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Written Question
Driving Licences: Ukraine
Wednesday 7th June 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2023 on Question 185770 on Driving Licences: Ukraine, whether the term at pace means Ukrainian refugees can continue to use a Ukrainian driving license to drive in the UK and will not invalidate their insurance so that can continue to travel to work.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

My Department has recently carried out a consultation exploring a proposal to extend the period which Ukrainians can use their driving licence, and we expect to publish the results shortly. It remains a legal requirement for anyone on UK roads to have a valid license and it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure they have appropriate insurance to drive on UK roads. For individuals who are coming to the end of their initial 12-month period, we would encourage them to exchange their driving license if eligible.


Written Question
Driving Licences: Ukraine
Tuesday 23rd May 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 April 2023 on Question 179857 on Driving Licences: Ukraine, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken to announce whether Ukrainian refugees can continue to use a Ukrainian driving license to drive in the UK on car insurance renewals by Ukrainian refugees.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

We have not made any assessment on this issue, but we are working at pace and expect to publish the results of the recent consultation shortly.


Written Question
Motorways: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of National Highways' performance on their legal duty to ensure the motorways are kept clear of litter; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The second Road Investment Strategy (2020-25) includes a litter performance indicator. National Highways is committed to reporting in line with the Code of practice on litter and refuse published by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). In 2021/22 National Highways reported that 60.8% of relevant parts of the Strategic Road Network had no litter, refuse or detritus, or was predominately free of litter, refuse or detritus apart from some small items.


Written Question
Motorways: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Office of Rail and Road’s monitoring of National Highways performance on keeping the motorways clear of litter; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

In line with its role set out in the Infrastructure Act (2015), the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) monitors the performance and efficiency of National Highways in delivering its five year Road Investment Strategy, including against the performance indicator on litter volumes. The ORR provides advice regularly to the Department on National Highways’ performance, and reports annually to Parliament. Reporting includes consideration of National Highways’ performance against its litter performance indicator. The Department is confident that the monitoring work carried out by the ORR is adequate and in line with its functions as set out in the Act.


Written Question
Connect Plus: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial penalties are in place in the 30-year contract with Connect Plus M25 in relation to litter-related performance.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract with Connect Plus M25 does not outline that financial deductions can be made in relation to litter clearance. However, where Connect Plus M25 is in breach of its contractual obligations, it may be issued performance points. If points are accrued in sufficient numbers, contractual sanctions and financial implications for Connect Plus M25 are possible.


Written Question
Roads: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish National Highways most recent litter survey; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

In 2021/22 National Highways reported that 60.8% of relevant parts of the Strategic Road Network had no litter, refuse or detritus, or was predominately free of litter, refuse or detritus apart from some small items, per the Code of practice on litter and refuse. This is the most recent data available. This data is indicative of the motorways and major A-roads network over a year.


Written Question
Motorways: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the Answer of 14 November 2022 to Question 82246, on Motorways: Litter, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that National Highways meets its legal duty to ensure the motorways are kept clear of litter ahead of the commencement of the Third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) performance specification in 2025.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

As sent out in National Highways’ Litter Strategy, both the Department and National Highways recognise that more can be done to combat litter along motorways, and together we are working to achieve this in a number of ways. This includes working with National Highways to maintain continuous improvement in its partnership working with Local Authorities and working to trial and implement evidence-based anti-littering campaigns on and near motorways to positively influence littering behaviour. The Office of Rail and Road monitors National Highways’ performance against its litter performance indicator.


Written Question
Motorways: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the Answer of 14 November 2022 to Question 82246, on Motorways: Litter, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including National Highways’ legal duty to ensure the motorways are kept clear of litter as a separate high-level Key Performance Indicator in the Third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) performance specification.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

As part of developing the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), we continue to explore potential metrics for inclusion in RIS3 performance specification, as well as possible improvements to existing metrics such as litter. We are working to ensure that the targeted metrics in RIS3 – the Key Performance Indicators focus on the things that are most important to road users and contribute to wider government priorities. This process will involve considering the responses to the forthcoming public consultation on National Highways’ SRN Initial Report.


Written Question
Roads: Litter
Tuesday 14th March 2023

Asked by: Mike Penning (Conservative - Hemel Hempstead)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many fines for littering have been issued by National Highways and its predecessors since 1 January 2013.

Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

National Highways is not an enforcement organisation and so does not have the powers to issue fines for littering or other offences.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 13 Oct 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

Speech Link

View all Mike Penning (Con - Hemel Hempstead) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions