theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's policy paper, Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report Government Response, published on 30 July 2025, what is the estimated cost of delivering those recommendations. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The policy decisions that the Government announced on 21 July, and included in the Government Response on 30 July, are currently estimated to cost around £1 billion in further compensation payments. However, the total cost could change depending on what is agreed following consultation with the infected blood community.

The Government has said it will pay what it takes to fund the scheme, and we will update the forecast costs at Autumn Budget 2025.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a list of each ongoing (a) statutory and (b) non-statutory public inquiry, including the year it was established. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The table below sets out the list of open statutory and non-statutory inquiries and the year in which they were established. This includes inquiries that have published but not yet closed. The table does not include public inquiries which have been announced but have not yet been formally established, namely inquiries into events at Orgreave, the death of Patrick Finucane and the Independent Commission on Grooming Gangs.

Year established

Inquiry

Statutory or non-statutory

2025

Nottingham Inquiry

Statutory

2025

Independent inquiry into Manston short-term holding facility / Manston Inquiry

Non-statutory

2025

Southport Inquiry

Statutory

2023

Jalal Uddin Inquiry

Statutory

2023

Cranston Inquiry

Non-statutory

2023

Andrew Malkinson Inquiry

Non-statutory

2023

Thirlwall Inquiry

Statutory

2023

Inquiry into the preventability of the Omagh bombing

Statutory

2022

Independent inquiry relating to Afghanistan

Statutory

2022

Dawn Sturgess Inquiry

Statutory

2022

Fuller Inquiry

Non-statutory

2022

Angiolini Inquiry

Non-statutory

2022

UK Covid-19 Inquiry

Statutory

2021

Lampard Inquiry

Statutory

2020

Post Office Horizon IT inquiry

Statutory

2017

Infected Blood Inquiry

Statutory

2015

Undercover Policing Inquiry

Statutory

2004

Robert Hamill Inquiry

Statutory
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 66291 on House of Lords Appointments Commission, for what reason members of the Commission have not been appointed. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question 66291, which sets out when the campaign was launched and subsequently closed to applications.

The Government announced on 19 August 2025 that, as a result of the campaign, Professor Adeeba Malik CBE DL had been appointed as an independent member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission with effect from 1 September 2025. All candidates who applied as part of this campaign have been notified of the outcome accordingly.
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Gordon McKee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to support a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are clear that the first step to ending this terrible conflict is an immediate ceasefire, and we continue to push all parties to achieve this urgently. All parties must re-engage with negotiations to get the hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to this conflict. The Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories three times since taking office and is working with partners on a framework for peace to turn a ceasefire into lasting security and peace for Palestinians and Israelis. The Foreign Secretary discussed the dire situation in Gaza with the Qatari Foreign Minister on 25 June, Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 23 August and Secretary of State Rubio on 2 September.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Downing Street press release entitled PM call with President Xi Jinping of China: 23 August 2024, what discussions the Prime Minister had with President Xi Jinping during the telephone call on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London. \p Catherine West: During his phone call with President Xi on 23 August 2024, the Prime Minister set out his priorities for his government, including national security, secure borders and economic stability.

The leaders discussed areas of shared collaboration, and potential areas of cooperation between the UK and China, including on trade, the economy and education.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders agreed on the importance of close working in areas such as climate change and global security.

