Written questions by McMurdock.

What her planned timetable is for completing the reorganisation of police forces in England and Wales.

This Government published its Police Reform White Paper on 26 January 2026. It set out an ambitious package of reform, including an ambition to move to fewer, larger forces by the end of next parliament.We will shortly launch an Independent Review of Police Force Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum configuration of fewer, larger forces, and the timetable for implementation. The Review is expected to report its findings in summer.

How many driving examiner vacancies currently exist in the East of England.

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. DVSA acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers, including those living in rural and semi-rural communities. The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of our Plan for Change. It is not possible to confirm how many people are waiting to book a practical driving test. DVSA only holds data on the number of tests booked.DVSA continually reviews its recruitment needs to ensure the agency maintains the right level of resource to meet customer demand. The Agency’s latest national recruitment campaign closed in December 2025. As a result, it has a number of candidates progressing through the final recruitment stages. In the East of England. This includes:11 potential driving examiners (DE) booked onto training courses.14 potential DEs currently undergoing pre-employment checks.72 applicants currently working their way through recruitment processes.DVSA is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as possible at all test centres and regularly conducts tests outside of normal hours, including evenings, weekends and on public holidays. Between June - December 2025, DVSA conducted 1,158,458 car practical driving tests. This is an increase of 102,290 more car practical driving tests when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme introduced in June 2025. DVSA publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2025. The next update is due to be published in June 2026.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of graduate schemes in supporting graduate-level employment.

Graduate schemes are designed and operated by individual employers and are not overseen or monitored by DWP. As such, DWP does not hold a central assessment of the adequacy of these employer‑run schemes. Although we do not capture data on the adequacy of graduate schemes, the latest published DfE data shoes the unemployment rate for graduates is lower than non-graduates. A link to this data can be found here. DWP’s role is to support all jobseekers, including graduates, into work through Jobcentre Plus and wider programmes; departments and employers are responsible for the design and evaluation of their own graduate schemes.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 102102, when she plans to publish guidance on the treatment of allowable expenses for childminders.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. At Budget 2025 the Government confirmed that the standard rules for calculating income tax would apply to childminders who are mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD). HMRC engaged with stakeholders including Coram PACEY ahead of Budget 2025. We will phase in this change between 2026 and 2028, in line with the MTD income thresholds. The threshold from April 2026 is £50,000 of qualifying income, reducing to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. Childminders not within MTD can continue to use existing arrangements if they wish. Childminders within MTD can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business. Childminders may be better off deducting actual costs, if deductions under the existing arrangements are lower than their actual expenses. HMRC will publish updated guidance for childminders in early 2026. Guidance on business expenses and on MTD for Income Tax is already available on GOV.UK. The Government will closely monitor the impacts of the policy over the course of the first year.

How many additional neighbourhood police officers are expected to be recruited under the new graduate recruitment scheme.

The Government is providing up to £7m to Police Now, a specialist recruitment provider for graduate entry into the police, to recruit in the region of 280 graduates into specialist neighbourhood and detective roles by March 2026. Around half of these recruits will specialise in neighbourhood policing.Police Now has a strong track record of helping to bring the best and brightest talent into policing, delivering a diverse pool of high-quality officer recruits to neighbourhood and investigative teams, with a strong emphasis on rapid deployment and measurable community impact.They play a key role in the delivery of new neighbourhood policing specialist officers to support the Government’s Safer Streets mission and help build a stronger connection between communities and the police.

Pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled ‘White paper sets out reforms to policing’ published on 26 January 2026, when the National Police Service will be established.

We will start work immediately to set up the National Police Service and legislate for it as soon as Parliamentary time allows.It will first host national services such as IT and the National Police Air Service and later bring in national crime-fighting responsibilities.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Vehicle Excise Duty rates on the uptake of electric vehicles.

Revenue from motoring taxes helps to fund vital public services and infrastructure, including investment in roads and transport. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy, including considering the impact on households and businesses. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances. At Budget 2025, the Government made a number of announcements relating to motoring tax. This included announcing continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the Government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average car driver £49 next year compared to previous plans. The Government also announced the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty. The Government is taking a proportionate approach to ensuring electric car drivers pay an appropriate share whilst remaining firmly committed to supporting the transition to EVs. That is why the rate will be set at 50% of the equivalent fuel duty cost for petrol and diesel cars, and 80% of eVED revenue from the first three years is being reinvested to extend support for EVs and the auto manufacturing industry. This builds on existing generous support, including Company Car Tax incentives.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of a) extended working hours and b) weekend testing in reducing driving test waiting times.

