Every parliamentary written question tabled by Rupert Lowe this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 93 · Department for Transport
How much was spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation for people contacting the DVLA in 2024.
In the financial year 2023-24 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency spent a total of £28,403 on translation and interpretation services, including Welsh language and sign language translations.
What the (a) average waiting time for people phoning and (b) time people spent on hold for the DVLA was in 2024.
In the calendar year 2024, the average waiting time for someone telephoning the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to be connected to an advisor was 12 minutes 8 seconds.
What estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions for financial year 2025-26.
The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs only. This funding will be allocated to departments in the usual way, in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allocating funding to the Vauxhall roundabout project in the context of the potential impact of that project on other infrastructure projects in Great Yarmouth constituency.
The A47 Great Yarmouth Vauxhall Junction scheme was cancelled due to a combination of cost increases and poor value for money. Great Yarmouth is benefiting from the Third River Crossing, a Norfolk Council scheme funded by DfT, and the National Highways scheme to improve Harfrey’s Roundabout. Given the poor value for money for the Great Yarmouth Vauxhall Roundabout scheme, there are no immediate plans for any funding allocation. Where areas are still experiencing issues with congestion, safety and the environment, we will continue to consider these issues in the context of other pressures and priorities for investment as part of future Road Investment Strategies.
Whether the MV Ruby's cargo of ammonia nitrate was tested for contamination.
The port provided the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with the information required to verify the potential contamination and therefore no certification was required.
What discussions she had with relevant local authorities on decisions relating to the MV Ruby in Great Yarmouth port.
Ministers and senior officials worked with their counterparts from the relevant local authorities throughout the time MV Ruby was docked at Great Yarmouth.
If she will clarify the decision making process behind the decision to transfer MV Ruby's cargo of ammonia nitrate into the North Sea; and who was responsible for that decision.
The East of England Environment Group comprising a range of scientific experts and regulators, considered the options, including socio-economic impacts, and a recommended site was agreed for disposal. This site is a live aggregate dredging area, over 20 m...
If she will publish all documents relating to plans to evacuate Great Yarmouth constituency due to the docking of the MV Ruby.
Decisions regarding evacuation of local populations are taken based on the local assessment of risk and impacts by local authorities and local emergency services cooperating as a Strategic Coordination Group (SCG) to ensure an effective local response.
How many and what proportion of officials in her Department were hired via positive action schemes in the last financial year.
Seven officials have been hired by the Department at AO and EO grades via the Civil Service ‘Going Forward into Employment’ schemes in the last financial year.
What recent estimate she has made of the (a) cost of building HS2 and (b) impact of HS2 on economic growth in the next 10 years; and what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies o
HS2 has faced increases in costs since delivery started and this needs to end and the programme must be brought under control. The Secretary of State has asked Mark Wild, the new CEO of HS2 Ltd, to review the remaining scope, the cost and schedule needed ...
How many international (a) air miles and (b) flights have been completed by (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in their Department since 5 July 2024.
Data on minister’s overseas travel and on senior civil servant’s business expenses is published on a quarterly basis. This can be found here:DfT: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings - GOV.UKDfT: senior officials’ business expenses and meet...
If she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that women can only be strip-searched by British Transport Police officers who were female at birth.
The British Transport Police (BTP) is operationally independent. Chief Constables must ensure that their force policies comply with all legal obligations, including under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and Equalities Act 2010.
What information her Department holds on the number of people affected by train delays in each of the last ten years.
The Department does not hold information on the number of people affected by train delays. Rail industry data measures train delays. The Office of Rail and Road publishes quarterly and periodic (four-weekly) statistics on punctuality, reliability and caus...
What the total number of minutes is that trains have been delayed in each of the last 10 years.
Delays affecting Trains in Great BritainYearTotal Number of Delay Minutes01/04/14 - 31/03/1512,939,36101/04/15 - 31/03/1613,681,34001/04/16 - 31/03/1714,685,98501/04/17 - 31/03/1814,830,15101/04/18 - 31/03/1916,743,88401/04/19 - 31/03/2016,952,75501/04/20...
If she will provide a breakdown by place of birth of all new driving licence applications in each of the last 10 years.
The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost as a scan of the DVLA’s driving licence database and subsequent manual scrutiny and organisation of the data would be necessary to obtain the information requested.
What information her Department holds on the number of pot holes that were reported in each of the last 25 years.
It is the responsibility of local highway authorities to manage and maintain their local highway networks, including understanding what parts of the network require maintenance, based on local needs and priorities. Local authorities are required to provid...
Which wildlife protection projects relate to HS2 works; and what the cost is of each.
HS2 must meet regulatory and legal requirements to protect existing wildlife and is also committed to a target of ‘No Net Loss’ in biodiversity. HS2 Ltd therefore deploys an adaptive approach to wildlife protection and environmental mitigation. The design...
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of improving access to wifi on trains for (a) the economy and (b) productivity.
I have asked my officials to explore the feasibility of a range of technology options to improve passenger connectivity on the rail network. The Department is also measuring the strength of mobile signals along the rail network to fully understand where i...
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using (a) AI and (b) automation for rail reforms; and if she will have discussions with (i) Network Rail and (ii) train operators on the potential i
The Department recognises the potentially transformative role that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence can play across all transport modes, including rail. Within rail, these technologies have the potential to deliver step-change improvements in ...
How many driving licences were issued to people born outside of the UK by nationality in each of the last five years.
The information requested is not available, as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency does not record the nationality of driving licence holders.