Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to update health costs of noise impacts in Transport Appraisal Guidance.
Answered by Mike Kane
TAG, or Transport Analysis Guidance, provides information on the role of transport modelling and appraisal. We keep our guidance and values under review with the aim of ensuring that they are based on the best available evidence and meet the needs of decision makers.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to establish an independent noise authority.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Government is committed to a strong aviation noise policy and funds the Civil Aviation Authority to provide noise advisory functions, including provision of best practice on noise mitigation, as well as funding two major noise studies. There are no current plans to establish an independent noise authority.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of primary schools which will be exposed to noise pollution from Heathrow expansion proposals above (a) 45dB, (b) 51dB and (c) 54dB.
Answered by Mike Kane
The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.
Once proposals have been received the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which sets clear requirements to mitigate the impacts of expansion on the environment and affected communities, and which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will set a minimum acceptable level of noise for Heathrow expansion proposals.
Answered by Mike Kane
The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.
Once proposals have been received the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which sets clear requirements to mitigate the impacts of expansion on the environment and affected communities, and which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent bots booking driving tests.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps Britain moving, safely and sustainably by:
Regulating the driver training industry and conducting theory and practical driving tests on goods vehicles, motorcycles and cars.
Testing heavy goods vehicles and buses on an annual basis; it also regulates and accredits providers of the car MOT scheme.
Carrying out roadside checking of commercial drivers and vehicles and monitoring companies that operate goods vehicles, buses, and coaches.
In 2023/2024 DVSA:
Oversaw 41,862,000 MOT tests, with 89% of MOT centres satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA
Delivered 692,000 heavy vehicle tests largely through a network of Approved Testing Facilities (ATF), with 96% of ATFs satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA
Carried out 131,000 vehicle and driver checks and licensed 73,000 vehicle operators.
DVSA’s main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.
Significant progress has already been made as part of DVSA’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times, with 1.95 million tests provided last year. However, further action is required.
On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that she has asked DVSA to take action on four additional measures to reduce driving test waiting times for learners. Further information regarding these measures can be found on GOV.UK.
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.
On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.
On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts.
DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the DVSA.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps Britain moving, safely and sustainably by:
Regulating the driver training industry and conducting theory and practical driving tests on goods vehicles, motorcycles and cars.
Testing heavy goods vehicles and buses on an annual basis; it also regulates and accredits providers of the car MOT scheme.
Carrying out roadside checking of commercial drivers and vehicles and monitoring companies that operate goods vehicles, buses, and coaches.
In 2023/2024 DVSA:
Oversaw 41,862,000 MOT tests, with 89% of MOT centres satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA
Delivered 692,000 heavy vehicle tests largely through a network of Approved Testing Facilities (ATF), with 96% of ATFs satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA
Carried out 131,000 vehicle and driver checks and licensed 73,000 vehicle operators.
DVSA’s main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.
Significant progress has already been made as part of DVSA’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times, with 1.95 million tests provided last year. However, further action is required.
On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that she has asked DVSA to take action on four additional measures to reduce driving test waiting times for learners. Further information regarding these measures can be found on GOV.UK.
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.
On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.
On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts.
DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the backlog of driving tests.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps Britain moving, safely and sustainably by:
Regulating the driver training industry and conducting theory and practical driving tests on goods vehicles, motorcycles and cars.
Testing heavy goods vehicles and buses on an annual basis; it also regulates and accredits providers of the car MOT scheme.
Carrying out roadside checking of commercial drivers and vehicles and monitoring companies that operate goods vehicles, buses, and coaches.
In 2023/2024 DVSA:
Oversaw 41,862,000 MOT tests, with 89% of MOT centres satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA
Delivered 692,000 heavy vehicle tests largely through a network of Approved Testing Facilities (ATF), with 96% of ATFs satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA
Carried out 131,000 vehicle and driver checks and licensed 73,000 vehicle operators.
DVSA’s main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.
Significant progress has already been made as part of DVSA’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times, with 1.95 million tests provided last year. However, further action is required.
On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that she has asked DVSA to take action on four additional measures to reduce driving test waiting times for learners. Further information regarding these measures can be found on GOV.UK.
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.
On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.
On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts.
DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times the Aviation Futures Forum has met.
Answered by Mike Kane
The Department for Transport launched the new Aviation Futures Forum, uniting ministers and industry leaders to deliver the government's missions and strengthen the sector. The forum has met once since its launch on 19 March 2025.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timeline is for publishing a new Airports National Policy Statement.
Answered by Mike Kane
The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.
Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.
The Secretary of State will determine the scope of a review of the ANPS and we cannot speculate on the scope nor the timings of the review at this stage.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring e-bike owners to (a) have a driving license, (b) have vehicle insurance, (c) pay road tax and (d) take an annual MOT.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has no plans to require e-cycle owners to do any of these things, provided that their e-cycles comply in full with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations. If their e-cycles do not comply with these requirements, they are in effect e-mopeds and must be registered, taxed and insured, with riders also required to have a valid driving licence and wear a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards.
A national licensing scheme for people who ride e-cycles would be required to underpin all of the above. This would be expensive to design and administer, and the costs would be likely to outweigh the possible benefits. Requirements of this sort would also be likely to put people off cycling, with negative health and other impacts.