A readout of this discussion can be found on gov.uk.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure British (a) embassies and (b) consulates are adequately resourced to support British citizens when abroad. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Ensuring that we have the right people in the right places to support those who require consular services is a top priority for the UK Government. We regularly review how we resource consular services to ensure we are providing the right support to British people overseas. Our Consular staff are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year, providing help to more than 25,000 British people a year around the globe, and issuing more than 30,000 emergency travel documents.
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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the Overseas Territories introduce public registers of beneficial ownership. \p Stephen Doughty: Please refer to my Written Ministerial Statements of 3 July and 22 July which provide an update on progress achieved to date and details of next steps. We have clearly conveyed to our partners in the remaining Overseas Territories the urgency of meeting previously agreed deadlines and expect prompt action. To assist in this effort, we have offered technical support. The registers should offer streamlined access to a broad range of legitimate users, supporting proactive investigations, deterring the concealment of illicit gains, and promoting maximum transparency.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria are used to determine whether an (a) individual and (b) entity is considered an enabler of people smuggling for the purposes of sanctions. \p Stephen Doughty: To consider whether someone is an enabler or otherwise involved in the relevant activity, we use the criteria set out in regulation 8 of The Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Sanctions Regulations 2025, combined with the statutory threshold of reasonable grounds to suspect and taking information from a range of sources.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish the list of (a) individuals and (b) entities sanctioned under the new people smuggling sanctions regime. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK Sanctions List is updated every time a decision is made to make, vary or revoke a designation. The list is published on gov.uk and sets out which people, entities and ships are designated or specified under regulations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, and why. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list. The list of individuals and entities sanctioned under the Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons regime was updated on 23 July 2025.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of Official Development Assistance was spent on (a) in-donor refugee costs and (b) overseas (i) poverty reduction, (ii) humanitarian aid and (iii) sustainable development programmes in the last financial year. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK reports its Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend on a calendar year basis in the Statistics on International Development.

Based on the provisional statistics published in April, in 2024, 20 per cent (£2.8 billion) of UK ODA was spent on in-donor refugee costs and 10 per cent (£1.4 billion) of UK ODA was spent on bilateral humanitarian assistance; this does not include humanitarian assistance spend through multilateral organisations.

It is not possible to differentiate between programmes that support poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Final figures for 2024 will be published in Statistics on International Development: Final UK ODA Spend 2024 on 18 September 2025. Provisional figures for 2025 will be published in Spring 2026.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any nutrition programmes have had their budget reduced in 2025-26. \p Stephen Doughty: The 2025 Spending Review has confirmed the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office's (FCDO) Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2025-26. With the overall reductions to ODA budgets across the Department, there has been some impact to the central nutrition budget but decisions across Posts are yet to be finalised. The FCDO will be able to assess the financial impact of this spending review on nutrition-related spend in 2027 once nutrition-related spend data is consolidated.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking with his counterparts in multilateral organisations to (a) defend and (b) advance sexual and reproductive (i) health and (ii) rights. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK works with multilateral organisations including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organisation and the Global Financing Facility, alongside governments and civil society and provides targeted funding, technical partnership and diplomatic engagement to defend and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Earlier this year on International Women's Day, the Foreign Secretary appointed Baroness Harman as Special Envoy for Women and Girls, progressing our foreign policy and development objectives to protect women and girls' rights, including SRHR. In June 2026, she met with international counterparts and programme partners at Wilton Park, expressing the UK's commitment to defending and advancing SRHR.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to continue the Healthy Women, Children and Newborns approach in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to supporting global efforts to end preventable maternal, child and newborn deaths by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal targets through the Healthy Women, Children and Newborn approach.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations and the impact on programmes are being worked through. We will be taking a rigorous approach to ensure all ODA delivers value for money. We will set out our spending plans following the completion of resource allocation processes.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect freedom of religion (a) Albania, (b) Serbia, (c) Bosnia and (d) other European countries. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) across the Western Balkans and Europe. On 8 July, the Government set out its approach to FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries. Senior UK ministers and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, including the Foreign Secretary and UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, have engaged closely with key stakeholders across Europe to promote constructive interfaith dialogue and policies that ensure greater protections for religious beliefs. More generally, we continue to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure religious freedom in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has consistently advocated for an inclusive political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and reiterated this message to Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi.. The Foreign Secretary also discussed this with President al Sharaa and Foreign Minister al Shaibani when he visited Damascus in July. We continue to press the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. We welcome the provisions on freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief in the Constitutional Declaration. We will continue to advocate for the right to freedom of religion or belief for all.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on the protection of Christian minorities. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publicly and as part of our engagement with the Syrian Government. We are pressing the Syrian Government on the need to improve their response to sectarian violence and hold those responsible to account. I travelled to Damascus on 27 August, and raised this with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and Justice Minister Al-Waisi. The Foreign Secretary also raised these issues during his recent visit to Damascus, and during his call with Syria's Foreign Minister on 18 July. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions, not its words.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to review the suitability of Syria as a recipient of foreign aid. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The humanitarian situation in Syria is dire, with over 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 90 per cent of the population living in poverty. Our funding provides urgent humanitarian aid, as well as support for Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods. The UK has robust processes in place to ensure our overseas development assistance aid funding reaches those most in need, delivers value for money and protects against aid diversion. A stable Syria is firmly in the UK's interests, reducing the risk of irregular migration, terrorism and other threats to our national security.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to target (a) gap year students and (b) backpackers as part of methanol poisoning awareness efforts. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Student Brand Ambassadors (SBAs) have played a valuable and strategic role in extending the reach of our safety messaging to young travellers. Through the use of social media, they have delivered key messages on methanol poisoning and drink safety in a voice that is both authentic and relatable. This peer-led approach has proven to be an effective tool in promoting safer travel campaign messages.

