Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, what availability and resilience standard NATS is required to meet.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government apologises to passengers across the United Kingdom who faced significant disruption as a result of the issues that impacted NATS' operation on 8 September, resulting in delays and cancellations for a large number of passengers, as well as the disruption that it has caused for industry. Let me be clear that disruption of this kind is absolutely unacceptable.
NATS' primary objective is to provide a safe air traffic service, while also delivering a resilient and reliable operation that enables aircraft to move efficiently through UK airspace. Safety remains the overriding priority in all operational decisions, with system resilience and service continuity essential to maintaining public confidence in the aviation network.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides independent regulatory oversight of NATS' safety and operational performance, including monitoring performance against agreed targets and reviewing major incidents. The Department for Transport works closely with both the CAA and NATS to support a safe, resilient and effective air traffic system for passengers and the wider aviation sector.
The Department receives regular updates from NATS on the modernisation of its air traffic control systems, with technical changes closely monitored and overseen by the CAA as the independent regulator.
The Secretary of State asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Secretary of State has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This will provide an important opportunity to review existing arrangements, ensure lessons are learned, and identify any further measures required to enhance resilience.
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, for what reason a single technical failure can cause widespread disruption.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises that serious air traffic control incidents are rare, however when they do occur, they have a serious impact on passengers and aviation operations.
The Government apologises to passengers across the United Kingdom who faced significant disruption as a result of the issues that impacted NATS’ operation on 8 September, resulting in delays and cancellations for large numbers of passengers, as well as the disruption that it has caused for industry. Let me be clear that disruption of this kind is absolutely unacceptable.
It is therefore essential that the causes of the technical fault on the 8th September are identified by NATS so that any changes can be implemented swiftly.
The Secretary of State has asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Government has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This will provide an important opportunity to review existing arrangements, ensure lessons are learned, and identify any further measures required to enhance resilience.
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, whether backup systems are genuinely independent, or vulnerable to the same underlying failure.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State has asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Government has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This will provide an important opportunity to review existing arrangements, ensure lessons are learned, and identify any further measures required to enhance resilience.
The safety of UK airspace remains a crucial priority for UK Government, and we will continue to work closely with NATS, the CAA and industry partners to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational resilience.
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of NATS’s regulated funding model and substantial capital investment, what assessment she has made of whether the recent technical failure is primarily a question of management and regulatory oversight rather than resources.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government apologises to passengers across the United Kingdom who faced significant disruption as a result of the issues that impacted NATS’ operation on 8 September, resulting in delays and cancellations for a large number of passengers, as well as the disruption that it has caused for industry. Let me be clear that disruption of this kind is absolutely unacceptable.
NATS is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the CAA is required to investigate major incidents to establish their causes, identify remedial action and minimise the risk and impact of recurrence.
However, the Secretary of State has asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Secretary of State has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This is crucial to ensure that lessons are learned and that any necessary improvements are implemented to ensure that this cannot happen again.
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the efficiency of the DVLA when processing driving licence applications for individuals (a) without and (b) with a medical condition.
Answered by Guy Opperman
On 10 January 2024, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) had 61,766 non-medical and 134,292 medical driving licence applications currently being processed. This is within the normal volume of applications being processed by the DVLA at any one time and applications are being processed within normal turnaround times.
It is important to note that the length of time taken to deal with a driving licence application where medical enquiries must be carried out very often depends on whether further information is required from a driver or their medical practitioners. The DVLA is often wholly reliant on receiving information from third parties, including doctors, before it can make a licensing decision. Currently, around half of driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated are awaiting further information from the applicant’s doctor or the applicant themselves before the DVLA can take any further action.
The DVLA has made changes to the way licensing decisions have been made for drivers with certain medical conditions. The DVLA has also changed the law to allow medical professionals other than doctors to provide the information required for the DVLA to be able to progress these applications.
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many driving licence applications are outstanding as of 10 January 2023.
Answered by Guy Opperman
On 10 January 2024, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) had 61,766 non-medical and 134,292 medical driving licence applications currently being processed. This is within the normal volume of applications being processed by the DVLA at any one time and applications are being processed within normal turnaround times.
It is important to note that the length of time taken to deal with a driving licence application where medical enquiries must be carried out very often depends on whether further information is required from a driver or their medical practitioners. The DVLA is often wholly reliant on receiving information from third parties, including doctors, before it can make a licensing decision. Currently, around half of driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated are awaiting further information from the applicant’s doctor or the applicant themselves before the DVLA can take any further action.
The DVLA has made changes to the way licensing decisions have been made for drivers with certain medical conditions. The DVLA has also changed the law to allow medical professionals other than doctors to provide the information required for the DVLA to be able to progress these applications.
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many driving test examiners work at Llanelli Driving Test Centre as on 28 June 2022.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
As of 28 June 2022, there are 606 car practical driving tests booked at Llanelli driving test centre (DTC).
As of 27 June 2022, the average weekly waiting time for a car practical driving test at Llanelli DTC is 3 weeks. The national average weekly waiting time for car tests is 15.1 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is committed to increasing the availability of practical driving tests at Llanelli DTC by recruiting more driving examiners (DE). The latest recruitment campaign closed on 20 June and applications are being reviewed. Currently, three DEs conduct driving tests at Llanelli DTC.
To be safe and competent, learner drivers need a broad range of driving experience in different areas and on different roads. A full driving licence allows a driver to use any roads, not just those they are familiar with. Candidates can choose to also take their test at the following nearby DTCs, both of which have waiting times below the national average and offer out of hours testing:
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of driving test examiners in Llanelli.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
As of 28 June 2022, there are 606 car practical driving tests booked at Llanelli driving test centre (DTC).
As of 27 June 2022, the average weekly waiting time for a car practical driving test at Llanelli DTC is 3 weeks. The national average weekly waiting time for car tests is 15.1 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is committed to increasing the availability of practical driving tests at Llanelli DTC by recruiting more driving examiners (DE). The latest recruitment campaign closed on 20 June and applications are being reviewed. Currently, three DEs conduct driving tests at Llanelli DTC.
To be safe and competent, learner drivers need a broad range of driving experience in different areas and on different roads. A full driving licence allows a driver to use any roads, not just those they are familiar with. Candidates can choose to also take their test at the following nearby DTCs, both of which have waiting times below the national average and offer out of hours testing:
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the average waiting time for a test at Llanelli Driving Test Centre.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
As of 28 June 2022, there are 606 car practical driving tests booked at Llanelli driving test centre (DTC).
As of 27 June 2022, the average weekly waiting time for a car practical driving test at Llanelli DTC is 3 weeks. The national average weekly waiting time for car tests is 15.1 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is committed to increasing the availability of practical driving tests at Llanelli DTC by recruiting more driving examiners (DE). The latest recruitment campaign closed on 20 June and applications are being reviewed. Currently, three DEs conduct driving tests at Llanelli DTC.
To be safe and competent, learner drivers need a broad range of driving experience in different areas and on different roads. A full driving licence allows a driver to use any roads, not just those they are familiar with. Candidates can choose to also take their test at the following nearby DTCs, both of which have waiting times below the national average and offer out of hours testing:
Asked by: Nia Griffith (Labour - Llanelli)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the number of people in Llanelli awaiting a practical driving test at Llanelli Driving Test Centre in Llanerch.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
As of 28 June 2022, there are 606 car practical driving tests booked at Llanelli driving test centre (DTC).
As of 27 June 2022, the average weekly waiting time for a car practical driving test at Llanelli DTC is 3 weeks. The national average weekly waiting time for car tests is 15.1 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is committed to increasing the availability of practical driving tests at Llanelli DTC by recruiting more driving examiners (DE). The latest recruitment campaign closed on 20 June and applications are being reviewed. Currently, three DEs conduct driving tests at Llanelli DTC.
To be safe and competent, learner drivers need a broad range of driving experience in different areas and on different roads. A full driving licence allows a driver to use any roads, not just those they are familiar with. Candidates can choose to also take their test at the following nearby DTCs, both of which have waiting times below the national average and offer out of hours testing: