theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_111

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential security impact of the proposed Chinese Embassy development on nearby underground communications cables. \p Dan Jarvis: National security is the first duty of Government. As set out in a joint letter by the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to the Planning Inspector on 14 January, the Home Office has considered the full breadth of national security issues in relation to the planning application. It would not be appropriate to comment further on specific matters relating to national security.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, in her independent, quasi-judicial role, will make the final decision on the Chinese Embassy planning application in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_112

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether combined authority mayors will be subject to Independent Office for Police Conduct standards. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Combined Authority Mayors who exercise the functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) are subject to the same complaints and conduct system as PCCs.

Where a complaint or allegation of misconduct is made, it must be referred to the IOPC where there is an indication that a criminal offence has been committed.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_113

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of implementing the Firearms Act 2023 without a transitional period to apply for personal firearm certificates on miniature rifle clubs. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Firearms Act 2023 introduced legislation to strengthen firearms controls by making it a requirement for the operator of a miniature rifle range to have a firearm certificate and undergo police licensing checks.

The Firearms Act 2023 was commenced on 1 May 2025 and police forces had been preparing for implementation in advance of this date, including by considering applications from miniature rifle club operators prior to commencement to ensure that operators could comply with the requirements of the new legislation.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_114

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen (a) counter-extremism measures and (b) public order enforcement following the recent attack on the Israeli Embassy in London; and how the Department plans to ensure the continued safety of diplomatic (i) premises and (ii) staff from politically motivated violence. \p Dan Jarvis: The Government takes the protective security of diplomatic missions extremely seriously. The UK Government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our longstanding policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' and sites' security.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_115

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle (a) the use of pro-Hamas slogans, (b) other public displays of support and (c) online displays of support for Hamas. \p Dan Jarvis: I refer the Hon Member to the answer that I gave to the Rt Hon Member for Fareham and Waterlooville on 7 May in response to Question 48984.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_116

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to start (a) recording and (b) reporting on the number of animals who are bred for, but not actually used in, scientific procedures within animal testing figures. \p Dan Jarvis: The Home Office is presently reviewing the collection and publication of additional statistics on animals that were bred but not used in scientific procedures.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_117

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) arrested and (b) charged under espionage-related offences linked to the People’s Republic of China in the last five years. \p Dan Jarvis: The Home Office routinely collects and publishes information on arrests and charges in the 'Police Powers and Procedures', and 'Crime Outcome' statistics respectively. However, the requested data is not published at the level of detail requested.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_118

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications to the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme have been (a) made, (b) processed, (c) granted, (d) withdrawn and (e) rejected for which the latest data is available. \p Seema Malhotra: The Ukraine Permission extension scheme is open for those granted under the previous Ukraine Schemes to apply up to 28 days before their current permission expires.

Applications received – 53,870

Applications processed – 45,576

Applications approved – 44,105

Applications withdrawn – 1,321

Applications rejected or refused – 150

These figures have been taken from a live operational database. As such, numbers may change as information on that system is updated.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_119

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of which nationalities are most likely to overstay their visa. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders, and published a white paper on Immigration on 12th May setting out our proposed reforms in a range of areas, including overstaying of visas.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_120

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with her European counterparts on improving visa-free travel arrangements to Europe for British citizens. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office is not responsible for those arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_121

Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with South Western Railway to help improve service reliability. \p Simon Lightwood: South Western Railway’s performance has been impacted by the late introduction of their Class 701 ‘Arterio’ fleet, leading to a reliance on older, less reliable trains. Officials are meeting regularly with the operator to discuss performance, and the Secretary of State met with FirstGroup and MTR on 13th May to discuss recent failures in the introduction of the new fleet and what they are doing to speed up next steps.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_122

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people (a) sat and (b) passed a driving test at the Edinburgh (Currie) Driving Test Centre in each year since 2010. \p Lilian Greenwood: The attached Excel document shows the number of people using a unique driver number that a) sat and b) passed a driving test at Edinburgh (Currie) driving test centre (DTC) in each year from 2015 to 30 September 2024. Please note, this data is based on candidates’ unique driver numbers. Based on this unique number, the data does not include if a candidate took a test more than once in any given year. However, if a candidate changed their unique driver number, each driver number is counted once in each year it is used. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) retention period for this data is ten years.

