Written questions by Rosindell.

What information her Department holds on the number of parking fines that have been administered by the London Borough of Havering in every year since 2010.

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites. All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

What steps she has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve road safety in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies which will have national reach. We intend to publish the Strategy this year. We aid local authorities by providing guidance and initiatives such as our flagship road safety campaign, THINK! which works closely with local authority partners and the police to align on road safety campaign activity. The Department for Transport makes highways and local transport funding available to Local Transport Authorities, who decide how to use the funding to support local priorities. How available resources are deployed within Romford, and London boroughs, is the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of parking fines administered by local authorities that have been overturned in every year since 2010.

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites. All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

What steps she has taken to reduce instances of pavement parking.

The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible.

What information her Department holds on the amount of money that has been collected by local authorities through the administration of parking fines in every year since 2010.

The Department for Transport does not hold this data. Local authorities publish some financial information relating to parking fines on their websites. All local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide appropriate traffic management schemes for their roads; therefore they are free to make their own decisions about the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. They are accountable to local people for their decisions and their performance.

What steps she has taken to reduce casualties on railways in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford.

Britain’s railways remain among the safest in the world, with casualty rates steadily declining in recent decades. The rail industry continues to act to reduce casualty rates across the entire network, in accordance with its statutory duties, which are enforced by the Office of Rail and Road, Britain’s independent rail safety regulator. In recent years, the industry has launched public safety initiatives, upgraded level crossing, signalling and civil infrastructure, integrated new technologies to improve risk detection and intervention, and enhanced training for staff on the railways, among other steps.

What steps she is taking to improve air safety standards in Montserrat.

The UK is responsible for aviation safety under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for Montserrat as a British Overseas Territory. The Department for Transport (DfT) established Air Safety Support International (ASSI), an Arm’s Length Body of Government established by Directions from the Secretary of State for Transport and a subsidiary company of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. ASSI provides a dedicated system of aviation safety and security oversight for the British Overseas Territories and operates under the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order, which is regularly updated in order to ensure the adoption and application of the internationally recognised aviation Standards and Recommended Practices, set out by ICAO. Audits are regularly conducted by ASSI in Montserrat to ensure continuing compliance with aviation safety requirements.

What steps the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has taken to communicate with the New Zealand Transport Agency regarding the verification of manual driving test records for New Zealand licence holders seeking to exchange their licence in the UK.

There have been no changes in policy relating to New Zealand driving licences being exchanged for a GB equivalent. It has always been the case that a GB licence to drive manual vehicles can only be issued in exchange for a New Zealand licence when confirmation is supplied that the applicant passed a test in a manual transmission vehicle. Where such evidence has not been supplied, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will issue the applicant a GB licence with entitlement restricted to driving automatic vehicles. This policy has not changed and the DVLA accepts such verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The DVLA maintains engagement with the NZTA which has confirmed that it is developing a single document which will specify whether a New Zealand driving test was taken in a manual or automatic vehicle or if the NZTA does not have this information. Up to date information on driving licence exchange arrangements is provided in the DVLA’s information leaflet INF38: Driving in Great Britain as a Visitor or New Resident. More guidance on driving in GB with a non-GB licence can be found at https://www.gov.ukY/driving-nongb-licence.

What assessment the Department has made of the potential impact on New Zealand citizens living in the UK of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s current policy on licence exchange, particularly in relation to automatic-only restrictions.

There have been no changes in policy relating to New Zealand driving licences being exchanged for a GB equivalent. It has always been the case that a GB licence to drive manual vehicles can only be issued in exchange for a New Zealand licence when confirmation is supplied that the applicant passed a test in a manual transmission vehicle. Where such evidence has not been supplied, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will issue the applicant a GB licence with entitlement restricted to driving automatic vehicles. This policy has not changed and the DVLA accepts such verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The DVLA maintains engagement with the NZTA which has confirmed that it is developing a single document which will specify whether a New Zealand driving test was taken in a manual or automatic vehicle or if the NZTA does not have this information. Up to date information on driving licence exchange arrangements is provided in the DVLA’s information leaflet INF38: Driving in Great Britain as a Visitor or New Resident. More guidance on driving in GB with a non-GB licence can be found at https://www.gov.ukY/driving-nongb-licence.

What guidance is provided to holders of New Zealand driving licences who seek to exchange their licence for a UK licence, and whether the Department plans to update this guidance to reflect current verification requirements.

There have been no changes in policy relating to New Zealand driving licences being exchanged for a GB equivalent. It has always been the case that a GB licence to drive manual vehicles can only be issued in exchange for a New Zealand licence when confirmation is supplied that the applicant passed a test in a manual transmission vehicle. Where such evidence has not been supplied, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will issue the applicant a GB licence with entitlement restricted to driving automatic vehicles. This policy has not changed and the DVLA accepts such verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The DVLA maintains engagement with the NZTA which has confirmed that it is developing a single document which will specify whether a New Zealand driving test was taken in a manual or automatic vehicle or if the NZTA does not have this information. Up to date information on driving licence exchange arrangements is provided in the DVLA’s information leaflet INF38: Driving in Great Britain as a Visitor or New Resident. More guidance on driving in GB with a non-GB licence can be found at https://www.gov.ukY/driving-nongb-licence.

What recent changes have been made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s policies on accepting New Zealand driving licences for exchange to UK licences.

There have been no changes in policy relating to New Zealand driving licences being exchanged for a GB equivalent. It has always been the case that a GB licence to drive manual vehicles can only be issued in exchange for a New Zealand licence when confirmation is supplied that the applicant passed a test in a manual transmission vehicle. Where such evidence has not been supplied, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will issue the applicant a GB licence with entitlement restricted to driving automatic vehicles. This policy has not changed and the DVLA accepts such verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The DVLA maintains engagement with the NZTA which has confirmed that it is developing a single document which will specify whether a New Zealand driving test was taken in a manual or automatic vehicle or if the NZTA does not have this information. Up to date information on driving licence exchange arrangements is provided in the DVLA’s information leaflet INF38: Driving in Great Britain as a Visitor or New Resident. More guidance on driving in GB with a non-GB licence can be found at https://www.gov.ukY/driving-nongb-licence.

A) for what reason the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency no longer accepts verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency confirming that a driver has passed a manual transmission driving test, and b) whether this policy will be reviewed.

There have been no changes in policy relating to New Zealand driving licences being exchanged for a GB equivalent. It has always been the case that a GB licence to drive manual vehicles can only be issued in exchange for a New Zealand licence when confirmation is supplied that the applicant passed a test in a manual transmission vehicle. Where such evidence has not been supplied, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will issue the applicant a GB licence with entitlement restricted to driving automatic vehicles. This policy has not changed and the DVLA accepts such verification from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The DVLA maintains engagement with the NZTA which has confirmed that it is developing a single document which will specify whether a New Zealand driving test was taken in a manual or automatic vehicle or if the NZTA does not have this information. Up to date information on driving licence exchange arrangements is provided in the DVLA’s information leaflet INF38: Driving in Great Britain as a Visitor or New Resident. More guidance on driving in GB with a non-GB licence can be found at https://www.gov.ukY/driving-nongb-licence.

What steps she has taken with relevant stakeholders to help tackle illegal car sales.

While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has no powers to govern how cars are bought and sold, it does play a key role in maintaining accurate records of vehicles and their registered keepers to support wider efforts to tackle vehicle-related crime. It is a legal requirement to notify the DVLA when a vehicle is bought or sold. The latest available data shows that more than 93 per cent of vehicle keepers are contactable and traceable from the information held on the DVLA’s records. Of the remainder, around six per cent are in the motor trade where a vehicle may legitimately have no registered keeper.

