Written questions by Dance.

What assessment she has made of the need for a nationally recognised learning syllabus for learner drivers.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) already provides a nationally recognised framework for learning to drive through its National Standards and the learning to drive syllabus. These set out the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for safe and responsible driving. The Department has recently consulted on further measures to strengthen the learning process, including an updated and mandated syllabus, a minimum learning period and supervised practice requirements.The current National Standards and syllabus place strong emphasis on coaching, independent decision-making, hazard awareness and real‑world risk management. These skills are embedded throughout the National Standards and associated learning materials and are assessed through the practical driving test. This approach supports the development of safe, responsible drivers.There is no requirement for learners to learn to drive with an approved driving instructor.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact a minimum learning period for driving could have on (a) cost and (b) the access to (i) employment and (ii) education of young people in rural areas.

A public consultation on introducing a Minimum Learning Period for learner drivers in England, Scotland and Wales was launched on 7 January and closed on 11 May. We are analysing the responses received. A Minimum Learning Period would allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers. We believe this strikes an appropriate balance between addressing specific risks pertaining to younger drivers, whilst allowing them to exercise new freedoms that passing your driving test can bring. As stated in the consultation document, we recognise that having a driving licence enables people to access employment, education and leisure. The logistical arrangements for introducing a minimum learning period for learner drivers formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.

What steps she is taking to ensure the process of learning to drive places increased emphasis on (a) coaching, (b) independent decision-making, (c) hazard awareness and (c) real-world risk management in England.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) already provides a nationally recognised framework for learning to drive through its National Standards and the learning to drive syllabus. These set out the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for safe and responsible driving. The Department has recently consulted on further measures to strengthen the learning process, including an updated and mandated syllabus, a minimum learning period and supervised practice requirements.The current National Standards and syllabus place strong emphasis on coaching, independent decision-making, hazard awareness and real‑world risk management. These skills are embedded throughout the National Standards and associated learning materials and are assessed through the practical driving test. This approach supports the development of safe, responsible drivers.There is no requirement for learners to learn to drive with an approved driving instructor.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of assigning a named approved driving instructor to monitor the progress of learner drivers on the level of safety of learner drivers.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) already provides a nationally recognised framework for learning to drive through its National Standards and the learning to drive syllabus. These set out the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for safe and responsible driving. The Department has recently consulted on further measures to strengthen the learning process, including an updated and mandated syllabus, a minimum learning period and supervised practice requirements.The current National Standards and syllabus place strong emphasis on coaching, independent decision-making, hazard awareness and real‑world risk management. These skills are embedded throughout the National Standards and associated learning materials and are assessed through the practical driving test. This approach supports the development of safe, responsible drivers.There is no requirement for learners to learn to drive with an approved driving instructor.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of strengthening efforts to sustain a green roads network in (a) Somerset (b) England and (c) the United Kingdom.

Local highway authorities are responsible for the management and maintenance of public rights of way. They are required to keep a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) to plan improvements to the rights of way network in their area for all users. These are available on the authority’s website. This must include an assessment of the local rights of way including the condition of the network. Local authorities are best placed to understand local priorities and allocate funding for rights of way activities accordingly.

What steps she is taking to improve the process of driver’s licence renewal.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days. In the interests of road safety, the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Some medical cases take longer because the DVLA often needs information from third parties, including doctors or other healthcare professionals, before it can make a licensing decision. The DVLA has seen sustained growth in the volume and complexity of medical licence applications, increasing waiting times for some customers. To improve its services, the DVLA has introduced a new casework system and launched a new medical services portal so the majority of customers can now apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicle account. These enhancements alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements in services and turnaround times for customers.

What steps she is taking to improve rural transport links in Yeovil constituency.

The Government knows the importance of reliable bus services in enabling people to stay connected and access education, work and vital services, particularly in rural areas where buses may be the only form of public transport. We are committed to delivering better bus services and the Bus Services Act 2025 puts passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of local bus services by putting the power back in the hands of local leaders right across England.The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in the Spending Review, confirming over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across the country to improve bus services for millions of passengers. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year, ending the short-term approach to bus funding and giving councils the certainty they need to plan ahead to improve services for local communities.The formula used to calculate LABG allocations for 2026/27 onwards includes consideration of the rurality of local areas for the first time, acknowledging the challenges of running services in rural areas, in addition to population size, levels of deprivation, and the extent of existing bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, this could include expanding current bus provision.