The attached Excel document also shows the number of tests conducted and passed at Edinburgh (Currie) DTC between 2010 and 30 September 2024. This data is the total number of tests conducted per year and would include candidates who took multiple tests. DVSA publishes this data online at: Driving test and theory test data: cars - GOV.UK.

DVSA can currently only publish the data included in the attached Excel document up to the end of September 2024.

Number of People who have taken and passed a test  (xlsx, 17.0KB)
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_123

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps with the Civil Aviation Authority to help reduce the potential impact of the new scheme of charges on drone operators. \p Mike Kane: After consulting the aviation sector, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) consulted ministers in February about changes to its schemes of regulatory charges for 2024/25. We considered every response to its sector consultation, including 72 specifically about drone charges. Before coming to ministers and after sector consultation, the CAA amended its charges to make them less impactful to many members of the drone community.

Government support for the CAA in 2025/26 also includes £16.5m for Future of Flight projects, some of which will benefit drone users.

Where appropriate the CAA considers making refunds to applicants that misinterpret CAA policies or make mistakes in applications. The CAA plan to share guidance on common mistakes to help prevent recurrence and this will help to minimise applicant costs. Furthermore, the digitisation of some application routes should bear down on costs to regulated parties, including drone operators.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_124

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with the Civil Aviation Authority to help ensure that (a) existing and (b) future regulation of drone technology is (i) proportionate and (ii) supports growth in the sector. \p Mike Kane: I am committed to maximising the benefits of drones to drive economic growth, support communities, and enhance public services, whilst ensuring their safe and responsible use.

The Department for Transport is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and industry partners through the Future of Flight Industry Group (FFIG) to ensure that existing and future regulations for drone technology are proportionate, support sector growth, and maintain the UK’s high standards of aviation safety and security. FFIG brings together key government and industry stakeholders to drive forward the UK’s Future of Flight Programme, which aims to develop the regulation, technologies and infrastructure needed to enable the routine use of innovative aircraft, including drones. The programme also seeks to unlock barriers to growth, support new commercial opportunities, and improve public services.

On 17 March, the CAA announced their new approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth. This included five initiatives, two of which relate specifically to drones: enabling at least two further and larger BVLOS drone scale trial operations and launching an initial implementation of the UK’s Drone Market Surveillance Authority.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_125

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of passenger rail performance. \p Simon Lightwood: Improved performance is one of this Government’s strategic priorities for rail services. We are determined to enhance services for passengers and deliver better value for money for the taxpayer.

Following a decade of decline, we are starting to see train performance stabilise, with cancellations now no longer rising.

The Rail Minister is continuing to meet with the Managing Directors of all train operators and their Network Rail counterparts, to address poor performance and demand immediate action to raise standards.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_126

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase access to rail links in rural communities. \p Simon Lightwood: The government knows that public transport needs to be better integrated in order to improve the experience for passengers, providing access to services and keeping communities connected. We also know that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing services, including other modes of transportation such as rail links. The government is taking action to help improve local bus services and encourage greater integration between transport modes.

We introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas. 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. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has been allocated £10.5 million of this funding, helping to improve bus services and connectivity across the area.

