Written questions by Mayhew.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 122220 on DfT Operator, how many staff will remain within the Department undertaking rail policy functions following the transfer to DfT Operator Ltd; and what assessment she has made of the Department’s capacity to act as an intelligent client of that body.

Following the transfer of staff to DFTO on 1st April, the Department for Transport has 485 FTE undertaking rail functions - from rail reform to major projects sponsorship. Robust and tested sponsorship arrangements have been implemented, enabling the Department to operate as an 'intelligent client' to DFTO. These arrangements establish clear lines of engagement and provide a consistent framework through which specialist policy and client teams can deliver coherent, expert advice which will be an important foundation for the future with Great British Railways.

What plans she has with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to expand permitted development rights to include pavement gullies for at-home EV charging.

The Department ran a consultation between November 2025 and January 2026, seeking views on changes to permitted development rights for cross-pavement charging solutions. The Department will publish its response shortly.

What consultation National Highways has undertaken with (a) local authorities, (b) businesses and (c) residents regarding the proposed closure of junction 38 of the M6.

Since 2023, National Highways has undertaken extensive engagement on the Lune Gorge project, including plans for M6 Junction 38, to understand its impacts and identify ways to reduce disruption. This has included meetings with Members, local authorities, industry bodies, residents and local businesses. National Highways has held over 60 engagement meetings and events, including four public information events in May and August 2025. In addition, National Highways has established a Stakeholder Engagement Group to support ongoing communication with local stakeholders as the scheme progresses. The Department and National Highways recognise the importance of meaningful engagement for schemes of this scale and duration.

What data the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency holds on the recruitment funnel for driving examiner roles, including (a) impressions, (b) click-throughs, (c) applications started, (d) applications completed, (e) candidates interviewed, (f) candidates appointed, and (g) candidates completing training, in the most recent 12-month period for which data is available.

Please see the answer to question 122525. The table below shows the total number of applications, total completed applications DVSA received, the number of applicants invited to interview, the number of applicants invited to the driving assessment stage, applicants recruited and placed on a training course and how many applicants successfully passed training in 2025:Total applications (including started but not completed)Total completed applications receivedNo of applicants invited to interview stageNo of applicants invited to driving assessment stage after a successful interviewNo of applicants recruited and placed on a training courseNo of applicants successfully passing training course19,13811,1325,6621,512460327 For any recruitment campaign a candidate must complete the application on Civil Service Jobs by the application deadline. If a candidate starts the initial application but does not complete it, this application will not be considered as part of the final sift of applications. The data on applicants recruited and placed on training courses, and applicants who successfully passed training, is the total number for the calendar year, and does not necessarily represent when applicants entered the recruitment process. For example, an applicant might have been recruited onto a training course in 2024 but did pass the training course until 2025.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122594, when (a) Winslow station will be fully handed over and (b) future staffing arrangements will be agreed.

Chiltern is continuing to work closely with its partners and the Department to conclude the remaining train, infrastructure and staff issues and a start date for the first East West Rail services will be announced as soon as it is possible to do so.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122545 on Vehicle Certification Agency: Fees and Charges, when she will respond to the consultation on the proposed fee increases.

The VCA expects to respond to the consultation within the standard 12-week timeframe.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122319, on Driving Tests: Vacancies, if she will provide, for each recruitment campaign undertaken by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in each of the last three financial years, details of (a) the campaign name, intended audience and description, (b) the channels used, (c) the geographic areas targeted and (d) the job roles advertised.

The table below details: the campaign name, channels used and the geographic areas targeted for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) 10 driving examiner recruitment campaigns in the 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years. In terms of the intended audience, all campaigns aim to target the widest group that could be interested. DVSA advertises all driving examiner vacancies on Civil Service Jobs on GOV.UK. DVSA also uses posters in driving test centres and external online job sites to reach a wider pool of applicants. DateCampaign nameChannels usedGeographical area targetedMay-23Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNational (except London and South East England)Sep-23Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNationalFeb-24Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNationalJun-24Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNationalSep-24Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boards. radio/Spotify advertsNationalMar-25Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boards. radio advertsNationalJul-25Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNationalSep-25Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNationalDec-25Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsNationalFeb-26Driving ExaminerCivil Service Jobs, Social Media, various job boardsSouthern England, East Midlands, East Anglia & London

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122543 on Driving Tests: Recruitment, what workforce planning model the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency uses to determine when to initiate recruitment campaigns for driving examiner roles in specific locations.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) uses learner postcode mapping to guide workforce planning and recruitment strategies. The DVSA will continue to assess the recruitment needs of all test centres in the UK and will continue to launch further recruitment campaigns to address demand.

What the planned annual expenditure profile is for the £1 billion Zero Emission Truck and Van funding package.

The schemes included in the zero emission commercial vehicle package announced on 25 March are demand led. The Government has not set out annual budgets on all schemes across all financial years to maximise flexibility in meeting the evolving needs of the zero emission transition, and to prevent speculation on remaining funds that could lead to market distorting behaviour. The Depot Charging Scheme has committed to a budget of £28 million in the 26/27 FY and £38 million in the 27/28 FY.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, which online job sites the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has used to advertise driving examiner vacancies in the last 12 months.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advertises all driving examiner vacancies on Civil Service Jobs (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK. Over the last 12 months, DVSA has used the following online job sites to reach a wider pool of applicants:DfT Careers [careers.dft.gov.uk] – Driving Examiner role page The page explains role duties, skills, and recruitment process.GOV.UK [gov.uk] – Working for DVSA recruitment areaDVSA professions page on DfT Careers Lists Driving Examiner roles and links users to the appropriate recruitment routes; used during active campaigns.The agency also displays posters in driving test centres as part of a wider mix of recruitment activity. All driving test centres have access to a centrally produced recruitment campaign poster to be displayed in their waiting rooms. However, posters are displayed only if DVSA is actively recruiting in the area.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 is limited and does not give 100% coverage. In December 2025, the agency 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. The data will be crossed referenced, however DVSA currently has data for only one complete and one ongoing campaign. This survey might contain some data about how effective posters are in generating applications for driving examiner roles, but it is too early to say.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of poster-based recruitment for driving examiner roles.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advertises all driving examiner vacancies on Civil Service Jobs (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK. Over the last 12 months, DVSA has used the following online job sites to reach a wider pool of applicants:DfT Careers [careers.dft.gov.uk] – Driving Examiner role page The page explains role duties, skills, and recruitment process.GOV.UK [gov.uk] – Working for DVSA recruitment areaDVSA professions page on DfT Careers Lists Driving Examiner roles and links users to the appropriate recruitment routes; used during active campaigns.The agency also displays posters in driving test centres as part of a wider mix of recruitment activity. All driving test centres have access to a centrally produced recruitment campaign poster to be displayed in their waiting rooms. However, posters are displayed only if DVSA is actively recruiting in the area.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 is limited and does not give 100% coverage. In December 2025, the agency 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. The data will be crossed referenced, however DVSA currently has data for only one complete and one ongoing campaign. This survey might contain some data about how effective posters are in generating applications for driving examiner roles, but it is too early to say.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119471 on Vehicle Certification Agency, what estimate she has made of the additional annual revenue generated from proposed fee increases; what proportion of the deficit that revenue will cover; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those fee increases on businesses using the Agency’s services.

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) reported a net deficit of £8.8m in its accounts for the 2024/25 financial year. Potential fee increases, if implemented would support the managing down of the deficit, with any remaining deficits are expected to be covered by efficiencies and additional income in other areas. A consultation on the proposed fee increases has recently been completed, and the outputs are currently being evaluated.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, how many applicants were appointed to driving examiner roles in each of the last three years.

The Government Recruitment Service does not hold information on whether an applicant was successful as a result of a referral, as such the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has had no discussions regarding this. The table below shows the number of applicants who successfully passed training, to become a driving examiner conducting tests, in each of the last three years: Successfully passed training202318020241212025327 The above is the total number for the calendar year, and does not necessarily represent when applicants entered the recruitment process. For example, an applicant might have been recruited onto a training course in 2022 but did not pass the training course until 2023.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118042, whether she has had discussions with the Government Recruitment Service on enabling the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to access applicant referral source data.

