Written questions by Anderson.

What steps she is taking to help reduce rail fares.

We are overhauling the fares system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal. This year's fares increase of 4.6 per cent was the lowest increase in three years and will help to support the Government’s long-term plans to achieve financial sustainability of the railway. Our rail sale, celebrating the 200th anniversary of passenger train in this country, saw passengers travelling with up to 50 per cent discounts on their fares from 17 January to 31 March, accounting for just over 1 million discounted trips, bringing in £9.23 million in gross sales.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57342 on Robin Hood Line: Standards, what proportion of trains on the Robin Hood Line arrived (a) on time and (b) within three minutes in each of the last six months.

The proportion of Robin Hood Line services in each rail period (4 weeks) from 8 December 2024 to 24 May 2025, (a) that arrived at their destination on time was: 50.7%; 54.9%; 60.4%, 59.8%; 57.8% and 60.5% and (b) trains that arrived at their destination within 3 minutes was 74.9%, 80.1%, 83.8%, 84.8%, 82.1%, 84.4%.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57342 on Robin Hood Line: Standards, how many rail replacement buses were used on the Robin Hood Line in the last six months.

Between 8 December 2024 and 24 May 2025, 87 rail replacement buses were used on the Robin Hood Line. 48 buses were for pre-planned engineering work which took place on 28 of the days, and 39 buses were used due to emergency or on the day disruptions on 21 days.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 57342 on Robin Hood Line: Standards, how many of the 11% of late trains on the Robin Hood Line in that period were cancelled.

Between 1 April and 26 April 2025, 89 per cent of all services for all stations on the Robin Hood Line arrived within three minutes of their schedule arrival time, 11 per cent arrived later than three minutes. Cancellations are measured separately as the train has not departed all stations, in the same time frame. 2.34 per cent of Robin Hood Line services were cancelled.

If she will introduce step free access at Kirkby-in-Ashfield railway station.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.In May 2024, the previous government selected 50 stations for initial feasibility work for potential upgrades as part of our Access for All programme. This did not include Kirkby-in-Ashfield railway station.

With reference to the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the legalisation of self-driving vehicles on people whose jobs require driving.

The development of self-driving vehicle technology has the potential to support our Plan for Growth, creating up to 38,000 high-quality jobs, and unlocking £42 billion for the UK economy by 2035. Additional benefits will include reducing human error – which causes nearly 9 in 10 road collisions – and offering new, flexible transport options, particularly for those with limited mobility. We expect that the introduction of self-driving vehicles will be gradual, given the current readiness of the technology. We are committed to continued engagement with affected groups, including representatives for taxi, bus and private hire vehicle drivers, as we develop and implement the secondary legislation underpinning the Act.

What data her Department holds on the proportion of people reliant on public transport in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire, (c) the East Midlands, (d) England and (e) the UK.

The Department for Transport holds no direct data or estimates of reliance on public transport. The National Travel Survey (NTS), overseen by the Department, collects data on the proportion of households who have no access to a car or van for England (22% in 2023) and East Midlands (21% in 2023). NTS data is not available at constituency, county or UK level. The 2021 Census for England and Wales, overseen by the Office for National Statistics, also collected data on the proportion of households with no cars or vans, as shown in the table below. AreaProportion of households with no cars or vansAshfield20.6%Nottinghamshire18.3%East Midlands19.1%England23.5%

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of online taxi app companies on (a) independent taxi companies and (b) their drivers.

Government supports choice for passengers in the taxi and private hire vehicle sector. It is a matter for taxi drivers if they wish to use a taxi app company as an intermediary between them and the passenger. All private hire vehicle journeys must be pre-booked through a licensed operator. It is for private hire vehicle drivers to decide which operators they wish to work with, subject to licensing requirements. The Department’s taxi and private hire vehicle survey provides information on the numbers of licensed taxi and private hire vehicle drivers, vehicles and private hire vehicle operators and how these have changed since the adoption by passengers and the sector of new technology.

Whether her Department holds data on changes in bus usage in (a) Ashfield constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England since the increase in the bus fare cap.

The bus fare cap was increased in January 2025. Currently, the only available data relating to bus usage after this date comes from the Domestic Transport Usage by Mode publication available on GOV.UK, which contains daily figures at the Great Britain outside London level only. No data are held on bus usage at (a) constituency level. On 19 June, daily data for (b) Nottinghamshire are due to be published on GOV.UK for the first time as part of the new Daily local bus passenger and trip statistics publication. In November, annual data for the year ending March 2025 covering (b) Nottinghamshire and (c) England are due to be published on GOV.UK as part of the regular Annual bus statistics publication.

What steps her Department is taking to improve (a) reliability and (b) frequency on the Robin Hood Line in Nottinghamshire.

The Department meets the train operator every four weeks to discuss performance. Last period 89 per cent of Robin Hood Line services arrived on time or within three minutes. Currently, there are no plans to increase the frequency of services on this route.

What recent discussions she has had with the DVSA on waiting times for driving tests.

During the last 12 months, two driving examiners (DE) have retired in Ashfield. As a result of recruitment campaigns in Ashfield, in the last 12 months two new entrants were successful. One new entrant has completed their training and is conducting driving tests, the other new entrant, following successful completion of their training will start conducting tests in the next 7-8 weeks. A further new entrant will start their training on 23 June. In February, DVSA also transferred one examiner into Ashfield DTC.DVSA has received applications for its current campaign for the Ashfield cluster. The agency anticipates additional new entrants for late Autum from this campaign. DVSA is continuing with its recruitment campaigns and will recruit as many DEs as possible.The average and longest waiting times for a practical car driving test in Ashfield is shown in the table below: YearYTD Car Waiting Times (Average)Booking Window (longest waiting)2020 / 2021*11.84 Weeks18 Weeks**2021 / 202215.71 Weeks24 Weeks2022 / 202322.21 Weeks24 Weeks2023 / 202419.42 Weeks24 Weeks2024 / 202522.55 Weeks24 Weeks* Impacted by COVID restrictions.**Booking window was 18 weeks and changed to 24 weeks in 2021. Over the last 12 months, the regions that have experienced the longest driving test waiting times are in the South of England.The average waiting time in days for a theory test at test centres that serve customers in Ashfield can be found in the tables below: DerbyFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2226.922/2318.323/2419.424/2524.9 NottinghamFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2229.222/2318.523/2419.424/2526.0 ChesterfieldFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2223.222/2318.623/2420.724/2527.3 *Please note, DVSA only holds data from when its new theory test booking service was implemented in September 2021. Theory test data availability is not measured in the same way as practical tests. DVSA’s relevant KPI for theory tests is the difference between the first confirmed booking date and the first confirmed test date, excluding bank holidays. Theory tests can be booked up to 6 months in advance.I regularly meet with officials from DVSA to discuss various topics. The Secretary of State met with DVSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Loveday Ryder, on 21 May 2025 to discuss car practical driving test waiting times and other topics.

How many driving test examiners have been onboarded in Ashfield constituency in the last year.

During the last 12 months, two driving examiners (DE) have retired in Ashfield. As a result of recruitment campaigns in Ashfield, in the last 12 months two new entrants were successful. One new entrant has completed their training and is conducting driving tests, the other new entrant, following successful completion of their training will start conducting tests in the next 7-8 weeks. A further new entrant will start their training on 23 June. In February, DVSA also transferred one examiner into Ashfield DTC.DVSA has received applications for its current campaign for the Ashfield cluster. The agency anticipates additional new entrants for late Autum from this campaign. DVSA is continuing with its recruitment campaigns and will recruit as many DEs as possible.The average and longest waiting times for a practical car driving test in Ashfield is shown in the table below: YearYTD Car Waiting Times (Average)Booking Window (longest waiting)2020 / 2021*11.84 Weeks18 Weeks**2021 / 202215.71 Weeks24 Weeks2022 / 202322.21 Weeks24 Weeks2023 / 202419.42 Weeks24 Weeks2024 / 202522.55 Weeks24 Weeks* Impacted by COVID restrictions.**Booking window was 18 weeks and changed to 24 weeks in 2021. Over the last 12 months, the regions that have experienced the longest driving test waiting times are in the South of England.The average waiting time in days for a theory test at test centres that serve customers in Ashfield can be found in the tables below: DerbyFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2226.922/2318.323/2419.424/2524.9 NottinghamFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2229.222/2318.523/2419.424/2526.0 ChesterfieldFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2223.222/2318.623/2420.724/2527.3 *Please note, DVSA only holds data from when its new theory test booking service was implemented in September 2021. Theory test data availability is not measured in the same way as practical tests. DVSA’s relevant KPI for theory tests is the difference between the first confirmed booking date and the first confirmed test date, excluding bank holidays. Theory tests can be booked up to 6 months in advance.I regularly meet with officials from DVSA to discuss various topics. The Secretary of State met with DVSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Loveday Ryder, on 21 May 2025 to discuss car practical driving test waiting times and other topics.

