theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department provides to transport operators on making toilets (a) accessible and (b) usable for people with a stoma. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department places accessible travel for disabled people among its highest priorities, as part of our broader commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity. We are determined to deliver a transport network that puts passengers at its heart-enabling disabled people to travel easily, confidently and with dignity, including those with bowel conditions which require a stoma.

On rail, the Department publishes accessibility standards the industry must comply with whenever they install, replace or renew station toilets. This includes accessible toilets. Where toilets are provided on trains it is a legal requirement for operators to comply with the relevant accessibility standards. Given the importance of toilets to passenger comfort, operators should consider appropriate provision when procuring or refurbishing trains.

In aviation, regulation and guidance already exists in relation to the provision of accessible toilets that cater for all kinds of disabilities, for both airports and airlines. In addition, there is a requirement for industry to account for the needs of disabled passengers in the design and refurbishment of airports and aircraft.

In local transport, the provision and design of bus and coach stations, including accessible toilets, is a matter for local authorities, who should be mindful of their duties under the Equality Act 2010 when making relevant decisions.

Disabled people should be able to make journeys with confidence that transport infrastructure will meet their needs. This is why we are introducing a requirement, through the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill, for local authorities to pay regard to new statutory guidance on the safety and accessibility of bus station and stop design when providing new or upgrading existing facilities.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London. \p Simon Lightwood: An assessment was carried out as part of the spending review business case. This determined the Low Earth Orbit approach on all mainlines.

As a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.

However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach, which will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in 57 key mainline tunnels and stations was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave. Once the mobile operators are signed up, passengers will see a boost in their mobile connection in these tunnels.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the Transport Salaried Staff Association on the British Transport Police's funding. \p Simon Lightwood: The Secretary of State for Transport met with the General Secretary of the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA), Maryam Eslamdoust on 2nd April 2025, following a meeting with the Rail Minister on 12 March.

These were productive introductory meetings between the General Secretary of TSSA and the Secretary of State for Transport and Rail Minister.

Whilst funding was discussed at these meetings, the British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for the provision of funding to support infrastructure improvements to help tackle road and rail conflicts at railway crossings. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department confirmed a settlement of £44.1 billion to fund Network Rail’s operations, maintenance and renewal activity across the 5 years of Control Period 7 in England and Wales. This includes funding for maintenance and renewals to help tackle road and rail conflicts at railway crossings. It is for Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager, to determine how it spends its funds and on what, reflecting its need to ensure safety, reliability and to deliver value for money for the taxpayer.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what role local authorities have in regulating the timing of roadworks in residential areas; and whether they are empowered to enforce restrictions on noise and working hours. \p Simon Lightwood: Local highway authorities play a central role in regulating the timing of roadworks in residential areas. When utility companies apply for permits to carry out street works, authorities can attach conditions to those permits, including restrictions on working hours to help minimise disruption to residents. If a utility company breaches these conditions, the authority is empowered to issue fines under the relevant street works regulations.

Authorities also have discretion to schedule their own roadworks outside standard hours, particularly when traffic volumes are lower. Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 empowers local authorities to restrict noise from street works by setting permitted working hours, which are typically 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to improve bus (a) reliability and (b) frequency in rural parts of Lincolnshire. \p Simon Lightwood: The government is committed to delivering the better, more reliable bus services that passengers deserve throughout the country, including in rural areas. We introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of our ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, of which Lincolnshire County Council was allocated £11.9 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding her Department has provided to Lincolnshire County Council to support (a) cycling and (b) walking in the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: Since 2021/22 the Department has provided almost £5 million of funding to Lincolnshire County Council to support cycling and walking. This has been provided through the Active Travel Fund, Capability Fund and from 2025/26 the Consolidated Active Travel Fund.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many potholes have been repaired in South Holland and the Deepings constituency since July 2024. \p Simon Lightwood: 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, Lincolnshire County Council the highway authority responsible for the local road network in this constituency, have estimated that they have filled 72,421 potholes during the financial year of 2024-25. Reports are available on local highway authorities’ websites.
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Richard Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has considered including equestrianism within the definition of active travel for (a) planning and (b) other relevant policy purposes. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has no plans to include equestrianism within the definition of active travel.

