Topical Questions

2026-06-11

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Alex Ballinger Lab
Halesowen
Context
Residents in Halesowen have raised safety concerns about the dangerous use of modified e-bikes and e-scooters, particularly affecting older people due to reckless behavior.
I have been contacted by a number of residents including Stuart from Quarry Bank and Stephanie from Homer Hill about the dangerous use of modified e-bikes and e-scooters in parks across the constituency. Older people are particularly worried about youths riding dangerously without thought for road conditions. Will the Secretary of State set out what steps she is taking to help to improve safety and reduce the dangerous use of these modified e-bikes and e-scooters?
E-bikes that are modified to go over 15.5 mph are illegal. We continue to support the police with the tools they need to enforce road traffic legislation. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 has given the police stronger powers to seize vehicles used antisocially without first requiring a warning and has introduced new respect orders, enabling police and councils to ban persistent offenders from areas where they cause harm.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Greg Smith Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Context
There is a significant increase in the average waiting time for driving tests, with more than two-thirds of driving test centres having a maximum wait time of 24 weeks. The current instructor recruitment conversion rate is only 4%.
More than two thirds of driving test centres have a maximum 24-week waiting time, and the average waiting time for a test is 22.3 weeks—a month longer than in July '24. For all the Government's talk of recruiting new examiners, the instructor recruitment conversion rate is just 4%. When will the Government stop talking about taking action and actually get a grip of the driving test wait time crisis?
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is continuing driving examiner recruitment, with 1,577 full-time driving examiners in May 2026—an increase of 147 compared with May 2025, when there were 1,430 full-time equivalents.
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide a timeline or concrete actions beyond current recruitment efforts and avoids addressing the specific conversion rate issue raised by the MP.
Under Review Continuing
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Andrew Lewin Lab
Welwyn Hatfield
Context
Trains from all five of Welwyn Hatfield's stations are now under public control, with fast trains running between Welwyn North and London King's Cross.
It is a good time to be a commuter in Welwyn Hatfield. Trains from all five of our stations are now back under public control, and we have fast trains from Welwyn North to London King's Cross, which have been a big success. We are right on track. However, does the Secretary of State agree that it is really important to support commuters all across my wonderful constituency and that we should look at all options for increasing the number of trains serving Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City, especially during peak time?
The Government expect all parts of the new, publicly owned railway to plan services and timetables to meet expected passenger demand while maximising value for the taxpayer. A certain predecessor of my hon. Friend used to talk a good game on better rail services, but it is a fact that constituents had to wait until my hon. Friend was elected as their Labour Member of Parliament to get a Government who are prepared to put words into action.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not directly address the need for increasing train services but instead criticized her predecessor.
Criticising Opposition
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Olly Glover Lib Dem
Didcot and Wantage
Context
The current cycling and walking investment strategy includes a target for 55% of trips to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035.
The current cycling and walking investment strategy includes a target for 55% of trips to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2035. Is the Secretary of State confident that there is a realistic plan with sufficient funding to achieve that target?
Unlike the previous Government, who took £200 million out of the active travel budget, this Government are putting £600 million into improving walking and cycling and ensuring safer routes to school and safer crossings more generally. We are making sure that we invest in safe infrastructure to enable more people to walk and cycle more often.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not confirm confidence in the plan or specific funding allocation for achieving the 55% target by 2035, but discussed overall investment plans.
Under Review Investing
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Joe Powell Lab
Kensington and Bayswater
Context
There are concerns about safety, antisocial parking, and pedestrian crossings being ignored due to dockless e-bikes. Lime bike leg injuries and hit-and-run incidents have also been reported.
We are seeing Lime bike leg injuries, antisocial parking, and pedestrian crossings being ignored—and one constituent of mine has even had multiple surgeries after a hit and run by a child on a hacked Lime bike. Every week the costs to the NHS and local authorities soar, while profits for the venture capitalists in California who started these companies go through the roof. I am really keen to see safer cycling in London—I am a keen cyclist myself—so will the Minister set out when the really important new regulations for the dockless e-bike sector will kick in for Londoners?
