Written questions by Raja.

How many journeys have been undertaken by Ministers on the RAF 32 Squadron Dassault Falcon 900LX executive jet for official travel since 4 July 2024.

Awaiting answer.

Whether she plans to take steps to close the regulatory gap that allows holders of provisional licences, including those converting from non-designated foreign licences, to continue driving unsupervised after failing a GB driving test.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the Government expects to publish the proposed Access to Nature Green Paper.

This Government committed in the 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan to bringing forward an Access to Nature Green Paper. This will provide an opportunity to explore options for improving and expanding access, test potential approaches, and gather robust evidence before any decisions are taken. A timetable for publication has not yet been confirmed, but further updates will be provided in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to address persistent speeding by repeat offenders; and whether the use of intervening and active Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) will form part of the strategy to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.

The Government is committed to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads, including by supporting effective enforcement of speed limits. Speed enforcement is an operational matter for the police, including decisions on prosecution or the offer of alternatives such as speed awareness courses. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the independent courts. Drivers who repeatedly commit speeding offences, or who commit serious speeding offences, may face penalty points, fines and, in appropriate cases, disqualification from driving. The Government keeps the motoring offences framework under review but does not currently have any plans to introduce intelligent speed assistance for those convicted of speeding offences.

Whether she considered including horse riders, carriage drivers and their horses among vulnerable road users in the Road Safety Strategy; and what targeted measures she plans to introduce to improve safety outcomes for equestrians.

A main focus for this Government is to make our roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to horse riders, carriage drivers and their horses. Our new Road Safety Strategy was published on 07 January and sets out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035. This target will focus the efforts of road safety partners across Britain, with measures to improve road design, protect vulnerable road users, and review motoring offences. The Department already recognises that horse riders are vulnerable road users with safety needs. Accordingly, the Highway Code covers horse riders and the need for drivers to exercise special care in relation to them.

Food and Rural Affairs, with regard to Commitment 86 of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, whether the her Department has identified a suitable legislative vehicle to repeal the 2031 cut-off date for recording historic public rights of way.

Repeal of the 2031 cut-off date for recording historic public rights of way will require primary legislation. A specific legislative vehicle has not yet been identified. The Government is keeping this under consideration and will bring forward the necessary provisions when parliamentary time allows.

Whether the Government has plans to introduce a zero emission vehicle mandate for the maritime sector.

The Department has no plans to implement a zero-emission vessel mandate for the maritime sector.

What steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks affecting the maritime sector.

The cyber security of the maritime sector is a priority for my Department, DfT uses both policy and regulatory levers to support the maritime sector to effectively manage cyber risk and assist the sector to secure its networks and systems. We work closely with partners across UK government and law enforcement, the maritime industry, and others to continuously assess and mitigate emerging cyber threats to the sector. As a Competent Authority under the Network & Information Systems regulations, DfT is committed to working with maritime operators to strengthen protection against cyber threats and improve preparedness. We will use the implementation of the Cyber Security and Resilience (NIS) Bill to further strengthen our regulatory powers, improve incident reporting, and expand the type of entities in scope.

What specific directions her Department has issued to the Civil Aviation Authority since the publication of the Regulation Action Plan to prevent the introduction of new regulatory or administrative burdens on industry and to reduce existing ones.

The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced the 2025 Regulatory Action Plan and the CAA’s role in contributing to the Government’s target of reducing administrative costs to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament. One of three themes of the Government’s Regulation Action Plan is tackling the complexity and burden of regulation. The CAA is committed to the Plan and have given specific undertakings in relation to it. The Department holds the CAA to account through regular performance reviews which are a key component of the Plan. Whenever regulatory powers for the CAA are created or amended an impact assessment is completed and published to show the consequences for the aviation industry. This is how the Department ensures that all new CAA regulation is proportionate, and better enables the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly.

Whether she plans to ensure that horse riders are included within the design and provision of active travel routes; and what alternative arrangements will be available for equestrians where such provision is not made.

New or upgraded traffic-free paths or quiet country lanes can be designed to be attractive and safe for equestrians as well as walking, wheeling and cycling although in some situations it may not be possible to accommodate their needs. Active Travel England is developing its Rural Design Guidance, which will be published later this year, and is currently engaging with relevant stakeholders, including equestrian organisations such as the British Horse Society, Byways and Bridleways Trust and The Trails Trust.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the changes in student visa refusal rates over the last 12 months; and how changes in rates are reflected in sponsor compliance requirements.

The tighter Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) metrics, set out in the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, will come into effect in June. Metrics will not be changed according to fluctuations in student visa refusal rates, which vary over time due to changing trends and global conditions, as it is important that the sector has consistency in figures to work towards.BCA reforms are purposefully intended to drive a raising of standards in sponsors’ recruitment practices. The RAG system offers some flexibility and allows for proactive intervention where appropriate, including action plans and CAS restrictions, before reaching the licence revocation stage.The financial sustainability of the sector is regularly considered as part of our policy making. The Home Office has regularly engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the Department for Education, throughout the development of this policy. We will continue to do so throughout implementation and delivery to drive improvement in sponsor recruitment.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled £1 billion to cut costs for businesses, drive growth and clean up UK roads, published on 25 March 2026, over what period will the £1 billion funding package be spent; how much funding within the package is classified as (a) capital expenditure and (b) resource expenditure; whether the £170 million allocated to the Depot Charging Scheme forms part of the £1 billion total announced; and what estimate her Department has made of the number of depot charging installations expected to be supported by the £170 million boost to the Depot Charging Scheme.

The £1 billion in funding to support businesses to transition to zero emission commercial vehicles is classified as capital expenditure. The £171 million allocated to the Depot Charging Scheme is part of the £1 billion total, alongside £877 million for the Zero Emission Van Grant and Zero Emission Truck Grant. The Depot Charging Scheme is demand led and the number of grants offered will be dependent on the needs of businesses across the UK.

With reference to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 123235, whether her Department held discussions with garage owners or representative bodies on the practicality and administrative feasibility of conducting annual electric vehicle mileage checks prior to the announcement of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty at Budget 2025.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, to create a fair tax system whilst also taking steps to ensure that driving an electric vehicle (EV) remains an attractive choice for consumers. The Government published a consultation which set out further detail on how eVED will work and sought views on its design and implementation. This included a commitment to engage with garages on the costs of mileage checks and MOT fees. As part of the consultation process, the Government has undertaken a programme of engagement involving a range of stakeholders, including garages, and is committed to continuing to engage closely on the implementation of eVED in the lead up to April 2028. The consultation closed on 18 March 2026. The Government is considering responses and will publish a response in due course.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to WPQ 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Chile; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What expenditure has DfTO undertaken on public affairs companies, and for what purposes, since 4 July 2024.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What criteria are used to determine when breaches of sponsor compliance metrics result in (a) action plans, (b) recruitment restrictions, and (c) revocation of sponsor licences.

The tighter Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) metrics, set out in the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, will come into effect in June. Metrics will not be changed according to fluctuations in student visa refusal rates, which vary over time due to changing trends and global conditions, as it is important that the sector has consistency in figures to work towards.BCA reforms are purposefully intended to drive a raising of standards in sponsors’ recruitment practices. The RAG system offers some flexibility and allows for proactive intervention where appropriate, including action plans and CAS restrictions, before reaching the licence revocation stage.The financial sustainability of the sector is regularly considered as part of our policy making. The Home Office has regularly engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the Department for Education, throughout the development of this policy. We will continue to do so throughout implementation and delivery to drive improvement in sponsor recruitment.

Pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, what the purpose was of each flight to Indonesia; which Ministers and senior officials approved each visit; how many officials travelled on each occasion and at what grade; what the cost was of each visit; and whether an assessment was made of whether those engagements could be (a) conducted remotely and (b) combined with other travel.

The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of CAA regulatory processes on the aviation industry.

The Department for Transport issues an annual priorities letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The most recent letter outlined the Department’s expectations for the CAA for the financial year 2026/27 and has been published. The letter referenced the 2025 Regulatory Action Plan and the CAA’s role in contributing to the Government’s target of reducing administrative costs to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament. One of three themes of the Government’s Regulation Action Plan is tackling the complexity and burden of regulation. The CAA is committed to the Plan and have given specific undertakings in relation to it. The Department holds the CAA to account through regular performance reviews which are a key component of the Plan. Whenever regulatory powers for the CAA are created or amended an impact assessment is completed and published to show the consequences for the aviation industry. This is how the Department ensures that all new CAA regulation is proportionate, and better enables the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the interaction between student visa policy and the financial sustainability of higher education institutions.

The tighter Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) metrics, set out in the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, will come into effect in June. Metrics will not be changed according to fluctuations in student visa refusal rates, which vary over time due to changing trends and global conditions, as it is important that the sector has consistency in figures to work towards.BCA reforms are purposefully intended to drive a raising of standards in sponsors’ recruitment practices. The RAG system offers some flexibility and allows for proactive intervention where appropriate, including action plans and CAS restrictions, before reaching the licence revocation stage.The financial sustainability of the sector is regularly considered as part of our policy making. The Home Office has regularly engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the Department for Education, throughout the development of this policy. We will continue to do so throughout implementation and delivery to drive improvement in sponsor recruitment.

What assessment she has made of the risk that increased student visa refusal rates may cause otherwise compliant sponsors to breach the 5% refusal threshold.

The tighter Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) metrics, set out in the Immigration White Paper on 12 May 2025, will come into effect in June. Metrics will not be changed according to fluctuations in student visa refusal rates, which vary over time due to changing trends and global conditions, as it is important that the sector has consistency in figures to work towards.BCA reforms are purposefully intended to drive a raising of standards in sponsors’ recruitment practices. The RAG system offers some flexibility and allows for proactive intervention where appropriate, including action plans and CAS restrictions, before reaching the licence revocation stage.The financial sustainability of the sector is regularly considered as part of our policy making. The Home Office has regularly engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the Department for Education, throughout the development of this policy. We will continue to do so throughout implementation and delivery to drive improvement in sponsor recruitment.