Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
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 requirement for A2 licence holders to retake both Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests in order to progress to a full category A licence on (a) test waiting times, (b) training costs for riders, and (c) the availability of training providers willing to offer partial training courses; and whether her department plans to introduce a progressive access route based on structured training and assessment.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The current motorcycle licensing regime requires riders seeking to progress from category A2 to category A through the licence upgrade route to successfully complete both Module 1 and Module 2 practical tests.
The Department has not identified evidence that this requirement is creating significant pressures on motorcycle test waiting times, nor evidence of a shortage of approved training providers willing to deliver the training required for riders progressing from A2 to A licences.
While riders will incur additional training and test fees when progressing to a full category A licence, the current arrangements are intended to ensure that riders demonstrate the higher level of skills and competencies required to ride larger and more powerful motorcycles.
The Government recently consulted on proposals for motorcycle licensing reform, including options for a progressive access route based on structured training and assessment. The consultation closed on 11 May 2026, and the responses are currently being analysed. Further information about the consultation is available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to protect Surrey’s Steps to Change hub.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
In the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, we have committed to expanding access to tailored interventions for domestic abuse and stalking perpetrators across England and Wales.
The Home Office has launched a £74.5 million competition for the Domestic Abuse and Stalking Perpetrator Intervention Fund which will provide funding over two and a half years (until 31 March 2029).
The competition is open to all Police and Crime Commissioners, and includes interventions tailored to different domestic abuse and stalking perpetrator cohorts and for the first time, ringfenced funding for interventions for children who use harm.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department is taking to help improve local authorities’ children’s services a) across the country and b) where children’s services teams are being transferred to new local authorities as a result of local government reorganisation.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
We are delivering the biggest overhaul of children’s social care in a generation, investing significantly to support local authorities to improve services for children and families. Through the £2.4 billion Families First Partnership programme, we are helping local authorities strengthen early intervention, family help and child protection services. Earlier this year, we passed the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which includes landmark measures to help families stay together, keep children safe, and support children in the care system to thrive.
Throughout the local government reorganisation process, it is essential that local authorities continue to deliver their children’s services and duties. The department provides targeted support to local authorities through our Improvement and Intervention Programme, including expert advisers, children’s social care improvement teams and special educational needs and disabilities sector-led improvement partnerships. Our regional teams will work closely with the new unitary local authorities on the support necessary for strong children’s services.
Asked by: Will Forster (Liberal Democrat - Woking)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her department has assessed how local authorities' interpretations of blue badge regulations differ.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department has not conducted an assessment of how local authorities' interpretations of Blue Badge regulations differ. The Department expects all local authorities to comply with the relevant Blue Badge legislation.
Within that framework, local authorities are responsible for determining and implementing the administrative, assessment, and enforcement procedures they consider to be in accordance with the governing legislation.