Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulations governing the use of unmanned drones in residential areas.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential areas.
Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorises drone operations and, in doing so, takes account of the location of flights, including considerations of ground risk.
Operating a drone with a camera, regardless of its weight, requires registration of the drone by its operator. The operator must also follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code, published by the CAA, which emphasises the need to protect people’s privacy. Those using drones for photography are subject to the standard data protection regulations.
On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in real time and access historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real-world identities.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what requirements are placed on drone operators to ensure (a) accountability and (b) traceability when operating unmanned aerial vehicles.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential areas.
Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorises drone operations and, in doing so, takes account of the location of flights, including considerations of ground risk.
Operating a drone with a camera, regardless of its weight, requires registration of the drone by its operator. The operator must also follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code, published by the CAA, which emphasises the need to protect people’s privacy. Those using drones for photography are subject to the standard data protection regulations.
On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in real time and access historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real-world identities.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding has been allocated to contingency planning for disruption arising from the EU Entry Exit System.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport is working closely with the UK juxtaposed portals (Port of Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar St Pancras) and the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) to prepare for full implementation of the EU Entry Exit System.
The department has secured an agreement with Lydden Hill Race Circuit for its use as a last resort contingency site for passenger traffic in the event of severe disruption. To date and based on information that has been provided to the department by KMRF partners c. £106,000 has been provided to make the site ready, including remedial works and site hire.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with the travel insurance industry on claims relating to delays caused by the EU Entry Exit System.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is a European Union scheme and questions around implementation remain a matter for the European Union and its individual Member States.
We regularly meet with industry stakeholders, including the travel insurance industry, to support their own readiness for EES and have produced information on EES for them to share with travellers, alongside issuing our own communications to inform travellers of changes at the border.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of imports at British ports were carried by (a) UK and (b) non-UK registered HGVs in (i) 2016 and (ii) 2025.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In 2016, a total of 28.4 million tonnes of goods were imported into the UK through British ports carried by HGVs. Of the 28.4 million tonnes, (a) 4.0 million tonnes (14 percent) were carried by UK-registered HGVs and (b) 24.4 million tonnes (86 percent) by non-UK registered HGVs.
In 2024, the latest year for which data is available, a total of 21.1 million tonnes of goods were imported into the UK through British ports carried by HGVs. Of the 21.1 million tonnes, (a) 3.2 million tonnes (15 percent) were carried by UK-registered HGVs and (b) 17.9 million tonnes (85 percent) by non-UK registered HGVs.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of imports at British ports was carried by (a) UK and (b) non-UK registered HGVs in (i) 2016 and (ii) 2025.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
In 2016, a total of 28.4 million tonnes of goods were imported into the UK through British ports carried by HGVs. Of the 28.4 million tonnes, (a) 4.0 million tonnes (14 percent) were carried by UK-registered HGVs and (b) 24.4 million tonnes (86 percent) by non-UK registered HGVs.
In 2024, the latest year for which data is available, a total of 21.1 million tonnes of goods were imported into the UK through British ports carried by HGVs. Of the 21.1 million tonnes, (a) 3.2 million tonnes (15 percent) were carried by UK-registered HGVs and (b) 17.9 million tonnes (85 percent) by non-UK registered HGVs.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many British national professional drivers have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in each year since the United Kingdom left the European Union.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.
The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many British nationals have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in each year since the United Kingdom left the European Union.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.
The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many British national professional drivers have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in the Schengen travel area in each year since the UK left the EU.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.
The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many British nationals have received travel bans from the Schengen area for overstaying in the Schengen travel area in each year since the UK left the EU.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The 90 days in 180-day limit (90/180) is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory, including for visa-free travel for short-term visits. As such, it is not UK Government policy.
The Department for Transport is undertaking research to improve understanding of the effects of the 90/180 limit on the international operations of GB-based HGV and coach businesses that hold standard international operator licences. The data is currently being processed, and the study’s findings will be published in due course.