Topical Questions 2026-01-08

2026-01-08

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Baggy Shanker Lab/Co-op
Derby South
Context
Constituents are frustrated with long waiting times for driving tests, which causes their theory certificates to expire, requiring them to retake the test.
Many constituents tell me how fed up they are with the long waiting times for driving tests. By the time they secure a practical test, their theory certificate has expired, forcing them to pay again. What steps will the Minister take to help people who cannot afford to pay for another test?
By law, theory tests certificates are valid for two years, for road safety reasons, to ensure that road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date when the individual takes their practical test. The Government have no plans to change that. My focus remains on driving down test waiting times once and for all, so that we are never in this situation.
Assessment & feedback
Steps to help those who cannot afford retaking the theory test due to long waiting times were not addressed.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Peter Prinsley Lab
Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Context
There are hazardous rail crossings on the east-west line between Ipswich and Cambridge, including at Thurston.
There remain several hazardous crossings on the busy east-west line between Ipswich and Cambridge, including at Thurston, where pedestrians are obliged to walk across the track. Does the Secretary of State agree that we must support all initiatives to improve the safety of such crossings?
I do agree. I am pleased to hear that progress has been made in one location, but our ambition to improve safety in and around the rail network does not stop there.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Andrew Cooper Lab
Mid Cheshire
Context
Middlewich railway station closed 66 years ago, and students have asked about reopening the station.
Sixty-six years ago this week, the last regular passenger train called at Middlewich railway station, drawing to a close 92 years of passenger rail travel from the town. A number of students from Middlewich high school have written to me to ask whether the Government would consider reopening the station, and Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington undertook considerable work under the Restoring Your Railway scheme. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the merits of bringing back railway services to the largest town in Cheshire without a station, and restore that vital connection to Manchester, Crewe and beyond?
I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend. How can I resist the invitation to do so when he has been contacted by the next generation about the importance of improving our rail network? I look forward to our discussion.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Ben Goldsborough Lab
South Norfolk
Context
Wymondham railway station is a focus for improving accessibility.
Consider this a pincer movement from South Norfolk to talk about Wymondham railway station and Access for All. I have already had a productive meeting with the Minister for Rail this week. Will the Secretary of State help me to bang some heads together with Network Rail to ensure that we shorten the sidings so that Wyndham station can provide easy access for all?
My hon. Friend has spoken to me and the Minister for Rail about Wymondham accessibility issues. I thank him for his hugely pragmatic and practical approach to working out how we can fund an affordable scheme there. I will say more about the Access for All programme in the coming weeks, and I will be sure to stay in touch with him on that particular issue.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy