Business of the House

David Mundell Excerpts

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I am delighted that my hon. Friend has raised the matter of Bradford being the 2025 city of culture—I know this subject is close to your heart, Madam Deputy Speaker—and the fact that it has been a tremendous success. The city of culture programme has historically been a driver of local growth and pride. Next year, we look forward to not only cities of culture, but towns of culture. I am sure there will be an opportunity in the new year for my hon. Friend and others to debate these matters and see what further progress we can make.

[David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)]

Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish you, all Members and House staff a very merry Christmas and a guid new year, when it comes. I have the honour to represent one of the largest rural constituencies in the United Kingdom, where the ability to drive is essential for many, particularly at Christmas, when we want to get out and see family and friends. May we therefore have a debate in Government time on the operation of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and its associated agencies? Not only are there long delays for driving tests, and not only are rural test centres being overwhelmed by people from outside the area, but we now have significant delays for people with medical conditions who are applying to renew their driving licence.

[Sir Alan Campbell]

I thank the right hon. Member for his question. I agree with him about the importance of being able to drive, particularly in areas like his. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible, but he will know from the National Audit Office report on driving tests, published this week, that the situation is far from acceptable, and delays can affect the lives of our constituents. I will therefore ensure that a Minister updates him on the steps that the Department for Transport is taking to ensure that the DVLA’s performance improves.