Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is able to challenge the outcomes of National Highways' grading inspections.

The second Road Investment Strategy (2020-25) includes a litter performance indicator which measures the percentage of the SRN where litter is graded at B or above under the Litter Code of Practice. Both the Department and the independent Highways Monitor (the Office for Rail and Road) regularly monitor performance against this litter indicator and discuss with National Highways how performance can continuously be improved. National Highways is committed to reporting annually against this indicator and the performance for 22/23 will be known in the Summer. The Department does not challenge National Highways on specific outcomes of individual inspections.