Our SBAs create targeted posts focused on drink safety, including the risks associated with methanol poisoning. They have recently increased their social media presence to include TikTok. In June-July this year, this resulted in a 300 per cent increase in the number of people our messaging reached. This impressive increase shows the value in tailored focused messaging across the full range of social media. A full analysis of the SBA programme over the summer period will be conducted late Autumn.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Mauritian counterpart on the potential impact of Section 76B of the Mauritian criminal code on Chagossians. \p Stephen Doughty: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Explanatory Memorandum for Mauritius's Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2021 (https://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/mauritiusassembly/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bill1621.pdf) .

It is clear that legislation applies only to persons acting under the authority or instructions of a foreign state in the production, distribution, supply or marketing of any coin, stamp, official map or official document.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his Mauritian counterpart on the potential merits of UK representation on the board of the Chagossian Trust Fund for British Chagossians. \p Stephen Doughty: We have committed to capitalise a Trust Fund for the benefit of Chagossians, and are engaging with Mauritius on the design and parameters of the Fund, including potential UK representation on its Board. The Government has committed to update the House on the operation of the Trust Fund before ratification of the Treaty.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with Prime Minister Ramgoolam of Mauritius on the UK’s (a) right to unilaterally extend and (b) authority to exercise sovereign rights over Diego Garcia for the duration of the lease. \p Stephen Doughty: We have been clear and consistent regarding the duration of the treaty. The treaty will last for an initial 99 years and may be extended for a further 40 years (and beyond) by agreement between the UK and Mauritius.

Even if no agreement is reached, the UK will have the right to first refusal on the use of Diego Garcia which, if exercised, would prevent the use of the base by any other party.

Under the terms of the agreement, the UK will exercise all rights and authorities which are required for the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress he has made in developing a new strategy for children in armed conflict. \p Stephen Doughty: The latest UN Secretary General's report on Children and Armed Conflict is shocking. It shows that children are being harmed and denied lifesaving aid on an unprecedented scale.

In the UN Security Council, the UK has called on all parties to armed conflict to immediately end and prevent grave violations against children, and for perpetrators to be held to account. The UK remains committed to promoting and defending the UN's Children and Armed Conflict mandate.