What steps she is taking to help tackle (a) untaxed and (b) abandoned vehicles on public roads.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) operates a comprehensive package of measures to tackle untaxed vehicles. These range from the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras, the wheelclamping and the removal and impounding of untaxed vehicles and court prosecutions. The DVLA works closely with the police and local authorities to address untaxed vehicles at local levels and to share intelligence to target untaxed vehicles. The latest information available, published in December 2023, showed that 98.7 per cent of vehicles across the UK were correctly licensed, an evasion rate of just 1.3%. More information is available at Vehicle excise duty evasion statistics: 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The removal of abandoned vehicles is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. The police also have the powers to remove immediately any vehicle that is causing an obstruction, is likely to cause danger or is broken down or abandoned without lawful authority.

What steps she is taking to work with relevant authorities to reduce fare evasion on public transport.

There are expectations for the rail industry to take forward initiatives and reduce fare evasion. The effectiveness of the measures employed by Train Operating Companies are evaluated by the Department for Transport through a range of surveys. British Transport Police is committed to working closely alongside the railway industry to tackle fare evasion and regularly support with high visibility patrols at known hotspot locations. Additionally, the Government’s Bus Services (No.2) Bill also provides Local Transport Authorities with the power to create byelaws and deploy officers who can deal with anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on the bus network. Officers will have the power to issue fines, ask people to leave the vehicle, bus station or shelter and, if necessary, to remove them if they refuse to do so.

If she will make it her department's policy to ban (a) bilingual and (b) and foreign language street signs.

Traffic signs are regulated through the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016. This does not permit languages other than English to be used in England. Traffic signs is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Governments being responsible for policy on signing within Scotland and Wales. Scottish Gaelic is permitted on some traffic signs in Scotland. Traffic signs in Wales are required to be bilingual in Welsh and English. Decisions on what to name streets are a matter for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Whether she plans to publish a (a) transition plan for the transfer of retail responsibilities from train operating company retail websites to Great British Railways and (b) timetable for formal market (i) consultation and (ii) tendering for future Great British Railways retail ticketing.

Once Great British Railways is established, it will retail online by consolidating individual train operators’ ticket websites. This will take place alongside a thriving private sector retail market, which will continue to play a key role in driving innovation and investment and encouraging more people to choose rail. The Railways Bill consultation took place in the Spring. As part of this process, the Government consulted closely with industry, the private sector, and wider stakeholders including in relation to the future of the rail retail market. A formal update will be provided in due course.

Whether she plans to provide an interim digital rail retail solution before (a) train operating company retail websites are turned off and (b) the new Great British Railways retail offer goes live.

Once Great British Railways is established, it will retail online by consolidating individual train operators’ ticket websites. This will take place alongside a thriving private sector retail market, which will continue to play a key role in driving innovation and investment and encouraging more people to choose rail. The Railways Bill consultation took place in the Spring. As part of this process, the Government consulted closely with industry, the private sector, and wider stakeholders including in relation to the future of the rail retail market. A formal update will be provided in due course.

What steps she has taken to improve aviation interconnectivity between the four nations of the UK.

Airports serve our local communities by supporting thousands of jobs in the regions and acting as a gateway to international opportunities, alongside maintaining social and family ties and strengthening the bonds between the four nations. The Government supports connectivity across the union through our joint-funding of three Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes into London from Newquay, Dundee and Derry/Londonderry. Furthermore, the Aviation Futures Forum, which I Co-Chair, has agreed to establish a number of working groups including one on Regional Aviation. The Group will report back to the Forum in due course.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of British aviation safety standards.

Recognised international metrics show that UK airspace and airlines are amongst the safest in the world. We have an exemplary record that ensures consumer confidence and international trust in the UK’s regulatory regime. The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety. The effectiveness of the standards are maintained through robust processes in place to ensure the safety of passengers. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets global standards for aviation safety to ensure there is a harmonization of standards. As a signatory to the Chicago Convention, we are responsible for ensuring compliance of all UK aviation authorities (UKAAs) we oversee, such as the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories. Both the DfT and the UKAAs are responsible for rulemaking processes regarding aviation safety and ensuring ICAO obligations are met.