What steps she is taking to support the road haulage industry in Yeovil constituency with fuel costs.

The Department for Transport recognises growing concerns around rising fuel and transport costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The Department fully recognises the need to maintain the continuity of critical supply chains and is actively monitoring any potential impacts. The Department will continue to work with industry to understand the pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

What steps she is taking to help reduce the risk of crashes involving young drivers, aged 18- to 24, in Yeovil constituency.

On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035. We are consulting on introducing a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers in GB can take their practical driving test. This would allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers. We are also consulting on a lower drink drive limit for newly qualified drivers in England and Wales with the intention of reducing collisions amongst this group. THINK!, the Government’s flagship road safety campaign aims to change attitudes and behaviours among those at risk of injury on our roads. The primary audience for THINK! is young men aged 17-24. The campaign runs nationally across England and Wales targeting priority issues such as drink driving and speeding, as well as communicating key policy interventions.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the declaration of ongoing medical issues on the time take to renew drivers' licences for people in Yeovil constituency.

In the interests of road safety, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. Some medical cases take longer because the DVLA often needs information from third parties, including doctors or other healthcare professionals, before it can make a licensing decision. The DVLA has seen sustained growth in the volume and complexity of medical licence applications, increasing waiting times for some customers. To improve its services, the DVLA has introduced a new casework system and launched a new medical services portal so the majority of customers can now apply online through the DVLA’s driver and vehicle account. These enhancements alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with these applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements in services and turnaround times for customers. No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the time taken to renew driving licences specifically for the Yeovil constituency.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Storm Chandra on the prevalence of pot holes in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset.

Water ingress into existing cracks and joints in road surfaces can accelerate the formation of defects such as potholes. Somerset Council is responsible for managing the impacts of wet weather on the condition of roads in Yeovil and Somerset as part of their responsibility to manage their local highway network, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances. Somerset Council received £44,966,790 in highways maintenance funding during the 2025/26 financial year. For the period of 2026/27 to 2029/30, Somerset Council is eligible for a further £225,319,000 in highways maintenance funding, as part of the Government’s record £7.3 billion settlement for highways maintenance over that period.

What estimate she has made of the average cost to drivers in rural communities in England of damage to vehicles caused by potholes.

The Department monitors industry figures on this issue such as those provided by the RAC, who recently reported that UK drivers spent an average of £320 on repairs following pothole-related damages, with some spending more than £1,000. The Government takes this issue extremely seriously. We recognise that historic under-investment has made it difficult for local authorities to maintain their roads in the way they would want to. That is why we have confirmed a record investment of £7.3 billion across England for the next four years, on top of the additional £500 million we delivered in this financial year.

What proportion of the Strategic Road Network funding is spent in the South West.

National Highways is forecasting that 9 to 10 percent of its 2025/26 budget will be spent in the South-West. This is a provisional estimate based on its Quarter 3 position. The final outturn for the year will be available in the summer following independent audit by the National Audit Office. Investment in the Strategic Road Network for 2026/27 to 2030/31 will be set out in the third Road Investment Strategy, due to be published by the end of March.

How much Vehicle Excise Duty was raised nationally from people in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England in the last 12 months.

The total amount of vehicle excise duty (VED) collected between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 was £8.4 billion. However, information about VED is not broken down into areas and could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

What steps she is taking to councils in South West England to complete road maintenance words to help reduce potholes.

The Government recognises that historic underinvestment has made it difficult for authorities to maintain their roads in the way that they would want to. The Government has therefore confirmed a record £7.3 billion investment into local highways maintenance over the next four years. This new, four-year funding settlement is in addition to the Government's investment of £1.6 billion this financial year, a £500 million increase compared to last financial year. The Department’s confirmation of increased funding allocations for the next four-year period has given authorities the certainty to plan ahead and shift away from short-term fixes to proactive and preventative maintenance to stop potholes from forming in the first place. Between 2026/27 to 2029/30, local highway authorities in the South West are eligible for £1.5 billion of this highways maintenance funding. In addition, the West of England Combined Authority is receiving highways maintenance funding consolidated as part of its £540m million City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, and from 2026/27 will receive increased Transport for City Regions funding worth £752 million in total up to 2031/32. Finally, the Department recently announced a new rating system for local highway authorities. Under this system, all local highway authorities in England received a red, amber or green rating based on the condition of their roads, how much they spend to maintain their roads, and whether they do so using best practice. The ratings will be updated annually and provide an incentive to highway authorities to further adopt best practice. They enable the Department to identify where councils need to improve and to support them.

