Written questions by Holden.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29554 on Prison Accommodation, how many prison places were created as a result of crowding between (a) May 1997 and (b) 2010.

The previous Labour Government added nearly 28,000 places to the prison estate between 1997 and 2010. However, available records do not provide a breakdown for these figures of these places by category. It is therefore not possible to provide the number of places created through crowding. Prison crowding data is published annually in Annex 2 of the HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK. This publication provides the percentage of prisoners held in crowded accommodation in each year in each prison since 1999. There is no earlier information on crowding available. This Government is delivering the largest expansion of prison places since the Victorian era – with 2,500 new spaces already delivered and 14,000 on track for delivery by 2031.

What substantive proposals her Department received relating to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow, other than from (a) Heathrow Airport Limited and (b) the Arora Group; and from which organisations.

The Department received seven proposals for consideration through a structured internal assessment process.The assessment process is designed to ensure that each proposal is examined carefully and consistently against the criteria set out in the Secretary of State’s 30 June letter. This includes a review of the proposals’ overall feasibility, their timelines, the costs and revenues associated with the scheme, details of the scheme’s financing and funding, the environmental impacts and mitigations, and deliverability of the scheme.While we are not disclosing the names of promoters or details of their proposals at this stage, a further update will be provided in due course.

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority's Annual Report 2024–25, published on 11 August 2025, for what reason no evaluation was completed for the East Coast Mainline programme.

The Department has continued to work closely with Network Rail and industry stakeholders on development of the recast East Coast Main Line timetable, planned for introduction this December. This timetable will realise the benefits of the investment made through the Enhancements Programme, and so discussions are ongoing with the Department’s Research and Evaluation team, and NISTA, to develop a suitable Evaluation Plan for the Programme once the final details of the timetable have been formally confirmed.

What information (a) her Department and (b) Great British Railways holds on (i) the trade union agreements with each railway operator and (ii) the operating practices on employees rights in each railway operator.

The Department for Transport does not hold any records of individual trade union agreements or operating practices relating to employee rights for each individual railway operator. These matters are managed directly by the operators themselves. Great British Railways does not currently exist as a statutory body and therefore holds no such information.

What steps her Department has taken to strengthen guidance to help ensure bus lanes operate only (a) when buses are running and (b) when traffic is heavy enough to cause delay to buses.

It is for local authorities to decide whether bus lanes are appropriate on their network, and to set the times of operation. The Department published Local Transport Note 1/24: Bus User Priority in March 2024 which includes advice on all aspects of bus priority including the design of bus lanes and their times of operation. LTN 1/24 is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bus-user-priority-ltn-124.

Whether she plans to adopt working parking taxes.

The power to introduce a workplace parking levy sits with the local traffic authority.

How many applications were made to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury under the approval of senior pay process for salaries above (a) £150,000 and (b) £174,000 since 4 July 2024; how many of those applications were (i) approved and (ii) rejected; and how many applications were (A) approved and (B) rejected for performance-related pay arrangements exceeding (1) £17,500 and (2) £25,000 since 4 July 2024.

Since 4 July 2024, HM Treasury has approved 200 cases under the senior pay approval process. Following a July 2025 update to the guidance, HM Treasury approval is required for salaries above £174,000 and performance-related pay over £25,000.

Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that more customers can access pension pot consolidation more quickly.

The Government is committed to the consolidation of small workplace pension pots, when in the best interests of savers. The Pension Schemes Bill 2025 was introduced into Parliament on the 5 June. This includes measures to address the growing issue of deferred small pots, which normally arises when individuals change jobs and accumulate multiple pots over their working lives. This will ensure workplace pension pots, initially worth £1,000 or less are automatically consolidated, unless members choose to opt-out. This will address the 13m stock of deferred small pots, and any future small pots that are created. As announced in our recent publication, ‘Workplace pensions: a Roadmap’ The report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/workplace-pensions-a-roadmap/workplace-pensions-a-roadmap#roadmap. However, savers do not need to wait for legislation to benefit from consolidation. Currently, individuals can transfer and consolidate their pension pots themselves through a member-initiated transfer. This will also soon be aided by the introduction of pensions dashboards. Once launched, pensions dashboards will allow people to find and view their pensions, including State Pension, securely and in one place online. This will help people to reconnect with each of their pension pots and better plan for retirement.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of c2c's transfer to public ownership on levels of senior management and specialist operational expertise; how many such staff have left since the transfer; and what steps her Department is taking to retain senior management and specialist operational expertise from c2c within the publicly owned rail network.

The Government is determined to retain the committed and talented staff who keep the railways running for passengers. As services are transferred into public ownership, including c2c’s services, staff employed by the privately-owned operator transfer to the public sector operator in accordance with Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations. The potential impact of this is closely monitored throughout the transfer process by the Department and DFT Operator. The transfer of c2c’s services and staff to public sector operator, c2c Railway Limited, on 20 July 2025 was successful. c2c Railway Limited is responsible for recruitment and retention of its staff. The Government’s reform of the railways, including the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), will continue to modernise the railway’s dedicated and skilled workforce. Through workforce reform and the simplification of industry processes, we aim to restore pride in the railway as an employer and empower every colleague to deliver better service and value. While details on exact roles are subject to further design work, GBR will continue to need colleagues from across the railway to continue the hard work that they do delivering for passengers. We will continue to engage with the industry on our plans for GBR.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of booking driving tests.