Decisions on infrastructure to support horse-riding are a matter for local authorities. Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans enable local authorities to take a strategic approach to planning local walking and cycling improvements, and to integrate these into wider plans for transport and economic development. We encourage and expect local authorities to consult with local groups such as equestrians as part of their stakeholder engagement.
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Antonia Bance:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce a strategy to help improve the (a) quality and (b) quantity of truck parking. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport published The National Survey of Lorry Parking on 29 September 2022, which highlighted what improvements to lorry parking facilities were most needed. The survey showed an average shortage of around 4,500 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022 and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

The Department and industry are significantly investing to upgrade truckstops across England – including helping to create up to 1500 additional parking spaces. This is on top of up to £26 million joint investment by National Highways and industry in lorry parking facilities along the strategic roads network.

A decision on future funding for HGV parking is subject to further departmental business planning.
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Antonia Bance:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of new HGV drivers that would need to be trained annually to maintain workforce levels; and what steps her Department is taking to help support the industry to train HGV drivers. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department regularly monitors the HGV driver workforce and engages with the road haulage sector through the Freight Workforce Group and other regular stakeholder meetings. Industry need for HGV drivers can fluctuate depending on a number of economic factors.

The Government continues to support the sector with the skills training it needs through the Urban Driver and Large Goods Vehicle driver apprenticeships. Skills Bootcamps also remain an important part of government-funded skills provision. Their delivery has evolved with DfE funding Bootcamps through Mayor's Skills Academies and local areas directly. This supports the government’s commitment to empower local leaders with greater control over skills development.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72990 on Mobile Scooters: Safety, if he will publish the terms of the review. \p Simon Lightwood: This review into the law on powered mobility devices will involve an in-depth investigation of the existing legal framework for the use of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the roads and pavements in Great Britain, as well as the opportunities and risks of using modern technology safely and responsibly which consider the needs of all disabled people. It will not cover taxation, welfare, such as personal independence payments, or policing; nor will we seek changes to medical device regulations.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 72990 on Mobile Scooters: Safety, whether he plans to consult members of the public in the review. \p Simon Lightwood: As part of the review of the law covering powered mobility devices, we will run a public consultation on potential changes to the legislation.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve safety on the M6 motorway. \p Simon Lightwood: Safety is National Highways' top priority, and it regularly reviews safety performance. It will be undertaking a route safety study for the M6 this financial year, which it expects to complete by March 2026.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an estimate of the proportion of drivers who regularly update their knowledge of the Highway Code. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport has not made an estimate of the proportion of drivers who regularly update their knowledge of the Highway Code.

In January 2022 the Department made changes to the Highway Code to help improve road safety for people walking, cycling and horse riding and ran THINK! campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. The percentage of road users reporting to know either a little or a lot about the Highway Code changes in September 2023 was at 70% among all road users (82% amongst drivers), with 86% of road users having heard of the changes by September 2023.

We continue to promote the Highway Code changes on THINK! and DfT social media channels and via our partner organisations, including supporting an upcoming Transport for London campaign encouraging road users to follow Highway Code rules to keep themselves and others safe. In addition, we run three radio filler adverts year-round, encouraging motorists to maintain safe passing distances from cyclists and horse riders, to use the Dutch Reach when opening car doors to keep cyclists safe, and to raise awareness of pedestrian priority at junctions.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (i) TfL and (ii) the Mayor of London on the cost of TfL strikes on the North West economy over the last 12 months. \p Simon Lightwood: As transport in London is devolved to TfL, the Mayor of London is managing the impact of strike action on London’s transport network. Nevertheless, the Government understands this is disappointing for passengers and businesses and we continue to encourage all sides to work together to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible.
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Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve support for Blue Badge holders and (b) ensure that applications are processed without delay across local authorities. \p Simon Lightwood: Whilst the Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for the legislation that sets out the Blue Badge scheme framework, it is local authorities who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the scheme. This includes implementing assessment and enforcement procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation. The DfT cannot intervene in the case of individual applications or eligibility decisions.

The DfT works closely with the organisations responsible for the delivery of the Blue Badge Digital Service (BBDS) and the Blue Badge printing facility to ensure local authorities have the support they need to process applications and ensure swift production of the Blue Badge once the assessment process is complete.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the oral contribution by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport of 3 September 2025, Official Report, column 166WH, what the (a) cost, (b) terms of reference, (c) delivery schedule and (d) contractor was for the research she has commissioned on pavement parking. \p Simon Lightwood: My officials are in discussion with suppliers to determine the terms of reference for the current work in accordance with Government procurement requirements. They expect to issue the formal specification shortly. Given there are no existing measures of pavement parking, I anticipate this will include preparatory work to create the data-collection methods to be used, followed by a second phase which will be the data-collection fieldwork itself. Costs, and timelines will be finalised during the procurement process. Findings will be published as early as possible and no later than 12 weeks after the final outputs from the data collection stage are agreed in accordance with the Government Social Research Publication Protocol.

This research seeks to measure the extent of pavement parking and its impacts and provide a baseline so that whichever policy we implement can be evaluated. It will not delay any policy announcement nor the publication of my Department’s formal response to the previous Government’s 2020 consultation.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the vulnerabilities of powered two wheelers are considered in road (a) design and (b) maintenance practices. \p Simon Lightwood: Local authorities are responsible for setting design standards for their roads and for considering the needs of different road users, including vulnerable road users, when making changes to their roads. To support local authorities, my Department has published good practice in various documents including the Manual for Streets, Local Transport Notes and Traffic Advisory Leaflets, and has endorsed the Institute of Highway Engineers’ guidelines on designing for motorcycling. It also recognises vulnerable road users in the 2025 Highway Code. In addition to these publications, just last month, my Department also launched its review of another publication, the Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure Code of Practice, which provides highways management advice and best practice. That review will consider a range of road design and maintenance needs, including for powered two wheelers. We aim to have the entire Code of Practice updated by November 2026 and to release updated sections before then as they become available.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce mandatory refresher training for drivers. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government does not have any plans to introduce mandatory refresher training for drivers.

Mandatory refresher training could place an undue burden on responsible drivers and disproportionately affect older or lower-income individuals, potentially limiting their independence and mobility.

There are many organisations which provide driver refresher training and assessments should a driver feel they require it. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) also promotes the Pass Plus scheme which is designed to enable drivers to further develop their driving skill to drive more safely on the road in varied driving conditions. The scheme is primarily targeted at drivers who have recently passed their driving test.

There is no statutory basis for training on changes made to the Highway Code after someone has passed their driving test.

DVSA is among many organisations and local authorities who provide public education for people who are licensed to drive. Examples from DVSA include the advice and blog at www.safedrivingforlife.info and the free resources | Safe Driving for Life (and specifically the vulnerable road users quiz), as well as products like The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving book and The Official DVSA Guide to Better Driving e-learning.

Public education for drivers is also delivered through the relevant social media channels of the Department for Transport, Think Road Safety Campaign, DVSA and National Highways, as well as our partnerships such as Safe Driving For Life.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in freight traffic on the railway crossing in East Tilbury. \p Simon Lightwood: In agreeing any increases to rail freight, Network Rail works closely with operators and local authorities to ensure that any impacts to level crossings meet robust safety requirements.

