Written questions by Raja.

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.

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 with partners across UK government and law enforcement, the maritime industry, and others to continuously assess and mitigate emerging cyber threats to the sector. As a Competent Authority under the Network & Information Systems regulations, DfT is committed to working with maritime operators to strengthen protection against cyber threats and improve preparedness. We will use the implementation of the Cyber Security and Resilience (NIS) Bill to further strengthen our regulatory powers, improve incident reporting, and expand the type of entities in scope.

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 package be spent; how much funding within the package is classified as (a) capital expenditure and (b) resource expenditure; whether the £170 million allocated to the Depot Charging Scheme forms part of the £1 billion total announced; and what estimate her Department has made of the number of depot charging installations expected to be supported by the £170 million boost to the Depot Charging Scheme.

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 the Zero Emission Van Grant and Zero Emission Truck Grant. The Depot Charging Scheme is demand led and the number of grants offered will be dependent on the needs of businesses across the UK.

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.

Awaiting answer.

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 the 2025 Regulatory Action Plan and the CAA’s role in contributing to the Government’s target of reducing administrative costs to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament. One of three themes of the Government’s Regulation Action Plan is tackling the complexity and burden of regulation. The CAA is committed to the Plan and have given specific undertakings in relation to it. The Department holds the CAA to account through regular performance reviews which are a key component of the Plan. Whenever regulatory powers for the CAA are created or amended an impact assessment is completed and published to show the consequences for the aviation industry. This is how the Department ensures that all new CAA regulation is proportionate, and better enables the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly.

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 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.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the interaction between student visa policy and the financial sustainability of higher education institutions.

The tighter Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) metrics, set out in the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, will come into effect in June. Metrics will not be changed according to fluctuations in student visa refusal rates, which vary over time due to changing trends and global conditions, as it is important that the sector has consistency in figures to work towards.BCA reforms are purposefully intended to drive a raising of standards in sponsors’ recruitment practices. The RAG system offers some flexibility and allows for proactive intervention where appropriate, including action plans and CAS restrictions, before reaching the licence revocation stage.The financial sustainability of the sector is regularly considered as part of our policy making. The Home Office has regularly engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the Department for Education, throughout the development of this policy. We will continue to do so throughout implementation and delivery to drive improvement in sponsor recruitment.

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 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 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.

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.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the impact of the administration of National Car Parks Limited on city centre parking capacity in (a) Leicester and (b) England; and whether he is taking steps to mitigate reduced parking provision.

As administrator for National Car Parks Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers is seeking to make the business viable and to avoid closures or job losses wherever possible. However, some sites that the administrator considered were not commercially viable have closed as part of the administration process. More information on the administrator’s plans for the relevant companies can be found on its website. The government recognises that a number of these closures are in Leicester. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient parking provision to support local communities and the prosperity of their town centres. Through the Local Government Finance Settlement, the government has made available up to £555.2 million in core spending power for Leicester City Council by 2028‑29, the majority of which is unringfenced and may be used at the authority’s discretion to meet local priorities. The government is not responsible for local parking provision and has no current plans to provide additional financial or planning support to reopen closed private car parks, but will continue to monitor developments.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to provide (a) financial or (b) planning support to help local authorities bring closed private car parks back into operation.

As administrator for National Car Parks Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers is seeking to make the business viable and to avoid closures or job losses wherever possible. However, some sites that the administrator considered were not commercially viable have closed as part of the administration process. More information on the administrator’s plans for the relevant companies can be found on its website. The government recognises that a number of these closures are in Leicester. Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient parking provision to support local communities and the prosperity of their town centres. Through the Local Government Finance Settlement, the government has made available up to £555.2 million in core spending power for Leicester City Council by 2028‑29, the majority of which is unringfenced and may be used at the authority’s discretion to meet local priorities. The government is not responsible for local parking provision and has no current plans to provide additional financial or planning support to reopen closed private car parks, but will continue to monitor developments.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of police resources to tackle robbery in urban areas.

