theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, a) what steps her Department is taking to ensure consistent national safeguarding standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, including (i) DBS checks, (ii) knowledge and safeguarding tests and (iii) the use of in-vehicle CCTV; b) whether her Department collects data on (i) the number of licences issued by each authority, (ii) the proportion issued to drivers residing outside that authority area, and (iii) the number of drivers operating predominantly beyond the area where they are licensed; and c) what assessment her Department has made of the approach taken by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in retrospectively applying enhanced licensing standards, and whether it plans to encourage or mandate similar practices nationally. \p Lilian Greenwood: On Tuesday 18 November, the Government tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to seek a power for the Secretary of State to set in regulations the national minimum standards for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. These standards would be subject to consultation and would be primarily focused on passenger safety and accessibility. This would mean that wherever they are travelling in England, passengers can be reassured that the drivers of any taxi or private hire vehicle service they are using are subject to robust safeguarding standards. If agreed by Parliament, it would be possible for national standards to be applied to existing licence holders.

The Department has published data about the number of licences issued by each licensing authority. This can be viewed at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-statistics-england-2024

The Department does not collect data on where licensed taxi or private hire vehicle drivers reside or on the number of taxi or private hire vehicle journeys that take place outside of the area in which the drivers are licensed. Licensing authorities may hold this information.

The Department recognises the good work carried out by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council following the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse to improve their taxi and private hire vehicle licensing functions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the £616 million capital allocation for active travel announced on 3 November, if she will publish a breakdown of that funding by programme, scheme and spending category, including the amount allocated to each and the expected outputs or purposes for which those allocations are intended. \p Lilian Greenwood: In the Spending Review we announced that we are allocating £616 million for Active Travel England from 2026-27 to 2029-30 to support local authorities to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure. Further details concerning specific programmes and revenue funding will be announced in due course.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to parliamentary question 78887 answered on 20 October, whether freight traction decarbonisation is within the scope of its long-term infrastructure and rolling stock strategy. \p Keir Mather: The main focus of the strategy will be on the future needs for passenger rolling stock, and for associated changes to the railway infrastructure.

However, within the strategy, the approach to decarbonisation will also need to take account of the needs of freight users.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer to written question 85133 on 4 November 2025, if he will instruct the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to request that data from the Certifying Authorities. \p Keir Mather: As mentioned previously, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency do not hold this data directly, as inspections are delegated to Certifying Authorities. We will engage with the Certifying Authorities to request the relevant information and will provide an update once this data has been obtained.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of progress on introducing simpler and more integrated fares across rail and bus networks. \p Keir Mather: The Government recognises the value of greater integration between rail and bus networks, including in relation to ticketing and fares, and will continue to work with local transport authorities, operators and passengers to improve the fares and ticketing offer for passengers across England.

PlusBus is a well-established integrated ticketing product, allowing passengers to add unlimited local bus and tram travel to their rail ticket where available. A digital version is now available in many regions across England, making combined journeys simpler and more convenient.

Programmes currently under development in England also recognise the aspiration for smart, multi-modal ticketing. This includes the Department working with representatives from the bus industry, Transport for West Midlands and Midlands Connect to develop a national technology solution to facilitate multi-operator ticketing on buses and trams, focusing on contactless bank card payments and fares capping outside of London. In addition, the Fares, Ticketing, and Retail Programme is delivering two new Pay As You Go schemes for the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and expanding an existing one in the South East.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department’s estimate is of the number of seafarers employed in the workboat sector. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport, in collaboration with the Workboat Association and the Chamber of Shipping, is working to expand the Seafarer Employment Survey in 2025 to include Workboat Association vessel-owning members. The results of the expansion of the survey will be used to provide a more accurate picture of employment in this sector in the future.