We are engaging with stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of our current approach.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number of British nationals affected by methanol poisoning abroad in each of the last 10 years. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We fully recognise the serious risks posed by methanol poisoning and remain committed to supporting affected British nationals abroad. Methanol poisoning is not classified as a distinct case type within our case management system. Any consular support provided in these situations would have been recorded under broader categories such as medical care, deaths, or general health concerns. We publish our consular data on a regular basis (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/consular-data). It includes a breakdown of where we have been approached for assistance in relation to, amongst other things, hospitalisation and death. It is broken down by country and date. We continue to monitor health and safety risks abroad and provide guidance to help British nationals stay safe while travelling.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of (a) the ABTA and (b) other Travel Aware industry partners in increasing methanol poisoning awareness. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Association for British Travel Agents (ABTA) and Travel Aware partners play a vital role in amplifying information on methanol poisoning as part of our broader proactive messaging efforts. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office collaborates with over 150 partners through the Travel Aware campaign, we engage with selected partners who are best placed to help raise awareness and promote safe travel behaviours in destinations where methanol poisoning is a known risk (their contributions account for 1 in 10 hits to our travel advice website).
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department holds information on the demographic breakdown of people who engaged with the Travel Aware methanol poisoning campaign between November 2024 and March 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not hold demographic data on individuals who engaged with the Travel Aware campaigns, including the methanol poisoning campaign. While the campaign generates engagement metrics in aggregate form - such as reach and interaction rates - these do not include breakdowns by age, gender, nationality, or other demographic categories. Between 28 November 2024 and 6 March 2025, the FCDO's methanol related social media posts received a total of 41,103 views.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure safe passage for students in Gaza due to commence university programmes in the UK. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are working urgently to support Chevening Scholars in Gaza who have offers from British universities to leave and take up their places in the UK. The Government is working through options on how best to support other students with scholarships to take up their places at UK universities this academic year, in the context of an extremely challenging situation on the ground in Gaza.
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Kim Leadbeater:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress has been made on UK Government recognition of the State of Palestine. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Government has announced that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September before the United Nations General Assembly to protect the viability of the two‑state solution, unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza and commits to a long‑term sustainable peace. We will assess all the factors relevant to recognition ahead of a decision.
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Kim Leadbeater:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has taken steps to condemn the use of live ammunition that has led to the death of over 400 Palestinians seeking aid from sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: It is horrifying that at least 1,400 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured at or near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution sites. We regularly engage with Israeli counterparts to urge them to better protect civilians, and reduce the chaos on the ground causing such horrors. On 23 August, the Foreign Secretary pressed Foreign Minister Sa'ar to urgently remove all aid restrictions and move towards a ceasefire.

On 11 July, I called for an independent investigation into the killing of women and children while collecting aid in central Gaza. We expect the perpetrators to be held to account.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help ensure that Israel facilitates the safe delivery of humanitarian aid at the scale needed to alleviate starvation in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The famine in Gaza City and the surrounding neighbourhood, as confirmed by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), is utterly horrifying and is wholly preventable. On 12 August, the UK led 32 international partners in drawing attention to the unfolding famine in Gaza while urging Israel to allow large-scale access for the UN, international NGOs, and humanitarian partners.

As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement on 22 August, the IPC report outlines the sickening reality created by Israel's restrictions on aid, especially for children; he called on the Government of Israel to act immediately to stop the situation deteriorating further. On 23 August, the Foreign Secretary pressed Foreign Minister Sa'ar on the IPC's confirmation of famine in Gaza and urged for all restrictions on aid to be lifted.

