Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce the number of rented electric (a) bikes and (b) scooters illegally parked on pavements.

The Government recognises the widespread concern that this issue causes pedestrians and especially the danger which obstructively parked cycles can cause those with disabilities. Part of our work to regulate on-street micromobility, and as announced in the English Devolution White Paper, includes our ambition to put local government in a stronger position to manage the parking of these vehicles to tackle obstructive parking and hold operators to account where issues persist. For the e-scooter trials, the Department for Transport has published guidance for how trials should run which makes clear that there will need to be sufficient parking provision in trial areas and local authorities should ensure that e-scooters do not become obstructive to others. Local authorities are responsible for parking in their trial areas and any complaints about parking should be directed to the relevant council. Operators additionally employ geofencing, parking incentives and penalties to prevent obstructive parking.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) increase the number of practical driving tests available in (i) Greater London and (ii) Essex and (b) help prevent unauthorised vendors selling practical test slots online.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work to attract and recruit more driving examiners in the London and South East area, including Greater London and Essex. As well as new Driving Examiners (DEs) who have now begun testing, DVSA is running training courses for successful candidates from recent campaigns, who, if successful, will join driving test centres (DTCs) in the region. DVSA concluded another recruitment campaign at the end of 2024 and is in the process of making offers to successful candidates. Anotherrecruitment campaign is currently expected to begin in March 2025. To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. A call for evidence was launched on 18 December 2024, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

What steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help reduce the number of fatal car crashes in outer London boroughs.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with local authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act.

What steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help tackle dangerous driving in Romford constituency.

The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, which highlights the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed within Romford, and London boroughs, is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

What steps she is taking with relevant authorities to help tackle drink driving in Romford constituency.

The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, which highlights the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed within Romford, and London boroughs, is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

Whether she plans to make the signing of the seafarers charter by maritime operators compulsory.

The Government is committed to strengthening workers’ rights at sea, and has tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill to give Ministers powers to create a legally-binding Seafarers’ Charter that will protect and improve seafarer working condition...

What funding her Department is allocating to Havering Council to tackle potholes in the next financial year.

This Government is committed to tackling the poor state of our roads and has pledged to help local authorities to fix our pothole-ridden road networks. As part of this, it will help enable local highway authorities in England to fix up to a million more p...

What steps she is taking to help prevent (a) violent crime and (b) theft of personal property on railway infrastructure.

Tackling violent crime is a priority for the British Transport Police (BTP) and they are committed to taking action to prevent the theft of personal property. BTP works closely with rail industry partners to ensure that passengers and rail staff feel safe...

What steps she is taking to help prevent suicide on railway infrastructure.

The Department is committed to working with the rail industry to reduce the number of deaths by suicide. Each rail operator is responsible for delivering a suicide prevention plan and maintaining accreditation to the independently assessed Safeguarding on...

What steps she is taking to help improve (a) recruitment and (b) retention in the British Transport Police.

The British Transport Police (BTP) are dedicated to building a modern, inclusive, and resilient force that reflects the communities it serves. Their latest headcount figures show the Force is successful at maintaining staff and officer numbers at a consis...

What steps her Department is taking to help repair potholes in Romford constituency.

The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. Havering Council is the local highway authority for the Romford constituency, and they are therefore responsible for t...

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce waiting times for practical driving tests in (a) Greater London and (b) Essex.

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. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers at all driving test centres, ...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring cyclists to (a) display number plates and (b) hold valid insurance.

The Government has no intention of requiring all cyclists to display number plates or to have insurance. A national registration scheme for all cycles would be complex and expensive to design and administer. As for insurance, the Government believes that ...

Whether she plans to lift the restriction on carrying liquids over 100ml in hand luggage on flights departing from UK airports; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward leg

The UK already has some of the most robust aviation security measures in the world, and the implementation of new cutting-edge technology enhances security and will boost the passenger experience. Restrictions on the carriage of liquids to up to 100ml nee...

What steps she is taking to help improve (a) access and (b) transport links to the Falkland Islands.

The DfT is working closely with the Falkland Islands Government, aviation stakeholders and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to improve access and transport links. Flights to and from the Falkland Islands are a devolved decision for the Falkland Island...

What steps she is taking to improve access to artificial intelligence training.

This Government is committed to delivering an efficient and effective future transport sector. To do that we need to ensure that the sector and the public servants which support it are equipped to use, regulate, guide and assure AI systems effectively. My...

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of raising of the bus fare cap in England on working families.

The government knows how important it is to provide affordable bus travel, particularly in rural communities and towns where there is heavy reliance on buses. Under the inherited plans of the previous administration, funding for the current cap on bus far...

If she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of outbound flights from the six largest airports serving London that were delayed over the last three months; and whether she has had discussions with

The aviation industry predominantly operates in the private sector, therefore it is the responsibility of the industry to have robust resilience plans in place to meet demand, recruit, and roster staff, and have appropriate mitigations in place. The Civil...

What progress she has made on increasing the number of potholes that are repaired in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England.

The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network. Havering Council is the local highway authority for the Romford constituency, and it is therefore responsible for the mai...

What steps she is taking to modernise public transport in Essex.

The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the governmen...