Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2026 to Question 15858 on Network Rail: Biodiversity, which sites or projects do the standard licenses for (a) badgers, (b) bats, (c) great crested wewts, (d) hazel dormice and (e) roman snails relate to.

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

As protected species can be vulnerable to disturbance, persecution or collection Network Rail does not publicly publish a project or site list of where its protected species licences apply.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2026 to Question 16088 on Department for Transport: India, what the (a) destination and (b) cost to the public purse was of each of the 12 additional journeys approved from the Department's overseas posting in New Delhi under the qualifying hardship post policy since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport follows the hardship policy set by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, including the entitlement to additional journeys. Since 4 July 2024, 12 additional journeys have been approved from the Department's overseas posting in New Delhi under this policy. The cost to the public purse is limited to flights only.

The destinations and costs were:

The total cost of all additional journeys was £7,270.70.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2026 to Question 14939 on Large Goods Vehicles: Electric Vehicles, what use cases her Department considered when assessing the purchase price differential between diesel heavy goods vehicles and equivalent zero-emission heavy goods vehicles.

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

The assessment of purchase price differential was made by comparing zero-emission HGVs with diesel equivalents across the main heavy goods vehicle weight categories eligible for the Zero Emission Truck Grant, including rigid trucks from above 4.25 tonnes to 12 tonnes, above 12 tonnes to 18 tonnes, above 18 tonnes to 26 tonnes, and both rigid and articulated trucks above 26 tonnes.

Operational assumptions such as average annual mileage are relevant to total cost of ownership analysis, rather than to the upfront purchase price differential itself.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to WPQ 17035, on what date will the Masterplan for Euston be published.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the Answer of 16 July 2026 to Written question 16520.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to WPQ 17032, at what level are the charges expected to be set for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The level of charges has not yet been set and is subject to ongoing analysis and development of the project. Under the Regulated Asset Base model, which is the government’s preferred funding structure for Lower Thames Crossing, the charge levels will be set to cover the economic and efficient costs of service provision, including a fair return on investment for the private sector, with a regulator in place to protect user interests.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria she will use when considering requests by Drax Power Station to supply electricity directly to data centres under future support arrangements.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The low-carbon dispatchable Contract for Difference (LCD CfD) signed with Drax Power Station for the period 2027-31 contains a provision for the generator to request the ability to provide up to 500MW of power to a data centre via a private wire.

The Government, in conjunction with the Low Carbon Contracts Company as the CfD counterparty, will assess any such request against criteria that take account of energy security, affordability and sustainability, to ensure that any decision is in the interests of the consumer.

All power generated by Drax during this period – whether for the grid or a data centre – must use fuel which complies with the strengthened sustainability criteria set out in the LCD CfD.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether information arising from the Drax whistleblower case has informed the development of future biomass sustainability monitoring and reporting requirements.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government keeps arrangements for assuring compliance with biomass sustainability requirements under review and is committed to a process of continuous improvement in biomass sustainability standards, compliance, and verification.

This includes considering lessons from Ofgem’s extensive 2024 investigation into Drax’s sustainability reporting and the recently completed global audit of Drax’s biomass supply chain which Ofgem required Drax to conduct and fund. Reporting and verification arrangements have been strengthened under the new contract with Drax from 2027-31, including enhanced audit rights for the Low Carbon Contracts Company.

These lessons will also inform the forthcoming Common Biomass Sustainability Framework, which will strengthen sustainability criteria and ensure greater consistency across sectors in the longer term.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether any review has been undertaken of biomass sustainability verification procedures following allegations raised in the Drax whistleblower case.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government keeps arrangements for assuring compliance with biomass sustainability requirements under review and is committed to a process of continuous improvement in biomass sustainability standards, compliance, and verification.

This includes considering lessons from Ofgem’s extensive 2024 investigation into Drax’s sustainability reporting and the recently completed global audit of Drax’s biomass supply chain which Ofgem required Drax to conduct and fund. Reporting and verification arrangements have been strengthened under the new contract with Drax from 2027-31, including enhanced audit rights for the Low Carbon Contracts Company.

These lessons will also inform the forthcoming Common Biomass Sustainability Framework, which will strengthen sustainability criteria and ensure greater consistency across sectors in the longer term.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs,  what the total expenditure on additional journeys for civil servants serving at qualifying hardship posts has been since 4 July 2024, broken down by department.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary schools she estimates will receive less funding for PE and school sport under the Sport Partnerships Network than they would have received through the Primary PE and Sport Premium.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay to the answer of 21 August to Question 11571.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to respond to the Rt hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay's letter of 7 July 2026.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

I can confirm that a response to the letter of 7 July 2026 from the Rt hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay was sent on 04 September.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2026 to Question 12083 on Railway Stations: Construction, which organisations hold records of the original approved budgets and final outturn costs for completed rail station construction projects since 2020.