With regard to road freight, local traffic authorities have powers under Sections 1 & 2 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allow for the restriction or prohibition of the use of HGVs on any road, for a wide range of safety and environmental reasons. These measures can be implemented by making Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) without reference to the Department for Transport.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 provide various signs for authorities to consider if they choose to do this, including signs informing motorists that certain roads are unsuitable for HGVs or if a weight limit is in place. The restrictions are then enforceable by the police.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of level crossing closures in East Tilbury on the ability of emergency services to respond to incidents. \p Simon Lightwood: Responsibility for level crossings and their operation lies with the infrastructure manager – in this case, Network Rail – who are aware of the downtime issues at East Tilbury crossing. In line with their duty under safety legislation, Network Rail must operate the crossing in a way that ensures no one is put at risk. This means that the barriers are automatically lowered when trains are approaching and will only open when the crossing is clear of all trains, to avoid the very significant risk of a collision.

Concerns about the current volume of train traffic through East Tilbury, as well as plans to increase the number of freight services here, have been raised by local residents and Network Rail are currently listening to the feedback from the community.
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Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what options her Department is considering to reduce fatalities involving young drivers through the Road Safety Strategy; and when that strategy will be published. \p Simon Lightwood: 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.

We absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads and continue to tackle this through our THINK! campaign. We are considering measures to address this and protect young drivers, as part of our upcoming strategy for road safety - the first in over a decade.
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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of people who were waiting to be tried in court for motoring offences had their driving licence revoked while waiting for court proceedings to begin in the latest period for which data is available. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport does not hold this information.

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.
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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the new Hitachi trains will be in service on Midland Mainline between Sheffield and London; and whether there will be improved (a) mobile and (b) wifi connectivity. \p Simon Lightwood: East Midlands Railway (EMR) is reaching an exciting new phase of its train replacement programme for the East Midlands, with the launch of its brand-new Aurora trains this year. This will see the major investment start delivering significant improvements in passenger experience, including improved mobile connectivity and faster Wi-Fi.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2025 to Question 74957 on Citroën: Air Bags, whether her Department has received a response to its letter to Stellantis on the recall of Citroën cars. \p Simon Lightwood: I can confirm that Stellantis replied to the letter from the Secretary of State on 12 August.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officials continue to have regular engagement meetings with representatives from Stellantis about the Citroën/DS recall and continue to support Stellantis, prioritising safety while minimising economic and social impact.
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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 68388 on Parking, when she plans to publish a response to the pavement parking consultation; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing powers available to local authorities to (a) restrict and (b) enforce pavement parking. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking, and it is up to them to decide where to restrict pavement parking and what enforcement is appropriate.
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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress her Department has made on increasing the availability of real time bus information in Newcastle. \p Simon Lightwood: The government is committed to delivering the better bus services that passengers deserve, and as part of this, is working closely with bus operators and local transport authorities to improve the information available to passengers about their bus services.

The Bus Services (No.2) Bill’s information about local services provisions aim to enable public access to a new, central database of information, drawn from the existing bus registration process, and linked to the existing Bus Open Data Service (BODS). We hope that bringing these two data streams together will assist operators in complying with BODS obligations, leading to improved real time information about local bus services across the country. Bus operators are obliged to have working systems to provide real-time information for bus services in order to fulfil the requirements of the Public Service Vehicles (Open Data) (England) Regulations.

In addition, as part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the government confirmed investment of over £1 billion in 25/26 to support and improve bus services and to keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities to support and improve bus services, of which the North East Combined Authority was allocated £23.7 million. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers. This could include investing in technology to provide passengers with better real-time information.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Airspace modernisation, published on 22 October 2024, whether her Department and the Civil Aviation Authority plan to deploy the Scottish cluster's airspace change proposal first. \p Keir Mather: The Government’s priority is to deliver the benefits of airspace modernisation alongside the critical technology upgrades to the UK’s air traffic control systems. The Department for Transport is working closely with Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and NATS to ensure that the airports can continue to make progress with their Airspace Change Proposals in line with the CAA’s airspace change process. The next stage in this process is for the airports to consult on their proposals.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on reducing driving test wait times for test centres in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency. \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 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 (DEs). From recent campaigns, DVSA has recruited four new potential DEs at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.

DVSA has just completed a further recruitment campaign and hopes to make offers to the successful candidates soon.

DVSA will also continue to strategically deploy examiners to ensure fair coverage across all DTCs in Aberdeenshire, including remote and outstation locations.
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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the proportion of DVLA keeper records that are (a) missing and (b) falsified. \p Simon Lightwood: The latest available data shows that more than 93 per cent of vehicle keepers are contactable and traceable based on the information held on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s (DVLA) records. Of the remainder, around six per cent of vehicles are in the motor trade, where a vehicle may legitimately have no registered keeper.

Information on potentially falsified keeper data is not readily available as the DVLA will only become aware of alleged incidents of this when it is identified through customer contact, third-party notification, or enforcement activity.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Q12 of the oral evidence given by Alan Over to the Transport Select Committee on 9 July 2025, HC 1139, when her Department intends to write to the Transport Committee with the information referenced in the answer to that question. \p Simon Lightwood: The Rail Minister sent a letter on 10 September 2025 providing further information regarding Q12 of the Transport Select Committee’s oral evidence session of 9 July 2025.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Mayor of London on the average annual salaries of (a) London Underground drivers and (b) London bus drivers. \p Simon Lightwood: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London. They are solely responsible for operational decisions around salaries for London Underground drivers. Similarly, decisions around salaries for London bus drivers are for Transport for London and its contractors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

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Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the availability of (a) safe, (b) secure and (c) good quality truck parking; and what plans her Department has to reopen the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme to new applicants. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport published the National Survey of Lorry Parking on 29th September 2022 which highlighted what improvements to lorry parking facilities were most needed. The survey showed an average shortage of around 4,500 HGV parking spaces for the month of March 2022 and identified driver concerns with the quality of welfare facilities and security of lorry parks.

The Department and industry are significantly investing to upgrade truckstops across England. This is on top of up to £26 million joint investment by National Highways and industry in lorry parking facilities along the strategic roads network.

Drivers are now seeing the improvements that the scheme has been able to support with more in development. The scheme is supporting operators across 30 counties in England to improve driver facilities such as security measures, toilets, showers, refreshment facilities and increasing lorry parking spaces.

A decision on future funding for HGV parking is subject to further departmental business planning.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_250

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of driver licensing for community transport operators; and if she will review access to (a) D1 and (b) Certificate of Professional Competence licences for (i) volunteer and (ii) community drivers. \p Simon Lightwood: The previous government published a Call for Evidence in 2022 on driver licensing. It sought views on whether changes to D1 licensing could be made in a positive way to help industry, including community transport operators, without detrimental impact on road safety. The results were published in 2023 and despite there being support for removing D1 driver licence testing to increase the pool of drivers, there was no evidence that road safety would not be compromised.

There are circumstances when a driver may be able to drive a minibus with a category B (car) licence when stipulations are met and when driving under a Transport Act 1985 permit. Access to D1 licences requires additional testing for drivers who passed their car test after 1997. A Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is not required for volunteer or community drivers unless driving professionally for hire or reward. However, CPC training and testing are available to those who wish to enhance their skills or pursue professional driving roles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_251

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2025 to Question 73362 on Air Traffic Control: EU Countries, what representations her Department has made to other Eurocontrol members on delays at Manchester Airport caused by (a) inadequate air traffic control staffing levels and (b) out-of-date systems. \p Keir Mather: 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 to ensure that the airspace across Europe is used efficiently.

My Departmental officials have and continue to engage with European states to discuss European air traffic control resilience issues including resourcing and operating systems that impact UK operations users including those travelling to and from Manchester Airport.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_252

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2025 to Question 73363 on Manchester Airport: Air Traffic Control, whether her Department has had correspondence with individual airlines operating out of Manchester airport on (a) European air traffic control and (b) its potential impact on flight (i) arrivals and (ii) departures. \p Keir Mather: Department Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK airlines, including those that operate out of Manchester Airport, to discuss resilience issues such as impacts on UK operations from delays in European airspace.

