Written questions by Cadbury.

How many driving tests were taken in England in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021, (d) 2022, (e) 2023 and (f) 2024.

There are 65 people employed within the Counter Fraud & Investigations team at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This team work directly on the investigation of fraud in various areas of DVSA’s work such as the car practical and theory test, commercial vehicles and MOT.There are other teams within DVSA that are involved in its investigative and enforcement activities such as:traffic examiners who stop vehicles at the roadsidemarket surveillance teams who investigate aftermarket goodsintelligence unit staff who process and investigate information we receive on fraudulent activity.commercial vehicle team DVSA actively encourage and remind all colleagues to report, via the appropriate channels, any suspected fraudulent activity they encounter. The table below shows the number of car practical tests conducted (tests which have been passed or failed) in England per calendar year, for the years 2019 to 2024. Please note, for data on conducted tests in 2024, DVSA can currently only publish data up to the end of September 2024. YearCar Tests Conducted20191,625,5792020809,50920211,113,73520221,667,93520231,831,5882024 as of 30 September1,479,177 The table below shows the number of people employed at DVSA for the years 2019 to 2024. Year EndHeadcountFull Time Equivalent (FTE)December 201947524472.26December 202047334455.94December 202148694597.43December 202249114630.77December 202349444629.97December 202448814563.05

How many people are working on issues relating to fraud at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

There are 65 people employed within the Counter Fraud & Investigations team at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This team work directly on the investigation of fraud in various areas of DVSA’s work such as the car practical and theory test, commercial vehicles and MOT.There are other teams within DVSA that are involved in its investigative and enforcement activities such as:traffic examiners who stop vehicles at the roadsidemarket surveillance teams who investigate aftermarket goodsintelligence unit staff who process and investigate information we receive on fraudulent activity.commercial vehicle team DVSA actively encourage and remind all colleagues to report, via the appropriate channels, any suspected fraudulent activity they encounter. The table below shows the number of car practical tests conducted (tests which have been passed or failed) in England per calendar year, for the years 2019 to 2024. Please note, for data on conducted tests in 2024, DVSA can currently only publish data up to the end of September 2024. YearCar Tests Conducted20191,625,5792020809,50920211,113,73520221,667,93520231,831,5882024 as of 30 September1,479,177 The table below shows the number of people employed at DVSA for the years 2019 to 2024. Year EndHeadcountFull Time Equivalent (FTE)December 201947524472.26December 202047334455.94December 202148694597.43December 202249114630.77December 202349444629.97December 202448814563.05

What discussions (a) she and (b) officials in her Department have had with the Mayor of London on proposals for the West London Orbital railway.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The Department for Transport works closely with TfL to understand the long-term needs of London’s transport infrastructure and opportunities to enhance its network, including potential major projects such as the West London Orbital.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of the proposed West London orbital rail link on connectivity between West London Boroughs.

Any assessment of the impact on West London boroughs would be carried out by Transport for London as part of its development of the West London Orbital scheme.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of improving cross-borough public transport links in London on (a) the economy, (b) air quality and (c) social mobility in London.

Transport in London is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London, including assessment of the economic, air quality and social mobility impacts of changes to London’s transport network. However, the Government recognises importance of London’s transport network for the capital’s and UK’s economy and for London’s air quality and social mobility, and at Autumn budget confirmed £485m of capital funding for investment in London’s transport infrastructure.

Whether she has plans to consult with (a) community and (b) environmental groups on her Department's plans to modernise airspace.

Anyone sponsoring a proposal to change airspace must follow the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Airspace Change Process (CAP1616). This process sets out the requirements for airspace change sponsors to engage with and consult those potentially affected by airspace change, including local communities and environmental groups. This includes a requirement to engage with relevant stakeholders at different stages of the process, from the initial design principles to detailed options appraisal, before any final plans are submitted to the CAA.

What steps officials in her Department have taken to introduce a reciprocal driving licence exchange agreement with Kosovo.

Following a request from the Kosovan Embassy to consider a possible reciprocal driving licence exchange agreement, officials have carried out a full assessment of the information provided by the Kosovan authorities. This assessment concluded that driver t...

What discussions she has had with local authorities on the use of noise cameras on roads.

The Department conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022 and February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024. The Secretary of State for Transport has not had discussions with local authorities on the use of noise cameras.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of noise cameras on road noise levels.

The Department conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022 and February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024. The Secretary of State for Transport has not had discussions with local authorities on the use of noise cameras.