Written questions by Swann.

Whether she has considered introducing Graduated Driver Licenses for new drivers, in the context of levels of car insurance.

Driver licensing is devolved in Northern Ireland and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly.Whilst we are not considering Graduated Driver Licensing in Great Britain with further restrictions on newly qualified drivers, such as carrying passengers or driving at night, we are 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.If the number of collisions involving young drivers and novice drivers fall overall, then this could lead to a reduction in insurance premiums for younger drivers.It is also important to note that motor insurers are responsible for setting the terms and conditions of the policies that they offer and it is for them to decide the level of risk that they take in issuing any policy to a given applicant. Motor insurers use a wide range of criteria to assess the potential risk a driver poses and this includes the age of the applicant, the type of vehicle being insured, the postal area where the applicant lives and the driving experience of the applicant. The setting of premiums is a commercial decision for individual insurers based on their underwriting experience and the Government does not intervene or seek to control the market.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 9859 on Motor Insurance Taskforce: Northern Ireland, when she will publish the report from the Taskforce on motor insurance.

The Motor Insurance Taskforce final report was published on 10 December.

Whether she has received the feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line from the Northern Ireland Minister of Infrastructure.

I can confirm that my officials have received a copy of the feasibility study from Translink. The Department will continue to contribute constructively to devolved transport priorities, fully respecting the devolved settlement.

Whether her Department is taking steps to help prevent slugs entering traffic light controller boxes.

Responsibility for the design, installation and maintenance of traffic signal equipment, including controller cabinets, lies with the relevant local traffic authority. It is for them to ensure they procure equipment suitable for the conditions in which it is likely to be used.

If she will include motorcycling in all its forms as a specific element within the forthcoming integrated national transport strategy; and what her timetable is for publishing the strategy.

Later this year, the department will publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) and set the long-term vision for transport across England, placing people at the heart of how we plan, build, and operate transport. The Strategy will aim to address fragmentation and inefficiency across the transport system to ensure that people can easily, reliably, and safely carry out the journeys they want to make, however they choose to travel.We have conducted extensive engagement with stakeholders and members of the public, including motorcyclists and motorcycle user representative groups, through a Call for Ideas, Regional Roadshows, and targeted sessions with seldom heard groups. As the Strategy is still in development, I am unable to comment on specific policy questions, but all the insights gathered through our engagement activities have been analysed and are being considered as the Strategy continues to evolve.

With reference to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 8083 on Roads: Safety, what her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.

Officials continue to work on the complex draft regulations that would be required to commence Section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006. When this work is completed the Government will give consideration to enabling Section 19 to come to fruition in respect of mandated driving instruction standards for emergency services.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52794 on Lisburn-Antrim Railway Line, what funding is available for the reopening of rail lines across the United Kingdom.

While transport is largely devolved to Northern Ireland, the UK Government was uniquely able to offer funding for specific rail feasibility studies through Union Connectivity Development Fund. This fund was set up to address recommendations and next steps raised by the Union Connectivity Review.The Government is currently working to finalise what will be a challenging Spending Review - while this work is continuing, I cannot comment further on funding availability.

What progress she has made on the Union Connectivity Fund feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line.

The Department provided funding to Translink through the Union Connectivity Fund to deliver a feasibility study for the reopening of the Antrim to Lisburn rail line. The Department understands from Translink that they plan to publish their findings over the Summer and that they will engage with stakeholders to present the results.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32525 on Airports, which airports are designated Level 3.

There are currently 9 Level 3 coordinated airports in the UK: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Stansted, London Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds Bradford.​ Leeds Bradford is Level 3 coordinated for summer season only, the other airports are Level 3 coordinated on year-round basis.

What is required for an airport to be designated as a level 3 airport.

For an airport to be designated as Level 3 slot coordinated, and therefore requiring the formal allocation of slots by an independent coordinator, the demand for operating services should exceed the airport infrastructure’s capacity for at least one scheduling period. Secretary of State approval is required to designate any airport as Level 3 slot coordinated.

If he will have discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on (a) establishing a watchdog to regulate the cost of charging electric vehicles and (b) encouraging electric vehicle use.

We are committed to the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles, as this will drive economic growth, help the UK meet its climate change obligations and improve air quality. To support that transition, the Department for Transport continues to work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive. Transport is a devolved matter, so this would be the decision of the Executive.

If she will publish a breakdown of funding for passengers with reduced mobility services at United Kingdom airports provided by her Department.

Under the UK law, the managing body of the airport is responsible for ensuring the provision of free assistance, for disabled or less mobile passengers. The UK aviation sector operates in a private market, therefore the sector is responsible for funding the provision of assistance.

Whether the cross-Government Taskforce on motor insurance will include representation from Northern Ireland.

We recognise that the concerns the Taskforce will work on are shared across the UK. Therefore, we have proposed a meeting of the Taskforce that includes representatives from the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss any key differences in markets across the UK and how these affect the cost of insurance for consumers. This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury, which met for the first time on 16th October. The Taskforce is comprised of ministers from relevant Government Departments and by the Financial Conduct Authority and Competition and Markets Authority. The Taskforce is supported by a separate Stakeholder Panel of industry experts representing the insurance, motor, and consumer sector. This Taskforce has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums, while maintaining appropriate levels of cover. It will evaluate the impact of increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry, including how this impacts different demographics, geographies and communities.

What her planned timetable is for laying the secondary legislation required to commence section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006.

Ministers are giving consideration to this matter. An update will be provided in due course.

What progress the Civil Aviation Authority have made on the Performance Framework for Airline Accessibility; and whether she plans to introduce enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the proposed regulations.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its new Airline Accessibility Performance Framework Guidance on 7 August 2024. It sets out requirements for airlines to meet existing legal obligations, and the criteria to be used by the CAA for airline accessibility assessments. Everyone must be able to fly with dignity and ease. This Government is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and will consider the ways this can be best achieved.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Civil Aviation Authority's Airport Accessibility Performance Framework on the quality of assistance at airports; what steps she is taking to monitor that quality; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of such monitoring; and what (a) enforcement and (b) accountability measures are in place.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assesses airports on a yearly basis to ensure airports are meeting their legal obligations, and provides a rating on the airports performance against its Airport Accessibility Performance Framework.  It is for the the CAA as the independent regulator to develop the tools it needs to assess performance and take enforcement action as needed.  The Department for Transport is committed to ensuring aviation is accessible, and it will continue to work with the CAA, industry and stakeholders to ensure that everyone can fly with dignity and ease.