Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2026 to Question 4292, whether her Department has conducted formal internal assessments or economic impact analyses into the potential merits of bringing forward the scheduled 2027 review of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate since 4 July 2024.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
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.
Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proportion of zero-emission heavy goods vehicles on highways maintenance budgets, in the context of the fourth power law of road wear.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises that heavier vehicles can accelerate road surface wear. While we have not undertaken a specific assessment of this effect, we are actively considering the implications of introducing zero-emission heavy goods vehicles, including the potential for additional road wear.
More widely, while EVs tend to be heavier than their equivalent petrol or diesel counterpart, on average all passenger cars have been increasing in weight for many years. It is the much heavier commercial vehicles, rather than passenger vehicles, that cause the most wear and tear to road surfaces and other highway structures.
To support the maintenance of local roads and highway networks, the Department is providing a record £7.3 billion over the next four years to local highway authorities.
Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2026 to Question 883 on Cumbrian Coast Line: Tunnels, when the modelling work being undertaken by Network Rail and the Mining Remediation Authority to assess the impact of the long-term solution for Bransty Tunnel on Whitehaven Harbour and the surrounding area will be completed.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Network Rail and the Mining Remediation Authority are aiming to complete the modelling work to assess the impact of the long-term solution for Bransty Tunnel on Whitehaven Harbour and the surrounding area by the end of July 2026.
Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) the rollout of independent prescribing and (b) the expansion of the community pharmacy workforce to enable pharmacies to deliver a broader range of clinical services as part of neighbourhood health services.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government recently announced a £340 million uplift to community pharmacy funding, a 10% increase, recognising the essential role pharmacies play in supporting patients and the wider National Health Service. As part of this, we are funding the rollout of Independent Prescribing from Autumn 2026, building on the success of Pharmacy First and the Pharmacy Contraception Service to help pharmacists use their clinical skills and provide more on-the-spot care for common conditions.
To support this, NHS England is providing fully funded national training opportunities including independent prescriber training, clinical examination skills, and training the next generation of education supervisors. From September 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists will be independent prescribers upon registration.
Asked by: Joe Robertson (Conservative - Isle of Wight East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Department has updated its impact assessment of the maritime Emissions Trading Scheme extension in the light of recent changes in freight rates, fuel costs, and the global trade disruption.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government assessed the implications of extending the UK ETS to domestic maritime through a published Impact Assessment. This considered costs at sector level, including compliance, administrative and allowance purchase costs, and found a positive net present social value.
The Impact Assessment is kept under review. The Government continues to monitor market developments and the UK ETS Authority will review the effectiveness of the maritime regime in 2028, with further analysis undertaken as appropriate.