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. DVSA acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers, including those living in rural and semi-rural communities. The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of our Plan for Change. It is not possible to confirm how many people are waiting to book a practical driving test. DVSA only holds data on the number of tests booked.DVSA continually reviews its recruitment needs to ensure the agency maintains the right level of resource to meet customer demand. The Agency’s latest national recruitment campaign closed in December 2025. As a result, it has a number of candidates progressing through the final recruitment stages. In the East of England. This includes:11 potential driving examiners (DE) booked onto training courses.14 potential DEs currently undergoing pre-employment checks.72 applicants currently working their way through recruitment processes.DVSA is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as possible at all test centres and regularly conducts tests outside of normal hours, including evenings, weekends and on public holidays. Between June - December 2025, DVSA conducted 1,158,458 car practical driving tests. This is an increase of 102,290 more car practical driving tests when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme introduced in June 2025. DVSA publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2025. The next update is due to be published in June 2026.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of tax, including a) Vehicle Excise Duty, b) VAT on vehicle purchases and c) fuel duty on motorists.

Revenue from motoring taxes helps to fund vital public services and infrastructure, including investment in roads and transport. The Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy, including considering the impact on households and businesses. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the public finances. At Budget 2025, the Government made a number of announcements relating to motoring tax. This included announcing continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the Government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average car driver £49 next year compared to previous plans. The Government also announced the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty. The Government is taking a proportionate approach to ensuring electric car drivers pay an appropriate share whilst remaining firmly committed to supporting the transition to EVs. That is why the rate will be set at 50% of the equivalent fuel duty cost for petrol and diesel cars, and 80% of eVED revenue from the first three years is being reinvested to extend support for EVs and the auto manufacturing industry. This builds on existing generous support, including Company Car Tax incentives.

What role Police and Crime Commissioners will have in relation to the National Police Service before the position of Police and Crime Commissioner is abolished.

The Police Reform White Paper makes clear that the voices of local police governance bodies should form part of the governance of the NPS.We will continue to work with local partners to help establish the NPS, including Police and Crime Commissioners up until they are abolished in May 2028.

How many practical driving tests were cancelled by the DVSA in the last 12 months; and for what reasons.

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. DVSA acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers, including those living in rural and semi-rural communities. The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of our Plan for Change. It is not possible to confirm how many people are waiting to book a practical driving test. DVSA only holds data on the number of tests booked.DVSA continually reviews its recruitment needs to ensure the agency maintains the right level of resource to meet customer demand. The Agency’s latest national recruitment campaign closed in December 2025. As a result, it has a number of candidates progressing through the final recruitment stages. In the East of England. This includes:11 potential driving examiners (DE) booked onto training courses.14 potential DEs currently undergoing pre-employment checks.72 applicants currently working their way through recruitment processes.DVSA is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as possible at all test centres and regularly conducts tests outside of normal hours, including evenings, weekends and on public holidays. Between June - December 2025, DVSA conducted 1,158,458 car practical driving tests. This is an increase of 102,290 more car practical driving tests when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme introduced in June 2025. DVSA publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2025. The next update is due to be published in June 2026.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of expense rules for childminders whose homes function as full-time workplaces.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. At Budget 2025 the Government confirmed that the standard rules for calculating income tax would apply to childminders who are mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD). HMRC engaged with stakeholders including Coram PACEY ahead of Budget 2025. We will phase in this change between 2026 and 2028, in line with the MTD income thresholds. The threshold from April 2026 is £50,000 of qualifying income, reducing to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. Childminders not within MTD can continue to use existing arrangements if they wish. Childminders within MTD can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business. Childminders may be better off deducting actual costs, if deductions under the existing arrangements are lower than their actual expenses. HMRC will publish updated guidance for childminders in early 2026. Guidance on business expenses and on MTD for Income Tax is already available on GOV.UK. The Government will closely monitor the impacts of the policy over the course of the first year.

How many learner drivers are on waiting lists for practical driving tests in the East of England.

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. DVSA acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers, including those living in rural and semi-rural communities. The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of our Plan for Change. It is not possible to confirm how many people are waiting to book a practical driving test. DVSA only holds data on the number of tests booked.DVSA continually reviews its recruitment needs to ensure the agency maintains the right level of resource to meet customer demand. The Agency’s latest national recruitment campaign closed in December 2025. As a result, it has a number of candidates progressing through the final recruitment stages. In the East of England. This includes:11 potential driving examiners (DE) booked onto training courses.14 potential DEs currently undergoing pre-employment checks.72 applicants currently working their way through recruitment processes.DVSA is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as possible at all test centres and regularly conducts tests outside of normal hours, including evenings, weekends and on public holidays. Between June - December 2025, DVSA conducted 1,158,458 car practical driving tests. This is an increase of 102,290 more car practical driving tests when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme introduced in June 2025. DVSA publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2025. The next update is due to be published in June 2026.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled ‘White paper sets out reforms to policing’ published on 26 January 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the number of police forces in England and Wales on (a) local accountability and (b) community policing.

