Richard Holden MP: written questions
2152 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Airports: CarsDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118041 on Airports: Cars, whether her Department provides guidance to airports on the development, content, and monitoring of Surface Access Strategies.
Answer: The expectations around the development and monitoring of airports’ surface access plans were first set out in the Department’s “Guidance on Airport Transport Forums and Airport Surface Access Strategies” in 1999. It is for the airport operator, working w...
Answered 2 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: RecruitmentDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122528More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118042, what steps the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is taking to improve the collection and use of recruitment data for driving examiner vacancies.
Answer: For driving examiner recruitment campaigns up to November 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) used data available from the Civil Service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates; howe...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: RecruitmentDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122527More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118042, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of click-through rates on the number of successful appointments to driving examiner ro
Answer: For driving examiner recruitment campaigns up to November 2025, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) used data available from the Civil Service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates; howe...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: RecruitmentDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122526More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, what systems the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency uses to track the source of applications for driving examiner roles.
Answer: For campaigns up to November 2025, The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) used the data available from the civil service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates, however the information does ...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: RecruitmentDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122525More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, what the average click-through rate was for driving examiner recruitment campaigns in the last 12 months; and what proportion of those click-throughs
Answer: For campaigns up to November 2025, The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) used the data available from the civil service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates, however the information does ...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: RecruitmentDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, how many driving test centres display recruitment posters for driving examiner roles.
Answer: For campaigns up to November 2025, The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) used the data available from the civil service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates, however the information does ...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriver and Vehicle Standards Agency: Fees and ChargesDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122314More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the DVSA's fees strategy.
Answer: As DVSA’s fees are set out in legislation, any changes require a statutory process, including public consultation and subsequent legislative amendments. DVSA will publish details of any fee changes when consulting as part of the statutory process.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHomophobia: Hate CrimeHome OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of current processes for handling incidents involving harassment, alarm or distress motivated by homophobia where relevant evidence cannot be admitted
Answer: On the 14th February, the government tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to extend existing aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to ensure equal protection across the protected characteristics of race, religion, sexual ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Greenhouse Gas EmissionsCabinet OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122296More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what additional resource requirements have been identified by the Government Property Agency or departments arising from greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements over the current Spending Review period.
Answer: I refer to my answer for 116583. The GPA calculates greenhouse gas emissions for office space occupied by GPA staff and provides utility consumption data for departments occupying other buildings within its managed estate. As this activity is performed by...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHybrid Vehicles: FiresDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has assessed the implications for its policies of findings from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency indicating that hybrid vehicles experience approximately 3,475 fires per 100,000 veh
Answer: The safety of hybrid-electric vehicles is of paramount importance to the Government and is kept under regular review. According to data from Thatcham Research, 2022, which compares claims data from the Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register against...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant SchemeDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2026 to Question 110890, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Matched Funding Scheme.
Answer: The Department for Transport has commissioned an independent evaluation of the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Matched Funding Scheme, to consider the application and delivery process, the role of the scheme in improving lorry driver facilities in England ...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: FiresMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 February 2026 to Question 112231, whether his Department holds data on (a) the number of fires involving road vehicles of all types attended by Fire
Answer: MHCLG collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England through the Fire and Rescue Data Analysis Platform (FaRDaP), and previously through the Incident Recording System (IRS). This includes information on primary fires, fi...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Hire ServicesDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122264More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the six-day minimum hire threshold on the proportion of zero emission vehicles counted towards the Government Fleet Commitment.
Answer: The scope of the Government Fleet Commitment relates to vehicles that are owned or leased by HMG, and to hire vehicles used for six days or more. Short term vehicle hires, which can happen at short notice, are subject to vehicle availability at the time a...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122262More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of current electricity costs on the rate of electric vehicle uptake; and what assessment he has made of the effect of electricity pricing m
Answer: On electric vehicle uptake, the Department for Transport has not assessed the potential impact of current electricity costs on the rate of uptake, and it is too early to determine how changes in fuel and electricity prices may influence electric vehicle a...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: VacanciesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 117909, how many customers have been referred to DVSA Driving Examiner roles via Jobcentre Plus in each of the six priority locations.
Answer: A total of 85 customers were referred by DWP to DVSA Test Centres across the six priority locations. From this number, 37 passed the assessment and have been offered roles. DVSA provided feedback on a further 26 who were unsuccessful but showed clear pote...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 LineDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119492, if she will publish details of the (a) month and (b) year she expects the reset of the High Speed Two programme to be completed.
Answer: The HS2 programme reset is underway and we are committed to updating parliament on progress on the reset in due course.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAirports: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122243More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 118908, what assessment underpins increases in rateable values of up to 295% for UK civil airports between 1 April 2021 and 1 April 2024; and what specific economi
Answer: All assessments are underpinned by statutory assumptions defined in Schedule 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. For the 2026 revaluation, we consider general economic circumstances and the receipts and expenditure relevant to individual airports ...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120007, whether any elements of the HS2 programme’s scope, specification or associated works are expected to change in order to align the programme with the S
Answer: The Spending Review settlement profiles reflects the scope, specification and associated works that the HS2 programme plans to deliver over the period. The HS2 programme reset work that Mark Wild is currently undertaking is underpinned by the Spending Rev...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDrax Power Station: Disclosure of InformationCabinet OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122241More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120628, whether any Government department or agency holds documents released to the media in March 2025 in relation to the employment tribunal involving the Dr
Answer: The Cabinet Office does not hold any documents released to the media in March 2025 in relation to the employment tribunal involving the Drax whistleblower. As this matter related to an employment tribunal at a private company, it is not a matter in which ...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAir Routes: CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122222More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the decision to end the PSO route to Cornwall on the economy.
Answer: The decision not to proceed with the Public Service Obligation (PSO) was a matter for Cornwall Council. The Department continues to work with Cornwall Council to explore commercial options for the route. It is important to note that connectivity continues...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122221More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost was of the 1.) Network Railcard, 2.) 16-17 Saver, 3.) 16-25 Railcard, 4.) 26-30 Railcard, 5.) Family & Friends Railcard, 6.) Two Together Railcard, 7.) Senior Railcard, 8.) Disabled Persons Railca
Answer: Railcard schemes are run by the Rail Delivery Group, and scheme costs are covered by the revenue generated.
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDfT OperatorDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122220More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119493, what roles and functions the 210 staff transferring to DfT Operator Ltd on 1 April 2026 will undertake; from which directorates and business units wit
Answer: The functions in scope to transfer from DfT to DFTO include the majority of the Rail Services Group, as well as a small number of teams in the Rail Reform and Strategy Group and the Corporate Delivery Group. The majority of roles transferring relate to ra...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGreat British Railways: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121922More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 117438 on Great British Railways: Finance, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of publishing details of the modelling, business case develo
Answer: The Department has considered this and has no plans to publish the details of internal modelling or initial business case development which informed the savings from corporate initiatives in the Department’s Efficiency Plan.
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120007, whether any elements of the HS2 programme’s scope, specification or associated works are expected to change in order to align the programme with the S
Answer: The Spending Review settlement profiles reflects the scope, specification and associated works that the HS2 programme plans to deliver over the period. The HS2 programme reset work that Mark Wild is currently undertaking is underpinned by the Spending Rev...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: VacanciesDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121903More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 117905 on Driving Tests: Vacancies, which DVSA driving test centres have had live Driving Examiner vacancies; what dates those vacancies were first listed; an
Answer: As stated in the answer to Question 117906 the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not hold centrally a snapshot of the total number of driving examiner vacancies by calendar month but continually reviews its workforce requirements in response...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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