The government will also be publishing an Integrated National Transport Strategy this year to set the vision for transport in England. It will focus on how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve the people who use it, including those in rural areas.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_127

Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of levels of car use on (a) congestion and (b) road noise. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department periodically publishes the national road traffic projections. The most recent being the National Road Traffic Projections 2022. This includes a measure of congestion expressed as lost time per mile, per vehicle in seconds. This is split by vehicle type, road type and region. While no specific assessment on levels of car use and road noise has been undertaken, the Government’s methods for the Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CRTN), however, provides a standardised approach to calculate noise impacts from existing or proposed road networks to assess and manage the noise impacts on nearby communities.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_128

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to consumers from (a) fraud, (b) unfair trading and (c) unsafe goods in the secondary driving test market in each of the last five years. \p Lilian Greenwood: It is not illegal to resell a practical driving test appointment. But to ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, including any potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April 2025 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_130

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is her policy to maintain the number of driving test centres in rural communities. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_131

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the average length of time that judicial reviews took to complete for road infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2025. \p Lilian Greenwood: Between 2015 and 2025, 11 judicial reviews were submitted in relation to Development Consent Orders for road infrastructure projects. The Department successfully defended 9 of these, highlighting the fair, legally robust decisions the Department makes to deliver major infrastructure.

Judicial reviews must be lodged within six weeks of a decision being issued. The length of the process is entirely in the hands of courts. The average length of time between a decision and legal proceedings concluding for these 11 cases was 437 days.

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will streamline legal challenges to major infrastructure projects, reducing delays from unmerited claims and supporting faster delivery of nationally significant projects.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_132

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Great British Railways on the timetable for procuring a ticketing platform. \p Simon Lightwood: My department is working on plans for GBR’s future ticketing platform. It will go live once GBR is established. We will provide further details in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_133

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) recruiting new driving instructors and (b) opening new test centres in North East Hampshire constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

DVSA does not employ driving instructors. Whilst DVSA does not have the power to either increase or limit the number of approved driving instructors (ADIs), the number of instructors on DVSA’s ADI register has increased in the last few years.

DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible. The agency continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. It currently has no plans for any additional driving test centres.

The table below shows the average waiting time, in weeks, for a car practical driving test in, Basingstoke, Farnborough and Guildford driving test centres for each of the last six months.

Basingstoke

Farnborough

Guildford

National

April 2025

15.5

24

10.5

22.3

March 2025

24

24

24

21.7

February 2025

24

24

18.5

21.3

January 2025

24

24

24

20.8

December 2024

19.2

24

24

20.8

November 2024

22.4

24

19.3

19.7

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 the country.

Further information on these actions, and progress on DVSA’s 7-point plan announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s 7-point plan included recruiting 450 driving examiners (DE). In its recent recruitment campaign, DVSA advertised for five DEs for Farnborough and Guildford. DVSA’s recent recruitment activity in the area has resulted in:

two DEs successfully completing their training and are now providing car practical driving tests;

two DEs currently in training;

one DE waiting to begin training; and

two DEs completing pre-employment checks.

DVSA also advertised for three DEs in the Basingstoke and Greenham (Newbury) area.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_134

Gregory Stafford:Whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of Farnborough Airport on levels of pollution. \p Mike Kane: The monitoring of local air quality is the responsibility of the relevant local authority and noise controls should be set through the planning system. My officials regularly engage with a range stakeholders in the sector.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_135

John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of expanding Gatwick Airport on carbon emissions. \p Mike Kane: This Government has been clear that airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate they can be delivered in line with the UK’s climate change commitments.

Having received further information from Gatwick, the Secretary of State hopes to make a final decision in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_136

Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the powers of traffic commissioners. \p Lilian Greenwood: Traffic Commissioners perform important and independent regulatory, compliance and tribunal roles for the road freight and public transport sectors. A functional review conducted by the Ministry of Justice, published in May 2023, found the function generally effective and offered proposals for improvement. My Department are considering these alongside other reform options.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_137

Sean Woodcock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Chiltern Railways to help prevent overcrowding. \p Simon Lightwood: Chiltern Railways periodically adjust their timetable in response to passenger demand. From the 18th May, Chiltern will introduce three new Saturday services between Banbury and London Marylebone.

