Written questions by Wild.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 October 2025 to Question 6462, what the monthly average waiting time for a car practical driving test at each driving test centre has been for each month since October 2024.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain. Further information on these actions and progress of DVSA’s plan to reduce driving test waiting times, which was announced in December 2024, can be found on GOV.UK. From recruitment campaigns, beginning last year at driving test centres (DTC) that serve customers in Norfolk and the North West Norfolk constituency, DVSA have recruited three new driving examiners (DE). From recent recruitment campaigns, DVSA have one potential new DE currently due to start in July and have made an employment offer to another potential candidate. DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient. The attached Excel document shows the average waiting time in weeks for a car practical driving test, at each DTC in Great Britain, for each month from October 2024 to May 2025. The table below shows the average waiting time in weeks for a car practical driving test in each of the last five financial years, by DTCs in Norfolk and the North West Norfolk constituency. Financial YearKings LynnNorwich (Peachman Way)Total2020/217.88.48.12021/2212.815.314.12022/2312.49.5112023/2416.617.316.92024/2516.518.917.7 The table below shows the longest waiting time in weeks for a car practical driving test in each of the last five financial years, by DTCs in Norfolk and the North West Norfolk constituency. Financial YearKings LynnNorwich (Peachman Way)2020/2116182021/2224242022/2324242023/2424242024/252224 The table below shows the average wait time for theory tests in Norfolk for the financial years 2021/22 to 2024/25.* Norfolk (inclusive of Kings Lynn, Norwich, Cromer, Diss, Fakenham)Financial yearAverage wait time (Days)2021/22 (from Sept 2021)20.32022/2317.62023/2420.12024/2526.4 The overall average for the total time period available (Sept 2021 to 2024/25) is 21.5 days. The table below shows the average wait time for theory tests in the North West Norfolk constituency for the financial years 2021/22 to 2024/25.* North-West Norfolk Constituency (inclusive of Kings Lynn only)Financial yearAverage wait time (Days)2021/22 (from Sept 2021)16.92022/2318.12023/2420.72024/2525.5 The overall average for the total time period available (Sept 2021 to 2024/25) is 21.0 days. *Please note, DVSA only hold data from when its new theory test booking service was implemented in September 2021. Theory test data availability is not measured in the same way as practical tests. DVSA’s relevant KPI for theory tests is the difference between the first confirmed booking date and the first confirmed test date, excluding bank holidays.

With reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, when measures relating to UK passport holders using EU eGates will be able to take effect.

The UK-EU Common Understanding confirms that there will be no legal barriers to eGate use for British Nationals traveling to and from EU Member States after the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). This is a positive step forward and we are now working quickly with Member States to get these arrangements in place and improve our citizens’ travel experience reducing lengthy and imbalanced queues at various entry points across the EU.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, when (a) fresh sausages and burgers, (b) certain shellfish from domestic waters and (c) seed potatoes will be able to resume trade to the EU.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. British products that were banned under the last Government’s Brexit deal can resume trade to the EU once the common SPS area is in place. Trade in products such as fresh sausages and burgers, some shellfish from domestic waters, and seed potatoes will be able to resume, increasing markets for these goods and stimulating jobs. Our aim is to start talks straight away and we want to remove barriers as soon as possible.

With reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, what his planned timetable is to agree arrangements for UK participation in EU electricity trading platforms.

On 19 May, the Government published a renewed agenda for UK-EU cooperation. The Government agreed with the European Commission to proceed swiftly with the commitments and will keep Parliament updated on significant developments.

With reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, what his planned timetable is to agree arrangements enabling information exchange between the UK and the EU Drugs Agency on drug-related threats.

On 19 May, the Government published a renewed agenda for UK-EU cooperation. The Government agreed with the European Commission to proceed swiftly with the commitments and will keep Parliament updated on significant developments.

With reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, what his planned timetable is for discussions on arrangements to enable information exchange between the UK and the EU Drugs Agency.

On 19 May, the Government published a renewed agenda for UK-EU cooperation. The Government agreed with the European Commission to proceed swiftly with the commitments and will keep Parliament updated on significant developments.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, when routine checks on (a) agri-foods and (b) imports from the EU of (i) milk, (ii) dairy, (iii) eggs and (iv) other products will end.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. Once the agreement is in place, routine SPS border checks for goods in scope will be eliminated, so fresh produce can hit supermarket shelves more quickly, with less paperwork and fewer costs. Our aim is to start talks straight away and we want to remove barriers as soon as possible.

With reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, what his planned timetable is for discussions with (i) the EU and (ii) EU Member States on improving access arrangements for touring in Europe.

On 19 May, the Government published a renewed agenda for UK-EU cooperation. The Government agreed with the European Commission to proceed swiftly with the commitments and will keep Parliament updated on significant developments.

With reference to the (a) UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, (b) UK-EU Summit - Common Understanding, updated 19 May 2025 and (c) UK-EU security and defence partnership, published 19 May 2025, what his planned timetable is for agreeing measures for increased exchange of criminal records for (i) third country and (ii) other nationals in the UK and EU.

On 19 May, the Government published a renewed agenda for UK-EU cooperation. The Government agreed with the European Commission to proceed swiftly with the commitments and will keep Parliament updated on significant developments.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, when measures on taking pets on holiday to the EU will take effect.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone to reduce delays and paperwork at the border. Taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time you travel, you will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU. Our aim is to start talks straight away and we want to remove barriers as soon as possible.

Pursuant to Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 42858 on Child Trust Fund, whether her Department has taken recent steps to (a) update and (b) publicise the guidance entitled Making Financial Decisions for young people: parent and carer toolkit, published on 9 June 2023.

Although the parent and carer toolkit ‘Making Financial Decisions for young people’ is almost two years old, the information it contains is still current.The Ministry of Justice regularly considers how to publicise the tool kit and raise awareness of the Mental Capacity Act.

How many matured Child Trust Funds are unclaimed.

HMRC assists young people in accessing their matured CTFs through its online tracing service and through targeted communications appropriate to the age group. It will continue its work with providers, industry representatives and other stakeholders, exploring ways of increasing the profile of CTFs and enabling account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts.HMRC encourages anyone unsure about their situation to get in touch with their account provider. If people don’t know their account provider, they can easily locate their Child Trust Fund accounts online by using the “Find my CTF” page on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fundInformation on Child Trust Funds is available in HMRC’s Annual Savings Statistics.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2024

What information her Department holds on the number of providers that have allowed carers of young people without capacity to access Child Trust Funds up to £5,000 without legal authority.

Providers of Child Trust Funds are financial organisations who are independent of government.As a result, my Department does not hold information on volumes of matured, unclaimed Child Trust Funds belonging to people who lack capacity, or information on the number of providers who have allowed carers of young people without capacity to access Child Trust Funds up to £5,000 without legal authority.

How many and what proportion of matured Child Trust Funds that are unclaimed belong to people who lack capacity.

Providers of Child Trust Funds are financial organisations who are independent of government.As a result, my Department does not hold information on volumes of matured, unclaimed Child Trust Funds belonging to people who lack capacity, or information on the number of providers who have allowed carers of young people without capacity to access Child Trust Funds up to £5,000 without legal authority.

What the market value is of matured Child Trust Funds that are unclaimed.

HMRC assists young people in accessing their matured CTFs through its online tracing service and through targeted communications appropriate to the age group. It will continue its work with providers, industry representatives and other stakeholders, exploring ways of increasing the profile of CTFs and enabling account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts.HMRC encourages anyone unsure about their situation to get in touch with their account provider. If people don’t know their account provider, they can easily locate their Child Trust Fund accounts online by using the “Find my CTF” page on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fundInformation on Child Trust Funds is available in HMRC’s Annual Savings Statistics.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2024

What proportion of matured Child Trust Funds have not been claimed.

HMRC assists young people in accessing their matured CTFs through its online tracing service and through targeted communications appropriate to the age group. It will continue its work with providers, industry representatives and other stakeholders, exploring ways of increasing the profile of CTFs and enabling account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts.HMRC encourages anyone unsure about their situation to get in touch with their account provider. If people don’t know their account provider, they can easily locate their Child Trust Fund accounts online by using the “Find my CTF” page on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fundInformation on Child Trust Funds is available in HMRC’s Annual Savings Statistics.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2024

What proportion of matured Child Trust Funds that have not been claimed were opened by HMRC on the child’s behalf.

HMRC assists young people in accessing their matured CTFs through its online tracing service and through targeted communications appropriate to the age group. It will continue its work with providers, industry representatives and other stakeholders, exploring ways of increasing the profile of CTFs and enabling account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts.HMRC encourages anyone unsure about their situation to get in touch with their account provider. If people don’t know their account provider, they can easily locate their Child Trust Fund accounts online by using the “Find my CTF” page on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fundInformation on Child Trust Funds is available in HMRC’s Annual Savings Statistics.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2024

What steps HMRC is taking to improve communication with Child Trust Fund beneficiaries.

HMRC assists young people in accessing their matured CTFs through its online tracing service and through targeted communications appropriate to the age group. It will continue its work with providers, industry representatives and other stakeholders, exploring ways of increasing the profile of CTFs and enabling account owners to be aware of and trace their accounts.HMRC encourages anyone unsure about their situation to get in touch with their account provider. If people don’t know their account provider, they can easily locate their Child Trust Fund accounts online by using the “Find my CTF” page on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fundInformation on Child Trust Funds is available in HMRC’s Annual Savings Statistics.https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2024

Whether her Department plans to agree a multi-year public transport settlement with Norfolk County Council from 2026.

This government is committed to providing greater stability to local government by giving councils multi-year funding settlements and ending wasteful competitive bidding. Funding to local authorities, including for transport in future years will be confirmed through the ongoing Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to section 2.1 of her Department's policy paper entitled New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth, updated on 31 March 2025, what progress she has made on the development of the model to support the sustainable funding of statutory consultees.

A new clause (NC39) was tabled by my Department as an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and has been incorporated into it in PBL Committee.This will allow the government to set a surcharge on planning fees to fund the costs incurred by key statutory consultees in England of advising on planning applications.Details of its operation will be set out in regulations, following consultation.