Written questions by Pitcher.

How many commercial airline pilots joined the Civil Aviation Authority register in each of the past five calendar years.

Awaiting answer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2026 to Question 123626 on Aviation: Crew, if she will provide the number of commercial airline pilots registered with the Civil Aviation Authority who (a) reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 in each of the past five calendar years and (b) will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 in each of the next 10 calendar years.

Awaiting answer.

What information her Department holds on road traffic collisions in which the at-fault driver was taking a dopamine agonist, and on those incidents where (a) speed, (b) loss of control and (c) impulsive risk-ta

This information is not held. Data on deaths and injuries in reported road collisions is based on information reported to the Department by police forces in Great Britain via the system known as STATS19. STATS19 does not collect information about whether ...

What steps she is taking to increase the speed at which the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency processes driving licence renewals.

The quickest way to transact with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is by using its online services. The DVLA’s target is to dispatch 95 per cent of straightforward online driving licence applications within three working days and 90 per cent...

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of bus franchising on community connectivity in rural villages.

The Government is committed to delivering better bus services, including in rural areas. We have set out a plan to achieve this based on giving local leaders the powers they need and empowering them to choose the service model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, strengthened Enhanced Partnerships, or local authority bus companies. Under franchised bus services, local authorities can assume responsibility for all elements of the bus network, including routes, timetables and fares. This can lead to improved levels of connectivity. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to franchising, and Government is engaging with Local Transport Authorities to identify potential alternative models of franchising that could be adopted and used by smaller or more rural authorities. The Government has also allocated funding to five different areas to take forward bus franchising pilots. The pilots will test different franchising models to investigate how they can be implemented and deliver improved bus services for passengers, including in more rural locations. The pilots will provide funding, guidance, and practical resources to local transport authorities to identify the most suitable approach to bus franchising and wider bus reform measures.

Whether her Department has made an assessment into the social value of increasing rail connectivity (a) in and (b) between rural and semi-rural areas.

Assessments of the social value of increasing rail connectivity (a) in and (b) between rural and semi-rural areas are calculated on a case-by-case basis to reflect local economic conditions, using Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG). As an aid to understanding the value of such connectivity between origins and destinations, the Department for Transport has developed the connectivity metric, which measures an individual’s ability to reach employment, services and social engagements.Connectivity evaluates the value of destinations and the opportunity to reach said destinations using various modes of transport, including walking, cycling, driving and public transport. It considers different purposes of travel, like employment, education, shopping, leisure and healthcare. Its value will vary widely across geographies or between locations. In assessing the full social value of connectivity, the Connectivity tool is one method of gauging such potential value. However, this assessment must then take a holistic view as set out in TAG, including the guidance on assessment of the wider benefits of rail interventions including reduced road congestion, improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of restoration of rail service levels to pre COVID-19 levels.

We regularly review and publish passenger demand levels and work closely with operators to ensure they provide sufficient capacity to meet demand wherever possible. We have been clear with operators that they should meet demand in a manner that supports overall performance improvement and minimises the net subsidy taxpayers pay for rail.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Transport Secretary acts to make thousands of extra driving tests available each month, published on 23 April 2025, how many driving test places have been available to book in each the last six months for which data is available.

The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests provided for the months April 2025 to September 2025.AprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberTotal155,582161,039172,327185,901158,511183,762