At present, the Department does not have a published estimate of the number of seafarers employed in the workboat sector.
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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will provide additional funding to help mitigate ongoing soil moisture deficit effects for railway companies. \p Keir Mather: The Department for Transport funds Network Rail to operate, maintain, and develop the nation's railway infrastructure. As the climate changes, we expect to see hotter, drier summers, and therefore we will expect to encounter more instances of soil moisture deficit. To plan for the changing climate, Network Rail is undertaking a programme of adaptation pathways across the network to develop a long-term strategic adaptation plan and identify priority areas for further adaptation investment. This approach will help identify those parts of the network which may require work to increase resilience to enable safe and reliable services to continue in the future climate. Adaptation pathways consider different climate hazards, including those which affect earthworks, such as soil moisture deficit and heavy rain. This work is already informing discussions for future funding periods.

The soil moisture deficit was particularly disruptive for South Western Railway’s West of England line customers this summer, with a reduced timetable having been in place since August.

South Western Railway and Network Rail closely monitored the ground conditions, and as soon as it was safe to do so, the track repairs were made. I am pleased to confirm that the usual timetable will be reinstated from Saturday 29 November.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 84696 on Shipping: Investment, when her Department plans to publish the competition scopes and assessment criteria for the maritime funding programme. \p Keir Mather: The Department plans to launch the next round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition and the Zero Emission and Vessel Infrastructure competition in Spring 2026.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions are held between UK Search and Rescue Aviation and Magpas Air Ambulance in Cambridgeshire on precedence of responses. \p Keir Mather: There have been no direct discussions with Magpas Air Ambulance and HM Coastguard search and rescue aviation. On request from an authorised authority for search and rescue air assistance the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Aeronautical Rescue will assess the request to ensure that it is appropriate, achievable and compliant and will deconflict every incident. Search and rescue aircraft are prioritised on the risk to life.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department last met (a) the Mayor of Greater Manchester, (b) combined authorities and (c) other local authorities to discuss potential reforms to taxi licensing across local authority boundaries; when her Department last met (i) local authority's children’s services, (ii) police forces and (iii) local safeguarding partnerships to discuss the risks identified in chapter 7 of Baroness Casey's independent report entitled National audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, published on 16 June 2025; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of the Mayor of Greater Manchester's campaign entitled Backing our taxis: local, licensed, trusted on public safety and out-of-area licensing. \p Lilian Greenwood: Department for Transport Ministers and officials meet regularly with a range of stakeholders and discuss various issues relating to taxi and private hire vehicle licensing policy.

The Department is aware of the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s campaign entitled “Backing our taxis: local, licensed, trusted”.

The public should be safe in taxis and private hire vehicles regardless of where they live or travel. The Government has tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill that would enable national minimum standards to be set for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. National minimum standards would enable Government to set a strong baseline for licensing right across England, to keep vulnerable children and indeed all members of the public safe, wherever they live or travel.
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Richard Foord:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the 2022 South Wales Trunk Road Agent review finding on the M48 central safety barrier; and what steps her Department is taking to help reduce delays to safety repairs where a risk has been identified. \p Simon Lightwood: Whilst the 2022 review by South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) into the M48 central safety barrier focuses on the Welsh section of the M48 only, safety remains the number one priority for the Department and National Highways across the strategic road network.

National Highways is monitored against a range of performance measures, including for asset maintenance, renewals and safety, and have ongoing work to improve safety across the strategic road network. National Highways also continue to engage regularly with SWTRA, Monmouthshire County Council and Welsh Government to discuss operational matters in and around the Severn Crossings.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance is provided to holders of New Zealand driving licences who seek to exchange their licence for a UK licence, and whether the Department plans to update this guidance to reflect current verification requirements. \p Simon Lightwood: There have been no changes in policy relating to New Zealand driving licences being exchanged for a GB equivalent.

It has always been the case that a GB licence to drive manual vehicles can only be issued in exchange for a New Zealand licence when confirmation is supplied that the applicant passed a test in a manual transmission vehicle. Where such evidence has not been supplied, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will issue the applicant a GB licence with entitlement restricted to driving automatic vehicles. This policy has not changed and the DVLA accepts such verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).

