Every parliamentary written question tabled by Suella Braverman this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 28 · Department for Transport
Whether the DVSA will publish the evidence it that Approved Driving Instructors were significantly misusing the driving test booking system prior to the introduction of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
Awaiting answer.
What steps the DVSA has taken to address cybersecurity in the Online Booking System.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the de minimis impact assessment accompanying the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
Awaiting answer.
What estimate she has made of the proportionality of prohibiting Approved Driving Instructors from booking driving tests on behalf of pupils, and whether alternative regulatory options were considered.
Awaiting answer.
Whether the consultation on the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 met all four Gunning Principles, and what steps were taken to ensure respondents were provided with sufficient information to give informed responses.
Awaiting answer.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of driving test waiting times in Portsmouth, Lee‑on‑the‑Solent.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 on SEND learners and anxious or vulnerable pupils who rely on ADIs to manage test bookings on their behalf.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment her Department has made of the integrity, accuracy and security of the dataset used by the DVSA during the consultation on the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.
Awaiting answer.
What criteria she uses to assess bids under the Access for All scheme; and how stations can qualify for accessibility improvements.
As with all taxpayer funded programmes Access for All needs to demonstrate value for money. The criteria used to assess nominations include station footfall, weighted by incidence of disability in the area, industry priorities, and the availability of third-party funding. We also consider local factors, for example proximity to hospitals or stations with especially high numbers of interchange passengers. We also ensure that selected stations represent a fair geographical spread of projects across the national network.
If her Department will revise the Access for All criteria to include community need as a key factor in future funding rounds.
As with all taxpayer funded programmes Access for All needs to demonstrate value for money and to benefit the maximum number of passengers. In addition to station footfall, we carefully consider local factors such as the incidence of disability or proximity to a school or hospital, geographical location, industry priority and the availability of third party funding are all taken into account when selecting stations.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of relying on pre-booked taxi services from Portchester to nearby stations in order to access rail travel on disabled passengers.
This Government remains committed to improving railway accessibility and recognises the social and economic benefits it brings to communities. There are no immediate plans to improve step-free access at Porchester station. Train operators are required to provide assistance, free of charge, to enable disabled passengers to travel to and from every station in Great Britain that they have identified as accessible to them.
Whether Portchester train station will be considered for funding in the next round of the Access for All programme.
All funding available for the Access for All programme in the current Spending Review period has been allocated to projects. Nominations for future rounds of funding will benefit from strong industry support and a proportion of third party match funding.
What steps her Department is taking to improve disabled access at Portchester train station.
This Government remains committed to improving railway accessibility and recognises the social and economic benefits it brings to communities. There are no immediate plans to improve step-free access at Porchester station and all current funding under the government’s Access for All programme has been allocated to existing projects. Nominations for future funding rounds will be strengthened by strong industry support and third-party match funding. In the meantime, passengers unable to use the station can book assistance through South Western Railway.
What support is available to local authorities seeking to provide match funding for accessibility upgrades at stations.
Network Rail and train operators will always be available to advise local authorities on how funding contributions could be used to support station accessibility upgrades. This can happen on both a stand-alone basis, and as part of national nomination processes for the Access for All programme.
If her Department will review the funding allocation model to ensure that smaller stations are not disadvantaged due to proximity to better-equipped neighbouring stations.
As with all taxpayer funded programmes, stations projects need to demonstrate value for money, but this is not necessarily linked to size of station. In the case of the Access for All programme, station footfall is only one criteria used. Additional importance is placed on local incidence of disability, geographical location, industry priority and the availability of third party funding.
Whether her Department plans to amend legislation to offer protections from civilian-piloted drones in residential areas.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as the independent aviation regulator, receives reports of aviation incidents via multiple reporting channels and reviews those that fall within its remit. Members of the public concerned about drone misuse, including in residential or urban areas, should report it to their local police force, who are best placed to determine whether an offence has been committed under the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code.From January 2026, all drones with a camera and weighing more than 250 grams will be required to comply with new Remote Identification (Remote ID) requirements. Remote ID is a system that allows drones to be tracked and identified in real time, similar to a digital licence plate. This will support enforcement authorities by enabling the identification of non-compliant drones and locating their operators when necessary.In relation to flights in residential areas, there are already existing restrictions. Operating a drone with a camera, regardless of weight, requires the operator to be registered with the CAA and to follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code, which sets out legal requirements for safe and responsible use, including respect for privacy. The CAA also assesses and authorises drone operations based on their risk profile, including the location of intended flights.
Whether her Department plans to monitor the use of drones in urban areas.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as the independent aviation regulator, receives reports of aviation incidents via multiple reporting channels and reviews those that fall within its remit. Members of the public concerned about drone misuse, including in residential or urban areas, should report it to their local police force, who are best placed to determine whether an offence has been committed under the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code.From January 2026, all drones with a camera and weighing more than 250 grams will be required to comply with new Remote Identification (Remote ID) requirements. Remote ID is a system that allows drones to be tracked and identified in real time, similar to a digital licence plate. This will support enforcement authorities by enabling the identification of non-compliant drones and locating their operators when necessary.In relation to flights in residential areas, there are already existing restrictions. Operating a drone with a camera, regardless of weight, requires the operator to be registered with the CAA and to follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code, which sets out legal requirements for safe and responsible use, including respect for privacy. The CAA also assesses and authorises drone operations based on their risk profile, including the location of intended flights.
Whether her Department has made a recent estimate of the number of incidents relating to drone usage in residential areas.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as the independent aviation regulator, receives reports of aviation incidents via multiple reporting channels and reviews those that fall within its remit. Members of the public concerned about drone misuse, including in residential or urban areas, should report it to their local police force, who are best placed to determine whether an offence has been committed under the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Code.From January 2026, all drones with a camera and weighing more than 250 grams will be required to comply with new Remote Identification (Remote ID) requirements. Remote ID is a system that allows drones to be tracked and identified in real time, similar to a digital licence plate. This will support enforcement authorities by enabling the identification of non-compliant drones and locating their operators when necessary.In relation to flights in residential areas, there are already existing restrictions. Operating a drone with a camera, regardless of weight, requires the operator to be registered with the CAA and to follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code, which sets out legal requirements for safe and responsible use, including respect for privacy. The CAA also assesses and authorises drone operations based on their risk profile, including the location of intended flights.
What plans her Department has to modernise the booking of driving tests in Hampshire.
As set out in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) 2024/25 business plan, DVSA is beginning the process of replacing its booking system. The system has many uses including: booking and scheduling of all practical driving and riding testsrecording mandatory training taken by professional lorry and bus driversadministering the register of approved driving instructors (ADIs) and the compulsory basic training (CBT) scheme for novice motorcyclists DVSA will start by replacing the test booking and scheduling service. This will allow better capture and meeting of customers’ requirements, including those with additional needs. DVSA will update the way it schedules tests using modern, flexible technology that makes better use of examiners’ time and reduces manual processes. To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025. On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 25 warnings, 4 suspensions, and closed 90 business accounts. DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.The Department has no plans to expand transport support for provisional drivers unable to book a driving test. DVSA’s 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 also 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 DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.
Whether her Department plans to expand transport support for provisional drivers unable to book a driving test in Fareham and Waterlooville constituency.
As set out in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) 2024/25 business plan, DVSA is beginning the process of replacing its booking system. The system has many uses including: booking and scheduling of all practical driving and riding testsrecording mandatory training taken by professional lorry and bus driversadministering the register of approved driving instructors (ADIs) and the compulsory basic training (CBT) scheme for novice motorcyclists DVSA will start by replacing the test booking and scheduling service. This will allow better capture and meeting of customers’ requirements, including those with additional needs. DVSA will update the way it schedules tests using modern, flexible technology that makes better use of examiners’ time and reduces manual processes. To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025. On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 25 warnings, 4 suspensions, and closed 90 business accounts. DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.The Department has no plans to expand transport support for provisional drivers unable to book a driving test. DVSA’s 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 also 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 DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.