Written questions by Robertson.

What international case studies her Department has examined to establish best practice for the enhancement of key data and insight capabilities on the freight and logistics system.

The Department recognises the value of international comparisons when developing freight and logistics analytical projects. Recent examples include:Australia’s National Freight Data Hub, which provides a central platform for sharing freight data to improve supply‑chain visibility.The United States’ Bureau of Transportation Statistics national commodity flow survey to understand performance monitoring.Republic of Korea’s Transport Database to understand integration of multimodal transport data to support long‑term planning. The Department will continue to monitor international best practice as we strengthen the evidence base for the freight and logistics system.

What the staff costs are of each nationalised train operator company under the control of DfT Operator Limited.

Official statistics on train operator costs are published on the Office of Rail and Road portal. Rail industry finance (UK) | ORR Data Portal Rail industry finance (UK) – April 2024 to March 2025 Table 7223 – Franchised Passenger Train Operator Finances by Franchise(latest year) | ORR Data Portal

When she expects the DVLA Fee Strategy to be published.

While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency keep its fees under constant review, there are currently no plans to publish a fees strategy.

What steps her Department is taking in 2025-26 to reduce the fee deficit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The MCA undertakes services, such as vessel surveys, seafarer certification and the registration of seamen and shipping for which it charges fees. These activities are pivotal to maritime safety, helping to prevent loss of life and pollution incidents at sea. For the year (2024/25), the Agency incurred costs of £14.1m and received income of £11.0m based on the charges for these services as set in the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018, resulting in a deficit of £3.1m. A public consultation on the replacement for the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 will be held in 2026. Following the public consultation, the Agency will aim to implement these regulations in a timely manner to ensure it can recover costs incurred in delivering its statutory services.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113161, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency collects data on traffic, click-through rates and referral sources for driving examiner applications.

As with any customer who uses the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) services, their data will be retained on record for a period of time. There are, however, Data Protection rules regulating how this data can be used. As stated in the answer to Question 113159, DVSA seeks to attract applications from as wide a pool as possible, and not just from those who may have a driving instructor background. DVSA are aware, however, that driving examiner (DE) vacancies likely attract a significant proportion of approved driving instructors (ADI) via our regular advertising. All DE vacancies are publicly advertised on Civil Service Jobs on GOV.UK. DVSA also uses online jobsites and places posters in driving test centres to publicise roles. DVSA uses the Government Recruitment Service hosted applicant tracking system, through a contract with the Department for Transport. DVSA cannot get details of applicant referral sources from this service. DVSA can collect click-through rates for some areas, such as some forms of advertising.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 113159, whether the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency holds contact details for individuals who have previously failed the Approved Driving Instructor Part 3 test; and whether it has assessed the potential merits of using that cohort as a potential recruitment pool for driving examiner vacancies.

As with any customer who uses the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) services, their data will be retained on record for a period of time. There are, however, Data Protection rules regulating how this data can be used. As stated in the answer to Question 113159, DVSA seeks to attract applications from as wide a pool as possible, and not just from those who may have a driving instructor background. DVSA are aware, however, that driving examiner (DE) vacancies likely attract a significant proportion of approved driving instructors (ADI) via our regular advertising. All DE vacancies are publicly advertised on Civil Service Jobs on GOV.UK. DVSA also uses online jobsites and places posters in driving test centres to publicise roles. DVSA uses the Government Recruitment Service hosted applicant tracking system, through a contract with the Department for Transport. DVSA cannot get details of applicant referral sources from this service. DVSA can collect click-through rates for some areas, such as some forms of advertising.

Whether local highway authorities are eligible for central government funding for bus stop schemes that do not incorporate floating bus stop designs.

The Department is providing all local transport authorities (LTAs) with multi-year consolidated funding settlements, delivering our commitment in the English Devolution White Paper to simplify funding. These consolidated local transport settlements will give LTAs greater freedom and flexibility to make the investment decisions that best impact their local areas. LTAs can therefore use this funding to introduce or upgrade bus stops in their areas if they wish to do so.On 20 November 2025 the Department wrote to local authorities requesting they put on hold certain designs of floating bus stop which require people to board or alight directly from or into a cycle track. This applies to new schemes at the design stage. Local authorities must have regard to the statutory guidance on floating bus stop provision and design published on 26 January and available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/floating-bus-stops-provision-and-design/floating-bus-stops-provision-and-design.

Whether her Department has made recommendations to UK airports on increasing modal shift away from private car use.

My Department has introduced a range of measures to encourage and support UK airports in moving passengers and staff away from private car use. All major UK Airports have been required to have a Surface Access Strategy since 2000, with clear modal‑shift and sustainable transport objectives. Specific targets for airports to reduce private car modal share typically come from planning obligations linked to expansion proposals. In addition, my Department continues to invest in public transport networks to provide passengers with credible and convenient alternatives to car travel.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) the Royal National Institute of Blind People, (b) Guide Dogs, and (c) the National Federation of the Blind of the UK on the accessibility of floating bus stop designs.

The Department engages with a wide range of stakeholders in developing policy on street design. My officials and I have met with a range of groups in developing policy on floating bus stops including the Royal National Institute of Blind People, Guide Dogs and the National Federation of the Blind UK.

