Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the availability of ultrasound scans to pregnant women who (a) report reduced foetal movement before 28 weeks’ gestation and (b) present on more than one occasion after 24 weeks' gestation.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department has not made a recent assessment of the availability of ultrasound scans to pregnant women who report reduced foetal movement before 28 weeks’ gestation and present on more than one occasion after 24 weeks' gestation. Pregnant women are advised to seek professional help immediately if there is a reduction or change in the pattern of their baby’s movements at any gestation.

At any point in the pregnancy, if there is a repeat episode of reduced or changed foetal movements, they should contact their maternity team immediately and a plan for care will be made based on personal circumstances and the number of weeks gestation. Whether further ultrasound scans are recommended will depend on clinical need and be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance to local highways authorities on the placement of not formally authorised (a) flags, (b) banners and (c) advertisements from (i) lampposts and (ii) other local authority street furniture since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government supports the flying of flags across the country. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together. Guidance exists, such as ‘Flying flags: a plain English guide” - as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and 2021) – which outlines the regulations related to the flying of flags in England.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September to Question 71269 on Train Operating Companies: Conditions of Employment and Trade Unions, whether this information is held by DfT Operator Limited.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

DFTO currently has oversight of six Train Operating Companies (TOCs). The TOCs are subsidiaries of DFTO and trade union agreements are negotiated, held and managed at the subsidiary level rather than by DFTO itself. Similarly operating practices on employees rights are also administered and managed by the TOCs rather than DFTO.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which Government Art Collection works have been (a) installed and (b) deinstalled from HM Treasury main offices since 4 July 2024 by (i) title, (ii) artist and (iii) reference number.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time in response to new display steers and requests.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 66650 on Industrial Disputes, what guidance his Department provides on undertaking Ministerial duties in 70 Whitehall during periods of strike action by (a) staff and (b) contractors who work in 70 Whitehall.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

No such guidance has been issued by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to consolidate the gov.uk app with the (a) gov.uk one login, (b) gov.uk ID check and (c) HMRC app.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The GOV.UK app is designed to sit alongside existing government applications, including those operated by HM Revenue and Customs. My officials continue to work closely with colleagues across government to ensure these services complement one another.

We have already integrated GOV.UK One Login functionality into the GOV.UK app to enable a signed-in experience for users.

Utility and the user experience are key priorities, and we are committed to ensuring a seamless and cohesive experience for all users when interacting with government products and services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the consultation outcome entitled Exchange of car driving licences issued in Moldova, published on 9 July 2025, on what evidential basis the (a) DVLA and (b) DVSA assessed the Moldovan theory and practical driving tests as equivalent to those in Great Britain; and whether any independent safety assessments were conducted.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Current driver licensing and testing standards in Moldova have been assessed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The technical evaluation looks at the following, including:

• the minimum test vehicle requirements,

• the duration of the test,

• any specific requirements,

• the manoeuvres completed,

• and the standard of assessment applied.

The training and quality assurance arrangements for driving examiners of the applying country are also evaluated, along with the arrangements, content, technical approach and marking system for theory and hazard perception testing.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her oral contribution of 26 June 2025, Official Report, column 1241, whether her Department plans to restrict the practice of drivers obtaining (a) taxi and (b) private hire licences in one local authority while operating predominantly in another; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of this practice on (i) passenger safety and (ii) local licensing standards.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.

The Department for Transport will legislate to tackle inconsistent standards of taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing more broadly. We are considering all options including out of area working, national standards and enforcement – seeking the best overall outcomes for passenger safety. In the interim the Department is reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and determining how the statutory guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults can be strengthened to further protect the public.

Licensing authorities can already jointly authorise officers from other authorities so that compliance and enforcement action can be taken against licensees from outside their area. Such an agreement would set out the range of powers available, but these could include the ability to undertake compliance checks and immediately suspend a driver’s licence in the interests of public safety. This enables the use of the agreed powers regardless of which authority within the agreement the officer is employed by and which issued the licence.

A consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which would increase consistency in licensing and make better use of enforcement powers, will be launched shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of (a) taxi and (b) private hire vehicle drivers obtaining licenses in areas known to have a weaker vetting on risks to passenger safety.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.

The Department for Transport will legislate to tackle inconsistent standards of taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing more broadly. We are considering all options including out of area working, national standards and enforcement – seeking the best overall outcomes for passenger safety. In the interim the Department is reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and determining how the statutory guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults can be strengthened to further protect the public.

