Oral Answers to Questions

Juliet Campbell Excerpts

Thursday 26th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Lilian Greenwood]

I thank the right hon. Member for raising this important case, and I send my condolences to the family in her constituency. Many people, including bereaved families, have raised with me how it feels when they see someone who has been arrested on drink or drug-driving charges being able to drive until their case comes to court. That is why suspension of licences is one of the issues covered in our motoring offences consultation. I hope that she, other Members and members of the public will respond positively to that proposal.

[Juliet Campbell (Broxtowe) (Lab)]

7. What steps she is taking with local authorities to help improve local bus services.

[Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

9. What steps she is taking to help improve local bus services.

--- Later in debate ---

[Juliet Campbell]

Many residents in Beeston Rylands in my constituency have contacted me about the infrequency and unreliability of buses serving their area. This particularly affects elderly residents, as bus services can be a lifeline for that community. Will the Minister outline how the Government are working with regional mayors such as Claire Ward in the east midlands to bolster bus services in underserved areas such as Beeston Rylands?

[Lilian Greenwood]

We are committed to working with local leaders, including Mayor Claire Ward, to improve buses. We are providing the East Midlands combined county authority with £65 million between now and 2028-29, which can be used to increase bus provision across the local area. I know that Mayor Claire would be very happy to work with my hon. Friend to help plan bus networks that work for local people, including those living in Beeston Rylands.

Oral Answers to Questions

Juliet Campbell Excerpts

Thursday 15th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mike Kane]

The shadow Secretary of State will forgive me if I have not read that sub-paragraph that trips off the tongue. This Government will always put passengers first. That is why more passengers than ever are flying in our skies and leaving our airports. The Department is fully engaged with the aviation sector at all stages, including on this issue.

[Juliet Campbell (Broxtowe) (Lab)]

8. What steps she is taking to reduce the backlog for driving tests.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)]

Last month, the Secretary of State announced further measures to tackle the unacceptable driving test backlog, including doubling training capacity for driving test examiners and offering overtime pay incentives to provide extra tests. That will create up to 10,000 extra tests a month. We are determined to get Britain’s drivers moving.

[Juliet Campbell]

I thank the Minister for her efforts towards improving access to driving tests. However, in my constituency of Broxtowe, I continually get emails saying that people are struggling to book tests due to a shortage of examiners. Will she provide us with an update following the instruction made last year to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to double the number of examiners being trained?

[Lilian Greenwood]

My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. We are holding the DVSA to account for successfully implementing the measures in last December’s seven-point plan. Some 165 new driving examiners have already passed their training and are working in driving test centres, and last year the DVSA provided 1.95 million tests. This month, it will launch an accelerated consultation on improvements to the test booking system to end the reselling of tests and the exploitation of learners, which is completely unacceptable.