We will continue to coordinate international efforts to press Israel to alleviate starvation in Gaza.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken recent steps to cooperate with the Syria Civil Defence. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has long supported the Syrian Civil Defence (also known as the White Helmets) in their vital work to facilitate humanitarian access, conduct search and rescue operations, and enable the safe removal of unexploded weapons. We are proud of this partnership and remain committed to supporting the White Helmets during its transition into the Syrian Government's Ministry for Emergency and Disaster Relief. In the financial year 2025/26, the UK has committed £2.25 million of support for them to provide emergency civil protection services and community resilience activities.
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Kim Leadbeater:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Israeli Government in response to proposals to forcibly relocate the Palestinian population of Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We have been clear: Palestinian territory must not be reduced in the conduct of this war, and we do not support the forced displacement of people. Palestinian civilians must be permitted to return to their communities and rebuild their lives. We are appalled by Minister Katz's comments on creating a new "humanitarian city" and displacing the population of Gaza to Rafah. Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich has spoken of Palestinians "being relocated to third countries". We condemn this in the strongest possible terms. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Israel's Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 24 August, and we continue to press this issue with the Israeli Government.
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterparts on recent military strikes in (a) Syria and (b) Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We continue to urge the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 23 August to press for the restoration of humanitarian access in Gaza and to raise serious concerns about the impact of military operations on civilians. We continue to call on Israel to respect Syria's territorial integrity and address security threats through diplomatic means. The Government wants to see a peaceful, secure and stable Syria for the Syrian people. Diplomacy, not hostility, is the best way of achieving this. The UK will continue to pursue a positive future for Syria and the region and we are urging Israel to do the same.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will set red lines in relation to the Israeli government’s (a) actions in and (b) policies on Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long term peace and stability. We have been clear that if the Government of Israel does not take substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, we will take further action in response. On 29 July, the Prime Minister said that the UK would recognise the State of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect of a Two State Solution.
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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the correlation between drivers (a) who fail to produce (i) a driving licence, (ii) an MOT certificate and (iii) insurance certificate and (b) convicted of (A) dangerous driving, (B) driving under the influence and (C) causing serious (1) injury and (2) death by (a) careless and (b) dangerous driving. \p Lilian Greenwood: My department has not made a specific assessment of this type. Nonetheless the Government is committed to improving road safety, with a new Road Safety Strategy under development which will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Sarah Green:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to reduce the waiting times for practical driving tests in Buckinghamshire since September 2024. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 18 December last year, DVSA published measures to bring down car practical driving test waiting times across the country, including the recruitment of driving examiners (DEs). On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions.

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

DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new DEs and is in the final processes of the most recent campaign.

From recent recruitment in Buckinghamshire, DVSA had one new DE start in August, and has another booked onto an upcoming training course.

DVSA is in the planning stages for the next campaign, which will include driving test centres in the area, and this is due to launch shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_272

Rachel Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the safeguarded land for Phase 2 of HS2 will be released back to the land owners. \p Lilian Greenwood: Safeguarding on the route of HS2 Phase 2a (between West Midlands and Crewe) was lifted in January 2024. Safeguarding on the route of HS2 Phase 2b Eastern Leg (between West Midlands and Leeds) was lifted in July 2025. One small area to the south of the existing station in central Leeds, previously required for the new HS2 station, remains safeguarded to allow for potential enhancements to the existing station, including for onward travel.

Safeguarding along the former Phase 2b Western Leg (between Crewe and Manchester) has not yet been changed, and an update on future plans for safeguarding on this section will be provided in due course alongside broader plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_273

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of traffic congestion on the economy. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport publishes transport analysis guidance to help assess the economic cost of congestion associated with different policy interventions. It also regularly publishes statistics on speeds, delay and reliability on different types of roads. However, it does not routinely assess the economic cost of congestion on the road network as a whole.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_274

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many full-time equivalent staff are working on responding to the Managing Pavement Parking consultation. \p Lilian Greenwood: My Department currently has a 0.6 full-time equivalent (FTE) policy lead working on pavement parking. This individual is supported by officials from various Civil Service professions across the Department, including analysts and lawyers, who provide occasional support as necessary as part of their jobs. The timing of the consultation response publication is not dependent on resource, but rather on ensuring the policy decision is correct. A policy announcement is expected imminently and plans are in place to resource the work necessary after an announcement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_275

Dan Aldridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to remove the requirement to reapply for a Blue Badge for people over the age of 80. \p Lilian Greenwood: Blue Badge holders generally must reapply for a Blue Badge every three years; this gives local authorities the opportunity to ensure that they continue to meet the criteria which make them eligible for a badge. It also helps ensure that the details local authorities hold about the badge holder remain correct and that the details displayed on the badge itself remain legible. Depending on the circumstances an authority may choose not to reassess.

In cases where a person's disability or condition is unlikely to change, local authorities will generally process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. Once a person’s data is captured on the system it should become easier and less time-consuming for them to reapply for a new badge ahead of their current one expiring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_276

Marie Goldman:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ensure that claimants in receipt of an indefinite award for the mobility part of PIP can receive a Blue Badge for the same period. \p Lilian Greenwood: Blue Badge holders generally must reapply for a Blue Badge every three years; this gives local authorities the opportunity to ensure that they continue to meet the criteria which make them eligible for a badge. It also helps ensure that the details local authorities hold about the badge holder remain correct and that the details displayed on the badge itself remain legible. Depending on the circumstances an authority may choose not to reassess.

In cases where a person's disability or condition is unlikely to change, local authorities will generally process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. Once a person’s data is captured on the system it should become easier and less time-consuming for them to reapply for a new badge ahead of their current one expiring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_277

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation to give local authorities enforcement powers over pavement parking. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government fully understands the problems that vehicles parked on the pavement can cause for pedestrians.

This is particularly the case in certain locations and for certain people, such as those with mobility or sight impairments, those pushing prams or pushchairs, and wheelchair users. The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response in due course.

In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking, and it is up to them to decide where to restrict pavement parking and what enforcement is appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_278

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow motorcycles to access bus lanes by default. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government remains committed to supporting efforts to improve the safety of motorcyclists, but has no plans to bring forward legislation to allow motorcycles to access bus lanes by default. Decisions on this matter are for local highway authorities to make on a case by case basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_279

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people (a) living in terrace housing and (b) who do not have access to off-street parking are able to access EV chargepoints. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of affordable and accessible charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle (EV). As of 1 August 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 83,851 publicly available charging devices, up 26% on this time last year.

The £381 million Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund will support the installation over 100,000 further local chargers, ensuring the rollout continues at pace to support drivers across the country.

The Department is also working with local authorities to encourage the use of cross-pavement solutions and on the 13 July, announced the £25m Electric Vehicle Pavement Channel grant.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of homes that would need to be compulsory purchased in order to deliver the third runway at Heathrow. \p Mike Kane: The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_281

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of social housing properties that will be demolished in the building of the third runway at Heathrow. \p Mike Kane: The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_282

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she could publish a breakdown of the Government's £4.5 billion spend on the transition to electric vehicles by (a) scheme and (b) year. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is investing over £4.5 billion to help industry and consumers transition to zero emission vehicles.

Following the Spending Review, the Government committed £1.8 billion in investment to decarbonise road transport from 2026-27 to 2029-30.  This includes £1.4 billion to support the continued uptake of zero emission vehicles, including vans and HGVs, and £400 million to support the rollout of charging infrastructure. The £400m includes funding for charging along the strategic road network in England, charging infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of zero emission vans and HGVs, and existing grants.

In financial year 2025/26, £320m was made available at the Autumn Statement in 2024 to support investment in charging infrastructure and the uptake of zero emission vehicles. A further £2.5 billion has been made available to industry through the DRIVE35 programme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_283

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which schools will be demolished as a result of the third runway at Heathrow. \p Mike Kane: The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_284

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to defer the ban on the sale of new (a) petrol and (b) diesel vehicles indefinitely; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a deferment on the price of new cars. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government has provided crucial certainty to British industry by re-instating the 2030 phase-out date for new cars relying solely on internal combustion engines. We are committing £4.5 billion to support the public and our automakers on the journey to fully decarbonising new cars and vans by 2035, including £650 million specifically to reduce the prices of new EVs. The certainty these commitments provide industry unlocks investment and benefits British consumers.