We are engaging closely with Chiltern's fleet renewal programme seeking to procure additional trains to increase capacity, whilst ensuring it delivers value for money.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_138

Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve passenger rail connectivity. \p Simon Lightwood: We continue to invest in improving connectivity for passengers on our railways. Major enhancements, such as Transpennine Route Upgrade and East West Rail, will provide new connections for passengers alongside wider investment in improvements that totals around £2bn each year. Increasingly our focus is on connectivity to places that have had less historic investment, and more than 75% of our forecast spend is proposed to be outside of London and the South East in the next Spending Review Period.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_139

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what dates the HS2 ministerial taskforce has met since 25 October 2022. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Ministerial Task Force for HS2 has met on the following dates since 25 October 2022:

1 November 2023

31 January 2024

22 October 2024

18 March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_140

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which Ministers have been members of the HS2 Ministerial Taskforce since its creation; and on which dates each Minister (a) joined and (b) left the taskforce. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Secretary of State for Transport, Minister for Rail and Chief Secretary to the Treasury have been members of the Ministerial Task Force for HS2 since its first meeting on 30 April 2020. Ministers from the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (and its predecessors) are no longer members, with the former last attending the meeting held on 15 December 2021 and the latter on 27 January 2022.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_141

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to item 5.4.4 of the minutes of HS2 Limited's Board meeting of 25 September 2024, what the (a) membership and (b) remit is of the Tripartite Cooperation Board. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Tripartite Cooperation Board (TCB) was established in 2014 following a memorandum of understanding signed between the DfT, NR and HS2 Ltd. The TCB brings together the senior executives from the Department, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, as sponsor for the programme, HS2 Ltd as delivery agent for the programme and Network Rail as owner and operator of the existing network. Its purpose is to provide strategic advice at the request of the Programme Senior Responsible Owner, Alan Over, or the Programme Board to ensure the successful integration of HS2 onto the conventional network in such a way that the whole network is enhanced.

The members at this time are:

Alan Over, Major Rail Projects Group DG, DfT - Chair

Alex Hynes, Rail Services Group DG, DfT

Sir Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, Network Rail Chief Exec

Mark Wild, CEO, HS2 Ltd

Richard Goodman, Rail Reform and Strategy DG, DfT

Clare Dixon, DfT – Secretariat.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_142

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) process and (b) timetable will be for recruiting a new Chief Executive of Network Rail. \p Simon Lightwood: The Network Rail Board via its Nomination and Remuneration Committee is responsible for the Chief Executive selection process. In line with the Network Rail Framework Agreement, the Secretary of State for Transport has the right to approve the Board’s suggested candidate for Chief Executive.

The timetable for appointing a new Chief Executive will be confirmed once the Secretary of State has considered the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_143

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will meet with representatives of Heathrow Airport to discuss the potential inclusion of Heathrow Logistics Hubs as part of its expansion plans. \p Mike Kane: The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow and expects proposals to be brought forward by the summer.

The specific details of the proposals for a third runway are a matter for the promoters to consider but government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_144

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to prohibit the sale and use of LEDs which dazzle (a) pedestrians, (b) cyclists and (c) other drivers. \p Lilian Greenwood: The lighting of road vehicles is regulated by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended (RVLR). It is illegal to sell unapproved LED light sources for use in modern car, truck and bus headlamps. Changes were made to the MOT manual to align with the requirements of the RVLR to ensure that modern vehicles fitted with unapproved light sources fitted will fail the MOT.

Furthermore, the Government recognises the increased public concern around headlamp glare and has commissioned independent research to understand the causes.

Careful consideration will be given to that work when it reports later this year to determine what future actions may be appropriate to ensure the safety of all road users.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_145

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Compulsory Purchase Order powers in progressing active travel schemes. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the effectiveness of compulsory purchase order powers in progressing active travel schemes and there is currently no centralised record of how many active travel schemes in England have relied on these powers. Local authorities can use their compulsory purchase powers for a wide range of purposes in order to facilitate specific schemes, including active travel routes.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_146

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of illegally modified (a) cars and (b) motorcycles that produce excessive noise. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport 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 published the results of roadside trials of noise camera technology last year and continues to keep a keen interest in this technology. However, it is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be within their area, based on their knowledge of the issue locally. The Department has limited means for influencing local decision making on enforcement priorities.

