Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in Newton Abbot constituency had (a) an award with a mobility component, (b) a mobility component (i) removed and (ii) reduced following a (A) decision and (B) reassessment and (c) an active Motability agreement (1) terminated and (2) not renewed in each month since January 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The figures requested have been provided in the attached tables. Regarding part (b), PIP claimants do not undergo reassessments, but they do have award reviews. Therefore, figures have been provided for the most recent decision made during the award reviews of claims (after mandatory reconsiderations and appeals have been completed).
Notes:
- Values have been rounded to the nearest 10.
- Figures provided are for claimants under DWP Policy Ownership (England, Wales or Abroad).
- Figures include both Normal Rules and Special Rules for End of Life claimants.
- A claimant's most recent award decision post-reconsideration or appeal at an award review was used to determine whether their mobility award had been reduced/removed.
- Despite a contract with Motability having ended, a claimant may make a new contract in the future.
- A Motability contract is considered to have ended if it has reached the natural end of its term. A Motability contract is considered to have been terminated if it was ended early for another reason.
- Motability contracts are terminated for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, voluntary termination, claimant death, a change in entitlement, imprisonment, or moving abroad.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants had (a) an award with a mobility component, (b) a mobility component (i) removed and (ii) reduced following a (A) decision and (B) reassessment and (c) an active Motability agreement (1) terminated and (2) not renewed since January 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The figures requested have been provided in the attached tables. Regarding part (b), PIP claimants do not undergo reassessments, but they do have award reviews. Therefore, figures have been provided for the most recent decision made during the award reviews of claims (after mandatory reconsiderations and appeals have been completed).
Notes:
- Values have been rounded to the nearest 10.
- Figures provided are for claimants under DWP Policy Ownership (England, Wales or Abroad).
- Figures include both Normal Rules and Special Rules for End of Life claimants.
- A claimant's most recent award decision post-reconsideration or appeal at an award review was used to determine whether their mobility award had been reduced/removed.
- Despite a contract with Motability having ended, a claimant may make a new contract in the future.
- A Motability contract is considered to have ended if it has reached the natural end of its term. A Motability contract is considered to have been terminated if it was ended early for another reason.
- Motability contracts are terminated for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, voluntary termination, claimant death, a change in entitlement, imprisonment, or moving abroad.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have had their mobility component of benefits (a) removed and (b) reduced and have (i) reported a reduction in hours worked and (ii) stopped working by parliamentary constituency since 1 January 2024.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of private parking scams.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This government is taking action to protect motorists.
The Department for Business and Trade provides annual funding to Citizens Advice to deliver general consumer information, education and to raise awareness. This includes the Annual Scams Awareness campaign which Citizens Advice run on behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership.
The October 2024 campaign was focused on financial fraud, including Parking QR code scams.
Further to this, in accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently outlined its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators. This code will drive up standards across the private parking industry and protect motorists.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) regulations 2002 to remove the ability of private parking companies to purchase drivers' data for a fee.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 permits the disclosure of vehicle keeper information for a range of authorised purposes, subject to appropriate safeguards. Information will only be released to private individuals and companies where reasonable cause can be shown.
While reasonable cause is not defined in legislation the Government’s policy is that the request for vehicle keeper information should relate to the vehicle or its use following incidents where there may be liability on the part of the driver. Guidance on what constitutes reasonable cause is published online at: www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla. It is considered necessary to provide information to allow private parking management as landowners would have great difficulty exercising their rights if motorists were able to park with impunity on private land.
There are no plans to amend Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 to remove the ability of private parking companies to request vehicle keeper information.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sets fees to recover the full cost of providing its services and regularly reviews fee levels to ensure that charges are maintained at an appropriate level.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) regulations 2002, if she will increase the fee for (a) private individuals and (b) companies seeking drivers' data.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 permits the disclosure of vehicle keeper information for a range of authorised purposes, subject to appropriate safeguards. Information will only be released to private individuals and companies where reasonable cause can be shown.
While reasonable cause is not defined in legislation the Government’s policy is that the request for vehicle keeper information should relate to the vehicle or its use following incidents where there may be liability on the part of the driver. Guidance on what constitutes reasonable cause is published online at: www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla. It is considered necessary to provide information to allow private parking management as landowners would have great difficulty exercising their rights if motorists were able to park with impunity on private land.
There are no plans to amend Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 to remove the ability of private parking companies to request vehicle keeper information.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sets fees to recover the full cost of providing its services and regularly reviews fee levels to ensure that charges are maintained at an appropriate level.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to clarify the meaning of regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) regulations 2002.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 permits the disclosure of vehicle keeper information for a range of authorised purposes, subject to appropriate safeguards. Information will only be released to private individuals and companies where reasonable cause can be shown.
While reasonable cause is not defined in legislation the Government’s policy is that the request for vehicle keeper information should relate to the vehicle or its use following incidents where there may be liability on the part of the driver. Guidance on what constitutes reasonable cause is published online at: www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla. It is considered necessary to provide information to allow private parking management as landowners would have great difficulty exercising their rights if motorists were able to park with impunity on private land.
There are no plans to amend Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 to remove the ability of private parking companies to request vehicle keeper information.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sets fees to recover the full cost of providing its services and regularly reviews fee levels to ensure that charges are maintained at an appropriate level.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of updating the Signs for road works and temporary situations guidance to recommend that in cases of road closures the name of the road is included in signage that says 'Road Closed Ahead'.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department recognises that clearer signage can help drivers make informed decisions. Including road names on ‘Road Closed Ahead’ signs may improve clarity, but it also raises safety concerns due to potential driver distraction. Its usefulness also depends on drivers’ familiarity with local road networks. Digital tools such as Street Manager and navigation apps already provide detailed location information, complementing physical signage. The Government will consider this suggestion with relevant stakeholders as part of ongoing work to improve street works communication and safety.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to introduce a Network South West railcard similar to the Network railcard available for people in London and the South East.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are no current plans to review railcards in advance of the transition to Great British Railways, however Great British Railways will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of some railcards.
Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.
Additionally, there are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, this includes the Devon and Cornwall Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will introduce a national railcard for all ages.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are no current plans to review railcards in advance of the transition to Great British Railways, however Great British Railways will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of some railcards.
Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.
Additionally, there are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, this includes the Devon and Cornwall Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators.