Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what specific directions her Department has issued to the Civil Aviation Authority since the publication of the Regulation Action Plan to prevent the introduction of new regulatory or administrative burdens on industry and to reduce existing ones.

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

The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced the 2025 Regulatory Action Plan and the CAA’s role in contributing to the Government’s target of reducing administrative costs to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament.

One of three themes of the Government’s Regulation Action Plan is tackling the complexity and burden of regulation. The CAA is committed to the Plan and have given specific undertakings in relation to it. The Department holds the CAA to account through regular performance reviews which are a key component of the Plan. Whenever regulatory powers for the CAA are created or amended an impact assessment is completed and published to show the consequences for the aviation industry. This is how the Department ensures that all new CAA regulation is proportionate, and better enables the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of CAA regulatory processes on the aviation industry.

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

The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced the 2025 Regulatory Action Plan and the CAA’s role in contributing to the Government’s target of reducing administrative costs to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament.

One of three themes of the Government’s Regulation Action Plan is tackling the complexity and burden of regulation. The CAA is committed to the Plan and have given specific undertakings in relation to it. The Department holds the CAA to account through regular performance reviews which are a key component of the Plan. Whenever regulatory powers for the CAA are created or amended an impact assessment is completed and published to show the consequences for the aviation industry. This is how the Department ensures that all new CAA regulation is proportionate, and better enables the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 123235, whether her Department held discussions with garage owners or representative bodies on the practicality and administrative feasibility of conducting annual electric vehicle mileage checks prior to the announcement of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty at Budget 2025.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, to create a fair tax system whilst also taking steps to ensure that driving an electric vehicle (EV) remains an attractive choice for consumers.

The Government published a consultation which set out further detail on how eVED will work and sought views on its design and implementation. This included a commitment to engage with garages on the costs of mileage checks and MOT fees.

As part of the consultation process, the Government has undertaken a programme of engagement involving a range of stakeholders, including garages, and is committed to continuing to engage closely on the implementation of eVED in the lead up to April 2028. The consultation closed on 18 March 2026. The Government is considering responses and will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122247 on Driving Tests: Vacancies, what assessment her Department has made of the lessons learned from the recruitment of driving examiners via Jobcentre Plus referrals; and whether these lessons are being applied to wider recruitment practices across the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) piloted the Department for Work and Pension's (DWP) Direct Temporary Recruitment scheme at six high‑vacancy driving examiner (DE) locations. From the pilot, DVSA made 37 job offers. Candidates are now undergoing pre-employment checks, and seven have already agreed training start dates.

The pilot was considered successful. DVSA is working with DWP to explore expanding it to more locations and adopting it as a regular recruitment route.

Due to the success of the pilot for DE roles, the approach has also been extended to other hard-to-fill DVSA roles, with job offers currently being made.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Department expects to publish the Accessible Travel Charter.

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

The Department is developing an ambitious Accessible Travel Charter to set clear shared expectations for how transport operators and local authorities will improve accessibility for disabled people.

We expect to launch the Charter by the end of 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Department has concluded its evaluation of the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme to assess its performance and impact.

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

The Department for Transport’s evaluation of the MSRS scheme is continuing and will conclude later in the year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to ensure that horse riders are included within the design and provision of active travel routes; and what alternative arrangements will be available for equestrians where such provision is not made.

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

New or upgraded traffic-free paths or quiet country lanes can be designed to be attractive and safe for equestrians as well as walking, wheeling and cycling although in some situations it may not be possible to accommodate their needs.

Active Travel England is developing its Rural Design Guidance, which will be published later this year, and is currently engaging with relevant stakeholders, including equestrian organisations such as the British Horse Society, Byways and Bridleways Trust and The Trails Trust.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, following the failiure of his Department to respond to my correspondence of 22nd January 2026 regarding an ongoing constituent case, as well as four seperate chases, when he plans to provide a substantive response to my correspondence of 12 March 2026 addressed to him regarding the matter.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Thank you for raising this matter. The department has investigated the case, and we have provided a response on Friday 15 May 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105431, whether the Department will provide an update on the proposed Great British Railways app and website; whether the Department expects to launch a tender process for the app and website; and whether the Department is considering the use of existing white-label software as part of that proposition.

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

The proposition for the Great British Railways retail app and website is still being developed. We expect to launch the tender process in the coming months once the final proposition is confirmed.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in which month Active Travel England plans to publish guidance to help authorities design safer streets for women and girls.

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

On 25^th March, Active Travel England set out its intention to publish guidance during 2026 as part of a programme of work to support authorities to design safer streets for women and girls.

The programme is under development this year with the intention to deliver guidance in a range of formats that are both engaging and easy to adopt. For example, an introductory document on the topic, with associated training for council officers, developers and practitioners, and a revised best practice guide to community consultation and engagement.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 24 April 2026 to Question 127112, when the research to improve understanding of adoption rates will conclude; and whether it will be published.

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

The research report on unadopted roads is currently being finalised. The Government intends to publish the report later this year.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his policy is on linking the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes.

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

The UK and EU agreed to work towards linking their emissions trading schemes, the UK ETS and EU ETS, at the May 2025 UK-EU summit. This was on the basis of the Common Understanding text agreed at that summit.

Linking is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the UK. These include a cheaper path towards decarbonisation by providing businesses with access to a larger, more liquid, stable carbon market. Linking would also create the conditions for mutual Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms exemptions, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential benefits of introducing provision for an embedded (a) mentor and (b) counsellor in every school in England through (i) internal staff and (ii) external providers.

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

The department is currently working to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).

As at March 2025, 52% of pupils and learners were supported by MHSTs (70% of pupils in secondary schools). By April 2026, we estimate that 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England will be covered by an MHST. Latest data on MHST coverage as of March 2026 will be published in due course.

Schools need the freedom to decide which mix of support best meets their pupils’ needs, making best use of their funding. This is why many schools already provide mentoring and counselling, which can play an important role in supporting mental wellbeing. The department has published guidance providing practical, evidence-based advice on offering high-quality school counselling, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/counselling-in-schools.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that HS2 Ltd has appropriate safeguards in place to (a) prevent anti-competitive practices and (b) protect safety-critical workers within the London Tunnels project; and what auditing mechanisms her Department is using to monitor the recruitment and safety standards of labour-only sub-contractors.

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

The Department for Transport (DfT) requires HS2 Ltd to prioritise the health, safety, and wellbeing of its workforce and the public. Safety performance is closely tracked and monitored, and, where performance falls short, remedial action is required. DfT officials work closely with HS2 Ltd to review safety performance, and overall health and safety indicators are reported to and discussed at the Programme Performance Board, attended by DfT and HS2 Ltd senior officials.

Through HS2’s “Safe at Heart” strategy, safety is embedded into all decision-making and operational activities. In all sectors, including the London Tunnels, stringent processes are in place to protect all workers, including occupational health assessments and strict training requirements. Across the programme, comprehensive risk assessments and control processes are regularly reviewed, updated, and assured by HS2 Ltd and its supply chain partners.

To safeguard against anti-competitive practices, HS2 Ltd is subject to and compliant with public procurement legislation and Government policy. This includes publishing direct contract opportunities and clearly defined evaluation criteria to ensure fair treatment of suppliers and equality of opportunity. In accordance with relevant regulations, Conflicts of Interest are formally declared and managed appropriately, and appropriate oversight and documented justification is required for all procurement decisions.

Recruitment practices are governed through individual contractual requirements and form part of wider contract management. HS2 Ltd sets clear expectations for contractors and sub-contractors, particularly in relation to safety. Its whistleblowing policy encourages individuals to raise concerns about unsafe, unethical, or fraudulent behaviour, which are then investigated by an independent team, in line with relevant legislation.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the expected date is for the commencement of on-site works at Bransty Tunnel, and what the expected date is for the full reopening of the Cumbrian Coast Line at Bransty Tunnel.

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

Network Rail has set up a dedicated Whitehaven Recovery Taskforce to address flooding and structural issues at Bransty Tunnel linked to historic mining activity. Detailed inspections are complete, and a permanent repair solution has been independently verified and is ready to be delivered.

Network Rail is working closely with the Mining Remediation Authority and the Environment Agency, in relation to the environmental permitting requirements, so that water pollution issues that are leading to the issues in Whitehaven Harbour can be addressed alongside the repairs to Bransty Tunnel. Construction work is expected to take six to nine months to complete once the necessary permits have been secured.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many journeys have been undertaken by Ministers on the RAF 32 Squadron Dassault Falcon 900LX executive jet for official travel since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The government publishes details of Ministerial travel on gov.uk through the Cabinet Office’s Ministers Transparency Publications, which can be viewed here: Cabinet Office: ministers' transparency publications - GOV.UK

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen sanctions enforcement against vessels, operators, insurers and service providers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We recently enhanced our powers to impose additional prohibitions when sanctioning vessels, including prohibitions of certain services, including insurance services, relating to specified ships. Our sanctions form one part of our broader efforts to tackle the shadow fleet. We assess that our efforts, alongside our partners, have contributed to an estimated 200 oil tankers ceasing their trade. These unused ships are costing Putin and his war effort billions in wasted funds.

Energy Conservation