What the (a) average and (b) longest waiting times were for (i) theory and (ii) practical driving tests in Ashfield constituency in each of the last five years.

During the last 12 months, two driving examiners (DE) have retired in Ashfield. As a result of recruitment campaigns in Ashfield, in the last 12 months two new entrants were successful. One new entrant has completed their training and is conducting driving tests, the other new entrant, following successful completion of their training will start conducting tests in the next 7-8 weeks. A further new entrant will start their training on 23 June. In February, DVSA also transferred one examiner into Ashfield DTC.DVSA has received applications for its current campaign for the Ashfield cluster. The agency anticipates additional new entrants for late Autum from this campaign. DVSA is continuing with its recruitment campaigns and will recruit as many DEs as possible.The average and longest waiting times for a practical car driving test in Ashfield is shown in the table below: YearYTD Car Waiting Times (Average)Booking Window (longest waiting)2020 / 2021*11.84 Weeks18 Weeks**2021 / 202215.71 Weeks24 Weeks2022 / 202322.21 Weeks24 Weeks2023 / 202419.42 Weeks24 Weeks2024 / 202522.55 Weeks24 Weeks* Impacted by COVID restrictions.**Booking window was 18 weeks and changed to 24 weeks in 2021. Over the last 12 months, the regions that have experienced the longest driving test waiting times are in the South of England.The average waiting time in days for a theory test at test centres that serve customers in Ashfield can be found in the tables below: DerbyFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2226.922/2318.323/2419.424/2524.9 NottinghamFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2229.222/2318.523/2419.424/2526.0 ChesterfieldFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2223.222/2318.623/2420.724/2527.3 *Please note, DVSA only holds data from when its new theory test booking service was implemented in September 2021. Theory test data availability is not measured in the same way as practical tests. DVSA’s relevant KPI for theory tests is the difference between the first confirmed booking date and the first confirmed test date, excluding bank holidays. Theory tests can be booked up to 6 months in advance.I regularly meet with officials from DVSA to discuss various topics. The Secretary of State met with DVSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Loveday Ryder, on 21 May 2025 to discuss car practical driving test waiting times and other topics.

Which areas of England have the longest waiting time for a driving test.

During the last 12 months, two driving examiners (DE) have retired in Ashfield. As a result of recruitment campaigns in Ashfield, in the last 12 months two new entrants were successful. One new entrant has completed their training and is conducting driving tests, the other new entrant, following successful completion of their training will start conducting tests in the next 7-8 weeks. A further new entrant will start their training on 23 June. In February, DVSA also transferred one examiner into Ashfield DTC.DVSA has received applications for its current campaign for the Ashfield cluster. The agency anticipates additional new entrants for late Autum from this campaign. DVSA is continuing with its recruitment campaigns and will recruit as many DEs as possible.The average and longest waiting times for a practical car driving test in Ashfield is shown in the table below: YearYTD Car Waiting Times (Average)Booking Window (longest waiting)2020 / 2021*11.84 Weeks18 Weeks**2021 / 202215.71 Weeks24 Weeks2022 / 202322.21 Weeks24 Weeks2023 / 202419.42 Weeks24 Weeks2024 / 202522.55 Weeks24 Weeks* Impacted by COVID restrictions.**Booking window was 18 weeks and changed to 24 weeks in 2021. Over the last 12 months, the regions that have experienced the longest driving test waiting times are in the South of England.The average waiting time in days for a theory test at test centres that serve customers in Ashfield can be found in the tables below: DerbyFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2226.922/2318.323/2419.424/2524.9 NottinghamFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2229.222/2318.523/2419.424/2526.0 ChesterfieldFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2223.222/2318.623/2420.724/2527.3 *Please note, DVSA only holds data from when its new theory test booking service was implemented in September 2021. Theory test data availability is not measured in the same way as practical tests. DVSA’s relevant KPI for theory tests is the difference between the first confirmed booking date and the first confirmed test date, excluding bank holidays. Theory tests can be booked up to 6 months in advance.I regularly meet with officials from DVSA to discuss various topics. The Secretary of State met with DVSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Loveday Ryder, on 21 May 2025 to discuss car practical driving test waiting times and other topics.