The police have powers to deal with noisy vehicles on an ongoing basis. Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 they can take action if they suspect a vehicle is being driven in a manner that makes excessive noise which is avoidable through reasonable driver care. In the same Regulations, exhausts and silencers are required to be maintained in good working order and not modified so as to increase noise.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_147

Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had recent discussions with the owners of the M6 toll road on the potential merits of removing toll barriers. \p Lilian Greenwood: M6 Toll is a privately-owned asset. My Department is aware that Midland Expressway Limited (MEL), which is a private consortium responsible for building and operating the M6 toll road, has ambitions for removing toll barriers which would potentially require creating a specific legislation or amendment via regulation to existing PCN legislation. MEL may offer proposals that highlight the merits of removing toll barriers and meet the challenges of doing so.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_148

Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what new arrangements HM Coastguard is planning for evacuating emergency medical cases from Hurst Castle and Hurst Spit. \p Mike Kane: HM Coastguard is not implementing new arrangements for the evacuation of emergency medical cases from Hurst Castle and Hurst Spit.  In the event of a medical emergency HM Coastguard would work with our ambulance service colleagues and the site owners to assess the situation and task appropriate assets to respond, such as lifeboats, search and rescue helicopters and Coastguard Rescue Teams in line with the response to any other island or remote location around the UK coast.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_149

Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the railcard scheme to all working-age people. \p Simon Lightwood: There are no current plans to extend the railcard scheme to all working-age people, but following the establishment of Great British Railways, it will have the opportunity to review the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of some railcards. Any long-term changes or concessions made to railcard schemes require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_150

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment standard daily living component were awarded less than four points in all daily living activities in the most recent period for which data is available. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The proportion of people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment with the Standard Daily Living component who were awarded fewer than four points in all daily living activities is readily available as part of the Pathways to Work Evidence Pack in Chapter 2, table 2.20.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper).

Table 2.20 shows that, in January 2025, 87% of working aged claimants in England and Wales who were in receipt of the standard daily living component scored less than four points in all daily living activities and 13% of those claiming the enhanced rate.

After taking account of behavioural changes, OBR predicts that 370,000 people who will be receiving PIP at the point of implementation of the four point requirement in November 2026, will have lost their PIP Daily Living entitlement by 2029/30. Of all PIP recipients at the point of implementation, 9 in 10 will not lose PIP during the subsequent 3 years from this change.

Notes:
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_151

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's planned changes to Personal Independent Payments on levels of poverty in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) the United Kingdom. \p Sir Stephen Timms: An assessment of the potential impact of the planned changes to health and disability benefits (including Personal Independence Payment) on levels of poverty is available for Great Britain.

This can be found here: Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms – Impacts.

An assessment is not available below Great Britain level. The assessment does not include any impacts from the additional employment support announced in the Green Paper.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_152

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the (a) number of (i) Carer’s Allowance and (ii) carer element recipients who will lose their eligibility in Wales by the 2029-30 financial year and (b) the cost to the public purse of these changes; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of eligibility changes on carers in poverty. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The assessment by the Office for Budget Responsibility of the impact of the proposed changes on carers was only made for England and Wales as a whole.

The impacts can be found in table A4 here: Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms – Impacts.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_153

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the number of PIP claimants on the cost of reasonable adjustments required for disabled employees in the public sector. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Whether or not an employer makes a reasonable adjustment for an employee, and how much that costs, is independent of the benefit status of an employee, so no assessment has been made.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_154

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the collection of data on (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries caused by cattle. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department of Work and Pensions has had no recent discussions with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about the collection of data on fatalities and serious injuries caused by cattle.

Data is collected and published by the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) that require certain work-related injuries and fatalities, including those caused by cattle to members of the public, to be reported.

Guidance on reporting requirements is published by HSE on their website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/.

