Written questions by Mayhew.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 122888, whether her Department has set a timetable for the further work required to develop plans for a North–South line between Birmingham and Manchester.

The Northern Growth Strategy set out the Government’s intention to ultimately deliver a full North-South new line between Birmingham and Manchester. Further work will be carried out in collaboration with local partners on what will be delivered and when, but we expect the delivery timelines for this line to follow the completion of HS2 and NPR.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122307, whether her Department plans to collect data from local authorities on roads awaiting adoption.

The Department does not currently plan to collect data from local authorities on roads awaiting adoption. However, it has commissioned research to improve understanding of adoption rates and is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which has consulted on related issues, to support a coordinated cross‑government approach.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120894, how many meetings of the Rail Engagement Group have taken place since its establishment.

The Secretary of State established the Rail Engagement Group in October 2025, and since then it has held three meetings.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 119456, when the East West Rail Spring consultation will take place.

The East West Rail spring consultation was published on 14th April and will run until 9th June 2026.

How many and what proportion of rail journeys used fully digital tickets in each month since January 2026 up to and including the most recent month for which figures are available.

The approximate proportion of tickets fulfilled as Digital Tickets for February and March 2026 are: Feb-26Mar-26Digital87%101m88%115mNon-Digital13%15m12%15m

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 122316, whether Network Rail plans to publish the further timetabling analysis and modelling referred to in that Answer; and if she will place a copy in the Library.

The Department has worked extensively with Network Rail and stakeholders on development and design of a scheme to deliver a third line between York North Throat and Skelton Junction. The scheme remains under review to ensure it can be delivered in the most effective way as part of a holistic strategy of investment.

Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122594, when she expects trains for the first EWR services between Oxford and Milton Keynes to have been modified for passenger services to commence.

Chiltern subleases the trains that will be used on East West Rail from West Midlands Trains. The operator continues to work jointly with the train owner and the industry supply chain on the schedule for the final modifications which are expected to be delivered and tested imminently.

With reference to the flights listed to Canada in WPQ 120039, a) what the purpose was of each such visit; b) which Ministers or senior officials approved each visit; c) how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; d) what the total cost was of each visit; and e) what assessment was made of whether those engagements could be conducted remotely or combined with other travel.

The flights to Canada listed in WPQ 120039 cover numerous trips and to provide detail on each individual trip would be at a disproportionate cost.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2026 to Question 104661 on M6: Repairs and Maintenance, if she will publish the assessments undertaken by National Highways in (a) 2019 and (b) 2025 on the feasibility of temporary slip roads at junction 38 of the M6.

National Highways shared its 2019 option assessment work for the M6 Lune Gorge scheme with local stakeholders, which considered mitigation measures, including the consideration of temporary slip roads at junction 38.Following further stakeholder engagement, National Highways revisited this option and commissioned a feasibility exercise in August 2025. They presented their findings from the feasibility exercise in September 2025. Subsequently, BWB Consulting have put forward alternative proposals on behalf of local stakeholders. We are keen to work with local people and National Highways have committed to review these further proposals. National Highways will feed back on this.

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.

Whether his Department has a contingency plan for future fuel rationing schemes.

The UK benefits from a diverse and resilient supply chain and remains well supplied across all fuel types with strong and varied sources of supply. Government routinely reviews and exercises its preparedness arrangements for a range of scenarios, including through the published National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F). This is a long-standing, precautionary framework designed to ensure that, in the unlikely event of a severe and sustained disruption, fuel can be prioritised for those who need it most. It is important to stress that these measures are precautionary. We are not currently at, nor approaching, the threshold for their use, and fuel continues to be available through normal supply routes.

What assessment her Department has made of the governance arrangements applying to the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, including its funding model.

We fully recognise the serious and growing threat that freight crime poses to businesses, drivers, and the wider economy.The Government does not fund NaVCIS. Instead NaVCIS is funded by the industry, including finance and leasing companies, insurers and hauliers.NaVCIS is a national policing unit that provides dedicated specialist intelligence, and it engages with a range of partners to tackle organised vehicle crime.

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.

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 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

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 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 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.