Licensing authorities can already jointly authorise officers from other authorities so that compliance and enforcement action can be taken against licensees from outside their area. Such an agreement would set out the range of powers available, but these could include the ability to undertake compliance checks and immediately suspend a driver’s licence in the interests of public safety. This enables the use of the agreed powers regardless of which authority within the agreement the officer is employed by and which issued the licence.

A consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which would increase consistency in licensing and make better use of enforcement powers, will be launched shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her oral answer to the hon. Member for Tipton and Wednesbury of 26 June 2025, Official Report, col 1241, what progress she has made on closing the loopholes in the taxi licensing regime.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.

The Department for Transport will legislate to tackle inconsistent standards of taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing more broadly. We are considering all options including out of area working, national standards and enforcement – seeking the best overall outcomes for passenger safety. In the interim the Department is reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and determining how the statutory guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults can be strengthened to further protect the public.

Licensing authorities can already jointly authorise officers from other authorities so that compliance and enforcement action can be taken against licensees from outside their area. Such an agreement would set out the range of powers available, but these could include the ability to undertake compliance checks and immediately suspend a driver’s licence in the interests of public safety. This enables the use of the agreed powers regardless of which authority within the agreement the officer is employed by and which issued the licence.

A consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which would increase consistency in licensing and make better use of enforcement powers, will be launched shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to allow local licensing authorities to (a) inspect, (b) suspend and (c) revoke (i) taxi and (ii) private hire licences issued by other authorities for vehicles operating in their area.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

All taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities in England have advised the Department that for drivers they require the highest level of vetting available, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a check of both the children’s and adults’ Barred Lists.

The Department for Transport will legislate to tackle inconsistent standards of taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing more broadly. We are considering all options including out of area working, national standards and enforcement – seeking the best overall outcomes for passenger safety. In the interim the Department is reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and determining how the statutory guidance on protecting children and vulnerable adults can be strengthened to further protect the public.

Licensing authorities can already jointly authorise officers from other authorities so that compliance and enforcement action can be taken against licensees from outside their area. Such an agreement would set out the range of powers available, but these could include the ability to undertake compliance checks and immediately suspend a driver’s licence in the interests of public safety. This enables the use of the agreed powers regardless of which authority within the agreement the officer is employed by and which issued the licence.

A consultation on making all local transport authorities responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing, which would increase consistency in licensing and make better use of enforcement powers, will be launched shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to ensure there is adequate payroll and human resources capacity within the Department to manage the employees of the newly nationalised South Western Railway operating company; and whether it entered into any external contract to assist delivery in state control of South Western Railway.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

South Western Railway (SWR) has been responsible for the provision of its own payroll and human resources services both before and after being taken into public ownership. The public ownership programme sees train operating companies transition into the Department for Transport Operator, not the Department itself. The Department did not enter into any external contracts with the specific purpose of transferring South Western Railway into public ownership.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of removing the 50km restriction for 18- to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers on the (a) number of available drivers and (b) quality of (i) rural and (ii) long-distance bus services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The previous government launched a consultation on amending licensing restrictions to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to drive a bus and coach for distances exceeding 50km when driving a regular service. The previous government did not publish a response to its consultation before it left office.

This government is now working closely with operators to obtain further evidence and will then consider next steps.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the consultation outcome entitled Exchange of car driving licences issued in Moldova, published on 9 July 2025, whether her Department plans to review the 12-month period during which drivers from (a) non-EU and (b) non-EEA countries may drive in Great Britain without exchanging their licence.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department does not currently have any plans to review the 12-month exchange period during which drivers from non-EU, or non-EEA countries may drive in Great Britain without exchanging their licence.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the rules for recognising overseas driving tests as equivalent to those in Great Britain.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

My department does not have any current plans to review the rules for recognising overseas driving tests.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Department has made of the effectiveness of minimum age requirements for (a) articulated lorry drivers and (b) bus and coach drivers; and whether she plans to remove the 50km restriction for 18- to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The previous government launched a consultation on amending licensing restrictions to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to drive a bus and coach for distances exceeding 50km when driving a regular service. The previous government did not publish a response to its consultation before it left office.

This government is now working closely with operators to obtain further evidence and will then consider next steps.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71238 on Buses and Large Goods Vehicles: Licensing, when her Department plans to publish a response.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The previous government launched a consultation on amending licensing restrictions to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to drive a bus and coach for distances exceeding 50km when driving a regular service. The previous government did not publish a response to its consultation before it left office.

This government is now working closely with operators to obtain further evidence and will then consider next steps.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what enforcement powers the Office of Rail and Road will retain once the Railways Bill is enacted; and in which circumstances her Department, will act as the primary regulator.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to delivering a simpler, more accountable railway with clear responsibilities. The design of the new system and the creation of Great British Railways will ensure that decisions are clear, robust and transparent. Key sector bodies, including the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chair and Board of Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road, and the new Passenger Watchdog, will all have an important role to play in keeping Great British Railways accountable. The Office of Rail and Road will continue to play a crucial role in the new sector providing independent monitoring and enforcement across key areas. More detail on the proposed roles for these bodies, including the role of the Office of Rail and Road in funding, licensing and track access, can be found in the consultation document ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’. We will look to publish the formal Government response to the feedback we received on these proposals in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure scrutiny of Great British Railways’ decisions.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to delivering a simpler, more accountable railway with clear responsibilities. The design of the new system and the creation of Great British Railways will ensure that decisions are clear, robust and transparent. Key sector bodies, including the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chair and Board of Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road, and the new Passenger Watchdog, will all have an important role to play in keeping Great British Railways accountable. The Office of Rail and Road will continue to play a crucial role in the new sector providing independent monitoring and enforcement across key areas. More detail on the proposed roles for these bodies, including the role of the Office of Rail and Road in funding, licensing and track access, can be found in the consultation document ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’. We will look to publish the formal Government response to the feedback we received on these proposals in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2025 to Question 71209 on Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties, if she will make an estimate of the amount of tax that will be raised from Double Cab Pick Up vehicles being taxed as cars in (a) 2025-6, (b) 2026-7, (c) 2027-8, (d) 2028-9 and (e) 2029-30.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The estimated amount of tax that will be raised from double cab pick-up vehicles being treated as cars has been estimated as follows:

As with most tax measures in the Budget the main uncertainties in this costing relate to the size of the tax base and the behavioural response to the measure in the usual way.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with train operating companies on industrial disputes relating to the scanning of electronic tickets.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The train operating companies are responsible for managing industrial relations with their workforces and trade unions. The Department engages regularly with all of its contracted train operating companies regarding their approach to industrial disputes, including regarding ticket scanning.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of transferring the Office of Rail and Road’s (a) regulatory and (b) oversight functions to Great British Railways on (i) passenger protections and (ii) service standards.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to delivering a simpler, more accountable railway with clear responsibilities. The design of the new system and the creation of Great British Railways will ensure that decisions are clear, robust and transparent and that Great British Railways will be accountable for its decisions with appropriate oversight in place. Key sector bodies, including the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chair and Board of Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road, and the new Passenger Watchdog, will all have an important role to play in keeping Great British Railways accountable. The Office of Rail and Road will continue to provide external regulation, enforcement and monitoring in the new sector across key areas. More detail on the proposed roles for these bodies, including the role of the Office of Rail and Road in funding, licensing and track access, can be found in the consultation document ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’. We will look to publish the formal Government response to the feedback we received on these proposals in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Office of Rail and Road will (a) remain independent of Government and (b) retain oversight over Great British Railways’ decisions on (i) funding, (ii) licensing and (iii) track access.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to delivering a simpler, more accountable railway with clear responsibilities. The design of the new system and the creation of Great British Railways will ensure that decisions are clear, robust and transparent. Key sector bodies, including the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chair and Board of Great British Railways, the Office of Rail and Road, and the new Passenger Watchdog, will all have an important role to play in keeping Great British Railways accountable. The Office and Rail and Road will continue to play a crucial role in the new sector providing independent monitoring and enforcement across key areas. More detail on the proposed roles for these bodies, including the role of the Office of Rail and Road in funding, licensing and track access, can be found in the consultation document ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’. We will look to publish the formal Government response to the feedback we received on these proposals in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 71270 on Aviation: Fares, what her Department's policy is on airlines using (a) individualized and (b) surveillance pricing when setting air fares.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. The cost of air fares is therefore determined by airlines, but airlines must always be compliant with competition and consumer protection laws when setting fares.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK and Palestinian strategic cooperation: memorandum of understanding, published on 28 April 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the Palestinian Authority’s compliance with its commitment in February 2025 to end payments to Palestinians convicted of terror offences by Israel.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are clear that a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and making progress towards a two-state solution, which is why alongside our international partners, we welcomed the PA's commitment to deliver its ambitious and necessary 'National Program for Development and Reform'. In July the Foreign Secretary announced £7 million to strengthen the PA and Palestinian governance.

We welcomed President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June, in which he reaffirmed the Palestine Liberation Organization principles of non-violence, and committed to the organisation of elections, the development of a curriculum that is free from incitement, and revoking the law on prisoner payments by implementing a new social security system. We will continue to work closely with the PA to support it in delivering the important commitments it has made on reform.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK and Palestinian strategic cooperation: memorandum of understanding, published on 28 April 2025, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to non-violence.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We are clear that a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) is essential to long-term stability in the region and making progress towards a two-state solution, which is why alongside our international partners, we welcomed the PA's commitment to deliver its ambitious and necessary 'National Program for Development and Reform'. In July the Foreign Secretary announced £7 million to strengthen the PA and Palestinian governance.

We welcomed President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June, in which he reaffirmed the Palestine Liberation Organization principles of non-violence, and committed to the organisation of elections, the development of a curriculum that is free from incitement, and revoking the law on prisoner payments by implementing a new social security system. We will continue to work closely with the PA to support it in delivering the important commitments it has made on reform.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of judicial review challenges on the construction (a) timelines and (b) costs of nationally significant road infrastructure projects.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Judicial review is an important legal process that allows democratic challenge to the lawfulness of a decision. While it plays a vital role in upholding accountability and transparency, the Department has assessed that in some cases judicial reviews can have an impact on the delivery of nationally significant road infrastructure projects.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Draft Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3), published on 26 August 2025, whether she plans to publish the final RIS3 by March 2026.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As set out in the draft RIS3 document published on 26 August 2025, the Department does indeed intend to publish the final Road Investment Strategy 3 by March 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Draft Road Investment Strategy 3, published on 26 August 2025, what her Department's planned timetable is for publishing a revised list of Strategic Road Network enhancement projects that will proceed during Road Period 3.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The final Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) document will confirm the enhancement projects being taken forward for delivery in the period from 2026/27 to 2030/31, and those in the pipeline being developed to be considered for possible delivery beyond 2031. It is due to be published in March 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department’s guidance entitled Lane rental schemes: guidance for English highway authorities, updated on 3 April 2025, whether she has implemented the proposal to allow overrun charges under section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to be applied on (a) weekends and (b) bank holidays.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Following consultation, the Government announced its intention to double fixed penalty notices, extend overrun charges to apply on bank holidays and weekends, and permit highway authorities to allocate 50% of surplus funds from lane rental schemes towards road maintenance. The relevant Statutory Instrument will be laid shortly to enable the necessary changes to come into force, with practical implementation in early 2026, the intervening period will help ensure the industry and Local Highway Authorities have time to adapt and be ready for them.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department’s guidance entitled Lane rental schemes: guidance for English highway authorities, updated on 3 April 2025, whether she has implemented the proposal to double the level of fixed penalty notice charges for offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Following consultation, the Government announced its intention to double fixed penalty notices, extend overrun charges to apply on bank holidays and weekends, and permit highway authorities to allocate 50% of surplus funds from lane rental schemes towards road maintenance. The relevant Statutory Instrument will be laid shortly to enable the necessary changes to come into force, with practical implementation in early 2026, the intervening period will help ensure the industry and Local Highway Authorities have time to adapt and be ready for them.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department’s guidance entitled Lane rental schemes: guidance for English highway authorities, updated on 3 April 2025, whether she has implemented the requirement for highway authorities to spend a minimum of 50% of surplus lane rental funds on repairing potholes.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Following consultation, the Government announced its intention to double fixed penalty notices, extend overrun charges to apply on bank holidays and weekends, and permit highway authorities to allocate 50% of surplus funds from lane rental schemes towards road maintenance. The relevant Statutory Instrument will be laid shortly to enable the necessary changes to come into force, with practical implementation in early 2026, the intervening period will help ensure the industry and Local Highway Authorities have time to adapt and be ready for them.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Draft Road Investment Strategy 3, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) construction inflation and (b) other cost pressures on the (i) scope and (ii) delivery timetables of planned enhancement projects.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Following the publication of the Draft Road Investment Strategy (RIS), National Highways has produced a draft Strategic Business Plan setting out how it intends to deliver the Government’s objectives within the proposed funding available, which the Office of Rail and Road is now in the process of assessing in its Efficiency Review. This review will include detailed considerations on matters such as the treatment of cost pressures and deliverability and will inform the final RIS which is due to be published next year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Draft Road Investment Strategy 3, what proportion of funding originally allocated to enhancement schemes has been reallocated to (a) road renewals, (b) maintenance, (c) safety upgrades and (d) technology and carbon reduction initiatives.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Final Road Investment Strategy 3 document (RIS3), and National Highways’s subsequent final Delivery Plan for RIS3, will set out in detail matters such as the amount of funding allocated to operations, maintenance, renewals and enhancements as well as wider investment to support specific outcomes. These will be informed by National Highways’s proposals in its draft Strategic Business Plan, and by the efficiency review of these proposals that is being carried out by the Office of Rail and Road.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Draft Road Investment Strategy 3, published on 26 August 2025, which enhancement projects included in the Draft Road Investment Strategy 2 have been (a) cancelled, (b) paused and (c) descoped; and if she will make an estimate of the costs incurred for each of those schemes.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In any portfolio of this size, there will always be schemes that have feasibility or value for money issues that appear through the course of development, and there will always be a need to spend money on schemes to develop them to a certain stage to make an informed decision on whether to proceed or not. National Highways reported the write-off costs associated with cancelled RIS2 schemes in its Annual Report and Accounts 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to (a) allow fast-track approval routes, (b) introduce parliamentary sign-off and (c) implement other reforms to the judicial review process to help ensure nationally significant road projects do not have prolonged legal delays.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring that nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), including major road schemes, are delivered efficiently and without unnecessary delay.

The Department is actively exploring options to streamline the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (PIB) includes provisions to remove mandatory pre-application consultations and revise acceptance tests to accelerate decision-making and reduce potential bottlenecks.

We are also legislating to tighten the judicial review process. Key reforms include removing the paper permission stage; limiting appeals for cases deemed “Totally Without Merit” at oral hearings; exploring target timescales for judicial reviews in collaboration with the judiciary. These reforms aim to prevent meritless claims from delaying critical infrastructure while ensuring legitimate challenges are heard promptly.

In parallel, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has also launched a public consultation on streamlining infrastructure planning. Proposals being consulted on include reforms to pre-application services, enhanced guidance for statutory bodies, and improvements to the fast-track process administered by the Planning Inspectorate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Draft Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3), published on 26 August 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changing costs on the RIS3 capital investment programme; and whether her Department plans to amend funding for that programme.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Draft Road Investment Strategy provided the first public indication of the likely size, shape and priorities for RIS3 over the period 2026/27 to 2030/31. National Highways has produced a draft Strategic Business Plan setting out how it intends to deliver the Government’s objectives within the proposed funding available, which the Office of Rail and Road is in the process of reviewing. This review will inform whether the proposed funding set out in the draft RIS is appropriate to deliver these objectives, taking account of matters such as likely inflationary and other cost pressures over the period.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the (a) UK Statistics Authority and (b) Office for National Statistics has a remit over the Government’s statistical (i) classification and (ii) reporting of (A) defence spending and (B) security and resilience spending, in the context of the new 5% NATO targets.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 29th August is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 71219 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, if she will publish the relevant guidance on holding departmental receptions at the offices of consultant lobbying firms.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Ministerial Code is published on GOV.UK. Guidance from the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is published on the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists’ website.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64560 on Cabinet Office: Contracts, what venues have been booked through Calder Conferences since 4 July 2024; for what purpose; and at what cost.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office’s contract with Calder Conferences Limited to provide Venue Booking Services started in February 2023, under the previous administration.

The below table lists the venues and costs of venues booked by the Cabinet Office through Calder Conferences since 4 July 2024. Of the 223 bookings listed, 198 were commissioned under previous guidance regarding the booking of external venues, and 25 were commissioned following updated guidance issued by this government on 4 April 2025.

To provide further background information on each booking would incur disproportionate costs, but these have included events such as Civil Service Live 2025 and hearings for the Infected Blood Inquiry. These two events account for just over £587,000 of the costs of external venue hires via Calder since 4 April 2025.

This government’s updated guidance on restrictions to booking external venues, issued on 4 April 2025, makes clear that external venues for away days are only to be used when space in government buildings or zero cost venues is unavailable. When it is absolutely necessary to procure an external venue, departments must do so through established procurement routes. Any expenditure related to away days must demonstrate value for money and adhere to reasonable cost expectations.

Bookings commissioned between 04 July 2024 and 4 April 2025

Bookings commissioned after 4 April 2025

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 58669 on Cabinet Office: Lanyards, what was the (a) artwork and (b) branding on the 6,376 lanyards purchased for £5,069.99.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As was the case under the previous administration, the Cabinet Office issues standard Cabinet Office branded lanyards to staff as a default.

On 6 April, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a ban on unnecessary branded merchandise. Whilst it was agreed that some expenditure on merchandise items is necessary for operational purposes (for example, security lanyards), all of these orders were made prior to this government’s ban on unnecessary branded merchandise.

The (a) artwork and (b) branding for the 6,376 lanyards purchased prior to this ban, stated in Question 58669, is as follows:

• ‘reflex blue plain stock’ lanyards

• blue lanyards with the Cabinet Office crest and the words "College for National Security" printed on them.

• plain purple lanyards, with the Cabinet Office crest and "FS Conference 2024 Committee" printed on them

• lanyards featuring a blue style with white print displaying "Crown Commercial Service" and the Crown logo, with metal hooks for attaching passes

• “Phase 2 Grenfell Tower Inquiry” with lanyards with Team Member printed in black and 2 colour logo to face

• “Government Project Delivery” lanyards printed in full colour to both sides

• “Cabinet Office Digital” lanyards printed in full colour to both sides

• "100 Year Partnership between Ukraine and the UK" lanyards printed with four colour logo

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64568 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what the planned timetable is for the UK Statistics Authority to respond substantively to Part (a) 1 and (b) 2 of the review.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 29th August is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the Government Communications Service has made of the effectiveness of government press offices with large numbers of staff.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Spending Review announced that all departments will reduce their administration budgets by at least 16% in real terms by 2029-30. As part of standard operational management, Cabinet Office regularly reviews the structure, capacity, and performance of communications teams across the department to ensure they are appropriately resourced and configured to meet departmental and cross-government communication needs.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question HL7884 on Government Departments: Advertising, whether government advertising is permitted on the Unherd website.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government uses a range of channels to reach and engage the public. Any use of these platforms is assessed against the high standards for digital safety set out in the Government Communication Service (GCS) SAFE framework. As there has not been an assessment made on the suitability of advertising on Unherd, departments are not permitted to advertise in this way.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62771 on Cabinet Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, if he will publish the invoice for that spending.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer of 15 July, Official Report, PQ 65886.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39576 on Prime Minister: Aviation, how many and what proportion of the Prime Minister's overseas flights used Sustainable Aviation Fuel since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of 21 October 2024, Official Report, PQ 8434.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2025 to Question 63007 on Government Departments: Equality, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the recruitment of a Diversity and Inclusion Manager in her Department.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Recruitment is delegated to departments and the Cabinet Office would not be involved in relation to recruitment within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 47344 on Workplace Pensions: Inheritance Tax, whether MyCSP administers the Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC; and whether there is an annual (a) set of accounts and (b) report for that pension scheme.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

MyCSP currently administers the pension scheme for Keir Starmer QC. Neither an annual set of accounts or a report are provided for this pension scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65874 on Prime Minister: Staff, how many staff work in the Mission Delivery Unit; whether that unit is part of the Prime Minister’s Office business unit; and in which office that unit is based.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

On 1 September the Prime Minister announced changes to the Downing Street operation supporting the government’s next phase of delivery.

The Prime Minister has established a reformed Delivery Unit, led out of Downing Street, to drive forward the Plan for Change.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Civil Service Jobs website advertises job vacancies which allow employees to work from home permanently.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service Jobs website advertises job vacancies on behalf of government departments. The Civil Service currently makes limited use of home-working contracts for certain roles and/or adjustments for people with disabilities.

In October 2024, Heads of Departments agreed that Civil Servants should continue to spend a minimum of 60% of their time in the office.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities in England on the impact of changes to VAT on independent schools on school places.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which includes the government’s estimations of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The TIIN is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected.

Latest published figures confirm that there is additional capacity in the system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places.

Agriculture