Written questions by Holden.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of including logistics transport infrastructure in the National Wealth Fund’s five-year strategic plan.

Transport is one of the National Wealth Fund’s priority sectors.

Whether the Civil Service Jobs platform records (a) the number of applications received and (b) the number of appointments made for Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency driving examiner recruitment campaigns since July 2024.

The Civil Service Jobs platform is the central portal for recruitment across the Civil Service and records data for all campaigns managed through the system. Since July 2024, the platform has recorded a total of 26,490 applications received and 1,082 posts offered for Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) driving examiner recruitment campaigns. This number is subject to pre-employment checks and ongoing campaigns.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2026 to Question 116586, what estimate her Department has made of the level of fees not being paid to former private sector train operating companies as a result of the public ownership programme managed by DFT Operator Limited since July 2024; and what the cost has been of the increase in headcount at DFT Operator Limited since 1 January 2024, including (i) salaries, (ii) employer pension contributions and (iii) employer National Insurance contributions.

Public ownership will save taxpayers up to an estimated £110-150 million every year on fees currently paid to privately-owned train operating companies, once all services currently delivered under contract with the Department have transferred.The increase in total payroll costs at DfT Operator Limited between 01/01/24 to 28/02/26 was:Salary - £6,160,470.90NI - £869,225.19Pension - £621,414.96Total - £7,651,111.05

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 64569, on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether OCS has submitted an application for payment for the costs of the 9 Downing Street media suite.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of 25th March 2026, Official Report, PQ 116506.

Whether he has held discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on cooperation relating to counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities; whether he has considered the deployment of Ukrainian counter-UAV (a) expertise and (b) interceptor drone systems to support the protection of UK (i) military bases and (ii) critical national infrastructure; and whether he has assessed the potential merits of interceptor drones as an alternative to missile-based air defence systems for countering Iranian-designed UAV threats.

Russia’s illegal invasion has resulted in Ukraine becoming a world leader in drone and electronic warfare technology. The Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart on this issue and is delighted that on the 17 March 2026 the UK signed an enhanced security and defence industrial declaration, which will strengthen collaboration between Ukrainian and British defence companies in these crucial sectors.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2026 to Question 111871, whether any net financial efficiency savings are expected to be attributable to Network Rail from the technology and systems investments, after accounting for their up-front and ongoing costs; and what estimate her Department has made of the net cost or benefit of those investments.

Network Rail will write to you on this issue and incorporate a response to your question into its response to a similar question asked previously by Jerome Mayhew MP.

Whether his Department is reviewing documents released to the media in March 2025 in relation to the employment tribunal involving the Drax whistleblower; and whether any findings from that material have been shared with the regulator.

DESNZ does not hold these documents, so is not reviewing them and has not shared them with Ofgem.

A) what services were provided under contract PS24098 awarded to Guidehouse Europe Limited titled “Consulting service for internal assurance of existing sustainability assurance arrangement”; b) which body within his Department or its arm’s-length bodies commissioned that contract; c) what the objectives and scope of the consultancy work were; d) what deliverables were produced under the contract between 5 August 2024 and 30 September 2024; and e) whether the Department plans to publish the outputs of that work.

Following a report published by the National Audit Office in January 2024, titled “the government’s support for biomass”, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero commissioned Guidehouse to review the robustness of the biomass sustainability assurance processes which were in place at the time. Guidehouse produced a report for the Department in September 2024. There are no plans to publish this report.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on British nationals in the UAE who were unable to travel on scheduled commercial flights and subsequently travelled on FCDO charter flights; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure airlines meet their obligations to assist British passengers affected by flight cancellations overseas.

My Department and I have worked in tandem with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and airlines, to ensure that any British National who wishes to leave the region can do so, whether via commercial routes or through Government-supported repatriation flights.Throughout this situation my Department has continued to engage with the aviation sector to understand the impacts on their operations, the measures they are taking to minimise disruption, and the support they are providing to their customers.This collaboration has included direct engagement by the Secretary of State and Ministers with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and major UK airlines and airports.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to publish a new set of Greening Government Commitments to succeed the commitments covering April 2021 to March 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 February to the hon. Member for Bristol Central, PQ UIN 114247.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112364, whether the annual spend on maternity care reported in the NHS National Cost Collection includes or excludes payments made by NHS Resolution for maternity clinical negligence claims; and under which budget heading such payments are accounted for.

The annual spend on maternity in the NHS National Cost Collection does not include payments made by NHS Resolution.Payments for maternity clinical negligence claims are made from the clinical negligence scheme for trusts, which is managed by NHS Resolution.https://resolution.nhs.uk/services/claims-management/clinical-schemes/clinical-negligence-scheme-for-trusts/

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2026 to Question 116553 on the Highway Code, what evidential basis was used when Rule H1 was drafted to include motorcycles.