How many driving test examiners have left the DVSA in Ashfield constituency in the last year.

During the last 12 months, two driving examiners (DE) have retired in Ashfield. As a result of recruitment campaigns in Ashfield, in the last 12 months two new entrants were successful. One new entrant has completed their training and is conducting driving tests, the other new entrant, following successful completion of their training will start conducting tests in the next 7-8 weeks. A further new entrant will start their training on 23 June. In February, DVSA also transferred one examiner into Ashfield DTC.DVSA has received applications for its current campaign for the Ashfield cluster. The agency anticipates additional new entrants for late Autum from this campaign. DVSA is continuing with its recruitment campaigns and will recruit as many DEs as possible.The average and longest waiting times for a practical car driving test in Ashfield is shown in the table below: YearYTD Car Waiting Times (Average)Booking Window (longest waiting)2020 / 2021*11.84 Weeks18 Weeks**2021 / 202215.71 Weeks24 Weeks2022 / 202322.21 Weeks24 Weeks2023 / 202419.42 Weeks24 Weeks2024 / 202522.55 Weeks24 Weeks* Impacted by COVID restrictions.**Booking window was 18 weeks and changed to 24 weeks in 2021. Over the last 12 months, the regions that have experienced the longest driving test waiting times are in the South of England.The average waiting time in days for a theory test at test centres that serve customers in Ashfield can be found in the tables below: DerbyFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2226.922/2318.323/2419.424/2524.9 NottinghamFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2229.222/2318.523/2419.424/2526.0 ChesterfieldFinancial YearAverage Wait Time In Days21/2223.222/2318.623/2420.724/2527.3 *Please note, DVSA only holds data from when its new theory test booking service was implemented in September 2021. Theory test data availability is not measured in the same way as practical tests. DVSA’s relevant KPI for theory tests is the difference between the first confirmed booking date and the first confirmed test date, excluding bank holidays. Theory tests can be booked up to 6 months in advance.I regularly meet with officials from DVSA to discuss various topics. The Secretary of State met with DVSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Loveday Ryder, on 21 May 2025 to discuss car practical driving test waiting times and other topics.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the validity of driving theory tests to a minimum of three years.

The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it. It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce processing times for applications to the blue badge digital service.

The Blue Badge Digital Service offers a national online application and badge management facility through GOV.UK. Nearly 90% of all badge applications are now made through this service. The Department for Transport runs a programme of continuous improvement to the digital service to make online badge applications quicker and easier for applicants and local authorities, including undertaking specific research and testing to identify innovative improvements to the online application process. The service also undergoes regular accessibility and assurance testing to guarantee compliance with the Government’s digital standards.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the blue badge digital service for applicants with disabilities.

The Blue Badge Digital Service offers a national online application and badge management facility through GOV.UK. Nearly 90% of all badge applications are now made through this service. The Department for Transport runs a programme of continuous improvement to the digital service to make online badge applications quicker and easier for applicants and local authorities, including undertaking specific research and testing to identify innovative improvements to the online application process. The service also undergoes regular accessibility and assurance testing to guarantee compliance with the Government’s digital standards.

Whether she is taking steps to reduce administrative requirements for local authorities handling the blue badge digital service.

The Blue Badge Digital Service offers a national online application and badge management facility through GOV.UK. Nearly 90% of all badge applications are now made through this service. The Department for Transport runs a programme of continuous improvement to the digital service to make online badge applications quicker and easier for applicants and local authorities, including undertaking specific research and testing to identify innovative improvements to the online application process. The service also undergoes regular accessibility and assurance testing to guarantee compliance with the Government’s digital standards.

What diversity, equality and inclusion targets her Department has for staff recruitment.

All recruitment at the Department for Transport (DfT) is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. As such there are no diversity, equality and inclusion targets for recruitment in the Department.