Written questions by Holden.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of booking driving tests.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.Further information on these actions and progress on the plan can be found on GOV.UK at: www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-secretary-acts-to-make-thousands-of-extra-driving-tests-available-each-month. All available driving test appointments are shown on the DVSA’s live booking system, and as well as releasing tests on a rolling 24-week basis on a Monday, additional appointments are released throughout the week. As new test appointments appear on the booking service at different times of the day and through the week, the DVSA advises candidates to continue to check for earlier appointments. On 28 May, DVSA launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. The consultation closed on 23 July. DVSA will review the feedback given and announce next steps as soon as possible. Further information on the consultation is available at:www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules/improving-car-driving-test-booking-rules. This consultation is about changing the rules on how car driving tests can be booked and managed. The aim is to make test booking fairer, stop people charging extra fees to book tests and simplify the system for learners and approved driving instructors (ADI).

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of c2c's transfer to public ownership on levels of senior management and specialist operational expertise; how many such staff have left since the transfer; and what steps her Department is taking to retain senior management and specialist operational expertise from c2c within the publicly owned rail network.

The Government is determined to retain the committed and talented staff who keep the railways running for passengers. As services are transferred into public ownership, including c2c’s services, staff employed by the privately-owned operator transfer to the public sector operator in accordance with Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations. The potential impact of this is closely monitored throughout the transfer process by the Department and DFT Operator. The transfer of c2c’s services and staff to public sector operator, c2c Railway Limited, on 20 July 2025 was successful. c2c Railway Limited is responsible for recruitment and retention of its staff. The Government’s reform of the railways, including the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), will continue to modernise the railway’s dedicated and skilled workforce. Through workforce reform and the simplification of industry processes, we aim to restore pride in the railway as an employer and empower every colleague to deliver better service and value. While details on exact roles are subject to further design work, GBR will continue to need colleagues from across the railway to continue the hard work that they do delivering for passengers. We will continue to engage with the industry on our plans for GBR.

How many applications were made to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury under the approval of senior pay process for salaries above (a) £150,000 and (b) £174,000 since 4 July 2024; how many of those applications were (i) approved and (ii) rejected; and how many applications were (A) approved and (B) rejected for performance-related pay arrangements exceeding (1) £17,500 and (2) £25,000 since 4 July 2024.

Since 4 July 2024, HM Treasury has approved 200 cases under the senior pay approval process. Following a July 2025 update to the guidance, HM Treasury approval is required for salaries above £174,000 and performance-related pay over £25,000.

Whether she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Amendments to licensing restrictions: bus, coach and heavy goods vehicles, which closed on 5 June 2024.

The previous government consulted on proposals to amend licensing restrictions which would enable 18- to 20-year-olds to drive a bus and coach over 50km when driving a regular service and to enable some of the tests required to be passed in order to gain a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence to be taken before a provisional licence is issued. We are currently considering next steps.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure HMRC tax calculations accurately reflect the period in which state pension upratings apply; and whether HMRC has a planned date for resolving this issue.

The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast. In line with the Government's commitment to the Triple Lock for the duration of this parliament, over 12 million pensioners have benefitted from a 4.1 per cent increase to their basic or new State Pension this year. Those on a full new State Pension will be getting an additional £470 a year. The extra income comes on top of a substantial increase in 2024/25, which saw those receiving a full new State Pension get a £900 boost. When it comes to taxes, social security benefits are treated differently depending on why they are paid. Generally, benefits that replace income, like the State Pension, are taxable. The Personal Allowance - the amount an individual can earn before paying tax - will continue to exceed the basic and full new State Pension in 2025/26. This means pensioners whose sole income is the full new State Pension or basic State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax. Most pensioners who pay tax on their State Pension are in Pay As You Earn. For these customers, HMRC calculates how much State Pension an individual accrues each year by calculating one week at the old rate of State Pension and 51 weeks at the new rate and adjusting their tax code accordingly. This means most pensioners pay the right amount of tax in real time. HMRC has become aware that for a sub-set of individuals in receipt of the State Pension, a calculation error means that their tax is calculated based on 52 weeks at the new rate. The difference in tax owed is approximately £5. Affected individuals can call HMRC to amend any incorrect figures of State Pension.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of state pensioners that have had their taxable pension income miscalculated due to HMRC applying 52 weeks of the uprated rate rather than accounting for the weeks paid at the previous year’s rate.

The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast. In line with the Government's commitment to the Triple Lock for the duration of this parliament, over 12 million pensioners have benefitted from a 4.1 per cent increase to their basic or new State Pension this year. Those on a full new State Pension will be getting an additional £470 a year. The extra income comes on top of a substantial increase in 2024/25, which saw those receiving a full new State Pension get a £900 boost. When it comes to taxes, social security benefits are treated differently depending on why they are paid. Generally, benefits that replace income, like the State Pension, are taxable. The Personal Allowance - the amount an individual can earn before paying tax - will continue to exceed the basic and full new State Pension in 2025/26. This means pensioners whose sole income is the full new State Pension or basic State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax. Most pensioners who pay tax on their State Pension are in Pay As You Earn. For these customers, HMRC calculates how much State Pension an individual accrues each year by calculating one week at the old rate of State Pension and 51 weeks at the new rate and adjusting their tax code accordingly. This means most pensioners pay the right amount of tax in real time. HMRC has become aware that for a sub-set of individuals in receipt of the State Pension, a calculation error means that their tax is calculated based on 52 weeks at the new rate. The difference in tax owed is approximately £5. Affected individuals can call HMRC to amend any incorrect figures of State Pension.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2025 to Question 62999 on Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Aviation, whether information on the (a) number and (b) cost of domestic flights by Ministers since July 2024 is centrally held by his Department.

Defra does not centrally hold this information.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance to local highways authorities on the placement of not formally authorised (a) flags, (b) banners and (c) advertisements from (i) lampposts and (ii) other local authority street furniture since 4 July 2024.

The government supports the flying of flags across the country. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together. Guidance exists, such as ‘Flying flags: a plain English guide” - as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and 2021) – which outlines the regulations related to the flying of flags in England.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to consolidate the gov.uk app with the (a) gov.uk one login, (b) gov.uk ID check and (c) HMRC app.

The GOV.UK app is designed to sit alongside existing government applications, including those operated by HM Revenue and Customs. My officials continue to work closely with colleagues across government to ensure these services complement one another.We have already integrated GOV.UK One Login functionality into the GOV.UK app to enable a signed-in experience for users.Utility and the user experience are key priorities, and we are committed to ensuring a seamless and cohesive experience for all users when interacting with government products and services.

Media and Sport, which Government Art Collection works have been (a) installed and (b) deinstalled from HM Treasury main offices since 4 July 2024 by (i) title, (ii) artist and (iii) reference number.

The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time in response to new display steers and requests.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 66650 on Industrial Disputes, what guidance his Department provides on undertaking Ministerial duties in 70 Whitehall during periods of strike action by (a) staff and (b) contractors who work in 70 Whitehall.

No such guidance has been issued by the Cabinet Office.

Whether Downing Street uses renewable energy for its electricity.

Downing Street is connected to the National Grid, which uses a range of energy sources, including renewable energy.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39576 on Prime Minister: Aviation, how many and what proportion of the Prime Minister's overseas flights used Sustainable Aviation Fuel since 4 July 2024.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of 21 October 2024, Official Report, PQ 8434.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 47344 on Workplace Pensions: Inheritance Tax, whether MyCSP administers the Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC; and whether there is an annual (a) set of accounts and (b) report for that pension scheme.

MyCSP currently administers the pension scheme for Keir Starmer QC. Neither an annual set of accounts or a report are provided for this pension scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2025 to Question 63007 on Government Departments: Equality, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the recruitment of a Diversity and Inclusion Manager in her Department.

Recruitment is delegated to departments and the Cabinet Office would not be involved in relation to recruitment within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65874 on Prime Minister: Staff, how many staff work in the Mission Delivery Unit; whether that unit is part of the Prime Minister’s Office business unit; and in which office that unit is based.

On 1 September the Prime Minister announced changes to the Downing Street operation supporting the government’s next phase of delivery.The Prime Minister has established a reformed Delivery Unit, led out of Downing Street, to drive forward the Plan for Change.

For what reason the Civil Service Jobs website advertises job vacancies which allow employees to work from home permanently.

The Civil Service Jobs website advertises job vacancies on behalf of government departments. The Civil Service currently makes limited use of home-working contracts for certain roles and/or adjustments for people with disabilities. In October 2024, Heads of Departments agreed that Civil Servants should continue to spend a minimum of 60% of their time in the office.

Whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities in England on the impact of changes to VAT on independent schools on school places.

HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees, which includes the government’s estimations of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. The TIIN is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected.Latest published figures confirm that there is additional capacity in the system. The department works with local authorities to help them fulfil their duty to secure school places.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of (a) overseas and (b) domestic Ministerial official flights by his Department are (i) carbon offset and (ii) use Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

No flights were offset and we cannot provide data on the use of sustainable aviation fuel on flights as this detail is not available through our travel booking contract.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question HL8406 on Civil Servants: Performance Related Pay, what is his Department's policy on performance-related pay for the Junior Civil Service; and what is the maximum value of a performance reward in a financial year.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer on 23 June 2025 (HL 8406). As has been the practice in previous administrations, the arrangements for performance-related pay for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) are published in annual SCS pay practitioner guidance. The 2025-26 guidance, including the controls on performance related pay, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-the-senior-civil-service-pay-award-202526For grades below the SCS, departments have delegated authority to determine their own performance-related pay arrangements. The Cabinet Office annual pay awards are not performance related. The Department operates an in-year reward and recognition scheme throughout the year.The total value of all in-year rewards received during this period should not exceed £2000. This does not include Long Term Service Awards.