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. I understand that the Department for Transport worked with an expert stakeholder group representing different users of the road and conducted a 12-week formal consultation.

How many journeys were undertaken by civil servants using Government Car Service vehicles since 4 July 2024.

The Government Car Service (GCS) provides vehicles to government departments as a shared resource. Individual departments determine the allocation and use of these vehicles in line with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code. Information on the number of journeys undertaken is not held centrally by GCS.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112685, whether the British Business Bank has (a) invested in, (b) capitalised, or (c) supported through guarantees or co-investment any funds, schemes, or portfolio companies that have been designated, marketed or described as relating to net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability, climate transition or the green economy in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.

Yes. In each of these years, the British Business Bank has invested in, capitalised, and supported through guarantees or co-investment several funds, schemes and portfolio companies with the specified characteristics. This includes direct co-investment, investment in venture and growth capital funds, and lending delivered through the Bank’s programmes including Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme. A pilot Green Growth Guarantee Scheme is underway, whose goal is to increase the supply of affordable finance for businesses investing in green technologies.

Whether officials in his Department are permitted to use Government Car Service cars.

The Government Car Service provides transport for Ministers and occasionally officials undertaking official duties. Its use is governed by the Ministerial Code and departmental travel policies to ensure journeys are necessary and represent value for money.

How many locations on the strategic road network have been identified by her Department as having significant flooding risks.

Current National Highways data (up to 28 February 2026) shows that there are 1,418 sub-catchments containing locations that have a high-flood risk (out of a total of 10,873 sub-catchments along the Strategic Road Network). Catchments are defined as a group of all the drainage systems and the adjacent land they drain between two geographical high points of the Strategic Road Network. Catchments are typically further divided into sub-catchments, such as one for each carriageway direction or junction.National Highways operates a comprehensive road inspection and maintenance programme. Drainage assets are inspected and maintained in line with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Where flooding hotspots are identified, inspections are carried out more frequently, and improvements are considered.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 74236, if she will set out (a) the decision-making process used by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency when assessing applications to renew driving licences for drivers aged over 70; (b) what evidence is considered when determining whether a driver meets the eyesight requirements for licensing; and (c) what weight is given to recent eyesight tests conducted by qualified opticians when assessing whether an applicant aged over 70 meets the required visual standards.

The driver licensing framework in Great Britain is designed to be balanced and proportionate. Drivers of all ages are legally required to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they develop a medical condition, or if an existing condition worsens, that may affect their ability to drive. Driving licences expire at the age of 70 and must be renewed every three years thereafter. This renewal process provides a regular opportunity for older drivers to consider their health and fitness to drive, recognising that health and vision may deteriorate with age. All drivers are responsible for ensuring that they meet the statutory eyesight standards, including the use of corrective lenses where required. Where a driver declares a medical condition that may affect vision, the DVLA may require a vision assessment, which can be accessed for free at Specsavers. These examinations are conducted in accordance with DVLA specifications to determine whether the legal visual standards are met. Drivers can submit the results of an eyesight test done by another optician as long as it includes an ‘Esterman visual test’. Depending on the outcome of the assessment and the information provided, a driver may retain their licence, be issued with a time-limited licence subject to ongoing review, or where an individual does not meet the required standards, their driving licence will be revoked or their application refused. Further information on the eyesight standards for driving is available on the GOV.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules. The Department for Transport is currently consulting on proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over. Further details are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy and https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers.

Media and Sport, whether officials in her Department are permitted to use Government Car Service cars.

DCMS officials have a separate Travel and Subsistence policy, which does not include the use of the Government Car Service.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 111863, what activities the Intellectual Property Office undertakes in relation to net zero, sustainability or green innovation objectives.

Our sustainability initiatives are focused on meeting our obligations under the Greening Government Commitments, which aim to reduce the environmental impact of our estate and operations. We also ensure that we continue to meet the requirements of ISO 14001, which we hold for our environmental management system. While we review the future accommodation requirements of our headquarters, we are not planning any significant investment in the estate. Current activity is therefore limited to essential maintenance and smaller improvements to maintain efficiency. Recent initiatives include the installation of new energy efficient boilers in our warehouse facility; a reduction in the number of fleet vans and the journeys that they undertake; and replacement of air conditioning units with more efficient units. We’re also reviewing our waste processes to reduce overall waste and improve the amount we recycle. Further detail on our sustainability activity for the previous financial year is set out in the sustainability chapter of our Annual Report and Accounts.

Whether officials in their Department are permitted to use Government Car Service cars.

The Attorney General’s Office follows central government guidance on domestic ministerial travel, as set out in the Civil Service Management Code (2016).