Every parliamentary written question tabled by Shivani Raja this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 135 · Department for Transport
Whether her Department has issued guidance to licensing authorities on maximum processing times for licence renewals.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. The DVLA’s target is to dispatch 95 per cent of straightforward online driving licence applications within three working days and 90 per cent of paper ...
What steps her Department is taking to ensure that HS2 Ltd has appropriate safeguards in place to (a) prevent anti-competitive practices and (b) protect safety-critical workers within the London Tunnels project
The Department for Transport (DfT) requires HS2 Ltd to prioritise the health, safety, and wellbeing of its workforce and the public. Safety performance is closely tracked and monitored, and, where performance falls short, remedial action is required. DfT ...
Whether she plans to take steps to close the regulatory gap that allows holders of provisional licences, including those converting from non-designated foreign licences, to continue driving unsupervised after f
The current licensing framework reflects the UK’s commitments under the UN Conventions on Road Transport including driving licence recognition. However, there is clearly no compelling policy rationale to justify allowing unsafe drivers to use our roads, ...
What steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks affecting the maritime sector.
The cyber security of the maritime sector is a priority for my Department, DfT uses both policy and regulatory levers to support the maritime sector to effectively manage cyber risk and assist the sector to secure its networks and systems. We work closely...
What specific directions her Department has issued to the Civil Aviation Authority since the publication of the Regulation Action Plan to prevent the introduction of new regulatory or administrative burdens on
The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced t...
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of CAA regulatory processes on the aviation industry.
The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced t...
With reference to his Department's press release entitled £1 billion to cut costs for businesses, drive growth and clean up UK roads, published on 25 March 2026, over what period will the £1 billion funding pac
The £1 billion in funding to support businesses to transition to zero emission commercial vehicles is classified as capital expenditure. The £171 million allocated to the Depot Charging Scheme is part of the £1 billion total, alongside £877 million for th...
Whether the Government has plans to introduce a zero emission vehicle mandate for the maritime sector.
The Department has no plans to implement a zero-emission vessel mandate for the maritime sector.
Whether she plans to ensure that horse riders are included within the design and provision of active travel routes; and what alternative arrangements will be available for equestrians where such provision is no
New or upgraded traffic-free paths or quiet country lanes can be designed to be attractive and safe for equestrians as well as walking, wheeling and cycling although in some situations it may not be possible to accommodate their needs. Active Travel Engla...
What the expected date is for the commencement of on-site works at Bransty Tunnel, and what the expected date is for the full reopening of the Cumbrian Coast Line at Bransty Tunnel.
Network Rail has set up a dedicated Whitehaven Recovery Taskforce to address flooding and structural issues at Bransty Tunnel linked to historic mining activity. Detailed inspections are complete, and a permanent repair solution has been independently ver...
What expenditure has DfTO undertaken on public affairs companies, and for what purposes, since 4 July 2024.
DFTO have not used a public affairs company since 4 July 2024.
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Chile; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and a
The Department for Transport (DfT) has a statutory requirement under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code to monitor port security in the British Overseas Territories. The visit in 2025 was to deliver security assessments of ISPS ...
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Indonesia; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occas
The Department for Transport (DfT) works with international partners to contribute to safety, security and resilience, ensure international connectivity, and boost UK trade and investment. The official visits to Indonesia supported DfT’s ongoing internati...
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to the Cayman Islands; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of the flight to Mozambique; which Ministers and senior officials approved the visit; how many officials travelled on that occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of the visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of the flight to Nepal; which Ministers and senior officials approved the visit; how many officials travelled on that occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of the visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.
The Nepal flights were an ‘additional journey’, which is for DfT staff posted overseas. Such journeys are to enable staff and accompanying dependents at qualifying hardship posts to take a break away from local conditions during their posting. This was for an SEO plus partner as an additional journey from their posting in New Delhi. Total costs are only the flight costs totalling £332.10. This is in line with DfT policy and agreed at senior civil service level.
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Nigeria; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Brunei; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.
Two officials, one Grade 6 and one SEO travelled to/from Brunei at a total cost of £5,374.73 which was signed off in advance by a Senior Civil Servant, in line with departmental policy. The purpose of the trip was to conduct detailed multilateral air services negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to update air services arrangements. It was not possible to conduct these negotiations remotely.
What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of driving test appointment capacity in (a) Leicester, (b) Leicestershire and (c) the East Midlands; and what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for practical driving tests in those areas.
The table below shows the March 2026 average waiting time for a car practical driving test. This data is based on the national average waiting time metric of when a minimum of 10% of test slots are available. The table also shows the number of tests booked and available at the driving test centres (DTCs) serving the East Midlands as of 20 April 2026. Driving test centre (DTC)March 2026 average car practical driving test waiting time in weeksBooked tests (as of 20 April 2026)Tests available in 24 week booking window (as of 20 April 2026)Ashfield242,828182Boston23.81,58868Buxton241,41579Chesterfield242,518151Derby (Alvaston)242,62090Grantham (Somerby)243,210182Hinckley241,437102Kettering20.62,47799Leicester (Cannock Street)243,665186Leicester (Wigston)245,220237Lincoln241,83589Loughborough2491751Louth122687Melton Mowbray249865Northampton245,11433Nottingham (Chilwell)242,498109Nottingham (Colwick)244,288200Skegness209389Wellingborough245563Worksop19.22,961185Great Britain (National)22.1653,26952,578 Between June 2025 – March 2026, at the DTCs above, DVSA conducted 10,036 additional car practical driving tests in overtime, when compared to the equivalent overtime scheme between June 2024 – March 2025. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme the agency introduced in June 2025.
How many (a) short-notice and (b) late cancellations of driving tests there have been since 4 July 2024; what proportion of available test slots were unused in each month; and what the overall utilisation rate of driving test appointments was in each month.
From 8 April 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) required learner drivers to give 10 full working days’ notice to change or cancel their car driving test without losing the test fee. The attached spreadsheet (WPQ-00066786) shows how many car practical driving tests were cancelled by learners within 10 days or fewer and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency within 3 days or fewer since 4 July 2024, including what proportion of available test slots were utilised in each month.