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

The records of approved budgets and final outturn costs for completed station construction projects since 2020 will be held across a variety of organisations depending on the project sponsor and funder.

While records are usually held by Network Rail, records may also be held in addition by the Department for Transport for schemes receiving central government funding; Treasury for major projects; Devolved Governments, for Scottish and Welsh stations; local and combined authorities, for regional project, and train operators where an improvement was to a station they manage and where they contributed to the funding.

Such records may also be held by third parties not directly involved in project funding such as the National Audit Office and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of staffing and resources at the Civil Aviation Authority, in the context of delivering timely certification of new aviation products and technologies.

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

To fulfil the State of Design obligations and appropriately meet demand for certification activity from UK industry, the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) certification function has been subject to substantial planned growth since EU Exit. The time taken to complete certification applications is not reliant solely on the CAA's resourcing and ability to respond and is also highly dependent on the applicant organisation's submissions, delivery of data and responsiveness to queries.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2026 to Question 16609 on Aviation: UK Emissions Trading Scheme, if she will publish the (a) low, (b) central and (c) high scenarios modelled for the impact of UK ETS allowance prices on the cost of domestic flights between 2026 and 2050.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has not published and has no current plans to publish estimates of the impact of UK Emissions Trading Scheme allowance prices on the cost of UK domestic flights between 2026 and 2050.

As set out in the answer previously provided to the hon. Member, the Department publishes traded carbon values for modelling purposes, which provide scenario-based projections of future carbon prices rather than forecasts. Owing to the uncertainty associated with long-term carbon price projections and emissions, any estimates of future impacts on air fares would be subject to significant uncertainty.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2026 to Question 16636 on Department for Transport: Public Relations, how much was spent on 23rd's work on the Electric Vehicles campaign, and what services that expenditure covered.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The expenditure on 23red’s work for the Electric Vehicles campaign was met from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget for the Clean Energy Mission campaign. 23red is engaged primarily as a partnership agency supporting delivery of campaign partnerships and stakeholder engagement activity.

The Electric Vehicles campaign forms part of the wider cross-government Clean Energy communications programme to make the UK a clean energy superpower, which is led by DESNZ in partnership with the Department for Transport.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 13 July 2026 to Question 16636 on Department for Transport: Public Relations, from which Department's budget the expenditure on 23red's work for the Electric Vehicles campaign was met.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The expenditure on 23red’s work for the Electric Vehicles campaign was met from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s budget for the Clean Energy Mission campaign. 23red is engaged primarily as a partnership agency supporting delivery of campaign partnerships and stakeholder engagement activity.

The Electric Vehicles campaign forms part of the wider cross-government Clean Energy communications programme to make the UK a clean energy superpower, which is led by DESNZ in partnership with the Department for Transport.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2026 to Question 16600 on Department for Transport: Public Relations, if she will place in the Library a copy of each live public relations contract held by the Department and its arm's length bodies; and, with reference to paragraph 234 of the Government's Guide To Parliamentary Work, if she will provide the direct Contracts Finder or Find a Tender hyperlink for each such contract.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Given the commercial sensitivity of contracting with suppliers, we do not routinely publish contracts in the House of Commons Library. However, high level information on the purpose and value of contracts awarded by the Department and its arm’s length bodies, above the relevant thresholds, are found on the Government’s Contracts Finder/Find a Tender service.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 12808 on High Speed 2 Line, what is meant by the term ultimately.

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

The Government set out its intentions clearly in its press release of 14 January 2026 -

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/northern-powerhouse-rail-to-drive-biggest-travel-upgrade-in-the-north-in-a-generation

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 Civil Aviation Authority certification times on investment, innovation and growth in the aerospace sector.

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

The 2023 Independent Review of the CAA included significant stakeholder engagement and made recommendations to improve the CAA's service delivery. In response, the CAA launched its Customer Experience and Modernisation Programme to modernise key regulatory processes and improve customer experience.

This Government and the CAA will continue to ensure that the regulatory framework supports innovation and growth, while maintaining the UK's high safety standards.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 16599 on National Highways: Expenditure, if she will place a copy of the contract with Lexington referred to in that Answer in the Library.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Given the commercial sensitivity of contracting with suppliers, National Highways does not routinely publish its contracts in the House of Commons Library. Details of all contracts awarded by the Department and its arm’s length bodies above the relevant thresholds are published on the Government’s Contracts Finder service. This includes information on the value and purpose of each contract.

