Written questions by Smith.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119471 on the Vehicle Certification Agency, what internal efficiency measures are being undertaken by the Vehicle Certification Agency; what the estimated annual savings from those measures are; and over what timeframe those savings are expected to be realised.

The Vehicle Certification Agency is taking forward a number of measures, including service digitisation, and updating legacy systems. This is estimated to deliver circa £1-1.5m in additional efficiency savings in the 2026/27 financial year.

What discussions Ministers and officials held with the Northern Ireland Executive and DAERA in the period immediately preceding the Assembly vote on the UK ETS maritime extension.

The ETS Authority, made up of the four governments work together for the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the UK ETS. There is regular dialogue between DESNZ and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on ETS matters, including on maritime. DAERA officials provide advice on ETS matters to the NI Executive and DAERA Ministers.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116554, whether her Department has corroborated the findings of Thatcham Research; whether any UK fire and rescue services have provided data on hybrid vehicle fire incidence rates; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that policy is based on transparent and independently verifiable evidence.

The Department has not corroborated the findings of Thatcham Research, nor has it received data on hybrid vehicle fire incidents from Fire & Rescue Services. The Chief Scientific Advisors at the Department for Transport and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government co-chair a regular Technical Steering Group, attended by Government officials, industry representatives, Fire & Rescue Service representatives, and academic experts to review current scientific literature relating to electric vehicle fires, identify gaps in understanding, and advise on how these may be addressed.

A) what assessment she has made of progress towards delivering an additional one million pothole repairs per year; b) whether the Government is currently on track to meet that target in (i) 2025–26 and (ii) 2026–27; c) what steps she plans to take if delivery is below the level required to meet that commitment.

The Government’s record £7.3 billion investment over the next four years will bring annual funding for local authorities to repair and renew their roads and fix potholes to over £2 billion annually, doubling annual funding by 2029-30 compared to 2024-25 levels. This funding increase is enough to enable local authorities to fill millions of additional potholes in each year of this Parliament when compared to 2024-25. At the same time, the Department is also expecting local highway authorities to adopt best practice in highways maintenance, which includes a greater focus on preventative maintenance so that fewer potholes form in the first place and a greater focus on permanent pothole repairs to reduce the need for repeated and more costly temporary repairs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118042, what alternative methods the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency uses to identify the source of applications for driving examiner roles.

All driving examiner (DE) applications are made through Civil Service Jobs on GOV.UK.Whilst the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cannot get details of applicant referral sources from the Government Recruitment Service, for campaigns up to November 2025, DVSA used the data available from the civil service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates, however the information does not give 100% coverage.In December 2025, DVSA introduced a DVSA specific survey. This is sent to everyone who is offered an interview. This is then followed by another survey sent to anyone who successfully moves onto training. DVSA will cross-reference the data from these two surveys going forward, but for now DVSA has data for only one complete and one ongoing campaign.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations she has made to her Turkish counterpart on the pre-trial detention of Iain Guille, and what steps she is taking to help protect his welfare.

The Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty, has discussed Iain Guille's detention and welfare with his Turkish counterpart on two occasions, most recently in February 2026. UK Consular officials, in conjunction with their Canadian counterparts, have raised concerns about Mr Guille's welfare with the Turkish authorities, and will continue to monitor his health and welfare while he is detained, engaging with the relevant authorities as appropriate.

What estimate his Department has made of when electric vehicles will reach price parity with internal combustion engine vehicles.

As part of the October 2023 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), the Department for Transport published projections for the costs of zero emission cars and vans to 2050. The analysis can be found here :https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6554be55544aea000dfb2d59/zev-mandate-consultation-final-cost-benefit-analysis.pdf.

What the average cost per kWh was for public rapid electric vehicle charging in each year since 2021.

This information is available from external industry sources such as Zapmap, who estimate that the current average cost of rapid/ultra rapid public charging is around 76p/kWh, as of February 2026. This price level has remained broadly constant over the past year. Average public charging price data is produced and published by Zapmap here: https://www.zapmap.com/ev-stats/charging-price-index.

What information his Department holds on the average industrial electricity price for automotive manufacturers in (a) the UK and (b) international competitors.

The department publishes an annual comparison of the UK’s industrial electricity prices to the IEA and a bi-annual comparison of the UK’s non-domestic electricity prices to the EU.International non-domestic energy prices - GOV.UK These are average prices for industry and the non-domestic sector and do not disaggregate by sector of manufacturing.

Pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2026 to WPQ 104866, when her Department will be using enhanced data and insight capabilities on the freight and logistics system to inform its advice on transport infrastructure for the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority and the UK infrastructure pipeline.

