the authority has powers to undertake the repairs and recover the costs.

We recognise that some defects and substandard reinstatements remain unresolved for extended periods. To drive improved performance and address poor compliance, we introduced a performance-based inspections regime in April 2023. This approach ensures that utility companies with higher failure rates are subject to more frequent inspections and incur proportionally higher inspection fees. The regime is underpinned by data from Street Manager, which enables quarterly adjustments to inspection rates based on reinstatement outcomes.

Given that this system has only recently been implemented, we believe it is appropriate to evaluate its effectiveness before considering any further legislative changes. We will review its impact on reinstatement quality and defect resolution in collaboration with stakeholders. This will include examining whether additional enforcement mechanisms such as fines for non-compliance would be proportionate, effective, and deliver improved outcomes. Any such proposals would be subject to consultation with stakeholders and assessment of their operational and financial implications.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of guided busways as a type of rapid transit on (a) journey time reliability, (b) passenger growth and (c) modal shift from private vehicles. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government welcomes steps to improve the reliability and frequency of local bus services, including reducing journey times, for example through bus priority and busway schemes. Local transport is devolved, and local transport authorities are responsible for the design and delivery of the optimal mass transit solution for their particular local challenges.

At the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government confirmed over £1 billion to support and improve bus services, including £712 million allocated to local authorities in England outside London in 2025/26. Central Bedfordshire Council have been allocated £3 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability, or implementing bus priority measures.
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Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to help reduce noise pollution caused by traffic. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government takes the impact of excessive noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Strict noise regulations for cars and motorcycles are harmonised at an international level and require vehicles to demonstrate compliance before being placed on the market. Replacement silencers that are to be used on the road must also meet strict noise limits that are aligned with those of the original vehicle.

The Department for Transport conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022 and February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024. Overall, the trials demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to be used for enforcement, but only when accompanied by human review of the recorded evidence, which is likely to lower the cost effectiveness of deploying the technology in many circumstances.

It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area. The use of noise camera technology has already been taken forward by some local authorities.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23770 on Motor Vehicles: Lighting, whether she plans to publish the findings of the Government-commissioned independent research into headlamp glare. \p Simon Lightwood: Researchers are currently finalising the headlamp glare report so that it can be published in the autumn.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of including equestrian safety in driving theory tests on reducing accidents. \p Simon Lightwood: There has been no assessment made of the potential impact of including equestrian safety in driving theory tests on reducing accidents. This would be difficult due to many confounding factors regarding accidents.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards (DVSA) driver theory test already contains questions relating to equestrian safety, and has done for many years.

DVSA has recognised the need to promote the recognition of hazards by drivers when sharing the road with horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. These are well represented within the hazard perception part of the test, a CGI video test which requires candidates to identify developing hazards on the road in good time.

Both the multiple choice and hazard perception parts of the theory test are continually being updated and added to, with one of the focuses being on vulnerable road users such as horse riders.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many vintage cars were registered in Edinburgh in each year since 2010. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not capture information on whether a vehicle is classed as “vintage”. However, vehicles that were first registered or constructed more than 40 years ago may be able to be licensed in the “Historic Vehicle” taxation class and would be exempt from the payment of vehicle excise duty.

The table below shows the number of cars licensed in the Historic Vehicle taxation class where the vehicle is registered to an address in Edinburgh. Information before 2021 is not available.

Year

Total number of cars licensed in the Historic Vehicle tax class at the end of August of each year where the car is registered to an address in Edinburgh

2021

1,924

2022

2,025

2023

1,978

2024

2,187

2025

2,237
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Lee Pitcher:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Transport Secretary acts to make thousands of extra driving tests available each month, published on 23 April 2025, how many driving test places have been available to book in each the last six months for which data is available. \p Simon Lightwood: The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests provided for the months April 2025 to September 2025.

April

May

June

July

August

September

Total

155,582

161,039

172,327

185,901

158,511

183,762
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a new station at Alconbury Weald as part of the East Coast Mainline Programme. \p Simon Lightwood: Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, I can confirm that there are no current plans to construct a new East Coast Main Line (ECML) station at Alconbury Weald. The Department recognises the importance of the ECML and is working with Network Rail and industry stakeholders in developing a sustainable long-term strategy of investment for the route.
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Dr Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of freezing rail fares. \p Simon Lightwood: As we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, we must ensure passengers and taxpayers get a fair deal. Since the pandemic, the amount of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter in 2018/19 to almost half of total income in 2023/24. No decisions have been made on next year’s rail fares, but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers.

In addition, it is a number one priority for this Government to get the railways back to a place where people can rely on them, which is why we are putting passengers at the heart of our plans for public ownership and Great British Railways, delivering the services they deserve and driving growth.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made in reaching its target to reduce average driving test waiting times to seven weeks by summer 2026. \p Simon Lightwood: 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 23 April 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. As part of this DVSA reintroduced the additional testing allowance (ATA) incentive scheme for driving examiners (DEs).

Since DVSA introduced the ATA initiative on 1 June 2025, it has conducted over 10,000 additional overtime tests each month in comparison with the number conducted in the equivalent overtime scheme in 2024.

Between June and September 2025, DVSA has conducted 41,931 more car practical driving tests in total, compared to the same period last year. In September 2025 alone, the Agency conducted 20,500 more tests compared to September 2024.

DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new DEs. Since April 2025, DVSA has recruited 225 new entrant DEs (onboarded and started a training course) and, of those, 174 successfully completed training and were placed in a driving test centre.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow the use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads prior to completion of rental e-scooter trials in 2028. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles, which will include e-scooters, when parliamentary time allows. We understand the importance of providing a clear legislative timeline and we are working with colleagues across Government to deliver this.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local authorities verify that rental e-scooter users have a provisional or full UK driving licence with a category Q entitlement when operating trials in their areas. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has issued clear guidance for local authorities and operators participating in e-scooter trials, which includes a requirement for driving licence verification of all users. Compliance with this guidance is a condition of the legal order that enables each trial to proceed.

Before renting an e-scooter, users are required to provide their name, driving licence number, and a photograph of their licence. Operators must then confirm the validity of each licence, either through automated licence-checking systems or manual verification by their customer service teams. These checks help ensure that only individuals with a valid driving licence are permitted to participate in the trials.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that any operator they appoint adheres to all trial requirements. The Department does not carry out independent verification of operator compliance.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_595

Dr Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a best price guarantee for rail passengers. \p Simon Lightwood: We are overhauling the complex fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare.

We are already making positive changes, including through expanding ticketing innovations such as pay as you go which provides a best price promise for most passengers on the day of travel. The move to Great British Railways will also offer passengers a more consistent fares offer across the network.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_596
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_596

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the incidence of assaults on bus drivers; and what recent discussions she has had with (a) operators, (b) trade unions and (c) local transport authorities on this matter. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is committed to ensuring the safety of bus drivers and is taking steps to reduce the incidence of assaults.

The Bus Services (No.2) Bill includes measures setting requirements for mandatory training for staff including drivers and those who deal directly with the travelling public or with issues related to the travelling public. This training will be on preventing and/or responding to incidents of violence against women and girls as well as anti-social behaviour incidents that potentially affect the personal safety of any passenger, member of the public, or staff. This measure will also extend requirements for relevant bus staff to undertake training relating to disabled passengers. The Department engages regularly with bus operators, trade unions and Local Transport Authorities across the full range of measures contained in the Bill. This will continue as the guidance around this training is developed.

The Bill also provides Local Transport Authorities with the power to create byelaws and deploy officers who can deal with low level anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on the bus network. Officers will have the power to issue fines, ask people to leave the vehicle, bus station or shelter and, if necessary, to remove them if they refuse to do so.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_597
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_597

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will consider the potential merits of allowing the use of privately owned e-scooters if covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy. \p Simon Lightwood: Private e-scooters are currently illegal to use on public roads as they meet the definition of a ‘motor vehicle’ under the Road Traffic Act 1988. As such, they must comply with all applicable legal requirements, not only the need for motor vehicle insurance policy.

The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows, and will consult on any new proposed regulations, including on insurance requirements, before they come into force.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_598
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_598

Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the impact of covid-19 on driving test backlogs. \p Simon Lightwood: 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 waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.

These actions include incentivised additional testing offers for driving examiners, doubling permanent training capacity for new driving examiners, and a call for volunteers from those currently in other roles (but qualified to examine) to carry out practical driving tests. DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners.

DVSA has no current plans to open any further practical driving test centres. DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_599
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_599

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has issued or plans to issue updated guidance to local authorities on the use of road signage in known wildlife crossing areas. \p Simon Lightwood: Local authorities are responsible for placing traffic signs including signs warning of hazards due to the presence of animals in the road. All traffic signs used on public roads must comply with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 which includes a range of such signs for different situations.

The Department has issued guidance on the use of these signs, which can be placed in wildlife crossing areas, in Chapter 4 of the Traffic Signs Manual which is available here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_600
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_600

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Takata airbags no drive recall notice on (a) learner drivers and (b) practical driving test wait times. \p Simon Lightwood: As soon as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency became aware of the issue, proactive communications were shared to all learner drivers who had a test booked and their driving instructors, clarifying that if a test had to be postponed as a result, the usual 10-day short notice conditions would be waived for them. The majority of vehicles were rectified before attending for test or an alternative vehicle was used. Due to the very small numbers who have been unable to go ahead with their test until a later date, there has been no impact on driving test wait times.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_601
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_601

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the DVLA on support for people who wish to appeal a penalty charge notice in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not issue penalty charge notices. These are mostly issued by local authorities in relation to parking offences or congestion charges. Anyone wishing to appeal a penalty charge notice should contact the issuing authority.

Anyone who receives a penalty charge notice or other correspondence for a vehicle they are not responsible for should to contact the issuing authority. If there is a suspicion that the number plate may have been cloned, the DVLA can provide customers with letters that can be used as supporting evidence. The DVLA can also provide a replacement vehicle registration number to help victims of number plate cloning.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_602
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_602

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (c) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The number of learner drivers who fail to attend their driving test represents just 3% of all tests taken accounting for around 60,000 tests. With unprecedented demand for tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is doing all it can to further reduce unused test slots and encourage learners to inform them so that the test slot can be utilised.

DVSA issues text reminders to learners between 2 and 12 days beforehand to help learners plan for their test. Learners can also get email alerts, check their test details online, and find resources on the GOV.UK website and through the official "Ready to Pass?" campaign. If a test is cancelled within 10 days of their test date, the learner loses their driving test fee.

The tables below show how many learner drivers did not attend their practical driving test (a) nationally, (b) in Norfolk and (C) in North West Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years.

Financial Year 2021/22

Total tests completed

Failed to attend

Percentage

National

1,465,747

61,503

4.20

Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)

16,051

502

3.13

North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)

5,457

170

3.12

Financial Year 2022/23

Total tests completed

Failed to attend

Percentage

National

1,609,583

62,530

3.88

Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)

20,941

965

4.61

North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)

6,648

304

4.57

Financial Year 2023/24

Total tests completed

Failed to attend

Percentage

National

1,783,045

59,483

3.34

Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)

22,596

983

4.35

North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)

6,927

295

4.26

Financial Year 2024/25

Total tests completed

Failed to attend

Percentage

National

1,768,258

52,054

2.94

Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)

21,360

666

3.12

North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)

7,275

245

3.37

Financial Year 2025/26 (year to date)

Total tests completed

Failed to attend

Percentage

National

904,174

29,207

3.23

Norfolk (King's Lynn, Norwich Peachman Way, Norwich Jupiter Road)

9,221

295

3.20

North West Norfolk constituency (King's Lynn)

3,361

131

3.90
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_603
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_603

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Scottish Government on extending the provisions of the Bus Services Bill to Scotland. \p Simon Lightwood: Policy responsibility for transport in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Government. Any decisions on adopting measures in the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill relating to devolved matters are for them to make. These constitute the vast majority of Bill measures. Department for Transport officials have engaged with Scottish Government counterparts to discuss measures in the Bill throughout its passage. As a result of this engagement, an amendment was made in the House of Commons extending the powers to prohibit the use of new non-zero emission buses from no earlier than 2030 to the Bill. The Government is also committed to working with and sharing best practice with the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales as bus reform is carried out in England.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_604
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_604

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of driver (a) training and (b) testing requirements for overtaking large vehicles; and if she will take steps to improve learner driver education to help prevent unsafe overtaking. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) encourages candidates preparing for their theory and practical test to understand and revise the source materials for the test, which includes The Highway Code and The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills. DVSA also recommends that learner drivers practice overtaking other vehicles where road and traffic conditions provide the opportunity to do so safely when learning to drive.

Rules 162 to 169 of the Highway code cover overtaking in detail, with rule 164 specifically covering overtaking large vehicles.

The Theory test (including both the multiple choice and hazard perception parts of the theory test) and the practical driving test are designed to complement each other, ensuring new drivers have both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills needed to drive safely and responsibly.