Written questions by Leadbitter.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on road safety, the environment and consumers of requiring vehicle manufacturers to offer all-season or winter-rated tyres as a standard or selectable factory-fit option on new vehicles sold in the UK, particularly for use in colder and rural regions; and whether he plans to review current regulations or guidance in this area.

Manufacturers are free to offer any tyre they choose but all new tyres, before they are permitted for sale in the UK, must demonstrate that they achieve a minimum wet grip performance. They are also required to display certain performance attributes at the point of sale to enable the consumer to make an informed choice. The government’s view is that the relatively low frequency of heavy snow and ice experienced in the UK and the known disadvantages of using winter tyres - and to some extent all-season tyres - in warmer temperatures does not support a detailed assessment being conducted at this time.

What progress her Department has made on access to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service.

Through our regular engagement with the aviation industry, we are aware of the operational implications following the loss of access to the EU’s European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service. The Department continues to work with the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, who are leading the Government’s business case on a future Satellite Based Augmentation System, to ensure that aviation requirements are understood and considered as part of the decision-making process.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) improve aviation safety and (b) reduce the number of incidents of fatigue among pilots operating in UK airspace.

UK regulations set out requirements for operators of both aerodromes and aircraft, to mitigate risks and ensure operations are conducted as safely as possible. My officials are in regular contact with the UK’s independent safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who are responsible for enforcing Aviation Safety regulations, as well as advising the Department when regulations may need to be updated. When advising updates to aviation safety regulations, the CAA works closely with industry experts as well as other government bodies, like the Health and Safety executive. The risk of flight crew fatigue is managed under the flight time limitation (FTL) regulations which limit the number of hours pilots can be on duty. The CAA monitors and oversees UK Airlines’ management of FTL requirements and how these impact pilot fatigue, as well as investigating safety reports that cite fatigue as a contributory factor. The CAA will take action to recommend changes to regulation or update guidance if they see any evidence it may be required to manage the risk of fatigue.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Airspace modernisation, published on 22 October 2024, whether her Department and the Civil Aviation Authority plan to deploy the Scottish cluster's airspace change proposal first.

The Government’s priority is to deliver the benefits of airspace modernisation alongside the critical technology upgrades to the UK’s air traffic control systems. The Department for Transport is working closely with Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and NATS to ensure that the airports can continue to make progress with their Airspace Change Proposals in line with the CAA’s airspace change process. The next stage in this process is for the airports to consult on their proposals.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing peak fares for rail passengers.

We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. The amount of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter in 2018/19 to almost half of total income following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023/24. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.

What progress her Department has made on reducing driving test wait times for test centres in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.There are two driving test centres (DTCs) in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency, which are Elgin, and Grantown on Spey. As of August 2025, the average waiting time in weeks for Elgin was 19.5 weeks, and for Grantown on Spey 21.8 weeks. On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK. DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners (DE). From recent recruitment in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, DVSA has had one new DE begin in Elgin. From the most recent campaign, two potential new DEs are at the employment offer stage of the process.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a public information campaign for drivers of vehicles fitted with daytime running lights of the need to manually switch on their rear lights when weather conditions necessitate.

Road vehicle lighting is governed by combination of national and international regulations. As per the advice in the Highway Code drivers must use appropriate vehicle lighting for the prevailing conditions and should ensure that they are familiar with the operation of all vehicle controls. No assessment has been made of the merits of a public information campaign to support the correct use of daytime running lamps.

If she will take steps to engage with Distribution Network Operators on (a) grid connections and (b) the standardisation of electric vehicle charging.

The Department for Transport engages regularly with Distribution Network Operators, and with National Grid, on work related to accelerating the delivery of electric vehicle (EV) charging. This includes discussions on power capacity, grid infrastructure, and standardisation required to meet growing demand for EV charging.In December 2024, the Government published the outcome of a review on improving the grid connection process for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. In March, I met with Distribution Network Operators and other industry groups to understand industry’s perspective on improving EV charging on the Strategic Road Network (England’s motorways and major A roads).

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including renewable electricity in the Renewal Transport Fuel Obligation.

The Department for Transport continues to review all policy options that may support the continued rollout of public electric vehicle chargepoints. This includes reviewing the potential for inclusion of electricity in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.

What steps she is taking to engage with (a) devolved governments, (b) local authorities and (c) regional transport partnerships to share best practice on electric vehicle charging strategies and implementation.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles engages regularly with devolved governments, local authorities and regional transport partnerships on a range of issues related to improving electric vehicle charging. This includes work through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund which is supporting local authorities to scale up local EV charging provision across England. Support includes £381m of funding, one-to-one guidance, regional workshops and an online knowledge repository to share practice. This is in addition to a dedicated electric vehicle training course, completed by over 150 local authority officers to date.

If she will publish the carbon assessment for the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.

The ZEV Mandate remains the Government’s largest single carbon saving measure. The carbon impacts of the ZEV mandate were summarised within the cost benefit analysis published alongside the original legislation. On 7 April 2025, the Government announced policy changes to the ZEV Mandate to further support the UK’s automotive industry. The policy changes are expected to have a minor carbon impact when compared to the savings delivered by the ZEV Mandate as a whole. We estimate a 1% decrease (-4.2 Mt CO2) in CO2 savings from the original ZEV mandate (420 Mt CO2) across 2024 to 2050. A breakdown of this carbon analysis has been published alongside the government response.

Whether she held discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade prior to announcing changes to volumetric concrete mobile operating weights from 2028.

The Secretary of State for Transport did not raise this with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. However, cross-Whitehall engagement did occur prior to the announcement. This is not a change to the policy on weights for VCMs but a decision to continue with the existing policy that a temporary exemption will come to an end in 2028.

How many meetings (a) she, (b) the Minister for Future of Roads and (c) her officials have had with (i) hon. Members and (ii) trade associations that contributed to the Government's review on Volumetric concrete mixers prior to announcing the findings of that review.

My Department engaged with hon. Members and industry stakeholders through correspondence prior to the announcement. In addition, industry and interested parties were given the opportunity to present views and evidence on this topic as part of the Call for Evidence between October and December 2023. Temporary exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028. This policy is being maintained.

Whether she considered making an environmental impact assessment on the decision to ban volumetric concrete mobile plants in 2028.

As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport has assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy. Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028. This policy is being maintained.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on lorry miles on concrete deliveries.

A call for evidence ran from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage. Information received did not provide any compelling evidence for permitting a weight limit exemption specifically for VCMs on the grounds of increased lorry journeys.The outcome of the Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review. Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on annual lorry journeys for concrete deliveries.

A call for evidence ran from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage. Information received did not provide any compelling evidence for permitting a weight limit exemption specifically for VCMs on the grounds of increased lorry journeys.The outcome of the Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review. Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on levels of (a) CO2, (b) nitrogen oxide and (c) particulates.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewWhilst some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle will end on 31 March 2028. This is not a ban or change in policy.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on carbon costs for concrete deliveries.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewWhilst some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle will end on 31 March 2028. This is not a ban or change in policy.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on the number of lorry drivers that will be required.

The call for evidence conducted from October to December 2023 was an opportunity for respondents to present evidence, but it did not reveal significant new evidence supporting a change in policy.The outcome of my department’s review into VCMs was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review Current exemptions to weight limits for VCMs will expire in 2028.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on CO2 emissions from lorry making concrete deliveries.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewWhilst some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle will end on 31 March 2028. This is not a ban or change in policy.