Whether her Department plans to introduce a single national definition of a fit and proper person for taxi and private hire vehicle driver licensing.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, seeks to provide a power for the Secretary of State to set in regulations requirements that must be met for any taxi or private hire vehicle licence to be issued and held.

Whether the Government will establish a national database of licensed taxi and private hire vehicle drivers accessible to licensing authorities.

Since 2023 all licensing authorities have been required to use a national licensing database to facilitate the sharing of information when a taxi or private hire vehicle driver has had a licence refused, suspended or revoked on the grounds of safeguarding, road safety or equality discrimination concerns. The Department for Transport is considering options to reform the regulation of the sector, and as part of this intends to have a national licensing database with the details of every driver, vehicle and private hire vehicle operator licence.

Whether Rule H1 was developed as part of the Government’s active travel or modal shift objectives; and what steps she took to consult motorcyclist and motorist organisations during drafting.

The previous Government updated the Highway Code in 2022 to improve road safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses including the introduction of a hierarchy of road users. This review of the Highway Code was announced as part of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy Safety Review in September 2017. When undertaking the review of The Highway Code the Department for Transport worked closely with representative organisations to seek their views and experiences, including motoring groups. The consultation on the proposed changes ran for 3 months and generated a huge response with nearly 21,000 replies received from a wide range of road users.

If she will review the evidential basis for the Colour Assessment Diagnosis test.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) keeps the evidential basis for colour vision testing under regular review. The Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test, developed with City University London, is currently the only advanced colour vision test accepted by the CAA because independent analysis has shown that it, along with anomaloscopes when used correctly, provides 100% sensitivity and specificity. The CAD test is also used by other aviation authorities including the United States’ Federal Aviation Authority, Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. We recognise the importance of this issue for the pilot community and will continue to monitor emerging evidence and international practice carefully. International bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), are also actively examining developments in this area. EASA has commissioned a major research programme on colour vision in aviation, expected to conclude in 2026, which may inform future policy. The Government’s priority remains maintaining the high level of aviation safety expected in the UK.

Whether (a) ministers, (b) advisors, and (c) officials in her Department have held conversations with the European Federation for Transport and Environment since 4 July 2024.

The Department has engaged with Transport and Environment as part of routine stakeholder engagement.

Whether (a) ministers, (b) advisors, and (c) officials in her Department have held conversations with Clean Cities Campaign since 4 July 2024.

The Department has engaged with Clean Cities Campaign as part of routine stakeholder engagement.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 108458, whether the £199 million in the Support for Rail Passenger Services budget line in 2028–29 will result in changes to a) service levels, b) fare policy and c) subsidy support for train operating services.

The £199 million efficiencies in the Support for Rail Passenger Services line are expected to be delivered mostly from more efficient workforce management, economies of scale as private sector operating companies move into public ownership, and ticketing and retail reform including the creation of a single GBR online retail offer. These efficiencies contribute to the more than 50 per cent reduction in the rail passenger services subsidy from £2.4 billion in 2024-25.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 108458, what measures within the Support for Rail Passenger Services budget line will generate £199 million; and if she will publish a breakdown of the individual initiatives and their estimated savings.

The £199 million efficiencies in the support for Rail Passenger Services line are expected to be delivered mostly from more efficient workforce management, economies of scale as private sector operating companies move into public ownership, and ticketing and retail reform including the creation of a single Great British Railways online retail offer.

What assessments her Department has made of the potential impact of wire rope safety barriers on the safety of motorcyclists; and whether any research has been conducted into this area.

The safety of all road users remains important to the Department, and we work with partners to reduce motorcycle casualties through safer riding, better training and a safer road environment while considering motorcyclists’ needs in improving safety on the Strategic Road Network. The current requirements for road restraint systems are reflected in the updated standards within the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, published in February 2026:https://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/search/ef2e5866-3fb9-4e99-81aa-95a41adff4e7 National Highways has commissioned research from TRL Limited on the safety of motorcyclists and roadside barriers (including wire rope systems), which has been published at: https://www.trl.co.uk/uploads/trl/documents/PPR2051-Motorcyclists-and-Barriers-on-the-SRN.pdf.

What the car practical driving test waiting time was in weeks in each driving test centre in Great Britain in each month since 4 July 2024.

The attached Excel spreadsheet shows the car practical driving test waiting time in weeks for each driving test centre (DTC) in Great Britain, in each month since July 2024 to January 2026.Please note, some DTCs no longer conduct car tests or have closed. There are also some DTCs that did not conduct car tests in some individual months.

Since 1 January 2024, how many additional employees have been recruited by DFT Operator Limited (DFTO) on a headcount basis; and what the net change in total employee headcount at DFTO has been in each quarter from January 2024 to the most recent quarter for which figures are available.

The table below sets out the number of employees recruited from January 2024 and the change to net employee headcount per quarter for DFT Operator Limited (DFTO). The increases in headcount are as a result of the progressive public ownership programme managed by DFTO. The increase in staff costs are being offset by the savings in fees that would otherwise be payable to the former private sector owners. QuarterEmployees recruitedEmployees leftTotal headcountNet changeQ1 202441143Q2 202461195Q3 2024112289Q4 20241003810Q1 20252215921Q2 20251707617Q3 202531410327Q4 202526612320Q1 202622514017