The DVLA maintains engagement with the NZTA which has confirmed that it is developing a single document which will specify whether a New Zealand driving test was taken in a manual or automatic vehicle or if the NZTA does not have this information.

Up to date information on driving licence exchange arrangements is provided in the DVLA’s information leaflet INF38: Driving in Great Britain as a Visitor or New Resident. More guidance on driving in GB with a non-GB licence can be found at https://www.gov.ukY/driving-nongb-licence.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to commission a review into the impact of waiting times at level crossings on a) road congestion, b) emergency vehicle access and c) safety in East Tilbury. \p Keir Mather: Network Rail are well aware of the current issues with waiting times and congestion at East Tilbury Level Crossing, and understand these concerns. As the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways with statutory safety duties to the public, Network Rail continue to monitor and keep the protective arrangements at East Tilbury Level Crossing under review, so that these safety risks can be managed, and any impacts mitigated accordingly.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Network Rail on delays experienced by a) motorists and b) pedestrians at East Tilbury level crossing due to freight movement. \p Keir Mather: Network Rail is responsible for managing safety at East Tilbury Level Crossing as the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways and has a statutory duty to ensure all users can use the crossing safely. Network Rail will continue to engage the local community to understand these concerns and consider how they can be mitigated, whilst ensuring the safety of all users is upheld, as this is a priority.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the availability of tactile paving on platform edges at train stations. \p Keir Mather: All stations in England now have platform edge safety tactiles installed. The final station in Scotland is currently scheduled to have them installed by the end of December and the final station in Wales, currently closed for rebuilding, will have tactiles in place when it reopens in April 2026.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the measures included in her Department's joint press release entitled Mirror, signal, manoeuvres: military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog, published on 12 November 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has agreed with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) that 36 defence driving examiners (DDE) will carry out driving tests for one day a week for 12 months. MOD has charged DVSA estimated marginal costs in line with HM Treasury guidelines.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of (a) licensing authorities in England whose policies permit the licensing of drivers with non-UK driving licences and (b) licensed taxi and private hire vehicle drivers who hold a non-UK driving licence, by the country of issue of those licences. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department does not hold this information centrally.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost of an annual standard class rail season ticket was between Rochdale and Manchester stations in (a) 2010 and (b) 2024. \p Keir Mather: The standard class annual rail season ticket between Rochdale and Manchester was (a) £900.00 in 2010 and (b) £1,396.00 in 2024.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's document entitled Transport for City Regions funding allocations, published on 4 June 2025, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the (a) decarbonising transport, (b) enabling healthy living and (c) promoting the modal shift from cars to public transport, walking and cycling objectives during 2027-28 to 2031-32. \p Lilian Greenwood: The devolved (TCR) programme will enable Mayors in recipient areas to deliver schemes that align with the aforementioned objectives at a local level. The cost is reflected in the capital and resource funding allocated through these settlements and will contribute towards achievement of the overarching programme objectives. Funding allocations can be found here at Transport for City Regions funding allocations - GOV.UK
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the policy rationale is for clause 31(7) of the Railways Bill, which provides that the obligation to provide or secure the provision of designated railway passenger services does not give rise to civil liability; and whether she has assessed how this limitation of liability aligns with (a) accountability within the new rail system and (b) the protection of passenger rights. \p Keir Mather: Clause 31(7) of the Bill makes it clear that the Secretary of State, Scottish Ministers or Welsh Ministers cannot be found liable for breach of statutory duty (which allows a person to claim damages in tort) when they provide or secure designated railway passenger services. This mirrors section 50 of the Railways Act 1993 so that the same approach to civil liability is carried over to the new passenger services provisions. There are other examples of this in legislation, such as section 44 of the Railways Act 2005. If Ministers act unlawfully then judicial review is available.

Responsibility for providing designated passenger services will rest largely with Great British Railways (GBR), or, in Scotland or Wales, with another public sector company. GBR will be governed by a cohesive accountability framework. Passenger rights will be protected in that framework with the GBR licence setting minimum consumer standards. The Passenger Watchdog, established to champion passenger interests, will set and monitor these standards, with the Office for Rail and Road able to take enforcement action should these standards not be met.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of diesel vehicles equipped with defeat devices on levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution in urban areas; and whether she plans to introduce (a) targeted air pollution mitigation and (b) vehicle retirement schemes in areas most affected by non-compliant diesel vehicle emissions. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is committed to reducing air pollution from all forms of transport. Elevated NOx emissions from diesel vehicles contribute to poor air quality.

The Department has not produced a specific UK-only assessment of the potential impact of diesel vehicles equipped with defeat devices on NO2 pollution in urban areas. However, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Clean Air Zones have been implemented locally where evidence shows they are the quickest route to reduce NO2 pollution, and where no equally effective alternatives can be identified. Local authorities are best placed to determine the most appropriate measures to meet legally binding air quality obligations.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Department's Answer to Question 89264 on Railways: East of England, answered on 18 November 2025, if she will make an estimate of the funding required for Network Rail to undertake detailed planning for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 8th of July regarding which rail and road infrastructure projects will progress following the completion of the 2025 Spending Review. The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) was not among those projects funded at this time.

The previous government had committed to a number of infrastructure projects that were unfunded, this included the EACE scheme.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost was of (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments made to departing staff in the last year. \p Simon Lightwood: For the last year (1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025), there have been no settlement agreements or special severance payments made to departing Department for Transport central staff outside of statutory, contractual or other requirements.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to reform the regulation of driving instructor training, including the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT), to introduce minimum entry standards and protect trainees from misleading training packages and unfair franchise contracts. \p Simon Lightwood: This year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) established the Car Driver Training and Testing Forum, which brings together trade and industry partners to work collaboratively on improving the driver instructor training and testing profession. The forum has created several improvement workstreams, one of which is exploring options for the future of the Official Register of Driving Instructor Training (ORDIT) scheme.

DVSA does not regulate driving schools or franchise agreements; these remain private contractual matters between individuals and providers. However, DVSA provides guidance on this on GOV.uk at Driving instructor associations and organisations - GOV.UK, including the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) register guide Approved driving instructor (ADI) register guide - GOV.UK. All potential ADIs sign a declaration confirming they have read and understood this guidance.

While DVSA does not directly regulate franchise arrangements, the Agency encourages ADIs to join recognised ADI associations and organisations. These bodies are experienced in supporting instructors to make informed decisions about training and franchise agreements and ensure their interests are represented in industry discussions.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the causes of driving test waiting times, including the impact of block-booking and examiner shortages; and what steps she plans to take to improve Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency performance, strengthen oversight of its complaints processes, and implement a recovery plan for the driving test system. \p Simon Lightwood: Waiting times are still high for learner drivers. Car practical test waiting times remain high due to sustained increased demand and reduced learner driver confidence in the availability of driving tests. This has contributed to some learners choosing to book their test much earlier in their learning journey before having had any lessons.

On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times.

In the coming months, DVSA will:

Since July last year, DVSA has recruited and trained 344 driving examiners who are now in post and delivering driving tests. However, 118 prospective driving examiners failed or resigned during training. Currently, there are 71 people in training, 63 booked onto a future course and 79 applicants who have received offers from DVSA

Despite DVSA’s recruitment efforts, the number of full-time equivalent driving examiners has only increased gradually since July 2024 (1,439) with net increase of 46 full-time equivalent driving examiners in October 2025 (1,485).

DVSA has a robust complaints process in place. Complainants can ask DVSA to pass their complaint to an independent complaints assessor if they have been through the final stage of the Agency’s complaints process and are not happy its response.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2025, to Question 77640, on Road Traffic Control: Oxford, if he will publish the data sharing contract. \p Simon Lightwood: Such data sharing contracts are not routinely published and there are no plans to do so.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much the Vehicle Certification Agency has spent on translation and interpretation services in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) has had no spend on translation and interpretation services in each of the last five years.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the how timetable integration on the Sutton Park line could support the restoration of passenger services at Aldridge Station. \p Keir Mather: The Department is aware that the West Midlands Rail Executive are at an early stage of undertaking a study to potentially introduce passenger services on the Sutton Park Line, including at Aldridge. This will include how such services would need to integrate with the existing timetable.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of staff in each grade were rated in the top performance category in the last year. \p Simon Lightwood: The table below shows the number and proportion of each non-Senior Civil Service (SCS) grade receiving the top performance category at the end of 2024/25 for DfTc.

Grade

Number of staff receiving the top performance category (“Outstanding”)

Proportion of staff in grade who received a performance descriptor (%)

AO-EO

16

7.2%

HEO

21

5.1%

SEO

36

6.4%

Grade 7

53

7.4%

Grade 6

40

12.7%

The SCS have a separate performance management system. For the 2024/25 performance year, 20.3% of Group DfT SCS received a top performance category, following departmental moderation processes.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of winter grit salt bins that were provided by local authorities for each year from 2015 to date. \p Simon Lightwood: Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 places a duty on highway authorities to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice.

It is for local highway authorities to determine what the most appropriate measures are to achieve this, based on local circumstances.

Most local highway authorities publish information about their winter service online. For example, Oldham Council’s website states that it currently maintains over 600 grit bins. Local people can access a map of where these are located and request new grit bins.

The Government also conducts a survey of local highway authorities every year to gather information about their preparations for winter and planning for extreme weather. This survey is mandatory, and includes information about how many continuous days their salt stocks will last for in severe winter conditions. It does not include detailed information about how many grit bins each authority maintains or where these are located.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer given 17 November 2025 (UIN 88239), if she will publish the evidence provided to her in relation to the A12 Widening Scheme by (a) the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and (b) other agencies to inform her decision to cancel the A12 Widening Scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: The evidence provided to the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to the A12 Widening Scheme by (a) the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and (b) other agencies, formed part of a much larger body of evidence that informed the Spending Review and subsequent decisions.

There are no plans to publish officials’ advice and evidence base to Ministers that informed the Spending Review and subsequent decisions, as has been the usual practice of successive administrations, including the one the Rt Hon Lady served in.

Detailed information on the analysis of the A12 widening scheme, conducted in accordance with the HM Treasury Green Book and the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance, was published on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, available here: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/TR010060.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of staff were promoted (a) in-grade and (b) to a higher grade in the last year broken down by (i) performance marking in the previous year and (ii) grade. \p Simon Lightwood: Higher Grade promotions

Total Staff

Higher grade promotions

Proportion

AO/EO

529

5

1%

HEO/SEO/FS

1820

138

8%

G7/G6

1816

118

6%

SCS

267

21

8%

Totals

4432

282

6%

Payband Groups

Higher grade promotions

23/24 Year End Marking

AE/EO

5

Not Available/Reportable

HEO/SEO/FS

24

Achieving

HEO/SEO/FS

6

Developing

HEO/SEO/FS

57

Exceeding

HEO/SEO/FS

44

Not Available/Reportable

HEO/SEO/FS

7

Outstanding

G7/G6

33

Achieving

G7/G6

<5

Developing

G7/G6

45

Exceeding

G7/G6

32

Not Available/Reportable

G7/G6

7

Outstanding

SCS

9

Achieving
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_121

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85905 on Roads: Repairs and Maintenance, whether she plans to introduce a Live Labs 3 programme. \p Simon Lightwood: Live Labs 2 is a three-year, £30 million programme designed to support the local highways sector to adopt innovation and reduce its carbon impacts. The government will continue to support innovation in the highways sector following the conclusion of the Live Labs 2 programme and will confirm future plans in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_122

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many disciplinary cases were concluded against civil servants in (a) the Department and (b) its agencies broken down by (i) outcome and (ii) whether the primary allegation related to (A) performance and (B) conduct. \p Simon Lightwood: Over the past 12 months (1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025), a total of 247 ‘Discipline’ cases and 58 ‘Managing Poor Performance’ cases have been concluded in the Department for Transport’s central department and its Executive Agencies. A breakdown of the outcomes for these cases is captured in the 2 tables below.

1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025

Outcomes from Discipline Cases

DfTc

DVLA

DVSA

MCA

VCA

Total

Dismissal

<5

17

18

<5

<5

Employee Deceased

0

<5

0

0

0

Final Written Warning

0

<5

<5

<5

0

Final Written Warning – 12 months

0

11

17

0

<5

First Written Warning

<5

14

27

<5

0

Informal Action

6

13

15

6

<5

No Action

<5

20

32

<5

0

No Outcome Provided

<5

<5

6

0

0

Resignation

<5

<5

5

<5

<5

Withdrawn

<5

0

<5

0

0

Total

247

1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025

Outcomes from Managing Poor Performance Cases

DfTc

DVLA

DVSA

MCA

VCA

Total

Alternative Role

<5

0

<5

0

0

Dismissal

<5

0

0

0

0

First Written Warning Issued

0

9

<5

<5

0

Improvement Noted

7

<5

<5

<5

0

Informal Action

14

<5

<5

11

0

Mediation

<5

0

0

0

0

No Action

7

<5

<5

0

0

No Outcome Provided

5

<5

<5

0

0

Resignation

<5

<5

<5

<5

0

Total

58
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_123

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether any assessment has been made as to the potential impact of changes to the Parliamentary Security Directorate's budget on average queue length times at the public entrance at (a) Portcullis House and (b) Cromwell Green. \p Nick Smith: Both the security and efficiency of search and screening for visitors sit at the core of the Parliamentary Security Department’s (PSD’s) responsibility to keep Parliament safe, secure and open for business. Visitors are advised to allow 30 minutes to pass through search and screening (45 minutes at busier times, like Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons).

Budgets for 2026–27 and the following two years are currently being finalised, and work is under way to realise the savings which have been submitted by PSD as part of the House of Commons Savings and Improvements Programme. These proposals will not affect the levels of resourcing at search points or increase waiting times for visitors at Portcullis House and Cromwell Green or in any way compromise security. PSD is actively exploring technology which would both accelerate security screening of visitors and improve security assurance.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_124

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of the Household Support Fund is spent on the provision of furniture and white goods; and if his Department will work with the Crisis and Resilience Fund team to ensure that furniture provision becomes a core component of crisis and resilience spending. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Percentages of Household Support Fund (HSF) spend by category are published and available here: Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK

Table 2 shows a breakdown of HSF spending by category. Furniture and white goods are included within the “wider essentials” category, which also covers items such as clothing, period and hygiene products, and essential transport-related costs. We do not hold data on the proportion specifically spent on furniture and appliances.

We are working closely with local authorities and external stakeholders on the detailed design of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and we plan to publish scheme guidance in January 2026.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_125

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what percentage of the Household Support Fund is spent on furniture and appliances. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Percentages of Household Support Fund (HSF) spend by category are published in DWP’s management information, based on data provided by local authorities. This information is available here:

Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK

For each release, Table 2 shows a breakdown of HSF spend by category. Furniture and appliances are included within the “wider essentials” category, which also covers items such as clothing, period and hygiene products, and essential transport-related costs. We do not hold data on the proportion specifically spent on furniture and appliances, so cannot provide a further breakdown.

The first release of management information (covering 6 October 2021 to 31 March 2022) did not include this category, as it was not collected at that time.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_126

Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department is working with local authorities to ensure they are equipped to deliver the Crisis and Resilience Fund from 1 April 2026. \p Dame Diana Johnson: My Department has actively engaged with stakeholders on the design for the new Crisis and Resilience Fund through a structured co-design process. This has involved a representative group of local authorities, third-party organisations and academics. The concluding event on 22 October 2025 was attended by over 750 stakeholders.