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 driving test waiting times across the country.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. All available driving test appointments are shown on the DVSA’s live booking system, and as well as releasing tests on a rolling 24-week basis on a Monday, additional appointments are released throughout the week. As new test appointments appear on the booking service at different times of the day and through the week, the DVSA advises candidates to continue to check for earlier appointments. On 28 May, DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The consultation closed on 23 July. DVSA will review the feedback given and announce next steps as soon as possible. Further information on the consultation is available at:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules. This consultation is about changing the rules on how car driving tests can be booked and managed. The aim is to make test booking fairer, stop people charging extra fees to book tests and simplify the system for learners and approved driving instructors (ADI).

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the alcohol drink drive limit level on the viability of (a) pubs, (b) restaurants, (c) cafes and (d) other hospitality businesses in rural areas.

As part of the development of our Road Safety Strategy, the Government is considering a range of policies relating to motoring offences such as drink driving and other matters of concern that have been raised. The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority's Annual Report 2024–25, published on 11 August 2025, for what reason no evaluation was completed for the Lower Thames Crossing.

The Lower Thames Crossing position can be found in the Tables section of the NISTA annual report which refers to the project post opening evaluation report (POPE). This report details the expected benefits once the scheme opens for traffic, how they will be measured and the actual ‘as measured’ benefits (3 years after opening) and produced as part of the Benefits Realisation and Evaluation Plan. Drafting of the POPE does not normally commence until the Full Business Case, which defines the expected benefits at the start of construction when they have reached full maturity and the scheme design is complete, has been approved.

Whether she plans to reduce the micrograms of alcohol drink drive limit in England and Wales.

As part of the development of our Road Safety Strategy, the Government is considering a range of policies relating to motoring offences such as drink driving and other matters of concern that have been raised. The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cancellation of the THINK! Road Safety communications campaign on road (a) injuries and (b) fatalities.

The Department continues to run the THINK! Campaign. In 2025/26 it has delivered a paid campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of drink driving and will continue to prioritise budget where it can have the most impact. The THINK! campaign has successful cut through and trust among young drivers. We consistently see high claimed action taken, including changing driving behaviour, and positive shifts in attitudes towards priority issues including drink driving and speeding. THINK! also promotes key road safety messages across its social channels and via ongoing radio advertising. The partner-led platform, THINK! 0%, continues to encourage drivers to always opt for 0% over an alcoholic drink if they’re getting behind the wheel. Assets are also made available for stakeholders and partners to promote. THINK! also supports road safety education for children via free resources for schools, parents and local authorities. The Government treats road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. We continue to adapt and evolve our campaign strategy and will consider any requirements aligned to the future Road Safety Strategy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 63330 on Cabinet Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, on what date the event took place; where it took place; who attended; and what the cost of the event was.

The expenditure for PYM ARTEMISPLUS EXPRE, made via the Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, was made for a training event on the 25-26th September 2024 with 75 attendees, including over 70 Government of Philippines officials in Manila, and totalled £777.

Whether she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Amendments to licensing restrictions: bus, coach and heavy goods vehicles, which closed on 5 June 2024.

The previous government consulted on proposals to amend licensing restrictions which would enable 18- to 20-year-olds to drive a bus and coach over 50km when driving a regular service and to enable some of the tests required to be passed in order to gain a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence to be taken before a provisional licence is issued. We are currently considering next steps.

How much her Department has spent on (a) designing, (b) producing and (c) installing posters on departmental workstreams for its headquarters in London since 4 July 2024.

Since 4 July 2024, the Department for Transport has made no spend on designing posters to promote departmental workstreams in London offices. Costs of producing and installing posters are covered by the fixed cost of the total Facilities Management contract.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64502 on Road Traffic Control: Oxford, whether DVLA will be providing vehicle registration data to (a) Oxfordshire County Council and (b) Oxford City Council to facilitate the penalty notice enforcement of the Oxford traffic filters from 2026.

The law allows the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to make information about UK vehicles and their registered keepers available for use by a local authority for any purpose connected with the investigation of an offence. The law also allows the DVLA to make this information available to a local authority in England and Wales when that local authority is acting as an enforcement authority under Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004. These provisions would apply to Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire City Council in the usual way.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2025 to Question 31166 on Ministers: Aviation, how much air passenger duty has been paid for Prime Ministerial domestic travel on RAF-provided flights since 4 July 2024.

During the period 4 July 2024 to present there have been a total of seven domestic tasks for which the Prime Minister (PM) was identified as the principal passenger. The total of Air Passenger Duty (APD) paid for all passengers on those flights is £14,358. Information is not held regarding the identity of individual passengers, but on the assumption that the PM was present for all legs that involved passenger movements, the total APD for the PM in this period was £1,578.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question 65151 on Permanent Secretaries: Pay, which two Permanent Secretary roles were approved; and what the salaries were.

Since July 2024, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office have approved two Permanent Secretary roles to exceed the Permanent Secretary pay band; one in each the Department of Health and Social Care and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.