Written questions by Bedford.

Whether her Department plans to establish a measurable framework for assessing when traffic materially undermines a village’s function as a place, rather than solely assessing vehicle capacity.

The Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance includes a qualitative methodology for assessing the impacts of transport schemes on townscape, defined as the physical and social characteristics that contribute to a sense of place. The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024, requires a vision‑led approach to transport from the earliest stages of planning, ensuring movement, streets and parking are integral to place‑making. Where significant impacts on the transport network or highway safety are identified, mitigation should be considered to an acceptable degree through this approach. The Government consulted on further changes between December 2025 and March 2026 and will publish its response in due course. Forthcoming updated Planning Practice Guidance on transport assessments will support local authorities in applying these policies.

What consideration is given within national transport assessment guidance to cumulative and cross boundary impacts in rural areas, including rat running, school run congestion, and early network stress occurring prior to full occupation of approved developments.

The Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance provides a technical framework for assessing network‑wide transport impacts, including cumulative and cross‑boundary effects. Through its requirements on scenario testing, forecasting and appraisal of social impacts, Transport Analysis Guidance enables local authorities and developers to identify issues such as rat‑running, congestion at sensitive locations including villages and schools, and early network stress occurring before full occupation or mitigation is in place.Alongside this, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Planning Practice Guidance on transport assessments makes clear that cumulative impacts from committed development should be taken into account where these affect the same parts of the transport network. MHCLG are currently updating this guidance and this will be published in due course.

What guidance her Department provides to highway authorities on how the place before movement principle should be operationalised in rural transport assessments, particularly where multiple developments exert cumulative impacts across neighbouring settlements.

My officials work closely with counterparts in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on national planning policy, including how transport is considered in plan‑making and decision‑taking for new development.The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024, requires transport to be considered from the earliest stages of planning, using a vision‑led approach to support well‑designed, sustainable places. This includes integrating movement, streets and parking into scheme design, including in rural areas. The Government consulted on further changes to the NPPF between December 2025 and March 2026 and will publish its response in due course, alongside updated planning guidance.The Department for Transport has also developed the Government’s Connectivity Tool, which combines land‑use and transport data to provide a consistent measure of access to jobs and essential services. This tool can support authorities and in understanding connectivity and potential changes to connectivity when assessing new development.

How many civil servants in their Department were found to have broken the Civil Service Code in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025.

In 2024 there were 8 disciplinary cases in the central Government Department that closed in that year and where the reason for the case was categorised specifically as ‘Breaches of the Civil Service Code’.  Of these 8 cases, less than 5 resulted in Final Written warnings or First Written Warnings.In 2025 there were 6 disciplinary cases in the central Government Department that closed in that year and where the reason for the case was categorised specifically as ‘Breaches of the Civil Service Code’.  Of these 6 cases, less than 5 resulted in Dismissal or First Written Warnings.Due to the small number of cases which have been identified in some outcomes, a further breakdown is withheld as it could lead to identification of individuals.

How many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

Performance Action Plans are an informal tool managed within the line management chain. Department for Transport therefore does not hold any central data on how many civil servants have a performance management plan in place.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of lowering the age of driving to 16.

The Department is not considering lowering the driving age to 16. Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy and that is especially the case for young people who are disproportionately involved in road collisions. That is why the Road Safety Strategy focuses on improved education for learner drivers. This includes consulting on a Minimum Learning Period before learner drivers can take their practical driving test. This would allow learners more time to gain essential experience, for example in different weather conditions, before driving independently and reduce the risk to themselves and other drivers.

Whether her Department holds information on the number of road traffic accidents caused by people driving legally under non-GB issued driving licences.

The information requested is not held by the Department for Transport.

Whether her Department holds information on the number of UK road traffic accidents caused by people driving in the UK without a valid full or provisional UK-issued driving licence.

This information is not held by the Department for Transport.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that immigrants in the UK do not drive on public roads under a non-GB issued licence for longer than 12 months.

While the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is responsible for issuing driving licences, enforcement of the law is a matter for the police.

If her Department holds information on the number of UK road traffic accidents caused by immigrants driving without a valid full or provisional UK driving licence.

This information is not held by the Department for Transport.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of train operators since the announcement of the creation of Great British Railways.