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 Policy paper ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership: plan of action 2027 to 2031, of 22nd July 2026, how he plans to prioritise the UK’s relationship with China; and what steps he is taking to ensure that his policy on human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong is not adversely impacted.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We engage with China where there are clear UK and global interests, including on international stability, climate, health and bolstering our trade relationship. This includes engagement on the areas where we disagree, and we will continue to stand firm on human rights and our historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will publish a readout of his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 23 July 2026.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of long-term cooperation on global issues, including de-escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and pushing Russia to end their invasion of Ukraine. He also raised the ongoing imprisonment of Jimmy Lai - a matter of the utmost importance to the UK Government. The Government's policy towards China remains consistent and long term, we will cooperate when we can and challenge when we must.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to bring forward legislative changes to permit the electronic recording of domestic drivers’ hours to be recognised as the true record of activity.

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

The Drivers’ Hours (Goods Vehicles) (Keeping of Records) Regulations 1987 prescribe the form and completion of records used to demonstrate compliance with the GB domestic drivers’ hours rules, including a requirement for entries to be made in writing. The department is considering whether electronic records could provide an alternative means of recording compliance, but no decision has been taken on whether to bring forward legislative changes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on reform of the operator licensing regime for road freight operators; and when she expects to publish further detail on proposed changes.

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

My department is considering the Goods Vehicle Operator Licensing regime to ensure it remains effective, proportionate and supports a safe and competitive road freight sector. Work is ongoing to consider potential reforms to operator licensing requirements and associated regulatory processes, although there is currently no fixed timetable for any reform.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) revenue, (b) cost and (c) net profit was for on-board catering services, including buffet and trolley services, for (i) London North Eastern Railway, (ii) Northern Trains, (iii) Southeastern, (iv) TransPennine Express, (v) South Western Railway, (vi) c2c, (vii) Greater Anglia, (viii) West Midlands Trains, (ix) Govia Thameslink Railway, (x) Chiltern Railways, (xi) Great Western Railway, (xii) East Midlands Railway, (xiii) Avanti West Coast and (xiv) CrossCountry in each financial year from 2022-23 to 2025-26.

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

The Department does not hold centrally a complete, consistently defined breakdown of the revenue, costs and net profit associated specifically with on-board catering services for each operator and financial year requested. Some of this information is held by individual operators or their catering contractors and is commercially sensitive.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the extension of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to maritime on defence manufacturing businesses on the Isle of Wight.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme expanded to include maritime emissions earlier this year.

The Scheme applies to ship owners and operators, who are responsible for monitoring and reporting emissions from in-scope activities and surrendering allowances.

This expansion does not place obligations on manufacturing businesses, including those in the defence sector.

An Impact Assessment was published on 25 November 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his department will consult on changes to VAT on taxi and private hire fares.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

Private hire vehicle (PHV) services provided by VAT-registered businesses are, and always have been, subject to the standard rate of VAT (20%).

At Budget 2025 the Government announced that it would put an end to the use of a VAT administration scheme, designed for the tour operator sector, by a small number of large private hire vehicle operators seeking to pay a lower rate of VAT than others. These changes came into force on 2 January 2026.

This does not affect smaller operators outside London whose drivers contract directly with passengers, or black cabs, neither of which have attempted to make use of this scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether cyclists are legally obliged to stop at a zebra crossing across a cycle track at a floating bus stop.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As set out in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, drivers and cyclists must give way to any pedestrians already on a zebra crossing. This includes crossings across cycle tracks at floating bus stops. Failure to give way is an offence enforceable by the police.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of local authority parking charges based on vehicle dimensions on households requiring larger vehicles due to family size.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local traffic authorities are responsible for developing parking policies that balance the needs of different road users.

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 the European Commission's proposal to extend the EU Emissions Trading Scheme on the competitiveness of UK airlines and airports.

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

We are monitoring developments regarding the EU ETS with interest, particularly given the context of ongoing negotiations to link the UK ETS and EU ETS. These are initial proposals and subject to consideration and potential amendment by the Council and the European Parliament before any final agreement is reached. We continue to assess the implications of these proposals for the UK, and remain committed to supporting a thriving and competitive aviation sector whilst emissions are reduced.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he had with the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting; and whether he raised the case of Jimmy Lai.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Jimmy Lai's case continues to be a priority for this government. The Foreign Secretary discussed a range of bilateral and international issues with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 23 July, including Mr Lai's ongoing imprisonment. Direct engagement matters because it allows us to raise issues of the utmost importance to the UK and push for progress.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July to Question 18171 on Furnaces: Port Talbot, whether his Department had discussions with Tata on the country of origin of the electric arc furnace.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department engages regularly with Tata Steel on matters relating to the Port Talbot transition project to electric arc furnace steelmaking. Procurement decisions, including decisions on the sourcing and manufacture of equipment, are commercial matters for Tata Steel.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has spent through the Access to Work scheme on (a) taxi journeys and (b) other private hire vehicle journeys in each of the last three years; and, for those journeys, what the total value was of (i) contributions made by Access to Work and (ii) personal contributions made by recipients.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Although the Department holds information on the specific types of support funded through Access to Work, this data is recorded as descriptive free-text information and extracting it would require manual review of individual records, incurring disproportionate cost.

Statistics on Access to Work expenditure by readily available element and support worker categories are published annually in Table EXP02 of the Access to Work official statistics: Access to Work statistics: April 2007 to March 2025 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Office of Rail and Road on Lumo’s application for a new direct rail service between Rochdale and London Euston.

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

Under existing legislation, decisions on applications for track access rights are a matter for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). This includes Lumo's application to operate direct services between Rochdale and London Euston.

The Secretary of State is unable to direct the ORR in the exercise of its statutory functions. As part of its regular engagement with the rail industry, the Department has discussions with the ORR on a range of relevant rail matters. However, responsibility for determining individual track access applications rests solely with the ORR.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much (a) capital funding and (b) maintenance funding Active Travel England has allocated to each local authority since its establishment.

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

The breakdown of information by Local Authority is published on gov.uk under Active Travel Fund (ATF), Consolidated Active Travel Fund (CATF), and devolved consolidated and integrated funding allocations for the Spending Review 2025 period, available at the following links:

• ATF4, ATF4E and ATF5 (2022/23 to 2024/25): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-active-travel-fund-local-transport-authority-allocations/emergency-active-travel-fund-total-indicative-allocations
• CATF (2025/26): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consolidated-active-travel-fund-local-transport-authority-allocations/consolidated-active-travel-fund-final-allocations
• Devolved funding (2026/27 to 2029/30): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/active-travel-local-transport-authority-allocations/active-travel-local-transport-authority-allocations

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of physical measures to prevent pedestrians from accessing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing; and whether National Highways has plans to install additional barriers, fencing or other access control measures.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognising the profound impact suicide has on individuals, families and communities, National Highways is committed to strengthening its role in suicide prevention. National Highways’ approach focuses on identifying locations of concern, implementing appropriate interventions where possible and working collaboratively with partners to help save lives. The Dartford Crossing has physical measures in place against unauthorised access and is closely monitored by CCTV. From the start of 2021 to 31 August 2026, the Operator has recorded 49 incidents of pedestrians accessing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. National Highways has been reviewing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge for suicide prevention, including engagement with experts and stakeholders, and is working to identify further safety interventions for consideration. National Highways makes decisions regarding barriers and other physical interventions on a case-by-case basis, guided by established design standards and a risk-based approach.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2026 to Question 13566 on Transport: Planning Permission, if she will publish a list of legislative and statutory requirements that apply to the planning and construction of roads.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government does not maintain, and does not plan to publish, a single consolidated list of all legislative and statutory requirements that apply to the planning and construction of roads.

Doing so would be disproportionate and would duplicate information already available through legislation.gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to WPQ 18160, how many of the driving tests for D1 licenses that were conducted in each year were for people a.) 24 and under b.) 25 and over, when taking the test.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The table below shows the number of conducted D1 driving tests by customers aged 24 and under, and 25 and over. This data is also split by tests conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and by delegated examiners.

Please note that this data does not include tests for non-GB licence holders for whom their age is not known. This means there may be slight variations between the totals in the above table and the total number of tests provided in Answer 18160.

