Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory requirement for 20mph speed limits outside schools in England; and whether her Department plans to move from guidance-based arrangements to a mandatory national standard for school zones.

The Government recognises the importance of road safety around schools.

Local highway authorities are responsible for setting local speed limits and are best placed to assess road safety risks in their areas, including around schools, taking account of local circumstances and evidence. The Department provides guidance to support these decisions.

The Department's current approach is to support local authorities in determining the most appropriate measures for their areas, including around schools, rather than prescribing a national requirement for specific speed limits.