The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, set out our ambition to significantly reduce the number of police forces across England and Wales by the end of next Parliament.We will shortly launch an Independent Review of Police Force structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum number and configuration of forces. The review will consider a wide range of evidence and engage extensively with policing and community stakeholders in making its recommendations.The White Paper announced that we will require larger forces to be comprised of Local Policing Areas, with policing teams focused exclusively on local policing issues, ensuring that every community is served by visible and responsible neighbourhood officers. The Independent Review will make recommendations on the size and composition of Local Policing Areas as well as examine how governance arrangements will operate in the new model.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of driving test delays on employment opportunities in rural areas.

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. DVSA acknowledges car practical driving test waiting times remain high and understands the impact this continues to have on learner drivers, including those living in rural and semi-rural communities. The government remains committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, particularly in rural areas where a driving licence is vital for accessing jobs and training, as part of our Plan for Change. It is not possible to confirm how many people are waiting to book a practical driving test. DVSA only holds data on the number of tests booked.DVSA continually reviews its recruitment needs to ensure the agency maintains the right level of resource to meet customer demand. The Agency’s latest national recruitment campaign closed in December 2025. As a result, it has a number of candidates progressing through the final recruitment stages. In the East of England. This includes:11 potential driving examiners (DE) booked onto training courses.14 potential DEs currently undergoing pre-employment checks.72 applicants currently working their way through recruitment processes.DVSA is working hard to provide as many practical driving test appointments as possible at all test centres and regularly conducts tests outside of normal hours, including evenings, weekends and on public holidays. Between June - December 2025, DVSA conducted 1,158,458 car practical driving tests. This is an increase of 102,290 more car practical driving tests when compared to the same period in 2024. This increase can largely be attributed to the additional test allowance scheme introduced in June 2025. DVSA publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2025. The next update is due to be published in June 2026.

Whether she plans to review the structure of Vehicle Excise Duty.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), sometimes known as 'road tax' or 'car tax', is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, 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 has no current plans to review this structure. At Autumn Budget 2025, the government announced the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, which will come into effect from April 2028. Drivers will pay for their mileage alongside their existing Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

What steps she plans to take to ensure that coastal and rural areas are effectively supported by centralised police forces.

The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, set out an ambitious package of reform, including an ambition to significantly reduce the number of police forces across England and Wales by the end of next Parliament.We will shortly launch an Independent Review of Police Force Structures, which will make recommendations on the optimum number and configuration of forces. This will consider a wide range of evidence in making its recommendations by Summer.These larger forces will be comprised of Local Policing Areas, with policing teams focused exclusively on local policing issues, ensuring that every community is served by visible and responsible neighbourhood officers. We will also establish Local Policing Guarantees that will set out the minimum levels of service the public should expect to receive from their police force, regardless of where they live.

What monitoring measures his Department employs to assess the risk of market failure in major energy suppliers.

Ofgem, as the independent regulator, actively monitors the market using both direct and proxy information to identify any risks of supplier failure.Any reporting relating to Ofgem’s enhanced monitoring is a matter for Ofgem to communicate, given the commercial sensitivity of supplier finances. In April 2025, Ofgem implemented the final stage of their capital adequacy regime, which includes measures such as requiring suppliers to hold sufficient capital, as well as having control over material assets needed to run their business and enhanced monitoring and reporting commitments. These measures have strengthened the financial resilience of suppliers and the stability of the retail market. In the event of the failure of a major energy supplier, the Government and Ofgem have robust and well-tested procedures in place to ensure that customers do not experience any disruption to their energy supply. These include the Supplier of Last Resort process, successfully utilised twice in 2025, and the Special Administration Regime (SAR) for a larger supplier failure. In both cases, customers would continue to be supplied by as normal at the lowest reasonably practicable cost.

With reference to the Department for Business and Trade’s press release entitled Business Secretary backs British scaleups with growth package and red tape review, published on 20 January 2026, whether he made an assessment of the adequacy of the availability of private‑sector investment for Kraken Technologies before providing funding.

The Department for Business and Trade sets the overall strategic direction for the British Business Bank, which is operationally independent and carries out its own due diligence. The Department was informed by the Bank of its investment in Kraken Technologies on 7 January 2026, after the investment decision had been taken and the terms agreed.The Department does not seek to assess the merits of individual investments within the Bank's portfolio. This includes company valuation, the position of other investors, or the other matters raised some of which are the responsibility of other public bodies.

With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Business Secretary backs British scaleups with growth package and red tape review, published on 20 January 2026, whether he has taken steps to ensure that public investment in Kraken Technologies cannot be used to facilitate dividend payments by Octopus Energy.

The Department for Business and Trade sets the overall strategic direction for the British Business Bank, which is operationally independent and carries out its own due diligence. The Department was informed by the Bank of its investment in Kraken Technologies on 7 January 2026, after the investment decision had been taken and the terms agreed.The Department does not seek to assess the merits of individual investments within the Bank's portfolio. This includes company valuation, the position of other investors, or the other matters raised some of which are the responsibility of other public bodies.