Great British Railways is set to be the ‘directing mind’ for the rail industry, bringing together the management of the network and the delivery of passenger services into a single public body. Establishing Great British Railways as a new arm’s length body will take time, but we must and have begun the process of fixing our railways now – improving services for our customers and taking a whole-system approach, so we deliver a more sustainable, affordable and reliable railway. We are starting to see train reliability stabilise following a decade of decline, and cancellations are no longer rising. We have ended the national industrial dispute, bringing passenger confidence back and we are seeing passenger journeys increasing. Furthermore, we have made station-specific performance information available for the first time, as a visible sign that we are determined to improve standards.

Whether her Department plans to introduce sight tests for drivers every two years.

All drivers, regardless of age, have a legal responsibility to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition that may affect their ability to drive. The Government is considering the current process of self-declaration and the challenges posed by an ageing population where certain conditions, including vision conditions, may become more prevalent. In the meantime, the current renewal at age 70 process remains as is, and drivers must legally declare any vision or medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive. Any options for change will be subject to public consultation.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Transport Decarbonisation Plan, published on 14 July 2021, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that (a) people impacted by the withdrawal of the Arriva 28 bus service in Leicestershire and (b) other rural communities have adequate access to public transport.

The Government knows that access to reliable bus services is essential for providing access to work, education, vital services and leisure opportunities. The Government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services. In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country of which Leicestershire County Council has been allocated £8.2 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the Government confirmed additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027. Furthermore, demand responsive transport (DRT) has the potential to improve the local transport offer in rural areas. The Department has funded 17 innovative DRT pilots through the Rural Mobility Fund, including the first Fox Connect DRT service in South West Leicestershire. Each scheme is taking part in a detailed monitoring and evaluation process. This will provide a strong base of evidence and good practice for DRT and a better understanding of both the role it can play in rural areas. Further Fox Connect services are being introduced to serve areas around other parts of Leicestershire such as Market Bosworth and Coalville.

What assessment she has made of the (a) safety and (b) accessibility of road networks in rural areas in Mid Leicestershire constituency; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of development on road networks between settlements.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. To this end, my Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course. Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with the Local Authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act. It is for the local council to decide what measures may be appropriate in their local area to “take steps both to reduce and prevent accidents”. Local authorities are also responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government, including setting local speed limits where the national limit would not be appropriate. Local highway authorities are bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty and it is for them to ensure they manage their roads in a way that complies with that, including assessing potential impacts of development on road networks in their area. Local authorities are best placed to decide on delivery of road safety initiatives, because of their knowledge of the roads for which they are responsible. We aid local authorities by providing guidance and initiatives such as our flagship road safety campaign, THINK!

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a delay repay compensation scheme for coach travel.

The Department for Transport has not undertaken an assessment of introducing a delay repay compensation scheme specifically for coach travel. Unlike the rail industry, where delay repay schemes are a standard requirement within franchise agreements, the wider coach sector operates primarily on a commercial basis with limited regulatory intervention. The Department continues to monitor passenger experience across all transport modes and remains committed to ensuring passengers receive appropriate consumer protections. We regularly engage with industry stakeholders, consumer groups and the public to assess whether existing compensation arrangements are sufficient. Any proposals for new regulatory requirements would need careful consideration of the potential impacts on both passengers and operators, including the administrative burden and potential costs that might be passed on to passengers.

What information her Department holds on the annual cost of free bus passes for people over the State Pension age.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually.

How many permanent civil servants in her Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

Based on the case records held on the Civil Service HR (CSHR) Casework “Casework Management Application” (CMA) database, the number of DfTc staff dismissed due to ‘Managing Poor Performance’ or for Poor Performance whilst on Probation are in the attached table.

What assessment she has made of the (a) safety and (b) accessibility of road networks in Mid Leicestershire constituency.

Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with the local authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act. They will decide what measures may be appropriate to “take steps both to reduce and prevent accidents” and they are also responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government, including setting local speed limits where the national limit would not be appropriate.

What steps her Department is taking to help promote the uptake of hydrogen powered cars.

Government policy on the transition to zero emissions is technology neutral. The ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicles) Mandate credits hydrogen fuel cell cars and vans as fully zero emission. ZEVs benefit from favourable tax rates compared to the most polluting vehicles, such as the lowest first year rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) at £10. Company Car Tax rates continue to support the uptake of ZEVs, with preferential rates currently at 2%, rising to 3% in April 2025. 100% First Year Allowances (FYA) have also been extended into financial year 2025/26 for qualifying expenditure on zero emission cars.