Statistical data from these reports is published by HSE and is freely available to view on their website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/index.htm.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_155

Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure the Child Maintenance Service adheres to its debt steer principles. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operates on the principle that both parents have financial responsibility for their child, including their food and clothing, as well as contributing towards the associated costs of running the home that the child lives in.

When a paying parent does not make maintenance payments on time or in full, the CMS will initially negotiate a payment that is feasible for the parent to pay, taking into account the individual circumstances of each case.

The Debt Steer provides a policy-based framework for arrears negotiation. Its purpose is to ensure arrears are collected as promptly and reliably as possible, taking into account all relevant circumstances i.e. full arrears payment by one lump sum, partial lump sum payment and a schedule of on-going payments to recover any remaining arrears within a maximum of two years, and a schedule of on-going payments to recover the full arrears within two years.

After investigating the paying parent’s circumstances and financial situation, discretion can be applied to negotiate an arrangement that extends beyond a two-year period, providing it is a reliable and consistent plan for the recovery of arrears.

If this is unsuccessful and the paying parent is employed, the CMS can request that ongoing child maintenance payments be deducted directly from their salary by issuing what we call a Deductions from Earnings Order (DEO). A DEO instructs an employer to make deductions from the paying parent’s earnings and pay the amounts to the CMS who will pass this onto the receiving parent. The CMS also has powers to deduct maintenance from a wide range of bank accounts including joint and business accounts.

If this is unsuccessful, the CMS will use further measures, including order for sale, where it can apply to the courts for the sale of the paying parent’s assets or property, removal of driving licences, disqualification of passports, and committal to prison.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_156

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that paying parents do not conceal (a) earnings and (b) investments to evade child maintenance payments. \p Andrew Western: Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the most recent available full tax year. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Use of historic income ensures a stable calculation, which we know from customer feedback is valued as it enables parents to rely on maintenance for financial planning purposes.

In the event a receiving parent believes a paying parent’s earnings are not captured in the standard calculation using HMRC gross income data, they can apply for a variation, under which certain other categories of income can be considered.

Cases involving complex income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information that the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is given. If any discrepancies are found, then they can implement a correct maintenance liability that is supported by CMS legislation.

The Department is currently reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose. This has included updating the underlying research and considering how we ensure the calculation reflects current and future societal trends.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_157

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to improve the Child Maintenance Service's complaints procedure. \p Andrew Western: DWP introduced a single tier complaint model in 2020-2021 to ensure the process of making a complaint in DWP was simple and consistent for our customers. The single tier model put complaints handling back into specialist complaints teams, enabling the Department to build capability and improve its complaints handling.

We have also launched a new Complaints Quality Standards Framework, implementing quality assurance measures that align with the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO’s) complaints standards to embed consistency into our complaints handling.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_158

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the accuracy of the Child Maintenance Service system for assessing payments for (a) paying and (b) receiving parents. \p Andrew Western: Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the latest tax year available. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Any income subject to income tax, including bonuses and overtime received by an employed paying parent, is included within their gross weekly income when calculating a child maintenance liability.

For self-employed paying parents, the gross income used in a maintenance calculation is provided by HMRC in the first instance. HMRC will provide details of the gross taxable profit of the paying parent's business, for the most recent complete tax year.

The scheme relies on HMRC to provide accurate income information that aligns with tax legislation in order to make a child maintenance calculation, according to generally applicable rules.

In the event a receiving parent believes a paying parent’s earnings are not captured in the standard calculation using HMRC gross income data, they can apply for a variation, under which certain other categories of income can be considered.

Cases involving complex income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information that the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is given. If any discrepancies are found, then they can implement a correct maintenance liability that is supported by CMS legislation.
wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-15 conversation_159

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that consular support is available to British tourists travelling in Pahalgam following the attack near Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has processed over 2000 consular enquiries since the escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan. We continue to monitor developments closely and British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities. British nationals affected can contact the FCDO for emergency help both in country and from the UK, 24/7. Travel Advice advises against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pahalgam.