Speeches by Greenwood.

“Absolutely. We are looking at road safety in the round. We know that there are particular groups, including young drivers, who are particularly at risk, so this could be one of the things that becomes a measure that falls out of that work.”

“Clearly, it is really important that the driving test is a road safety measure. It is about making sure that people have the skills and knowledge they need for a lifetime of safe driving, so it is important that we review what the content of the test is. Those of us who passed our driving test a long time ago will know…”

“Go on, Emma.”

“As you have already heard, the price of the test has not changed since 2009. One of the implications of that is that, as the way the DVSA operates is that the fees charged should cover the cost of delivering the service and at the moment they don’t, the DVSA is, effectively, losing money on offering driving tests. Ther…”

“There are just two things to say, Chair. One is that the system has allowed swaps to happen for a legitimate reason and encouraged it. I am happy to say a bit more about that in terms of driving instructors. It is not unusual for driving instructors to book tests on behalf of their candidates, although most people book…”

“We are absolutely considering all options in an attempt to clamp down on unscrupulous behaviour. We want people to be able to book a test at the price that the test is meant to be and not to have to pay a premium in order to be treated fairly. Absolutely, we are considering what our options are to be able to do that.”

“It also means that the text to remind you to come to your test and what you need to bring with you doesn’t necessarily get through to the person who is coming to take the test because they booked it through a third party, which again just adds to the wastage.”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this afternoon, Sir Mark. I congratulate the hon. Member for Witney (Charlie Maynard) on securing this debate on railway connectivity between Witney, Carterton, Eynsham and Oxford. It is clear that he has been a passionate advocate for restoring the rail link, and I tha…”

“I thank the hon. Member for that clarification. However, he will appreciate that £600 million —even with a significant private sector contribution —is not an insignificant amount. I understand that delivering the scheme would require funding from central Government—I guess that is the purpose of his debate—but he will …”

“My hon. Friend is a great champion for businesses in her constituency. We recognise the important role that smaller local bus operators can provide in delivering high-quality bus services; they know their customers and their communities. In addition to the requirement to consider SMEs as part of the franchising process…”

“Transport matters are devolved in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, of course, but putting buses at the heart of our policies and wanting to increase ridership provides brilliant opportunities for local manufacturers of buses to take part and supports local manufacturers and operators.”

“I absolutely recognise the concern that arises when vital bus services are lost, which the hon. Lady mentioned. That is why, in the forthcoming buses Bill, we will explore a local network management measure that will give local transport authorities the power to ensure that cuts to local networks are made only when abs…”

“Fourteen years of decline in local bus services under the previous Administration has hit communities across the country hard, especially in rural areas. This Government know that buses are a lifeline, and through our upcoming buses Bill, we will give all local leaders the powers that they need to design networks that …”

“It is incredibly important that decisions about local services are taken by those who are operating them. That is why not only have we provided substantial levels of funding—£1 billion announced in the Budget and the allocations set out on Monday—but we are providing local transport authorities with the powers they nee…”

“I thank the shadow Secretary of State for his question. We are proud of the work that we have done to ensure that every part of the country benefits from additional funding for their buses, and we will publish that later today.[Official Report, 26 November 2024; Vol. 757, c. 10WC.] (Correction)”

“This Government are empowering every community to take back control of their local bus services. Legislation on bus franchising requires local authorities to consider small and medium-sized enterprises as part of the franchising process. We are working with those interested in pursuing franchising to develop different …”

“We are all concerned about the impact of works on services. I know that the Rail Minister is aware of that and would welcome the opportunity to visit, alongside Network Rail, to see the work being done to mitigate the impact on the hon. Gentleman’s constituents as that work continues.”

“The electrification of the remainder of the route to Nottingham and Sheffield via Derby—the midland main line electrification programme—is in development, and currently it is planned to be completed by the early 2030s, subject to business case approvals and wider affordability considerations.”

“My hon. Friend is absolutely right to speak up for his constituents in Worcestershire, and about the difference that will be made by the funding that this Government are providing. It will ensure that his constituents have the connections that were cut off for too long under the previous Government.”

“The Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Hendy and officials continue to work closely with Chiltern Railways to support delivery of an improved passenger experience. To reduce crowding, Chiltern periodically adjusts its timetable, responding to passenger demand. It is exploring options for procuring additional trains…”