The Government Recruitment Service does not hold information on whether an applicant was successful as a result of a referral, as such the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has had no discussions regarding this. The table below shows the number of applicants who successfully passed training, to become a driving examiner conducting tests, in each of the last three years: Successfully passed training202318020241212025327 The above is the total number for the calendar year, and does not necessarily represent when applicants entered the recruitment process. For example, an applicant might have been recruited onto a training course in 2022 but did not pass the training course until 2023.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116554, whether she plans to assess the effectiveness of the analysis conducted by Thatcham Research.

The Department has no current plans to undertake assessment of the effectiveness of the analysis conducted by Thatcham Research. Where assessment and research are necessary to support policy development and decisions the Government draws on a broad range of evidence. This includes using existing independent evidence, where it is sourced from robust and reliable research, alongside commissioning specific Government-funded studies when necessary to fill evidence gaps or complement and corroborate existing findings.

Whether the Government Fleet Commitment is achieving its intended objectives across all categories of departmental vehicle use.

Through the Government Fleet Commitment (GFC), departments have been encouraged to develop and deliver their own fleet transition plans, recognising the range of use cases departmental fleets serve. An exemptions process is in place for categories of vehicle use which may not be suitable for transitioning to zero emission vehicles during the GFC target period, for example for practical or operational reasons. Further details are available at: Government fleet commitment - GOV.UK

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120007, how much of the average annual real-terms reduction in HS2 capital spending between FY2025-26 and FY2029-30 is expected to be achieved through (a) efficiency savings, (b) reprofiling of expenditure, (c) changes to project scope and (d) changes to the delivery timetable.

The HS2 Spending Review settlement reflects the scope of work that the HS2 programme plans to deliver over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30. The average annual real-terms growth rate of -7.9% detailed in the Spending Review report reflects changes in annual spend over this period, based on the expenditure profiles HS2 Ltd agreed with the Department for Transport to deliver Phase 1 scope. It reflects the stages of the programme and supports the reset of the programme Mark Wild is conducting.

When the first East West Rail services are expected to operate from Bicester to Winslow.

The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the first East-West Rail services between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central via Winslow. For passenger services to commence, trains will need to have been modified and fully tested, and driver training will need to have been completed. Winslow Station also needs to be fully handed over, and future staffing arrangements also remain to be agreed. Appointment of Chiltern Railways as operator was delayed by the sudden General Election in July 2024, and consequently they were not appointed until March 2025.

What estimate has been made of the annual cost to ferry operators serving the Isle of Wight arising from inclusion in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

The expansion of the UK ETS to domestic maritime is designed to cut emissions and accelerate investment in cleaner vessels and technologies.The Impact Assessment that accompanies the UK ETS Authority’s final response to the “UK Emissions Trading Scheme Scope Expansion: maritime sector” consultation, presents analysis on the overall cost of the UK ETS to shipping operators. The cost to each individual operator will depend on their level of emissions, whether they choose to invest in measures to reduce these emissions, and the carbon price trajectory over time. Costs for individual operators, including Isle of Wight services, will reflect their emissions profile, how quickly they adopt fuel saving or low carbon measures, and the trajectory of the carbon price over time.

A) how much funding has been allocated to local authorities for pothole repairs in each year since 2023–24; b) what estimate her Department has made of the number of potholes expected to be repaired as a result of that funding; c) what assessment she has made of the cost per pothole repair, and d) how many additional potholes she expects will be repaired annually as a result of the £7.3 billion funding settlement.

The total funding provided to local authorities in each financial year since 2023/24 can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations. The Asphalt Industry Alliance estimated in its 2026 Survey that the average cost of repairing a pothole is £78.45. The funding increase for local highways maintenance that the Government has confirmed – doubling annual funding by 2029-30 compared to 2024-25 levels – will enable local highway authorities to repair millions of additional potholes in each year of this Parliament. 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.