What estimate she has made of the number of potholes to be fixed in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England.

Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. The Act does not set out specific standards of maintenance, as it is for each individual local highway authority to assess which parts of its network need repair and what standards should be applied, based upon their local knowledge and circumstances. The Department does not hold data on the time taken by local highway authorities to repair reported potholes, but national guidance recommends that defects and potholes which require urgent attention should be made safe at the time of inspection or as soon as possible. This financial year, for the first time, local highway authorities were required to publish transparency reports setting out progress on highway maintenance, including the number of potholes they estimate they have filled in recent years. This information can be found on the websites of relevant local highways authorities. For the case of the constituency of Yeovil, Somerset Council is the responsible local highway authority.

If her Department will fund and deliver a public awareness campaign in rural Somerset to promote the updated Highway Code as part of the new Road Safety Strategy.

Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran THINK! advertising campaigns nationally to raise awareness of the changes. Local authorities are responsible for delivering road safety education and have a statutory duty to take steps both to reduce and prevent collisions. THINK! Highway Code campaign resources are available for local authorities to download from the THINK! website and are free to use for educational purposes: https://www.think.gov.uk/campaign/highway-code-changes/. Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts across England and Wales encouraging compliance with the Highway Code.Guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations. In addition to the Highway Code activity, THINK! also runs paid advertising campaigns focused on the priority issues of speed, drink driving and drug driving. The primary audience for these campaigns is young men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over. All THINK! campaigns are run nationally, therefore rural Somerset is included. As set out in the Road Safety Strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the number of drink driving incidents in Yeovil constituency.

The Government takes road safety very seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. On 7 January 2026, the Department for Transport published the Government’s Road Safety Strategy alongside an open consultation on proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences, including drink and drug driving. The consultation closes on 31 March 2026. It includes proposals to consult on lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, including consideration of a lower limit for novice drivers; reviewing penalties and options such as alcohol interlock devices; and considering powers to suspend the driving licence for those suspected of drink and/or drug driving pending court attendance or, where relevant, forensic analysis. Alongside this work, the Department for Transport (DfT) is working with partners, including the National Police Chiefs Council and Police and Crime Commissioners, on operational pilots to assess opportunities for enhancing the roads policing approach to drink and drug driving. These will feed into the Roads Policing Innovation Programme announced under the Road Safety Strategy, which is scheduled to begin in 2026. The enforcement of road traffic law and how resources are deployed locally, including in Yeovil, is an operational matter for the police.

What assessment she has has made of trends in the level of public awareness of updated Highway Code rules.

Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes, with the percentage of road users reporting they knew a little or a lot about the changes going from 36% in January 2022 to over 50% in August 2022 and 70% in September 2023. By that time 86% of road users reported having heard of the changes. Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. We will also continue to promote the changes via THINK! and Department for Transport social media channels, as well as through partner organisations. However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course. As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. As announced in the strategy to support a Lifelong Learning approach in the UK, the government will publish for the first time national guidance on the development and delivery of road safety education, training and publicity. Alongside this, the government will publish a manual to support the implementation of a Lifelong Learning approach for road safety.

What steps she is taking to make rail travel more affordable for people living in Yeovil constituency.

On 23 November the Chancellor and Transport Secretary announced that rail fares will be frozen for the first time in 30 years. Over a billion journeys are going to benefit from this freeze with season tickets, anytime returns on commuter routes, and off-peak returns on longer-distance routes all subject to the freeze. Commuters from Yeovil to Exeter or Bristol could save around £200 across the year, while commuters to Weymouth could save around £100. Planned engineering works may impact Yeovil constituents using South Western Railway and Great Western Railway services over the Christmas period. South Western Railway customers using services towards London Waterloo will be affected by major engineering works between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction and there will be some alterations to services on the Great Western Railway network. Passengers are advised to use journey planners to check before they travel.