I, too, want to see more cycling in London, and in towns and cities across the UK. Dockless cycles are one way to support that aim. We want to empower local leaders to shape shared cycle schemes so that they can deliver the greatest possible benefits and mitigate any possible issues. We will introduce local licensing regulations and guidance in the coming months.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister acknowledged the need for regulations but did not provide a specific timeline or details about upcoming measures.
Under Review Local Leaders
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Ashley Fox Con
Bridgwater
Context
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's decision to discontinue hourly payments to volunteer rescue coastguards threatens the safety of coastal communities, as it may lead to fewer volunteers.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's decision to discontinue hourly payments to volunteer rescue coastguards threatens the safety of Burnham-on-Sea in my constituency and coastal communities around the country. It is inevitable that fewer people will be able to volunteer to assist the coastguard if they cannot be reimbursed for time lost off work. The Minister will be aware that this decision follows a recent Court of Appeal case, so what steps will he take to ensure that the judgment does not lead to a reduction in the number of willing volunteers who keep our coast safe for residents and tourists?
The hon. Gentleman is right that the Court of Appeal's judgment made clear that the current arrangements could not continue, but we are committed to protecting volunteers who preserve a valuable form of public service. The revised model protects choice, flexibility and the ability for people to serve alongside their primary employment.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific steps or timeline to prevent volunteer decline; instead focused on protection measures.
Committed Protecting
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Wes Streeting Lab
Ilford North
Context
The Broadmead Road bridge in Ilford has been closed for safety reasons, causing disruption. The cost of repairs is beyond what the London borough can afford.
The Minister has seen at first hand the disruption and misery caused by the closure of the Broadmead Road bridge for safety reasons. He will also be aware from his visit that the cost of repairs dwarfs what the London borough of Redbridge is able to afford. What support can the Department for Transport provide to make sure that the bridge is reopened, while minimising disruption to the Central line during the repair works, so that we can get Redbridge moving again?
As my right hon. Friend mentioned, I have seen at first hand the impact that the bridge's closure is having on the local community. We announced a structures fund to support rundown bridges, decaying flyovers and worn-out tunnels. Local authorities have until early August to apply for this investment, and the Department is already engaging with Redbridge council on its application.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify what type of support or how it would minimise disruption during repair works.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Will Forster Lib Dem
Woking
Context
Delays and cancellations on the South Western Railway network are significant, with nationalisation not going to plan. Last week's inquiry revealed that key performance indicators were lacking.
Delays and cancellations on the South Western Railway network are horrendous. Nationalisation has not gone to plan. Last week I asked the Leader of the House why that is the case, and he said that we do not need a debate on it because he expects things to improve. Please can the Secretary of State tell the House what key performance indicators the Government are using to measure success?
I speak regularly with the new integrated managing director of South Western, Lawrence Bowman, to ensure that he is doing absolutely everything that he can, from both a train operations and an infrastructure management perspective, to bear down on the disruption that the hon. Gentleman's constituents have had to experience. I accept that over the last year, performance at South Western Railway has not been up to scratch, but I assure him that we will leave no stone unturned in making sure that his constituents have a better travel experience in future.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific KPIs for measuring success, only stated efforts to improve performance.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Ruth Cadbury Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Context
The Transport Committee report highlighted out-of-area working as a concern in the inquiry into taxis and private hire licensing. This issue was also highlighted by Baroness Casey's report on group-based sexual exploitation.
Yesterday, the Transport Committee published the report on our inquiry into taxis and private hire licensing. Out-of-area working was a significant issue of concern in much of the evidence we received and for many of our witnesses, and the issue was also highlighted in Baroness Casey's report on group-based sexual exploitation released last year. What are the Government doing to restrict out-of-area working for taxis and private hire vehicles?