The Government is determined that robust action should be taken to prevent robbery from happening and ensure swift justice for perpetrators.The central aim of our police reform agenda is to protect and revitalise neighbourhood policing. We are lifting national responsibilities off local forces, so they focus on tackling local issues.The Government has already taken steps to boost the neighbourhood policing response, ensuring that every neighbourhood has named, contactable officers dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour locally, and forces have increased patrols in town centres and other key locations based on local demand and intelligence.By the end of February 2026, forces had delivered more than 3,100 additional police officers and PCSOs into neighbourhood roles since March 2025, strengthening neighbourhood teams as part of our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to deliver 13,000 more by the end of this Parliament.Total funding to police forces will be up to £18.4 billion, an increase of up to £834 million compared to the 2025-26 police funding settlement. This equates to a 4.7% cash increase and a 2.7% real terms increase in funding.All forces will receive a real terms increase in funding this year.Through the Knife-Enabled Robbery Group, we are working with Chief Constables to roll out proven-to-work interventions targeted in the places where knife crime is highest, including large urban areas. Through this Group we have turned a 14% rise in knife-enabled robbery in these places into 15% reductions overall.

What recent steps her Department has taken to support school leavers to access (a) further education opportunities and (b) work placements; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of those steps in delivering long-term employment outcomes.

The department is taking a range of steps to support school leavers to access further education (FE) opportunities and work placements.The government is improving careers advice in schools so that all young people understand the full range of pathways available to them, including FE, apprenticeships and employment, and feel confident navigating a changing labour market.We are also committed to guaranteeing every young person access to two weeks’ worth of high‑quality work experience during secondary education. This more flexible model provides multiple, meaningful workplace experiences across key stages 3 and 4, helping pupils develop employer‑valued skills and supporting successful transitions into FE and work.In 2024/25, a pilot flexible work‑experience model reached over 2,500 pupils across 66 schools and is being scaled in 2025/26, with enhanced support for up to 750 disadvantaged schools. From 2026/27, additional support will expand provision in alternative provision schools.Effectiveness is monitored through the Future Skills Questionnaire, which shows rising career readiness, pathway awareness and confidence, all of which are associated with improved long‑term employment outcomes.

What assessment he has made of trends in the number of carers who are in poverty because they have accrued National Insurance credits through caring responsibilities but are not eligible for contributory working-age benefits.

Support for unpaid carers on low incomes is primarily provided through Universal Credit and Pension Credit, which include carer amounts in addition to the standard allowance or Standard Minimum Guarantee. These additions are worth up to £2,500 a year. In England and Wales, support is also available through Carer’s Allowance. For those who are able to balance paid work with their caring responsibilities, this is also a means of increasing household income. It also contributes to the wellbeing of the carer, and to the skills available to employers. The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 gives employees a right to time off to provide care, and the Government will be consulting on further changes to care leave. The Employment Rights Act 2025 contains provisions to support improved work‑life balance, including measures to strengthen access to flexible working. Unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance receive a Class 1 National Insurance Credit which helps protect entitlement to the State Pension and contributory working-age benefits. Those receiving Universal Credit or a Carer’s Credit receive a Class 3 National Insurance Credit which helps protect entitlement to the State Pension. In all cases other contributions and entitlement conditions for the benefits or pension concerned would also need to be satisfied.

What steps his Department is taking to protect consumers from rogue builders.

This Government is working to ensure we have a high-quality and professional construction industry, with consumer protection at the heart of this. TrustMark, sponsored by the Department and licenced by the Government, is the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme that covers work a consumer chooses to have carried out in or around their home. In addition, the Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced competence requirements for both individuals and businesses working in the built environment.

What steps she is taking to provide (a) financial and (b) business education to (i) secondary school students and (ii) further education students.

The government is committed to strengthening pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report in November 2025. The department is engaging with sector experts and young people in how best to reflect this, and life skills content, in the updated curriculum. There will be public consultation on updated curriculum Programmes of Study in 2026, seeking views on the content before they are finalised.Teaching at GCSE business studies can build on the financial education being taught in earlier key stages in citizenship and maths.

What steps she is taking to support neurodivergent and SEND pupils with their studies in (a) Leicester, (b) the East Midlands and (c) England.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.