Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport
Thursday 12th February 2026

(2 days, 8 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Heidi Alexander Portrait Heidi Alexander
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The hon. Lady is right to raise this issue. I have been in contact with the DVLA about this matter; it is putting new systems in place to ensure that it is doing everything that it can, as standard, to process these cases as quickly as possible. In the meantime, I have been keen to ensure that there is an escalation mechanism. I am pleased to hear that her constituents have got a quicker response after they have contacted her, but that should not have to be the case or the norm.

Leigh Ingham Portrait Leigh Ingham (Stafford) (Lab)
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We on the Labour Benches know that effective bus services are key to economic growth. Unfortunately, when Staffordshire county council was run by the Conservatives, it sought to cut bus services in my county by 41%. One of those was a direct service from the train station to Staffordshire technology park. Does the Minister agree that investing in our bus services is key to growing our towns economically?

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood
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Yes—my hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are giving local authorities the powers and funding, and we expect local authorities to use them.