By way of context, the lower number of D1 tests conducted for candidates aged 24 and under is considered to reflect the level of demand from that age group. In addition, D1 is a vocational entitlement, and the minimum age is generally 21.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many incidents involving pedestrians accessing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing have been recorded in each of the last five years; and what estimate she has made of the average duration of traffic disruption resulting from such incidents.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognising the profound impact suicide has on individuals, families and communities, National Highways is committed to strengthening its role in suicide prevention. National Highways’ approach focuses on identifying locations of concern, implementing appropriate interventions where possible and working collaboratively with partners to help save lives. The Dartford Crossing has physical measures in place against unauthorised access and is closely monitored by CCTV. From the start of 2021 to 31 August 2026, the Operator has recorded 49 incidents of pedestrians accessing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. National Highways has been reviewing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge for suicide prevention, including engagement with experts and stakeholders, and is working to identify further safety interventions for consideration. National Highways makes decisions regarding barriers and other physical interventions on a case-by-case basis, guided by established design standards and a risk-based approach.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what suicide prevention measures are in place at the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing; what assessment she has made of their effectiveness; and whether any further measures are under consideration.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognising the profound impact suicide has on individuals, families and communities, National Highways is committed to strengthening its role in suicide prevention. National Highways’ approach focuses on identifying locations of concern, implementing appropriate interventions where possible and working collaboratively with partners to help save lives. The Dartford Crossing has physical measures in place against unauthorised access and is closely monitored by CCTV. From the start of 2021 to 31 August 2026, the Operator has recorded 49 incidents of pedestrians accessing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. National Highways has been reviewing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge for suicide prevention, including engagement with experts and stakeholders, and is working to identify further safety interventions for consideration. National Highways makes decisions regarding barriers and other physical interventions on a case-by-case basis, guided by established design standards and a risk-based approach.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 11466 on Driving Tests: Swindon, for how many months since 4 July 2024 the published practical driving test waiting time at Swindon Driving Test Centre has been the maximum published waiting time of 24 weeks.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The newly published data-sets, referenced in the Answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 11466, provide this data for driving test centres (DTC), including for Swindon DTC and other DTCs serving the area.

This information can be found on GOV.UK in data-set DRT122F.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2026 to Question 8600 on Driving Tests: Offices, how many driving examiners were assigned to each driving test centre before it (a) closed and (b) ceased conducting practical car driving tests; and how many of those examiners were redeployed to another driving test centre by destination driving test centre and date of redeployment.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The table below shows how many permanent driving examiners (DE) were conducting car practical driving tests, at each driving test centre, before it either closed or ceased conducting car practical driving tests. This also includes the locations and dates of where and when those examiners were redeployed to or if they left the agency.

No DEs were permanently based at Plymouth LGV test centre, DEs were deployed from other test centres depending on demand at Plymouth LGV test centre.

As noted in Answer of 8 June 2026 to Question 4297, some driving test centres conduct more than one category of test.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s remarks on security considerations and economic and trade issues; and whether he discussed those remarks during their meeting in July.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary discussed a range of bilateral and international issues with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 23 July. The Government's policy towards China remains consistent and long term. We will cooperate when we can and challenge when we must.

China will continue to play a vital role in supporting the UK's secure growth. It is currently equivalent to our third largest trading partner in goods, after the EU and the US, and the economic relationship supports over 370,000 British jobs. We are taking a consistent, long term and strategic approach to economic relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 August 2026 to Question 18165 on Department for Transport: Carbon Emissions, when the Greening Government Commitments 2025–2030 will be (a) finalised and (b) published.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government has not set a publication date for new Greening Government Commitments. Departments are expected to continue to take action to improve their impact on the environment.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what criteria her Department will use to determine whether Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage at Drax represents value for money.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

No final decisions around the deployment of large-scale BECCS projects have been made. Any potential projects must go through due process in a CCUS allocation round including eligibility checks, assessment, and due diligence ahead of any project-specific decisions.

If government decides to explore a support agreement with any generator to enable its conversion to power BECCS, we will examine their costs and projected revenues in detail to determine what would be a proportionate and justified arrangement that provides value for money for consumers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) maintenance, (b) renewal and (c) enhancement shifts were undertaken by Network Rail in each of the last three financial years, excluding work undertaken as part of the TransPennine Route Upgrade.

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

Network Rail does not hold this information centrally as it is held at a local level by teams and locations across the country.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2026 to Question 15004 on Airports: Fees and Charges, what modelling or projections her Department has undertaken of the potential impact of Government requirements relating to airport surface access on (a) airport drop-off charges and (b) airport parking charges.

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

UK airports are responsible for developing and maintaining their own surface access strategies in collaboration with local communities and stakeholders, reflecting local needs, transport networks and future development plans. In some cases, specific surface access targets may be considered through the planning process as part of airport expansion proposals.

Assessing the impact of surface access measures would generally be a matter for the airport operator and, where relevant, the planning authority.

However, the Government recognises concerns about the impact of airport drop-off charges on airport users and we are considering how any such review of this might be taken forward.

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