Written questions by Wilson.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the DVSA.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps Britain moving, safely and sustainably by:Regulating the driver training industry and conducting theory and practical driving tests on goods vehicles, motorcycles and cars.Testing heavy goods vehicles and buses on an annual basis; it also regulates and accredits providers of the car MOT scheme.Carrying out roadside checking of commercial drivers and vehicles and monitoring companies that operate goods vehicles, buses, and coaches. In 2023/2024 DVSA: Oversaw 41,862,000 MOT tests, with 89% of MOT centres satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA Delivered 692,000 heavy vehicle tests largely through a network of Approved Testing Facilities (ATF), with 96% of ATFs satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA Carried out 131,000 vehicle and driver checks and licensed 73,000 vehicle operators. DVSA’s main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. Significant progress has already been made as part of DVSA’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times, with 1.95 million tests provided last year. However, further action is required.On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that she has asked DVSA to take action on four additional measures to reduce driving test waiting times for learners. Further information regarding these measures can be found on GOV.UK. 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 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, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025. On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts. DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

What her planned timeline is for publishing a new Airports National Policy Statement.

The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Secretary of State will determine the scope of a review of the ANPS and we cannot speculate on the scope nor the timings of the review at this stage.

How many times the Aviation Futures Forum has met.

The Department for Transport launched the new Aviation Futures Forum, uniting ministers and industry leaders to deliver the government's missions and strengthen the sector. The forum has met once since its launch on 19 March 2025.

If she will make an estimate of the proportion of farmland that will be used to produce alternative aviation fuels in (a) 2030, (b) 2040 and (c) 2050.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate introduced in January 2025 sets targets for the future supply of low carbon alternatives to fossil fuels used in aviation. The scheme only supports SAF made from sustainable wastes or residues (such as used cooking oil or forestry residues), recycled carbon fuels (e.g. unrecyclable plastics), or be power to liquid fuels made using low carbon (renewable or nuclear) electricity. Given these feedstocks do not require land there is no impact on farmland.

How many accidents involving the police have involved e-bikes in the last five years.

The information requested is not held by the Department.

If she will publish the (a) schedule for e-scooter trials and (b) data obtained from those trials.

There are currently 17 e-scooter trials running in England and they are currently due to run until May 2026. Guidance for the trials, including the requirements for users, operators and local authorities are published on gov.uk.Published findings from the first national evaluation of the e-scooter trials included trip data and e-scooter deployment numbers (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-evaluation-of-e-scooter-trials-report).A second evaluation of the e-scooter trials is due to start in Spring 2025. The evaluation will gather new evidence and build on findings from the first evaluation including: the journeys e-scooters are replacing; how they integrate with public transport; their safety for users and for others; and the accessibility impacts of e-scooters.The findings from this evaluation, including trip data, will be published once the second evaluation has concluded.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring e-bike owners to (a) have a driving license, (b) have vehicle insurance, (c) pay road tax and (d) take an annual MOT.

The Government has no plans to require e-cycle owners to do any of these things, provided that their e-cycles comply in full with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations. If their e-cycles do not comply with these requirements, they are in effect e-mopeds and must be registered, taxed and insured, with riders also required to have a valid driving licence and wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards. A national licensing scheme for people who ride e-cycles would be required to underpin all of the above. This would be expensive to design and administer, and the costs would be likely to outweigh the possible benefits. Requirements of this sort would also be likely to put people off cycling, with negative health and other impacts.

How many e-bike riders were held responsible in an accident involving an e-bike in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not held by the Department.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the Institute of the Motor Industry's survey entitled EV TechSafe Technician Forecasts - Jan 2024.

The Government is committed to working with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to ensure mechanics across the UK are equipped with the skills needed to safely repair electric vehicles (EVs). Currently over 58,000 technicians, 24% of the workforce, are qualified to work on EVs. This aligns with the 2.8% of licensed vehicles on UK roads that are zero emission.By endorsing the IMI TechSafe Standards, the Government aims to strengthen trust within the industry and among consumers, supporting the transition to electric vehicles and fostering the development of a highly skilled workforce.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring cyclists and motorcyclists to wear high visibility attire after dark.

The safety of vulnerable road users is a priority for the Government. Cyclists and motorcyclists should make every effort to ensure that they can be clearly seen by other road users, both for their own safety and for that of others. Rule 59 of The Highway Code recommends that people who cycle should wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing to help other road users to see them in daylight and poor light, with reflective clothing and/or accessories in the dark. Rules 86 and 87 of The Highway Code provide similar guidance on visibility for motorcyclists riding in daylight and at night.Any change to these rules would need to be carefully considered to ensure that it was proportionate and enforceable, and that it did not have unintended consequences such as putting people off cycling. The Government has no current plans to mandate the wearing of high visibility clothing for cyclists or motorcyclists.