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 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.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_253

Claire Hazelgrove:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to introduce legislative proposals to make it mandatory for drivers to report collisions with cats. \p Simon Lightwood: There are no plans to amend section 170 of the Road Traffic Act to make it mandatory for drivers to report road collisions involving cats.

Although there is no obligation to report all animal deaths on roads, drivers should, if possible, make enquiries to ascertain the owner of domestic animals, such as cats, and advise them of the situation.

Since June 2024, all cats in England over 20 weeks of age must be microchipped and registered on a compliant database, unless exempt or free-living. This will make it easier for National Highways and local authorities to reunite cats and dogs with their keeper.
wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_254

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many cases have been transferred from the National Investigation Service under Thurrock Council to the Insolvency Service. \p Kate Dearden: No cases have yet been transferred from the National Investigation Service (NATIS) to the Insolvency Service. The Department for Business and Trade is working closely with both agencies to ensure a smooth and secure transition of ongoing investigations. This careful approach is designed to protect the integrity of the casework and the recovery of public funds lost to Covid-related fraud.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_255

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on what dates the Government renewed the contract for the National Investigation Service to investigate COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud nationwide. \p Kate Dearden: NATIS was commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), subsequently The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in September 2020 to undertake investigations into potentially fraudulent activity by recipients of loans under the Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan Scheme. The contract was renewed effective from 1st April 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_256

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on what date his Department was made aware of Mazars' report commissioned by Thurrock Council into the National Investigation Service; and what steps it took in response. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) became aware of the Mazars report commissioned by Thurrock Council into the NATIS in June 2024.

The report was independently commissioned by Thurrock Council to review NATIS activity internally. DBT was not consulted or interviewed during its preparation.

Although confidential, the recommendations of the report were published in Thurrock Council board meeting quarter 2 2024.

In response, DBT requested the report from NATIS, which was provided July 2024. There was one finding directly affecting DBT that had already been addressed ahead of DBT receiving the report.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_257

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he last had discussions with customs officials responsible for administering Import Licences under the Open General Impost Licence criteria. \p Chris Bryant: The Open General Import Licence is administered by the Department for Business and Trade. Officials from the Department for Business and Trade maintain regular engagement with HMRC officials to ensure the proper application of the Open General Import Licence regime. These discussions support ongoing efforts to uphold UK trade policy, legal obligations, and compliance with customs procedures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_258

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 72359 on Economic Situation: Subversion, what progress he has made in simplifying export support services. \p Blair McDougall: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has integrated its support for SMEs into the Business Growth Service platform, designed to help businesses across the UK start, scale up, and succeed globally. From tailored market advice and free Export Academy training to UK Export Finance and our on-the-ground network around the world, DBT is making it easier for businesses to navigate global markets, connect to new opportunities, and build the capability to seize them. Businesses can access DBT's wealth of export support via Business.gov.uk.

We continue to review how we can improve our support, and as part of this process, we target resources that will have the greatest impact for UK businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_259

Gregor Poynton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support British manufacturers to attend (a) Marmomac in Verona and (b) other major international trade shows. \p Blair McDougall: Through our Trade Strategy, Industrial Strategy, and Small Business Plan, we're putting in place the policies, support, and services needed to drive export-led growth, particularly in high-growth potential sectors like advanced manufacturing.

We routinely run targeted trade missions, support business at international trade shows, and connect international buyers with exporters at home to help them grow their businesses. In addition, businesses have access to support from tailored market advice and free training to UK Export Finance and our on-the-ground international network.

We continue to review how we can improve our support, including how we connect firms to new opportunities, and build the capability to seize them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-15 conversation_260

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the scope of the defence exports office. \p Kate Dearden: The Secretary of State for Business and Trade continues to have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Defence.

The defence exports office officially transferred to the Ministry of Defence on 31st of July as confirmed in the Prime Minister’s statement made on the 3rd of June 2025.