The Department for Transport’s programme of work to identify, develop and provide enhanced data and insights capabilities on the freight and logistics system will be delivered through multiple projects over the next few years. Further detail on projects will be shared in the upcoming freight plan due to be published this spring. The forthcoming change to update the road freight values of time in the Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) is an example of this work and is expected to be released in May 2026. As and when the department shares advice on transport infrastructure for the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) and the UK Infrastructure Pipeline, it is informed by the best available evidence. This evidence includes data and insights on the freight and logistics system, which is being enhanced by the programme of work.

Whether her Department plans to publish details of staff costs of individual Train Operating Companies in the DFTO: Annual Report and Accounts 2025 to 2026.

The DFTO Annual Report and Accounts 2025-2026 will include the staff costs for all DFTO Group employees on a consolidated basis. The breakdown of staff costs by individual Train Operating Company will be available in the individual Annual Report and Accounts of each Train Operating Company.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 116791, whether engagement with organisations representing disabled people in relation to the guidance entitled Floating Bus Stops: Provision and Design was undertaken by (a) officials in her Department, (b) Active Travel England and (c) an external organisation.

The statutory guidance on the provision and design of floating bus stops is a joint publication between the Department and Active Travel England (ATE). Stakeholder engagement on the development of the guidance was undertaken by officials from both organisations. As part of this process, an external body Transport for All was commissioned to run workshops with a range of disability and road user groups and individuals with lived experience of disability to ensure the recommendations reflect their needs. The groups represented included:Age UKAll-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and WalkingBikeability TrustCampaign for Better TransportConfederation for Passenger TransportCycling UKGuide DogsMencapMotability FoundationParliamentary Advisory Council for Transport SafetyPolicy ConnectTransport for AllTransport for All membersWheels for WellbeingWalk Wheel Cycle Trust The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee were consulted. The Department and ATE also sought feedback from the Urban Transport Group, Living Streets, Guide Dogs, RNIB, Transport for London, and ATE’s Technical Oversight and Advisory Group.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cost of Red Diesel on a) agriculture and horticulture, b) forestry, c) rail and d) marine; and what steps she is taking to help mitigate changes in prices.

Certain sectors, such as agriculture and horticulture, retained access to red diesel after it was withdrawn from most sectors in 2022. In contrast to full duty diesel, taxed at 52.95 pence per litre (ppl), red diesel currently incurs a duty of 10.18 ppl. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut alongside extending the proportionate percentage cut for rebated fuels, which includes red diesel. This maintains the red diesel rate at the levels set in March 2022 at 10.18 ppl until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027, an increase of less than 1 ppl. The planned inflation increase for 2026-27 has also been cancelled. As the Chancellor has set out, the Government will keep fuel duty under review.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the fee deficit of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps its fees under continual review. Any changes to fee levels would be subject to public consultation and Parliamentary approval.

Whether she expects the third Road Investment Strategy period to commence in April 2026.

The Department for Transport intends to publish the third Road Investment Strategy by the end of this month, with the third Road Period commencing in April 2026 and covering the period from 2026/27 to 2030/31.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce the fee deficit of the Vehicle Certification Agency.

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is currently consulting on a proposal to increase certain fees. This would help to address the current financial deficit. The agency is currently undertaking a programme of internal efficiencies which will also support deficit reduction.

What estimate the Department for Transport has made of the vehicle excise duty (VED) revenue foregone as a result of early renewals by zero-emission vehicle owners prior to the introduction of new VED rates.

The information requested can be found in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25 and can be viewed at www.gov.uk/government/publications/dvla-annual-report-and-accounts-2024-to-2025.

What estimate she has made of the number of people subject to the loan charge who will have their cases settled following the independent review of the loan charge.

The Government accepted all but one of the independent review’s recommendations and in some cases we are going further. We are legislating a generous new settlement opportunity that will help those who have not yet settled to do so. Most individuals could see reductions of at least 50% in their outstanding loan charge liabilities, and an estimated 30% of individuals could have these liabilities written off entirely.

What evidence her Department holds that floating bus stops improve (a) actual cyclist safety and (b) cyclists’ perception of safety.

Cyclists face significant risk when interacting with motor vehicles: in 2024 there were 14,549 cyclist casualties on Great Britain’s roads, the overwhelming majority arising from collisions with motor vehicles rather than pedestrians or other cyclists. The importance of perceived safety is reflected in survey evidence. The latest Walking and Cycling Index (2023) shows that 58% of residents support more cycle paths protected from traffic, reflecting continued strong public backing for protected cycling infrastructure. Active Travel England is undertaking further research, reporting in 2027, to strengthen the evidence base on the safety, accessibility and user experience relating to Floating Bus Stops.

What estimate her Department has made of the additional annual cost to motorists of introducing a weight-based Vehicle Excise Duty system for cars weighing over (a) 1,600kg, (b) 2,000kg, and (c) 2,400kg.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different rates apply to cars, vans, motorcycles and heavy goods vehicles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, weight, or CO2 emissions. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs at fiscal events, and in doing so considers a wide range of factors including complexity, value for money, and administrative burdens for tax payers. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances.