Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 99588, when her Department plans to publish the evaluation of the £3 bus fare cap.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport is currently undertaking an evaluation of the £3 single bus fare cap and its impacts, with the full report expected to be published later this year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to replace the number-plate eyesight test with a standardised, clinically validated vision assessment.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

There are no plans to replace the number‑plate eyesight test.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of current eyesight standards for driving; and whether her Department plans to review the regulations governing driver vision requirements.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All drivers, regardless of age, have a legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive.

On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of the strategy, we launched a consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over.

Once the consultation has concluded, we will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce a requirement for all drivers to have their eyesight tested by a qualified optometrist when applying for or renewing their driving licence.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All drivers, regardless of age, have a legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive.

On 7 January 2026 we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. As part of the strategy, we launched a consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over.

Once the consultation has concluded, we will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2026 to Question 109392, what engagement his Department undertook with ferry operators and representative bodies serving island and coastal communities in assessing the risk of traffic diversion arising from the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to domestic maritime.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK ETS Authority consulted extensively with the maritime sector, including ferry operators and island and coastal communities, to ensure all perspectives informed policy development.

During the consultation period, the Government provided online engagement sessions with operators and industry, as well as bespoke engagement sessions for island communities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 109240, what proportion of the estimated costs of extending the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to domestic maritime are attributable to administrative compliance.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Impact Assessment estimates £201 million in additional costs over 20 years, with about £179 million, from administrative compliance and around £22 million from emissions reduction investment.

Administrative costs are initially higher because around 2,000 maritime operators enter the scheme in 2026 due to the inclusion of emissions at berth.

The emissions introduced initially are relatively small, and estimates are conservative given overlap with existing UK and EU MRV requirements. On a per operator basis, the admin burden is low. The planned expansion to international maritime is expected to bring far more emissions into scope without increasing administrative burden.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support, including business rates relief, direct financial assistance, or other fiscal measures, is being offered to regional airports in England; and how this compares to the support provided to Heathrow and Gatwick.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. It is not possible for the Government to quantify, and therefore keep a record of, support received by airport, given different airports are subject to different regulatory and policy measures and vary greatly in size.

The government recognises the crucial role regional airports play in supporting thousands of local jobs, connecting communities to global opportunities, and strengthening social and economic ties across the four nations.

My department regularly engages with regional airports including through the Aviation Council, which includes a Regional Connectivity Working Group chaired by industry.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her policy of no reduced rate or exemption for children or family travelling in premium economy of Air Passenger Duty on families travelling with children in premium economy cabins on long haul flights; and how the UK’s approach compares with aviation passenger tax regimes in other European countries.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.7 billion in 2025-26 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. The distance-based band structure ensures that those who travel furthest, and in the greatest comfort, incur a greater tax liability. Other countries also have different forms of aviation taxes.

Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from APD. If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

On 22 January, the House approved the Remedial Order which will remove the conditional immunity for terrorists which was provided in the previous Government’s Legacy Act.

The Troubles Bill will establish a reformed, human rights compliant and wholly independent Legacy Commission which will carry out investigations and provide family reports.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of cancer patients in Mid Buckinghamshire constituency receive first treatment within the 62 day target.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Data is not collected at a constituency level. Data on what proportion of cancer patients in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board received a first treatment within the 62-day cancer waiting time standard can be found on the NHS England website at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/