We plan to publish guidance in January 2026. Provisional allocations will be published as part of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, ahead of the scheme going live in April 2026.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_127

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to support the development of (a) accredited training routes and (b) apprenticeships for advice and information roles. \p Andrew Western: At present nine awarding organisations offer 18 different knowledge only qualifications at levels 2 to 5 in information, advice and guidance (IAG) and careers advice. They are listed on Ofqual’s register of regulated qualifications: Find a regulated qualification - GOV.UK

Regarding apprenticeships, there are four apprenticeship standards relating to information and advice roles, including Level 3 Learning and Development Practitioner and Level 4 Employability Practitioner.

Where there is a genuine occupational gap not met by an existing apprenticeship standard and there will be sufficient demand for apprentices, employers are able to work with Skills England to develop an apprenticeship standard which meets their need.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_128

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff in his Department were employed in tackling benefit fraud in (a) 2025 and (b) 2020. \p Andrew Western: Since Autumn Budget 24, including the new announcements at Autumn Budget 25, the Government have committed to gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030/31 from fraud, error and debt activity in GB.

The Government is committed to ensuring that public funds are spent appropriately and deliver value for taxpayers. Fraud against the welfare system undermines public services and takes resources away from those who need them most.

Within the Department for Work and Pensions, tackling fraud and error is a shared responsibility across all roles, from Work Coaches in Jobcentres to colleagues in Service Centres. Because this work is embedded throughout the organisation, it is not possible to provide a precise breakdown of staff numbers or costs dedicated solely to preventing and detecting fraud
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_129

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has considered restricting access to non-contributory benefits for non-UK nationals until they have completed a minimum qualifying period of lawful residence and tax contribution. \p Andrew Western: On 20 November my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary launched a consultation on proposals for a fairer pathway to settlement, the point at which foreign nationals generally gain access to public funds. These plans include doubling the standard qualifying period for settlement from 5 to 10 years, with the opportunity to reduce this period based on their contributions to the UK economy and society and longer periods for those who contribute less.

The consultation also covers proposals that benefits might not be available to those who have settled status, reserving them, instead, for those who have earned British citizenship.

You can find more details in here: “Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy (accessible)”, and in “Open consultation: Earned settlement”.

In conjunction with these reforms, my Department will consult in due course on a change to taxpayer-funded benefits to prioritise access for those who are making an economic contribution to the UK.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_130

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 91352, whether he can cite, excepting DWP research report no.434 "Attitudes to pensions: the 2006 survey", which other "research from 2006", Official Report, Vol. 759, column 168, his predecessor was referencing. \p Torsten Bell: In her Oral Statement of 17 December 2024, the research from 2006 referenced by the former Secretary of State was the "Attitudes to pensions: the 2006 survey" Research Report no. 434. Research Report no.434 was published in 2007 but includes analysis from 2006. No other research from 2006 was referenced in the Oral Statement on 17 December 2024.

In coming to her decision, the former Secretary of State gave the Ombudsman’s report full consideration and looked in detail at the findings, reviewing all the information and advice provided to her at the time by the Department.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_131

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his answer of 20 November to Question 91350, whether his predecessor was provided with DWP research report no. 447 “Evaluation of Automatic State Pension Forecasts”. \p Torsten Bell: Ministers were informed of the relevance of report no. 447 and then provided with the full report in November 2025. We have decided to retake the decision as this report (no. 447) was not considered at the time of the original decision and was not shared with the previous Secretary of State.
wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_132

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that individuals whose immigration status no longer entitles them to public funds are automatically removed from benefit systems; and how many such removals have taken place in each of the last five years. \p Andrew Western: Universal Credit systems carry out daily automatic checks against Home Office data to identify any changes in immigration status, and subsequently, DWP caseworkers stop claims where the individual no longer has an immigration status that permits recourse to public funds.

However, the department does not hold data on the number of benefit claims disallowed after a review.