My hon. Friend raises an important issue. She will be aware that we have already legislated to establish national standards and to reform the way that enforcement action can be taken against private hire drivers and vehicles, no matter where they are licensed. Those standards will provide a robust framework to make sure that people are safe wherever they live, work or travel. I believe that drivers and operators should be licensed where they intend to provide services. We are bringing forward a draft taxi and private hire vehicle Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny in this Session, and I would be grateful for the expertise of my hon. Friend's Committee in looking at that. We want to look at the issue of out-of-area working holistically to make sure that we do not reduce the availability of private hire services for everyone, while also making sure that we have very high standards in place.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete actions being taken currently to restrict out-of-area working; instead outlined future intentions.
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Lincoln Jopp Con
Spelthorne
Context
The NPPF provision that if a proposed development is within 800 meters of a train station, it gets presumed approval from the planning inspector, could be abused in Spelthorne where Kempton Park racecourse might be flattened for housing developments.
The Secretary of State will be aware of the provision in the national planning policy framework that if a proposed development is within 800 metres of a train station, it is a presumed yes from the planning inspector's point of view. However, that creates a planning loophole in my Spelthorne constituency because Kempton Park station is the first one outside the Oyster zone, so no matter how many houses are built there, no one will use the station because they will all go one stop up the line to Hampton to travel much more cheaply. As a result of that loophole, Barratt Redrow is planning to put in a planning application to flatten Kempton Park racecourse and put 2,000 homes on it. Will the Secretary of State look at the planning loophole in the NPPF to ensure that it is not abused? How would she feel if she were indirectly responsible for the destruction of an internationally famous, iconic racecourse?
It is right to prioritise development in sustainable locations, namely around railway stations. The establishment of Great British Railways will enable us to look more holistically at the way in which the ticketing and fares system works, and we are expanding pay-as-you-go ticketing to give a more seamless experience to people who travel in the south-east. I do not know the details of the planning application the hon. Gentleman refers to. If he wishes to write to me, I will look into it in more detail.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the loophole or the racecourse development issue directly; focused on broader ticketing system improvements instead.
Changed Subject Entirely
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Mark Sewards Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Context
The government has delivered funding for mass transit in West Yorkshire, but the delay in the project timeline has frustrated many constituents who want trams to be operational sooner.
This Government have delivered the funding necessary to build mass transit in West Yorkshire, and I am very proud of that. However, the delay in the delivery timetable has left many of my constituents extremely frustrated that the Leeds and Bradford tram will not be delivered until the late 2030s. We have been stung too many times on mass transit projects in my part of the world. Will the Secretary of State confirm that she will do everything within her power to accelerate the delivery of mass transit in West Yorkshire? After all, both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have said that it is time for trams.
I know that there is a long and painful history of failed attempts to build mass transit in West Yorkshire, and I understand why my hon. Friend's constituents feel let down by what has happened in the past. I assure him that this Government fully support Mayor Tracy Brabin's plans for mass transit, and we are working hand in glove with her. Indeed, I believe that at this very moment, the Minister for Rail is meeting her to discuss what more the Government can do to ensure that we finally deliver the mass transit system that my hon. Friend's constituents and West Yorkshire deserve.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete actions being taken or a timeline; focused on collaboration with Mayor Tracy Brabin instead.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Joe Robertson Con
Isle of Wight East
Context
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has decided to strip coastguard rescue officers of small payments they receive, rehiring them as unpaid volunteers. This could lead to the collapse of the current structure.
Coastguard rescue officers are brave men and women who work on the frontline to save lives, keep our coastline safe and, at times, arrive on the scene of small boat crossings. It is therefore shameful that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has decided to strip them of the small payment they receive and rehire them as unpaid volunteers. Will the Minister meet me, my constituent Martin Groom and other brave frontline CROs to discuss a way forward and save the coastguard as we know it from collapse?
I would be happy to meet the hon. Member, with whom I work productively on a number of issues in this space. He will be aware that the MCA is responding to a Court of Appeal judgment that made it clear that the current arrangement could not legally continue. We believe that protecting volunteering preserves one of the most valuable forms of public service, which he outlines. I look forward to working with him to support those volunteers.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify concrete actions or a timeline for addressing the issue; only offered to meet and discuss it further.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Amanda Hack Lab
North West Leicestershire
Context
The MP has been campaigning on the availability of driving tests, noting recent changes to release more tests into the system.
I have been campaigning on the availability of driving tests. I was pleased to see our changes released driving tests back into the system this week. How will demand for driving tests in North West Leicestershire be matched with the supply of new tests?
Drivers have been limited to two changes of their test since 31 March, learners can only amend and book tests since 12 May, and a learner's test area has been limited since 9 June. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency uses Ministry of Defence driving examiners for additional practical tests.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address how the demand in North West Leicestershire would be matched with supply directly.
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Liz Saville-Roberts PC
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Context
Coastguards in the constituency have been told they are to lose their remuneration, causing concern about recruitment and retention.
My coastguards were informed last week that they will lose their remuneration. They are furious at this undervaluation of their skills and dedication. The Minister mentioned meeting colleagues across the House; I hope he extends this offer to all with coastguard stations, as the risk to recruitment and retention needs clarity.
I am willing to meet the right hon. Lady. The chief executive of the Maritime Coastguard Agency will also do a drop-in with MPs; I will share details.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the issue of remuneration for coastguards directly.
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Josh Dean Lab
Hertford and Stortford
Context
Residents in the constituency face irregular or delayed bus services, causing disruption.
My constituents report irregular or delayed bus services. While I welcome £19.5 million allocated to Hertfordshire county council through the local authority bus grant last year, can you elaborate on how we will work with the Lib Dem administration to ensure effective use of this money and what else Labour is doing to improve rural bus services?
We are piloting bus franchising in rural areas, which is on top of considering rurality in bus funding.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specifics about working with the Lib Dem administration or detailed actions for improving rural services.
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
James Wild Con
North West Norfolk
Context
Passengers on Great Northern services are frustrated with repeated weekend closures.
Great Northern service passengers are unhappy about frequent weekend closures. Given the Secretary of State oversees track and trains, does she agree that discounts should be offered for rail replacement buses?
While it is sometimes essential to do weekend maintenance, we try to minimise disruption and properly communicate with passengers in advance. We cannot provide direct compensation at present but aim to reduce disruption.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not directly address whether discounts should be offered for rail replacement buses.
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Clive Jones Lib Dem
Wokingham
Context
The Parliamentary Advisory Council suggests changing default speed limits on urban and rural minor roads to 20 mph.
What is the Department's position on setting 20 mph as a default speed limit for local minor roads, and will this be reflected in guidance to transport authorities?
Decisions about speed limits are matters for local highway authorities, who know their areas best. Decisions need to be appropriate for local circumstances.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not directly commit to a policy position or guidance on 20 mph limits.
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Tessa Munt Lib Dem
Wells and Mendip Hills
Context
A constituent spends her life in a wheelchair due to poor NHS care, using significant transport for daycare and medical appointments.
My constituent Sophia requires extensive transportation for daycare and hospital visits. Under new legislation, carers will have to pay 25p per mile over the 50,000-mile threshold, likely costing thousands annually. Will the Minister advocate adjusting this threshold?
I would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady.
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address adjusting the mileage threshold at all.
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
The previous Government set aside funds for coastal erosion, affecting the A20 in the constituency.
A designated fund previously addressed coastal erosion issues. The A20 faces severe winter and spring erosion. Will the Minister consider setting a designated fund for this issue across the UK?
While I think this is mainly an issue for DEFRA, the hon. Gentleman is right that coastal erosion affects transport infrastructure including ports. The forthcoming national policy statement for ports will address these issues.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to setting aside a fund specifically for this purpose.
Response accuracy