Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of permitting crop-based biofuels to be eligible under the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate on investment in (1) waste-based biofuels, and (2) e-fuels.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

On 22 December 2025 the Department for Transport published a call for evidence to gather views and update our evidence base on crop-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The call for evidence will improve our understanding of the impacts and interactions of deploying crop feedstocks in SAF on feedstock availability, industrial development, and on sustainability. This will include considering the impact on food prices, biodiversity, and investment in waste-based biofuels and e-fuels.

This reflects our commitment to ensure our policies are informed by the best and most recent evidence. The call for evidence does not propose any changes to the SAF Mandate. In the light of the responses to the call for evidence, should there be a case to review the feedstock eligibility criteria, it would be subject to consultation before any legislative change.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of permitting crop-based biofuels to be eligible under the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate on (a) food prices, and (b) biodiversity.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

On 22 December 2025 the Department for Transport published a call for evidence to gather views and update our evidence base on crop-derived sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The call for evidence will improve our understanding of the impacts and interactions of deploying crop feedstocks in SAF on feedstock availability, industrial development, and on sustainability. This will include considering the impact on food prices, biodiversity, and investment in waste-based biofuels and e-fuels.

This reflects our commitment to ensure our policies are informed by the best and most recent evidence. The call for evidence does not propose any changes to the SAF Mandate. In the light of the responses to the call for evidence, should there be a case to review the feedstock eligibility criteria, it would be subject to consultation before any legislative change.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, whether the Road Safety Board will publish its agenda, papers and minutes in a timely manner.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.

The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035. Delivery of the Strategy will be supported and monitored by a new Road Safety Board chaired by the Minister for Local Transport.

The Board is currently under development and decisions regarding membership and format will be made in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, whether they plan to introduce additional night and motorway driving lessons or requirements as part of (1) the proposed minimum learning period for learner drivers, or (2) the probation period.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The new Road Safety Strategy sets out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. This includes consulting on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their test. This would allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers.

Learner drivers are already able to gain experience in both night‑time and motorway driving under the current system. Since June 2018, learners have been permitted to take motorway driving lessons with an approved driving instructor in a dual‑controlled car, which provides structured exposure to higher‑speed environments before they take their test.

While night driving is not mandatory, it is already covered within the DVSA‑recommended syllabus, and many instructors introduce it as part of their training programmes where appropriate.

The Government will consider all responses to the Minimum Learning Period consultation before deciding on next steps and a response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide further detail on the proposals to protect motorcyclists set out in the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January; and what is the timescale for a consultation on those proposals.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035.

The Strategy is an opportunity to reflect on the changes and challenges faced by motorcycle riders and to consider ways to modernise and improve the current system of motorcycle training, testing and licensing whilst maintaining quality and road safety standards. Therefore, the government has announced a consultation on an ambitious package of reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for Category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain. This consultation, which opened on 7 January and will close on 31 March, will help inform a targeted review of the training, testing and licensing regime.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the publication of the Department for Transport's Consultation on a New Heavy Goods Vehicle CO₂ Emissions Regulatory Framework for the United Kingdom, published in January, what assessment they have made of the potential impact on air quality of each regulatory option set out in the document.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Beyond significant carbon savings, the transition to zero emission HGVs is expected to reduce overall air pollution from road transport including through reduced noise pollution and improvements in air quality, leading to better public health.

The consultation explores the potential regulatory design of a new framework and all options remain on the table. A full impact assessment will accompany any final proposal for regulation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to the safety benefits of a crash detection service for motorcyclists.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all.

While there is no mandatory requirement for motorcycles to be fitted with collision notification systems, aftermarket products exist that are promoted as being compatible with motorcycle riding. The Government has not assessed the safety benefits of these systems.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, what steps they will take to secure the linkage of police-recorded collision data and healthcare data between the Department for Transport, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care; and what the timescale is for that work.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The DfT, together with NHS England, and DHSC are piloting the secure linkage of police collision and healthcare data to better understand the causes and impacts of road traffic incidents. Using the Pre-hospital Research and Audit Network (PRANA) framework, this initiative will enhance analysis of injury severity, collision outcomes, and NHS burden. This work started in 2025 and the department has published an initial feasibility study which can be found on the government website with further updates expected over the next year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, what additional funding and resources they will allocate to (1) the police, (2) local authorities, and (3) other partners, to ensure a swift and effective post-crash response.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Road Safety Strategy outlined a new safe system approach to road safety that includes consideration of any post-crash response. We’re continuing to recruit more police, with 3,000 more neighbourhood police officers on our streets by March and we are abolishing Police & Crime Commissioners – so much needed funding can go into frontline policing including post-crash responses. Also £2.7m is allocated to policing under the Roads Policing Innovation Programme this year and the next two. Ultimately however, it is up to local police forces to decide how best to deploy their resources and this funding.

Every road collision resulting in a fatality or serious injury leaves victims devastated so it is important that victims receive the support they need. This government will be increasing funding for victim support services year on year, from 2026 to 2029. In total, government will be investing £550 million in victim support services over the next three years – the biggest investment in victim support services to date.

The Ministry of Justice has committed to reviewing the Victims’ Code, a practical statutory guide for victims of crime, including victims of road traffic offences. Under the Victims’ Code, all victims are entitled to be given information about and be referred to victim support services by the police to help them cope and recover from the impact of a crime. Further, the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner has undertaken work to commission additional research to explore the victim journey for road traffic collisions and support for victims.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, whether they have plans for a comprehensive communications plan about reducing the drink driving limit as part of their plan to introduce a lower alcohol limit for driving.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled while other countries have moved ahead.

The Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026 by this Government, marks a turning point. We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence.

As part of this, the Government is consulting on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe.

Any changes to the legal alcohol limit for drink and drive offences in England and Wales will be communicated across government communications channels, to raise awareness and encourage compliance. We will also continue to deliver through the THINK! Campaign, partnership campaigns with 0% alcohol brands, and wider partners, to remind drivers to not drink alcohol when getting behind the wheel.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the future role of Great British Railways in supporting use of shared micromobility to travel to and from train stations.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Once established, Great British Railways will be required to have regard to the Secretary of State's Long Term Rail strategy, including by improving the integration of rail with local and regional transport systems.

We know that a well-connected transport system will help more people make the journeys they need to and unlock access to opportunity which is why we will shortly publish our integrated national transport strategy. The strategy will set out this government's vision for people-focused transport in England, supporting the creation of unified and integrated transport systems at the national and local level.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure integration with (1) active travel, (2) shared transport, and (3) buses, at train stations during and after the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Once established, Great British Railways will be required to have regard to the Secretary of State's Long Term Rail strategy, including by improving the integration of rail with local and regional transport systems.

We know that a well-connected transport system will help more people make the journeys they need to and unlock access to opportunity which is why we will shortly publish our integrated national transport strategy. The strategy will set out this government's vision for people-focused transport in England, supporting the creation of unified and integrated transport systems at the national and local level.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, whether they will consider the misuse of nitrous oxide gas as part of the planned work for drug driving evidence collection.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

Alongside the Road Safety Strategy, the Department for Transport has published a consultation on motoring offences, including drink and drug driving and the evidence used to support enforcement. The consultation provides an opportunity for stakeholders to submit their views on issues such as nitrous oxide misuse and detection challenges, and we will consider all evidence received before taking decisions.

We will continue to work with partners across Government and operational stakeholders as this work develops.